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Regular
Posts: 60
| So I've been riding horses my entire life and barrel racing for almost 8 years now. And sometimes I feel like I have about the worst luck that could possibly exist with horses. (And I know that some people have gotten terribly hurt or had barn fires and I really don't mean for this to even be slightly compared to awful circumstances like that!) I'm not someone that changes up or switches horse or gets new ones all time, I've pretty much had to make about every horse I've gotten. Thing is 3 out of my 4 barrel horses that I've grown up with have gotten sick or hurt and can't barrel race anymore. From moon blindness caused by leptospirosis and removal of an eye, severe trauma in a hoof that left one a trail horse for no one heavier than a kid, severe EPM and lymes disease... and the list could go on. I spent a lot of money on a horse that I thought was going to be THAT horse. I mean I had a full vet exam done, I did all of my homework and a year later and a lot more money later, he was done as well. The only one that managed to be healthy was crazy and flipped over almost on top of me (you can be sure he was gone as soon as I got him riding and working nicely as I was never comfortable around him again.)
I honestly think that it has to be me. I'm to the point that I'm pretty sure God just does not want me to barrel race or own horses. Apparently he's trying to teach me a lesson that I can't for the life of me figure out what it might be. I have two geldings right now that I somehow ended up with by chance and friends laugh and joke that I'm always too worried about little stuff and paranoid but to me it's not funny. I mean can you blame me? The second I had my horses working well and thought I finally might start getting some solid fast runs, everything goes wrong. I've spent the last 6 years doctoring sick and injured horses and pouring my money and my parents money into them trying to get them healthy only to end up with nothing but trail sound horses and pasture pets. And then you see people that have been barrel racing for a quarter as long as you worked not even half as hard as you and their parents just spent an insane amount of money on a horse for them to go out and win on. It's just really darned frustrating.
Edited by RayMor 2014-04-27 4:22 PM
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 Peecans
   
| God dosent put dreams in your heart to rip them away and go "just joking that was f unney" They are part of you and he does want you to reach them and work for them.
However nothing worth having ever comes easy, everbody has trials and struggles you need to work through to get where you want to go, amd you never know his plan. I currently do not have a barrel horse, and trying to buy one (I have the money in my hot little hands) has been tuff, I cant get anybody to get back to me or finish a deal, id rather shoot my self in the face than try to buy a horse. I dont get it, its frustrating but im done looking for now. Im going to work on my horses here, maybe thats what I need to do, maybe sage is "THE ONE" or Carlos who knows, but ive got a big summer of colt startingand I used to love babies and hhaven't worked much with them the last two years ive started 2 horses lol. (Im sorry im ramble on and on today sorry)
What im trying to say is some times you just have to have faith clothes your eyes and jump, it always falls in to place in the end. | |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Don't compare yourself to others! This is a personal journey for everyone!! If you spend yourself looking at what others have accomplished or what others have all it will do is leave you feeling bitter.
It comes down to this one question-regardless of you feeling like "God does not want you to barrel race,"
Do you love barrel racing more than anything? If you do-then you won't quit. If you don't that is okay too, you will find something else that you are passionate about. Either one is okay as long as you are happy. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Ok first off - HUGS and prayers for you! 
Next, step back and take a breath. God has a plan. You DO have to work for things and please don't compare yourself to others - it is incredibly unhealthy and not what HE wants ya to do!
So - yes, sometimes the route is sure messed up and turned around and can sure feel crazy at times BUT if you are super passionate about barrel racing, you will find a way. Chin up, set your mind to it, and you CAN do it!
He has a plan, you will find a way, and His plan is amazing once we have the faith to follow it! Have faith and keep praying - you got this gal!!!
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 Veteran
Posts: 141
Location: Centerville, TN | I pray that you get the answers your looking for... It's very hard to find the right horse that fits you....
Over the last few years I have had broken bones, surgeries and haven't gotten to ride like I want. Then I had to retire my go to guy, man I miss him but I'd rather have him safe, fat and sassy as ever for the rest of his days.
So I too am going through the "can I still do this". Just today I ran at a saddle club show on a new horse that I bought in February, trying to get the feel back but I looked like two cents which made my horse look bad also...
