Barrel Racing

Question
I realize you are an expert of training race horses and this may not be something you are involved with, but I am hoping you can shed some light on my situation.  I have a 6 year old gelding quarter horse that has not been ridden until this spring.  We have come great lengths in all areas of his training from trail riding to ground work to arena work he seems to be a very fast learner.  My problem is that I am training him to be a barrel horse and this is the one place he is not getting the big picture.  Every week it seems that he is fighting something new in the barrel pattern.  He is now coming to complete stops behind the first and second barrel - it seems like he gets very nervous before the first and second barrel and just freezes - I am very frustrated because we have been working very hard and I feel like he should be much further along than he is.  The kicker is the he is still running nineteen抯 even though he is coming to complete stops twice in the middle of his pattern.  I have so much more information I could give you on the situation if you are interested or if it can help you help me.  Thank you for your time.  

Answer
HI  WELL SOMETIMES THERE IS SOMETHING BOTHERING HIM AND THAT IS WHY HE IS STOPING ON YOU. YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE A TOOTH FERRY CHECK HIS TEETH FOR YOU. HE MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A TOOTH AND THE BIT IS CAUSING HIM TO CHECK .ALSO THERE IS A PRODUCT CALLED CALM ANS COOL  YOU F=GIVE THE HORSE ABOUT 2 HRS PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND IT MAKES HIM RELAX. DES NOT TAKE THE SPEED OUT OF THE HORSE, JUST TAKES THE EDGE OFF HIM. I HAVE USED THIS ON VERY NERVOUS RACE HORSES BEFROE THEY RACE AND HAVE HAD VERY GOOD RESULTS,  HOPE THIS HELPS YOU  THANKS ed hess