Barrel Arc and Counter-Arc

Improve your horse’s position going around the first and second barrel.

- Fallon Taylor and Jenna Smeenk

The arc and counter-arc play key roles in accurately positioning your horse around every barrel. We have an easy drill you can practice to refine your accuracy.

Here, we’ll outline the drill, plus discuss ways you can work on your rein management and riding position while practicing with or schooling your horse. You don’t need any special equipment to execute this drill; simply outfit your horse in the bit you use to compete. Don’t forget his protective legwear to prevent lower-leg injuries, because your horse will cross his legs over many times in the perfect execution of this movement.

Work on this at the walk first, and then advance to the trot once you refine your and your horse’s skills. Once you’ve mastered it at a walk and a trot, you can add it to your run for more control and, hopefully, you’ll never hit a barrel again!

1. Approach the barrel at a walk, two hands on the reins, using the same angle you would to approach it in a run. Keep your hands and body quiet as you get closer to the barrel, and sit on your pockets. Tip your horse’s nose toward the barrel with your inside hand. The horse’s body position is in what we call a simple arc.