Q&A 264 Loose rein vs contact riding & drills to improve performance

·41 min·4 clips

Tina Spangler explains when to ride on a loose rein versus with contact to improve your barrel racing runs.

The episode begins with host Tina Spangler welcoming listeners and announcing winners of her August training challenges. She then shares a lengthy, personal story about her horse Buddy, detailing his history as a racehorse with an 87 speed index, his rough treatment by multiple ropers, and how she acquired him at age 11. Buddy became a versatile ranch horse, used for starting colts and teaching her son to rope, and lived to age 31. Tina transitions to answering member questions, starting with the inaccuracy of Equistat records due to inconsistent reporting and the use of barn names instead of registered names. She advises that the best way to gain confidence at super shows or rodeos is simply to attend more events. Another question addresses getting a horse's nose into turns; Tina explains the 'bump and release' technique for creating lateral bend without losing forward motion. She discusses training opinionated horses, emphasizing the need to 'quit on a try' and avoid picking fights. The core topic is explored: the benefits of loose rein riding for speed control and relaxation versus contact riding for softness and collection. Tina lists ten specific drills to improve performance, including spirals, pole bending, the D pattern, hind end turns, and figure eights. She explains the purpose of each and recommends practicing at walk, trot, and lope. In the final segment, Tina shifts to a philosophical reflection, sharing her belief that true value comes from treating others and animals well, not from competitive wins, and that keeping faith first brings peace. She closes with reminders about her mindset techniques and blessings.

As heard by us

A practical rein-choice episode with competition drills, Equi-Stat context, and a reflective finish.

Loose rein versus contact lands as a practical riding choice here, with the episode treating each option as something that affects a competition run rather than as a fixed rule.

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Why you'd press play

You want sharper competition runs and a wiser feel for when to ride loose and when to pick up contact.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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Play clips from this episode More from TLC Barrels, Barrel Racing Coach