05/02/2026
For my clients who I keep telling to “sit up, don’t lean” when they turn 😉
Barrel racers, please read this carefully and share it with other barrel racers. It is about balancing your horse to help them do their job better. The rider on the left is leaning into the turn slightly more than their horse is leaning.
The result can be seen in the left horses front feet. This horse on the left has their inside front foot way outside to the left in order to balance their rider and manage the centrifugal force of the turn. The rider is forcing this on their horse and when the legs are that far out it is dangerous and it can't be fast.
The right side rider is helping their horse balance by staying more upright to counterbalance the centrifugal force of the turn. Putting more weigh in the outside stirrup and sitting on your outside seat bone helps this rider help her horse. A more balanced horse can be more effective in a fast turn.
It's that simple. Balance yourself to help balance your horse.
