Choose The Right Barrel Racing Saddle To Suit Your Racing Style
Ranked #7,682 in Sports & Recreation, #187,082 overall
Barrel Racing Saddles for Champions
Every barrel racer is looking for a competitive edge. Choosing the right Barrel Racing Saddle may be the difference between winning and being a loser. In this lens I outline some tips and resources that will help you to be better informed when selecting your Barrel Racing Saddles.
A barrel racing saddle keeps you balanced, centered and most importantly, aboard your horse for the full run.
Barrel racing saddles are designed to do just that - built for speed, it's smaller and lighter than a typical Western saddle, with smaller skirts and the interior "tree," or main support structure, is small and lightweight.
A barrel racing saddle usually has a relatively flat seat, giving you a little maneuvering room so you have better balance as you blast around those turns - while at the same time it has a slightly higher cantle and pommel, giving you a better feeling of security while completing your run.
Stirrups generally have a narrow profile - since it's easier to keep a boot in a narrow stirrup.
The idea here is to choose a barrel racing saddle that fits not only you - but your horse as well. If your horse isn't happy with the fit of your saddle, I'll guarantee he won't be running the best race possible. And if you're not happy with the fit of the saddle, you won't be commanding the best race possible.
Take your time when choosing a saddle - it's an important equipment choice that can mean the difference between winning and losing.
A barrel racing saddle keeps you balanced, centered and most importantly, aboard your horse for the full run.
Barrel racing saddles are designed to do just that - built for speed, it's smaller and lighter than a typical Western saddle, with smaller skirts and the interior "tree," or main support structure, is small and lightweight.
A barrel racing saddle usually has a relatively flat seat, giving you a little maneuvering room so you have better balance as you blast around those turns - while at the same time it has a slightly higher cantle and pommel, giving you a better feeling of security while completing your run.
Stirrups generally have a narrow profile - since it's easier to keep a boot in a narrow stirrup.
The idea here is to choose a barrel racing saddle that fits not only you - but your horse as well. If your horse isn't happy with the fit of your saddle, I'll guarantee he won't be running the best race possible. And if you're not happy with the fit of the saddle, you won't be commanding the best race possible.
Take your time when choosing a saddle - it's an important equipment choice that can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Choosing a Saddle for Barrel Racing
In this video Holly Heidemann talks through things to look for when selecting barrel saddles and pads for barrel racing. I have summarized the key points here:
Wool content is an important factor in selecting a pad. Horses sweat when they work, especially if they work as hard as a barrel racing horse does. Wool wicks moisture and allows it to evaporate so that your horse has a comfortable, dry back.
Look for a pad that's either cut back at the withers, or has some kind of contour where it lifts at the withers. The withers are very sensitive on a horse and creating space there will prevent that tightening over the top of their withers when they run.
Make sure your pad is the correct size for your horse.
The tree of the barrel saddle is the structure that sits on a horse's back. Look for a tree structure that will lay very evenly on both sides of the horse's spine so that the pressure will be distributed best way possible.
Stirrups ensure that your feet are in the proper position for balance. Look for stirrups that hang underneath your hips.
Breast collars are very important for saddles to prevent the saddle from moving side to side.
Back cinches are really important, and may even be a safety feature. Back cinches need to be secured snuggly enough that the saddle's will not be flopping around on the horse's back as you go to make your run.
Pad
Wool content is an important factor in selecting a pad. Horses sweat when they work, especially if they work as hard as a barrel racing horse does. Wool wicks moisture and allows it to evaporate so that your horse has a comfortable, dry back.
Look for a pad that's either cut back at the withers, or has some kind of contour where it lifts at the withers. The withers are very sensitive on a horse and creating space there will prevent that tightening over the top of their withers when they run.
Make sure your pad is the correct size for your horse.
Barrel Saddle
The tree of the barrel saddle is the structure that sits on a horse's back. Look for a tree structure that will lay very evenly on both sides of the horse's spine so that the pressure will be distributed best way possible.
Stirrups ensure that your feet are in the proper position for balance. Look for stirrups that hang underneath your hips.
Breast collars are very important for saddles to prevent the saddle from moving side to side.
Back cinches are really important, and may even be a safety feature. Back cinches need to be secured snuggly enough that the saddle's will not be flopping around on the horse's back as you go to make your run.
powered by Youtube
A barrel racing blog you should follow ...
Barrel-Racing.net
Barrel Racing Saddles on eBay
Do I need a different saddle for Barrel Racing?
I already have a saddle, why do I need a Barrel Racing Saddle?
Depending on the level you are competing at you may not need to get a barrel racing saddle. Be sure to check the rules of the show competition you are entering before hand to be certain of the requirements.However, if you are committed to the sport and want to be competitive, then a barrel racing saddle will make sure you are in the running to win as well as keeping you secure and comfortable.
You will be making hard turns and you will need a deeper seat to hold you secure in your saddle. The barrel saddle is deeper and usually has a rough surface to prevent slipping.
Speed is important in competition and the barrel saddle is much lighter than a regular saddle and less weight means that it is easier for your horse to go faster.
The cut of the saddle is also an important factor. The barrel racing saddle has a limited amount of skirting allowing you to take a turn close to the barrel without knocking it down.
If the cost of buying a new barrel saddle is an obstacle, try a used barrel racing saddle you will be surprised that you can pick up some champion barrel saddles at a fraction of what you would pay for a new saddle.
Barrel Racing Books on Amazon
Recent blog posts about Barrel Racing Saddles
- Barrels Set to Roll for Barrel Race
- By Peter Surowski This racer will pedal his wine barrel-turned-racer in an upcoming event at Promenade Temecula. Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival "This is not your rodeo-style barrel race, but a mini grand prix of barrels turned into soap box ...
- Barrel Racing series At Fairgrounds
- By David Stone A new barrel racing series for cowgirls of all ages started last week at Fairgrounds Arena in Groesbeck. The series is sponsored by the Limestone County Barrel Racing Association, and the competition will be held every other Tuesday at ...
- Tonganoxie High grad makes debut competing in Abdallah Shrine Rodeo
- The 2011 Tonganoxie High School graduate not only competed in her hometown in the barrel-racing event of the Shrine Rodeo for the first time but also it's is part of what she is calling a rebuilding year with her teammate: her quarterhorse Queenie.
- Little Britches rodeo kicks off with fun-filled weekend
- Events include barrel racing, pole bending, flag racing and goat tying, saddle and bare back bronc riding, calf roping, team roping and bull riding. Todays events start at 9 am Sunday 9 am and 3 pm Monday 9 am Cowboy church services will take place ...
Flickr pics about Barrel Racing Saddles
Reader Feedback
-
-
Sports-Gifts
Jul 12, 2011 @ 10:49 pm | delete
- Nice job! Love the info on your lens. Featuring your lens on my Barrel Racing page. Thanks!
-
-
-
d-artist May 13, 2010 @ 10:42 am | delete
- really nice lens...5* a well fitting saddle for any equine sport is very important..I noticed you didn't mention anything about protecting the legs...I have cared for many horses with splints.
-
by dustibarnes
My name is Dusti Barnes and I have been a competitive barrel racer since I was ten years old.
- 1 featured lens
- Winner of 2 trophies!
- Top lens » Choose The Right Barrel Racing Saddle To Suit Your Racing Style
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
