How in the world does the NFR girls and all the other people going more than a year and hauling hard  keep their horses sound longer than a year??? I have bought rejects, have bought one finished, and raised one! Have also bought young and old.  Doesn't matter!  I cant keep one sound longer than a year.  The bad thing is that I cant haul alot, Maybe thats the problem not hauling them like crazy!   Even watched my friends go thru their own stuff! 

I know that they are made for what we do but by golly I'd love to have one that all they needed was some routine injections.  But with me and I know Im not the only one! it gotta be a major deal!

I know the NFR girls have trouble too. Just using them as an example like Sister and Louie and many more.  and Scamper.  I know they had their share of injuries but they was able to bounce back. 

Ok I'm done! Time to figure out the next step!

Tons of vet bills, an occasional unicorn and more than one mount. 

When I barrel raced, injections were the only thing they needed. But I walked A LOT. I always rode more than an hour. I did my trotting and loping for tendon/ligament/ muscle strength. But I walked a lot and by walking I mean a good ground covering walk. My horses were always on pasture or several acre lots, no stalling except at feed time or bad weather. Religiously hosed their legs down after every workout and always used a liniment on their legs after a run. As soon as I unloaded them at the arena I walked them around for at least 5 minutes before tying them to the trailer. Warm up was mostly walking. I didn’t work on circles daily or small tight turns once they were broke and knew the pattern. Lots of straight miles with some lateral work. BUT I AM IN NO WAY A PRO! But I learned this from the pros. Read and listened to every one I could no matter their discipline. The eventers were the ones I really listened to and Martha Josef and Wanda Bush also.  Eventers know their stuff about getting one fit and keeping them sound. 

Honestly it is easier to keep one sound when you are hauling/using them.  If you only go occasionally, you are asking them to do a lot of physical activity they are not used to, even if you are keeping them rode and fit at home.  I see more issues from those that don't go often than those that haul their legs off.  You can get a winning horse that has been used and abused, then treat them like a good horse and they fall apart.

I like to give mine time off during the seasons, but sometimes it is just easier to slow down, than to completely stop. :)

Frog Juice and lots of drugs??? jk 

I've been having my own pity party. . . every year my horse seems to hurt himself or come up sore this time of the year. 

He got a little sore in July and I finally got him feeling better for my shoer to flake on me. Now we're way over due, and having hell trying to find a new shoer that isn't booked out, I trust, or not taking new clients. 

sometimes I wonder about just throwing in the towel, but if I did that what would I spend my money on!

Keep your chin up. eventually it has to get better!