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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 442
 
| I was just curious how you guys prepare your horse for a whole weekend of barrel racing. I have a couple big barrel races coming up where my mare will make 3 runs 3 days in a row. What types of things do you do to prepare your horse physically and mentally? How do you ride them the week before a big race? The day before you leave do you do anything special? And then finally once at the race how do you keep your horse running strong, not getting sore, and feeling their best? This can include any therapies, magnetic blankets, poultice, linaments, boots, etc. And any excercise routines that don't tire your horse out before a long weekend. With the summer racing season coming up I thought it would be good to hear everyone's routines! Thanks! :) |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
 
Location: Texas | PHT products all the way!! The night before a race my horse gets his sheet, hock wraps, and bell boots.
I ran him a couple weeks ago spur of the moment jackpot and he didn't see his magnets at all. I ran this past weekend at a 2 day show and was so nervous because I really thought my horse needed his hocks done again.. Well I used all my PHT stuff this weekend and I was even more amazed then when I first got it. He worked better for me this weekend than he has in his whole life...
I also use sore no more products with my pht stuff, if its concrete ground or hard enough I'll use magic cushion on the soles of the hooves, and then wind-aid 2 hours before a run.
Bring water from home if you can, mix it half/half with the water provided. Lots of hay. I won't leave my horse in a stall thats not stocked with hay.
Lots of long trotting to keep your horse in shape and do lots of riding that helps better you too, not just your horse. If you have first barrel problems find a trash can at the race and trot up to it stop and back up a few times. Really make sure they are listening. I like for them to see the arena if possible. If not watch a lot of runs and study the good runs vs the bad runs.
Oh and make sure you put lots of shavings in the stall, ESPECIALLY if its concrete! |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Get them fit before the race. Rinse after every ride no soap absorbine to relax the muscles. Poultice the legs and leave on over night rinse off in the morning.light riding and minor tune up a couple days before. Add electrolytes to their grain and air power double dose of vitamin E and C.A long with double grain. I feel they lose weight drink less and eat less and they feed off my nerves. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: TN | I'm just following along. Thought this was an interesting thread.  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 442
| Thanks so much for posting your routines! It's really good to hear what everyone does before a race and during a long weekend of racing! I love my PHT stuff too :) |
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 Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | I don't hit big races until they are in running condition. The week before if it's a young horse I might work the pattern on Wednesday if not they will get their full riding that day and Thursday. Friday I will make sure to leave early enough so they have a little resting time at the trailer before they run. I will also alternate my PHT products I usually have 2 or 3 horses and only have single sets of PHT :) Depending on how I draw up I make sure every horse has the magnets as equal as possible.
During the weekend my horses aren't usued to being stalled so I make sure I get them out 2 or 3 times a day to let them move out and walk so they don't get stiff standing all day. When I get home they usually get the next day off to recover.
Also most of our 3 day runs the Friday night is a warm up race...I don't usually enter that unless I feel my horse will need that extra run....usually I just run my young horses this run. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12837
| Make sure that mine are in shape. Wrap their legs with cold pack several days before, and give them a message the night before a run. If I make more than one run in a weekend, they get more that one message. |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| Previcox for the oldies Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday.
Compounded ulcer meds Thursday night and then each morning of the weekend.
Electrolytes for their water buckets while at the show and feed thru electrolytes starting wednesday.
Always keep magic cushion, numotionize, and ice tight (or whatever mud poultice is on sale) in the trailer as well as no bows and standing wraps. Also, brown paper bags and plastic wrap in case they are needed. Only use these if we notice stocking up or soreness problems.
People may not like this one but if they are sore and I can tell it , then *gasp* banamine they shall be given.
ETA: I have PHT blankets setting in my trailer collecting dust that I hardly ever use and a few back on track products that i will use if noticing a problem with swelling.
Edited by astreakinchic 2015-03-10 12:05 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | Like everyone has said, in shape is a definite.
The week of I work them as I normally would and I put on PHT or BOT every night.
They get the day off Thursday to rest up and get bathed, clipped, packed, etc.
Friday I arrive early enough they can settle in and get their feet under them and lay down in the stall with their BOT products on. 2 hours before I run I give them Oxy Rush. I warm up, run, cool down, hose off if needed, feed before or after depending on when I run. I will put my PHT on and wrap legs with a poultice. If I notice any stocking up or soreness I will give bute or banamine to help them out a little.
I try to keep everything pretty routine. If I can let them out in a pen during their time off I do or let them out to graze for a couple hours. Sometimes I will use a theraplate at a show if I feel it will benefit them but it usually is just for piece of mind. |
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 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7613
Location: Dubach, LA | I get mine out of the stall at least three times a day to talk a walkabout or graze a little. |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | attempt to get them mildly clean?
just kidding... kind of...
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 422
Location: Fort Bragg North Carolina | I'm gonna be honest I pack for me and them make sure I have enough feed and hay and hit the road. I usually give them the day before off but no extras for mine just stick to routine. They should of course be in shape |
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 Works Hard For The Money
Posts: 4469
Location: Memphis, TN | Mine are turned out 24/7 so anytime I have to stall I do everything I can to make sure they don't get stiff. PHT products are a must for me. I usually keep the blanket on all weekend during big shows where we run multiple times. Sore no more poultice and liniment. I wrap legs every night with no bows and standing wraps to help with stocking up. I'm one who keeps hay in front of mine at all times. I don't like fasting for hours before/between. I prefer to let them eat as they normally would and avoid acid build up. My gelding is prone to get ulcers so this helps keep his stomach in check. I use Oxygen's products daily and before runs. Other than that it's just the basics. Keeping in shape, making sure teeth are good and feet are where they should be. Grooming wise I usually show up with them muddy out of the pasture lol. I do keep their tails bagged during fall/winter/spring (when flies appear I take them out). I enjoy grooming at the show. It's my way of relaxing and keeps me busy while I wait to run.
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I recommend about 3 weeks before you hit the road, get them checked over by the vet. That way, if you need anything injected they have more than enough time for them to kick in and start working without you having to miss your first runs. or waste half your entry fees on a sore horse.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | Prevocox starting 2 days before for my mare. Soak her feet in ice water. Everyone get there legs rubbed done with Green Pack Jelly. The day before I start them on a double dose of ulcer preventative. I use Aloe Vera juice so it won't hurt them to get more. The day we leave more rubbing legs with green jelly. Wrap my mares with polo wraps and put her Soft Rides on her front feet. If it's more than one day I repeat process for duration of show. |
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