Just take a deep breath, ask for guidance and it will come together. Good Luck !!! | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Hugs and Prayers to you. Maybe my journey can help you a bit. I am 24 and have been riding my entire life.
In 2001, I lost three horses. One to Colic, One from aftermath of Colic surgery and her baby from wobbles syndrome.
In 2002, I started leasing a big paint gelding. Super nice but had never been worked consistently. Once I started riding daily... he started getting nutty. Almost running me through the fence and slamming his front end into the ground. Turns out, he had the start of ringbone and wasnt sound for barrel racing.
In 2003, I bought a 2 year old. He was injured in the pasture as a 3 year old and not sound for barrel racing.
in 2004, I bought a rescue type gelding. My trainer had put time on him when he was 4 and he was now 7 and sitting in a pasture malnourished and basically unbroke. I tried to run him for 3 years and couldnt get him figured out. Super inconsistent and I no longer enjoyed barrel racing.
In 2007, I got a colt off the track from my trainer, started him and loved him. Trainer ended up needing the money and he was sold. I sold the previous horse around the same time I lost this one.
I ended up finding a western pleasure/hunt seat horse on a craigslist type website. He had check ligament surgery but was told he was sound. He wasnt broke and he was 7. They were asking $400. I bought him and he changed my life.
It hasnt been easy working through some of the issues that come with his check ligament surgery. Corrective shoes, some setbacks but all in all I love riding again. I enjoy barrel racing and I actually have fun now.
Moral of my story, things get really dark and when you least expect it, you will find that once in a lifetime kinda horse. The horse that reminds you why the money and time you put in is worth every cent/second. Also you never know what others have been through and you never know their story. I wont argue that some do have great luck and some of us arent as lucky.
One day though it will get better. I work for every horse I have too and eventually it pays off.  | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| From what I read you are jealous of the rich competition that can just go and purchase a seasoned barrel horse.
You need to figure out, do you want to barrel race, or do you want to win. What is more important to you.
If winning is more important quit, sell the horses you have and start saving money, you will need 60-100,000 to afford a winner. | |
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Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
| I have ridden all my life and I am WAY older than all of you. I used to win everywhere I went. I married a man who was very controlling and he would not let me ride for about 15+ years. He even gave my horse trailer away. He died and I bought new horses, a new trailer and started barrel racing again. I have never been able to get in the "groove" again and I am pretty lucky to place in the 3D. I am so happy to be able to just go to a barrel race and this makes me happy enough. I really had to humble myself to accept that winning the 1D was not going to happen. Personally, I just love to ride--trail riding, sorting, judged classes, really anything.
If you want to go WIN get rid of the horses that you have and save up for a winning horse. If just going and placing at barrel races is what you want to do, find a nice horse that that you can enjoy riding.
I have a sign on the SIDE of my refrigerator so that I see it EVERY time I walk out or the house. It says-----
God is greater than any problem I have.
I have had some pretty crummy things happen the last 2 weeks but I thank God that I am OK and my horses are OK. So I know that I can overcome anything. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 151
| I wonder if quite a few of feel like this...one step forward, five steps back! It is heartbreaking.
Here's a brief breakdown of my past two years:
Bought a gorgeous blue roan gelding - 5 weeks later he ripped off his heel and 1/4 of his foot. 1st vet said put him down, 2nd vet said he could save him. I went with the 2nd vet, but the 1st vet was right. Close to 10K in vet bills and he's a pasture pet.
My dream horse was next. Right after I got him, he started having urinary issues which led to a rare bladder disease diagnosis and severe back issues due to the bladder pain. This has been 18 months of constant vet care and we are right at 11K in vet bills with him (he's on a first name basis with CSU Vet Hospital). He will be euthanized within the next two weeks if they can't relieve the pain - he is a 5/5 on a pain scale.
I sent my older trusty 1D horse to someone to lease/buy and she tore his DDFT and let it go too long, he's a pasture pet.
I just bought an amazing prospect off the track in January. Did a prepurchase. He stepped off the trailer lame and 2k later and two abscesses -found out he has critically thin soles and will be off 6 months. Let me tell you how fun that is - he is a fireball of energy that needs to be kept quiet.
