What would your advice be for a younger person who wants to get back to competition? Has a truck, trailer and a retired barrel horse that could get back into shape.. however after being in and out of the game (many times due to the expense, misrepresentation of horses, insane amounts of vet work etc) I am looking for advice on how to approach this in a way that's less emotional and more sustainable. 

advice?

All I have to say is enjoy your horse. That's something that isn't used as much any more. People focus more on competition and winning other than having fun. I'm not talking about the 'pep talk' everyone has with their trainers before a competition. Your horse shouldn't stress you out, you horse should be the one who relieves stress.

As for money, "proper" vet work that is necessary such as teeth floating and farrier work are always going to be essential. Aswell as feed, water, and other basic supplies. One thing I do notice is that everyone rushes for gadgets (such as certain magnetic products) that aren't necessary. 

Good luck!

Hear that... I've done literally almost any vet work there is out there. Not opposed to it just got so drained the past few years.

i guess I'm just looking for what others would do if they were in my situation

Just get yourself and your horse legged back up, get teeth floated if not done in a while and just GO!!!! Start out slow and keep going forward and have fun!!!!

I would suggest getting back into shape. The horse and you first. Then find some smaller shows, jackpots, or rodeos. Have fun and concentrate on the run you have and not on what other people run. Most of all make sure this is something you really want to do.

Get back into shape, both of you. And start slow, find a good number of shows a month that will scratch your itch but not drain your wallet or your soul. I fully get you on the list of reasons why, I'm dealing with similar. Prospect not all what I thought I bought and finished horse got hurt, thousands $ spent and nothing to run or expo currently. So I fulllllly get the ficancial & mental drain. I chose to take this year off, but still go see my friends run at some close events. Sit down with yourself and work out just what you think you can afford to spend monthly on it, while still having a buffer in case of unplanned vet bills because they will always happen. I take winters off, last race is Thanksgiving weekend and first race is usually first weekend of May. I don't start riding until March, sometimes mid-Feb if its decent temps out. Those winter months I set aside $ to build up entry funds, or vet funds, or both. I would suggest start stashing what you can while you're legging back up. Give yourself a head start. And start with maybe 2 races a month and see where you're at there, mentally and financally. Don't go broke trying to enter, like a lot of us do. I've spent most of this year digging myself out of the "oh I'll pay this bill with the credit card so I have cash to enter" hole that I dug the last 3 years before lol. . And with those 2 races, think if thats enough to satisfy the competing aspect, or if you want to do more. Think hard about what that line is between fun and work. Maybe 6 races a month makes it feel like work and takes the fun away, everyones number is different. So start slow would be my suggestion, and slowly add in shows. When/if it gets to a point where it's not enjoyable then back off. Find that perfect balance for you and for your horse as well. I know my gelding was fine for 2 weekends a month and after that he started hating life and needed his maintenance more often. He always came first for me. And now he's only allowed to walk while riding for 20 miutes during his rehab and you know what, I enjoy him more now than I did when he was running. So always, always keep things to where you enjoy the horse. The horse comes first, the sport comes second. 

Thank you this is much appreciated!! 

Your very welcome! Hopefully we all helped out a bunch! :)