Although you're going to use him as a barrel horse, i'd take him on a trail ride or just randomly riding arround the arena on him. Not every time you ride him has to be a barrel racing work out. If you push it too hard, he'll resent it and wont be as willing to perform when the time comes.

As for getting im into the left lead, ride him arround the arena (either in figure eights or in circles, it's you're choice) and force him into it. do NOT let him refuse it. if he gets away with it once, he'll try it every time you ride and will only cause more problems.

Always remember: don't get frustrated with him easily, he's just begining. & HAVE FUN!!

–Good luck with you're new horse & barrel racing!

:O

:O

how is this not a real photo?

This is sick

The real question you need to be asking, since as far as I can tell you're trying to own this horse on a very tight budget: can you actually afford her?

Toward that end, you need to ask whoever you are getting her from if they will allow you to have a copy of her vet records (you offer to pay for the copying), and then you take the vet records to the vet who will be caring for her if you get her. You ask the vet what he thinks the medical costs associated with this horse are going to be.

It sounds like she's an old broodmare who may not have been used for riding regularly for a number of years. She may have problems that are going to be expensive to care for or could make her useless for whatever you want to do. Ideally, you'd have a pre-purchase vet check done, but if you can't afford that at least get a vet to look at her medical records.

You need to ask other questions:

1. When was she last ridden regularly (i.e., ridden at least every other day)?
2. What kind of riding was done with her (e.g., jumping, trail riding, dressage, western)?
3. Is there anyone I can talk to who has ridden her, who can tell me about her temperament and what she knows?

You need to be very honest about your level of expertise, because it sounds like this mare may be a "project." You need to be absolutely honest with yourself about whether you have what it takes to work with her. You cannot lie to a horse about your expertise. If you don't have the capability of handling this horse, she will absolutely know it, and you may be in danger.

FWIW, it sounds to me as if getting this mare would be a bad idea, because I have a hunch she's a money pit.

Also, a note about her current condition: if she's in poor condition, the way she acts now may not be a good indicator of how she will be once her health improves. Horses that are in poor condition are likely to behave more quietly than they will when they feel better. If you can only afford to do minimal vet care for this mare, then before you take her home have a vet take blood from her and get a complete blood panel run: red cell count, white cell count, liver and kidney function panels. That will tell you what kind of condition she's in.