Two days ago I flew to look at a horse. The seller called me after I got there - the horse was colicking. She asked me if I had a black cloud over my head! Lol! Ya think?
I have a four stall barn that is more like a petting zoo at this point. It's almost May and I have nothing to race. That's all I want to do...compete!
So I ask myself as well...quit or keep trucking??
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| You're not alone. Sometimes I'm wondering: what the hell???????!!!!!!!
In 2013 I ended up spending well over $25,000 on vet bills alone on four head of horses. My Toast to Dash 3 yr old had a near deTh experience two weeks ago, I spent $7,000.00 get him out of hauk at the equine hospital. I'd rather have the horse than the money......I guess??????? I love love love my boy, but gee whiz!!!!!!!
Then I go get back on whatever's sound and start tinkering, my husband asks, "Oh, I see you're hitting your fix again.", and leaves me in peace. I have this insane need to see how good I can make a horse. It's insane, I need medication, but it's my all consuming soul need. Someday I plan on trying to raise chickens. God help me! | |
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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | cheryl makofka - 2014-04-27 4:30 PM From what I read you are jealous of the rich competition that can just go and purchase a seasoned barrel horse. You need to figure out, do you want to barrel race, or do you want to win. What is more important to you. If winning is more important quit, sell the horses you have and start saving money, you will need 60-100,000 to afford a winner.
This is funny! No matter how much I tried to save, there is NO possible way I could ever buy that 60-100K horse. EVER in this lifetime lol. Of course all of us poor folk get jealous from time to time that we cant play the disposable open horse game like some girls... But FWIW I think its character building. When you finally make your own winner, its a pretty great feeling. You sure know you've earned it.
I don't have any great advice.. I've thought about quitting a few times, but what would I DO with all that spare time :) In the last 6 years I've had 3 colic surgeries, 4 pulled suspensories, 1 check ligament, 3 joint chip surgeries...and thats just off the top of my head. I think God wants us to truly learn to appreciate just being able to go do it! Let alone win. Trust me,anyone who's been around at all has been in your shoes. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| barrel_racing_angel - 2014-04-27 8:02 PM
cheryl makofka - 2014-04-27 4:30 PM From what I read you are jealous of the rich competition that can just go and purchase a seasoned barrel horse. You need to figure out, do you want to barrel race, or do you want to win. What is more important to you. If winning is more important quit, sell the horses you have and start saving money, you will need 60-100,000 to afford a winner.
This is funny! No matter how much I tried to save, there is NO possible way I could ever buy that 60-100K horse. EVER in this lifetime lol. Of course all of us poor folk get jealous from time to time that we cant play the disposable open horse game like some girls... But FWIW I think its character building. When you finally make your own winner, its a pretty great feeling. You sure know you've earned it. I don't have any great advice.. I've thought about quitting a few times, but what would I DO with all that spare time : ) In the last 6 years I've had 3 colic surgeries, 4 pulled suspensories, 1 check ligament, 3 joint chip surgeries...and thats just off the top of my head. I think God wants us to truly learn to appreciate just being able to go do it! Let alone win. Trust me,anyone who's been around at all has been in your shoes.
I'm not sure what was funny about my post.
I also cannot afford a top of the 1d horse, if I didn't have the vet bills I do, 2 years of saving, I could afford one, but would never want to buy one.
With buying a top horse comes a lot of pressure as then you have to ride the top notch horse sometimes that is easier said then done.
I personally like working with the colts and improving with them stride by stride. Placing or winning the 1d I believe is 10 times better if you have trained the horse yourself. I can also say I have never been jealous of what other people have or what I have not. I am grateful for the horsemanship I have acquired over the years, and mostly that I get to ride horses.
With horses comes vet bills, my horses love freak accidents. I have had check ligaments, fractured bones, torn tendons, hock problems, sepsis, and rhino (3 months of isolation for 3 horses).
From my horses injuries, I have learned a multitude of things from assessment, flexion tests, finding abscesses, pulling blood, and the most important, knowing my horses.
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Regular
Posts: 60
| cheryl makofka - 2014-04-27 6:30 PM
From what I read you are jealous of the rich competition that can just go and purchase a seasoned barrel horse.
You need to figure out, do you want to barrel race, or do you want to win. What is more important to you.
