Published: August 04, 2008 12:19 pm            

Barnes Trainer builds rider confidence

Having confidence while horseback makes for a more relaxing and enjoyable ride. Thanks to an invention by Billy Barnes, Peggs, riders of all

levels can feel more confident with the help of the Barnes Trainer.

Barnes, who has been training horses for 30 years, wanted to come up with a safer way of breaking horses. In 2004, he began to work on an idea. He used baling wire and "anything else he could come up with."

The Barnes Trainer was made to help prevent a horse from bucking. It was also made so that the device is worn under the existing bridle, making it easier for the rider to control the animal. It can be used as an added safety precaution for young and novice riders.

The trainer helps keep a horse's head up and reduces the likelihood of bucking. It fits comfortably under a bridle. The nose band expands from 21 inches to 28 inches and the length expands from 33 inches to 41 inches.

In April 2007, Barnes went to his friend, Leroy Blackwell, Locust Grove, about taking over the manufacturing and marketing of his invention.

Blackwell and his family took on the project and quickly began to work out the details. They got Luther Williams, Peggs, to create the first Barnes Trainer and later got Dean Garroula of Ponca City who take over manufacturing.

Since taking over the product, Blackwell and his family have been hard at work getting a Web site built, finding larger manufacturers, storage, shipping facilities and advertising. They have a commercial running on Furual Free Delivery Television or RFDTV, they have been featured on KTUL Channel 8 three times and are running ads in Western Horseman and Quarterhorse Journal.

Blackwell said their particular demographic is men and women or "mom and pop who have an old horse they ride once or twice a year."

Sales are going strong with over 650 of the trainers going to all 50 states and around the world.

"It's 99.9 percent effective on reducing the horses ability to buck," said Blackwell. "We think its going to take its place right there in everyone's tack room."

Blackwell said the device puts pressure around the ears causing the horse to pull his head back up. By keeping the horse's head up it reduces the chance of a horse being able to buck.

"It's almost unbelievable," said Blackwell.

The Barnes Trainer has been endorsed by trainer, Dale Haraway of Oklahoma; Scott Daily

of Daily Horse Training; trail rider, Billy Hughes; World Champion

Calf Roper, Rob Pierce; three time Pole Bending Champion, Donna Pierce and rodeo contractor Thelbert Barnes.

The Blackwells said the Barnes Trainer is great for those who think they are too old to ride anymore for fear of getting bucked off.

Leroy said he thinks working on the Barnes Trainer project has been great for his family. He and his wife Norma have worked together to set up a corporation and have dealt with attorneys.

Their oldest daughter Suzanne Langebartles, and her husband Mark have created the Web site www.barnestrainer.com. They were also responsible for setting up Pay Pal. The Blackwells second child, Brooke Cooper and her husband Terry, owner of Cooper Wrecker Service, were in charge of manufacturing and shipping.

"We've mailed to Ireland, Great Britian, Japan, Venezuela, New Zealand and all 50 states," said Leroy.

The Blackwells youngest child John and his wife Weslie are also partners. John does a lot of the public speaking and visiting with people about the product. Weslie takes care of advertising. Whenever needed each family members takes on another role or fills in for someone.

"The good thing is it’s brought our family together. It's been exciting for me to work with my kids," said the father of three.

Leroy said that although everyone has

a role to play they are all equal

partners in their family business, Goshen Enterprises, LLC.

A family of believers, the Blackwells chose the name Goshen from the Bible. It represents the Land of Goshen which is mentioned in the story of Joseph.

Barnes also followed his belief when he decided to have his invention marketed. Leroy said Barnes uses money from his inventions to help fund ministries. So when the family and Barnes established a contract they dedicated 10 percent of their earnings to go to the ministry.

The Barnes Trainer may be purchased by

visiting www.barnestrainer.com. For questions visit the Web site, e-mail info@nobucktrainer.com or call 1-866-NoBuck9 or 1-888-662-8259. Cost of the trainer is $199.95 plus shipping and handling. Custom orders are available.

        

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