Do you have to buy into barrel racing?

Yes, I would say so. A finished barrel horse can cost anywhere from $6000 to $12000. You need a good barrel racing saddle and boots for your horse. Not to mention headstalls and bits. Also, barrel racers need a trailer to haul their horse or horses to events. A small trailer an cost $10,000. Most people have matchy matchy boots and saddle pads and outfits too but I'm not really into that.