Phil Haugen has spent a lifetime studying horses, first as a timed-event cowboy and colt starter, and now as one of the most respected horsemanship clinicians in the country. Known for his calm, practical teaching style, Phil joined The Money Barrel to talk about the fundamentals that have guided his career and the mindset that helps horses—and riders—reach their potential.
“In the timed events, I learned real quick how important it is to control speed and direction,” Phil said. “If you can control speed and direction, you’re going to be successful in a lot of areas. That’s the foundation.”
That philosophy carried into the futurity horses he rode for programs like Bo Hill, Jud Little, and Kirk and Juli Stierwalt. He admits he didn’t know much about training barrel horses at first—he just rode them like rope horses.
“When you rope, your horse learns to go to a spot, feel your body change, and prepare for what’s next,” Phil explained. “That’s the same warning a barrel horse needs going into a turn. That’s why it worked.”
A cornerstone of his program is teaching patience and warning signals through the one-rein stop. “Slowing your hands down is everything,” he said. “The faster your hands get, the stiffer your horse gets—it’s guaranteed. When a horse feels you change and has a warning, they handle themselves with confidence. Without it, they get defensive and bracey.”
Phil also emphasizes being process-oriented rather than chasing immediate results. “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” he said. “If all you are is results-oriented, you’re never going to be happy—because how often is it perfect? Not very often. Focus on getting better today, then build on it tomorrow.”
From preparing weanlings and yearlings for long-term success, to teaching riders how to trust their horses on a loose rein, Phil’s horsemanship advice blends practical tools with a mindset shift that barrel racers at every level can apply.
🎧 Don’t miss this episode of The Money Barrel with Phil Haugen, where horsemanship, patience, and confidence come together.
This episode is brought to you by East of Wall, a new film directed by Kate Becroft that tells the story of a rebellious rancher navigating loss and responsibility in the modern West. In theaters August 15.