barrel racing training

Is there anyone close by who can help you?
 
There are TONS of basic drills that you can to that help start a horse on the pattern.  I suggest you get Molly Powell's DVD and start there.

I have been told, "The slower you go the faster they learn".

I would just focus on doing the pattern at a walk for a while. Then move on to the trot. I would stick at that for a good bit. Once you are both really comfortable with the pattern then start to do it at a canter.

With my mare, I have gradually been training her, for over two years. Now when I ride her, I do the pattern 3 times. Once at a walk, then a trot, then a canter then we move on to something else. She now automatically heads to the 1st barrel and always want to starts off running when we get to the chute. So she knows what to do.

You will also need to figure out which direction the horse is better at. My horse is best at going counter clockwise around the barrels so we go to the right and do the clockwise diretion 1st and get it over with.

I agree with the other response, if there is someone near with experience, bring them out.

My biggest issue is, my horse does acceptable at home, but does not do well at shows. However, I can take her on trail rides with lots of other horses, and she does fine.

GOOD LUCK!

Paul

Just so you know, we call male horses geldings or stallions.  I haven't the phrase "male horse" is quite some time.
 
I guess my question would be where is he in his training.  Does he know flying lead changes?  I'd start working a potential barrel horse on figure eights and cones.  You can still teach him to rate.  When you say you can't get him to race around barrels do you mean he won't run fast, won't turn, or that you just don't know how to get him to do a good clean run FAST?
 
We need more information in order to be able to help you.

i'm confused about what lead changes are.but i think we aren't doing those yet.i'm trainin' him all by myself and thats the reason why too i love this horse forumn.what does RATE mean?well,he's never done barrel racing before and i have no idea how to start him around barrels.i've been told that he's have the power of/for  barrel racing,and the speed,so yeah,i never even ridden him around barrels before.well,thanks .

In the racing world, there's a gelding and there's a horse but I don't really see why that matters.  Male horse gets the point across.  I tend to say female dog when there's another correct term for it...
I don't know what rate means either, but I don't barrel race.  I really don't do much of anything actually.....
Here's C.A. doing some flying lead changes.  I love them, they look cool but I've only seen my horse do them in the pasture.  Of course, he doesn't much canter under saddle anyway, being a harness racer.  We HAVE, though, so any progress is fine with me!
Good luck barrel racing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzzAZMc-TJk

Hunter -
 I love how you are able to interject your own brand of wit into any conversation.  You are appreciated! 

Wow!  You just made my day! [] 
I'm gonna go jump on a pony now!

Rate- is how a horse goes from full out run to shutting down and setting up for a turn and doing it as smoothly and as collected and controlled as possible.  Some horses will learn to rate naturally and others will need a ride to help them to many different degrees.
 
I would suggest that before you start doing anything on barrels you make sure you have the basics down like- moving off your leg in both directions (right & left), flying lead changes, moving faster and slower by using your seat, legs and hands lightly, work on keeping the horse flexed both inward and outward in a consistent circle.
 
These are all things that make a strong foundation for any horse and a barrel horse.