If winning is more important quit, sell the horses you have and start saving money, you will need 60-100,000 to afford a winner.
I didn't mean for it to sound like I was jealous of someone who can go purchase a winner. After all the money I've spent trying to keep horses sound, I definitely could have gone out and bought a finished 1D horse (maybe not a 60K horse though lol). But I am DEFINITELY jealous of those who have had very good luck with their horses and have never had problem horse after problem horse (regardless of the pricetag.) I would NEVER wish my bad luck on them in a million years but I'm definitely jealous! I could have gone out and bought an even more expensive horse and with my luck it probably would have gotten hurt like all the others. Someone said it perfectly- I feel like I "have a black cloud over my head" and while it's raining on you, as hard as you try to not compare yourself, it's sometimes difficult to watch others have an easy time of it. And I don't mean that they don't deserve it or work hard but having a healthy horse is pretty critical. I guess that's what I meant there and worded it badly.
I love horses more than anything else- they've always been a part of my life but it's not my business and I don't necessarily do it to win. I do it for fun and enjoyment but it's hard to have fun when it seems like everything you touch breaks. And I think the worst part is watching a talented horse with so much potential become a pasture pet. It killed me to watch my first mare that would have tried to run on three legs if I had asked her to, still have her fire but no longer be physically able to do what she loved.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and sharing your stories as well! Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that everyone has their struggles. And I need to not throw myself a pity party! I have to believe that there is a plan out there somewhere and eventually I'll see it. Maybe the boys I have now getting thrown my way was the plan all along. I just need to learn to keep my head up.
Edited by RayMor 2014-04-27 8:49 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow | Not all $60-100,000 horses become great. They get sick and hurt too. Plenty of no names make it to the NFR too. Read the horse bios....
Hang in there. The best athletes have had the deepest set backside life. | |
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I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | cheryl makofka - 2014-04-27 6:19 PM
barrel_racing_angel - 2014-04-27 8:02 PM
cheryl makofka - 2014-04-27 4:30 PM From what I read you are jealous of the rich competition that can just go and purchase a seasoned barrel horse. You need to figure out, do you want to barrel race, or do you want to win. What is more important to you. If winning is more important quit, sell the horses you have and start saving money, you will need 60-100,000 to afford a winner.
This is funny! No matter how much I tried to save, there is NO possible way I could ever buy that 60-100K horse. EVER in this lifetime lol. Of course all of us poor folk get jealous from time to time that we cant play the disposable open horse game like some girls... But FWIW I think its character building. When you finally make your own winner, its a pretty great feeling. You sure know you've earned it. I don't have any great advice.. I've thought about quitting a few times, but what would I DO with all that spare time : ) In the last 6 years I've had 3 colic surgeries, 4 pulled suspensories, 1 check ligament, 3 joint chip surgeries...and thats just off the top of my head. I think God wants us to truly learn to appreciate just being able to go do it! Let alone win. Trust me,anyone who's been around at all has been in your shoes.
I'm not sure what was funny about my post.
I also cannot afford a top of the 1d horse, if I didn't have the vet bills I do, 2 years of saving, I could afford one, but would never want to buy one.
With buying a top horse comes a lot of pressure as then you have to ride the top notch horse sometimes that is easier said then done.
I personally like working with the colts and improving with them stride by stride. Placing or winning the 1d I believe is 10 times better if you have trained the horse yourself. I can also say I have never been jealous of what other people have or what I have not. I am grateful for the horsemanship I have acquired over the years, and mostly that I get to ride horses.
With horses comes vet bills, my horses love freak accidents. I have had check ligaments, fractured bones, torn tendons, hock problems, sepsis, and rhino (3 months of isolation for 3 horses ).
From my horses injuries, I have learned a multitude of things from assessment, flexion tests, finding abscesses, pulling blood, and the most important, knowing my horses.
What's funny? This gal is a BB down on her luck and heart sick over her horses, and your response is basically "well if you want a nice barrel horse, save up and go buy one". It seemed a bit mean spirited and patronizing. And unrealistic for 99% of people that I know. I didn't think that was really the kind of support & encouragement she was looking for or needed. Sorry if I misunderstood your post. | |
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