Having the right equipment in sports is important not only for winning, but to remain safe. You wouldn't play football without a helmet and proper padding or box without gloves and mouth guards. Barrel racing is no different. Having the proper equipment keeps you and your horse safe and performing to the best of your abilities.



Your barrel saddle is the most important piece of equipment. Without a proper fitting saddle, you and your horse can become sore. Make sure you use a saddle that fits your horse's back and your seat correctly.

The next piece of equipment that can make or break a barrel run is the bit. Having the correct bit means your horse responds to your slightest move of the reins, the bit fits good and doesn't pinch his mouth and allows him to make a great run. Most barrel racers keep an assortment of different types of bits in their barn. One bit is not going to be the best for every horse and some horses need different bits for different situations. Some barrel racers use one bit for training, one for exercising, one for competition and another for pleasure riding. This all depends on the horse and what kind of bit he responds to. Most barrel racers will go through many bits before finding the perfect bit for their horse.

Boots are a must-have accessory when running barrels. Your horse's legs take a lot of stress running and turning hard. The right kind of boots can absorb some of that stress, reducing the wear on his legs. Front boots can also keep your horse from cutting himself with his rear legs when turning. Many barrel horses receive injuries to tendons and ligaments on their front legs from clipping themselves with the back hooves. Some do this while running, but most do it in the turns around the barrels. Rear boots protect the fetlocks from hitting the ground while setting and turning the barrel. Bell boots are not necessary for every horse, but are a good precaution. They protect the bulb of the front hooves from being stepped on or torn by the rear hooves.

Barrel racing reins are offered by many manufacturers and are available in many colors, but are all basically the same. They are short, round reins. Most have knots along each side for you to reach down and grab. These are the most popular barrel racing reins. Leather round reins can be used, but are more slippery than the knotted reins. Split reins aren't used in barrel racing because one could get loose during a run and become very dangerous to a running horse.

Tie downs are used in barrel racing although some say it hinders the horse's performance by not allowing him to use his natural balance. Others say their horses turn better with a loose tie down because they can use it to balance. This is strictly up to you and your horse. Some horses can't be ridden without a tie down because they throw their heads around and don't watch where they are going. Try running the pattern with and without a tie down to see how it affects your horse.

Whips are another piece of equipment used by many barrel racers. From bats and crops to an over and under, almost every barrel racer has used a whip at some point. An over and under, a rope that is attached to the saddle horn, is the most popular type of whip for barrel racers. It can be laid over the thigh when making a run, always within reach between barrels and on the run home. The best way to determine if your horse reacts positively to a whip is to video you making a run with and without using the whip. You may not notice while riding, but from a video you can see many horses actually slow down when they are whipped.

Equipment for barrel racers is available in many different styles, colors and material. Make your choice based on what works for you and your horse before buying the latest fad.

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