How do you address a horse that consistently knocks the second barrel?

A horse that consistently knocks the second barrel in a barrel racing pattern is experiencing a problem at a specific point in the run that has a specific cause, and identifying that cause correctly is the first step toward resolving it. The second barrel is knocked most often for one of three reasons — the horse is carrying too much speed into the turn and cannot rate and collect quickly enough to clear the barrel with its shoulder, the horse is drifting wide on the approach and cutting back too sharply at the last moment, or the rider's position or cue timing is different at the second barrel than at the first. Speed management on the run between the first and second barrel is the most common issue. After completing the first turn and driving hard to the second barrel, many horses build significant pace on that straight line and arrive at the second barrel faster than they approached the first. The rate cue must be applied earlier and more deliberately on the approach to the second barrel to compensate for the additional pace. Approach line is the second most common factor. The horse should leave the first barrel on a straight line aimed at a point that sets up a correct arc around the second barrel, not aimed directly at the barrel itself. A horse aimed directly at a barrel will arrive too close to turn correctly and will use its shoulder to push through the turn rather than bending around it. Returning to slow pattern work — walking and trotting the approach and turn at the second barrel with attention to approach angle, rate, and arc — identifies and corrects the specific error without the complication of speed.