Barium Oxide Bar Magnet

OK one thing that I like to use is a Barium Oxide Bar Magnet. It is great for use with an HDR. Basically, many experiments work much better if I combine the HDR electromagnet with a barium oxide bar magnet. For some reason a horseshoe magnet does not work as well. I have the best results with a bar magnet. Still wanting to try a powerful neodymium magnet that is new.