Minor Tack Changes, Major Results

Learn how minor adjustments to your tack can help you see major results at your next barrel race.

- Sharon Camarillo And Donna Irvin, Nichole Chirico

You’ve been working hard to beat your personal barrel-racing time, but can’t seem to get past that plateau. It’s a scenario we see often as coaches and can make even the best riders become discouraged in their ability to improve in their riding discipline.

Sometimes all it takes to clock a faster time is a minor change or adjustment in your tack. When tack is adjusted properly for your horse, it can help you with your riding ability and allow your horse to move comfortably in the arena, whether you’re running in a speed event or riding trails.

Here, we’ll talk about six pieces of tack you might use every day, and discuss some of the minor adjustments you can make to help you see major results in the arena and maximize performance, safety, and comfort for both you and your horse.

Curb Straps

The problem: Adjusting the curb strap too loose or attaching it to the wrong part of the bit. 

The solution: We see it at clinics all the time: Riders’ curb straps attached in the wrong spot. The curb strap is designed to add an additional pressure point to help collect and balance your horse. When you adjust your chinstrap, attach it to the curb ring— evenly on each side of the bit—so it hangs in your horse’s chin groove. You can choose between a leather curb or chain curb strap, depending on the sensitivity of your horse and your riding experience. A chain tends to have a stronger signal than a leather strap. 

Ensure that your curb strap lies flat against your horse’s jaw and isn’t twisted when you attach it. Check to see that you can fit two fingers between the strap and your horse’s jaw. A curb strap that’s too loose will be ineffective; too tight and it can put too much pressure on your horse and won’t offer him a release.

Cinch Fit