Why Barrel Racers and Breakaway Ropers Need Strength Training

You’d never haul a horse to a jackpot straight off the pasture and expect them to clock, right?

So why do we expect our own bodies to perform without putting in the same kind of prep?

As barrel racers and breakaway ropers, we’ll spend hours tuning and caring for our horses—conditioning rides, sprint work, drills, softening exercises, bodywork, recovery/rehab therapies—you name it. We’re meticulous when it comes to their performance and care. But too many of us are riding with bodies that are underpowered, imbalanced, and beat up. And we wonder why our horses feel off or our timing is late.

Here’s the truth: strength training isn’t just for gym rats or people who want to “look fit.” It’s for athletes—and if you’re competing in the arena, that’s exactly what you are.

Your Horse Can’t Outperform Your Position

If your body isn’t strong enough to hold position through a turn or stay square in the box, your horse has to compensate.

Weak core? You collapse through your midsection and can’t sit a barrel clean. Tight hips? You lose mobility and balance. Lack of posterior chain strength? You can’t drive with your seat or hold your shoulders steady for a powerful and accurate swing and delivery.

And that doesn’t even touch on things like reaction time, coordination, and grip strength—which all come into play in both roping and riding.

Your horse feels everything. If you're out of balance, behind in timing, or physically limited in the saddle, your horse has to pick up the slack. That affects their confidence and performance, too. Your horse has alley or box issues? Vet work is always first in mind, but you should also check yourself!

You’d Never Train a Horse Like That…

We’re intentional with our horses. We don’t just lope aimlessly—we drill specific maneuvers, adjust volume, track recovery, and build intensity over time. We pay attention to how they feel and make changes based on what they need to perform at their best.

Why wouldn’t we do the same with ourselves?

Strength training for riders should follow that same thoughtful process. Build a foundation. Increase strength and stability. Add power. Improve mobility. Recover with purpose. You can’t skip steps if you want to be consistent under pressure.

Strong Bodies = Confident Minds

Here’s a truth every rider needs to hear: your horse feels everything.

They can feel a fly on their back, sure—but they can also feel your heartbeat, your breathing, and how your body moves before you even get to the roping box or the alley. When you’re tense, shaky, or off-balance, your horse knows it. They read your body language like a book.

That’s why training your body outside the saddle is about way more than just muscle—it’s about building a foundation of confidence that your horse can feel.

When you get stronger, more stable, and more controlled in your movements, your horse senses that calm and power. You’re not just holding your position better; you’re sending a signal to your horse that you’re in control, ready, and steady. 

That confidence translates into smoother runs, sharper turns, and power and accuracy with your rope—because your horse trusts you to be steady under pressure.

Training your body builds trust between you and your horse, starting with how you carry yourself before you even swing a leg over them. Horses are herd animals that naturally respect the leader - and when it’s you and your horse out on the road, you MUST be their fearless and confident leader that they can rely on. 

Don’t Be the Weak Link in the Team

You and your horse are a team—and teams train together.

Strength training is how you match the effort you’re asking from your horse. It’s how you show up strong, mobile, and competition-ready. It’s how you go from surviving your runs to owning them.

If you wouldn’t let your horse skip fitness and go straight to hauling, don’t do it to yourself either.

You’re not just a cowgirl—you’re an athlete. Start training like one.

~ Meg Walker, Champion Living Fitness Coach