Dena, i have to thank you for putting these videos up! Your my favorite barrel trainer and your tips have help me and my horse a lot, thank you!

I love the correction bits with barrel hinge ports. My mare likes the Jim Warner for runs, but the correction bit you showed has worked so well for slower work with her and many of the horses I've had in for training.

my fave bit that i always use is my loose ring french link snaffle :) i like my english hackamore too though

Square port corrections are great for lift and framing a junior horse up but they lack the stop that a round port correction gives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on bits Dena.

I need someone to tell me what's going on, I am a english rider, riding mostly dressage I would like to know why Barrel racers feel the need to use gag bits? and all these gadgets... I'm not trying to judge just trying to understand, is it to speed training? could you just ride in a snaffle? if not why not... HELP lol SOOO confused

we only trot in barrels exept for on the way home and he trots threw the poles but thats ok because he is geting better with that. If i ask him to go faster in barrels he flips his head when i pull him around the barrel and turns pretty wide but at a trot he turns pretty well. PS. he's an arabain QH mix. He was abused so i cant wip or anything cuz he gets really scared and he runs faster when i just cluck anyways. I have a show this weekend... any tips to improve his runs? (he doesnt neck rein)

So do you think we should try all these bits on all our horses and see which one works best for each horse?

You started her on a snaffle bit right?When I move onto pattern work in the horses training I use the Charmayne James short shank dog bone,she recommends that and I find that it works very good and horses love it.But later on when you start to season your horse,it's useful to move to a longer shank bit.But making headgear adjustments isn't the answer to that.When your horse has a problem in barrel racing,you can trace it down to one of these basics:

Which one of you took my rhyme book

Hi Dena, who is the maker on the seven shank bit? I've looked for a similar bit but haven't been able to find one like that. Thanks!

at 3:06 what bit was that again?

your outside foot. Also, keep 3 to 4 feet all the way around the barrel, depending on the size of your horse.

so the second bit is like a gag bit or different what is it called I can't get it on the video

Goosetree Simplicity bit

i have a 16 year old gelding. he's lazy and usally dead broke, he was a jumper and he doesnt side pass move when u push him or anything but he will gallop with just clucking... He's 14.2hh ish and he loves poles, I let him jump so he runs barrels for me. He's pretty fast but if i pull him around the barrel he flips his head, but he cant wear a tie down. He bucks if i push him to much around the last barrel but he bucks if i hold him back when he wants to run...

My favorite bit is someone stupid pulling hard on reins with a bit gets bit by a horse

@barrelracincowgirl24 ....i've never tried to let him do it. but the 1st barrel is by the gate soo i think i know where he would go if i didnt do anything :/ he is being weird now tho,like he doesnt feel right. When i ask him to trot he throws his head down and tucks it close to his cheast and rarches his back, my mom watched him and said he was takeing a canter step instead of starting to trot but he goes slower soo i dont think its cuz he wants to go into a canter.

Giving his head side to side,breaking at the poll,moving out laterally and moving away from leg pressure.For instance if your horse starts to run of the pattern,you'll need to work on him breaking at the poll,which reinforces the rate.But I think your horses problem is either you,she may have ulcers,or needs to see an equine dentist,she may also be out somewhere and needs a chiropractor.So make sure you don't look at the barrel,don't look down the horses neck, and keep most of your weight on

Twisted metal pain bars in a horse’s mouth. God help us.

....I didnt say i couldnt teach him i said he doesnt

Rope halters are much better for a horse, using a bit just makes it look like you don't trust your horse. I am a Barrel Racer, and bits are really not healthy for a horse to have in its mouth