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 Expert
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| So I have been hauling my gelding to the ameture rodeos since March. The past two rodeos the pressure has proven a little much for him and we have broken the pattern. Its easy to get down about it and want to kick yourself in the rear! I watch the videos over and over looking for something I could have done better. I have decided to back off of the rodeos and haul to some barrel races for a little while in hopes to regain our confidence. I know this is part of it, but seasoning a rodeo horse is quite the humbling experience! Nothing to do now but dust myself off and get to work on fixing it :) Just thought I would share in case any of you are going through a similar situation! Stay positive, and keep at it!!! :)
Edited by scwebster 2015-06-29 2:31 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| The young ones definitely make you work for it, good luck! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | Seasoning is hard work but it eventually pays off - or at least that's what I keep telling myself. i am working on a 5 yr old right now so i feel your pain! |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Are you entering the slack at the rodeo when available? The performances at some of the ammy rodeos are wilder than the pro-rodeos. I would go back to barrel races for a little bit and let him get his confidence back, then start entering some slacks at the rodeo. If you don't get slack, i'd draw out or run something more seasoned. Once he's comfortable in the slack, maybe ease him into a performance where you know it's not going to be a wild west show. :)
It is definitely a humbling process, and not all horses are cut out to be rodeo horses. It's a tough life and takes a horse with a special mindset to be successful at rodeos IMO. |
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Queen Bean of Ponyland
Posts: 24954
Location: WYOMING | When you think you are ready to get a little aggressive.... wait and be patient for another 6 months. The more consistent runs under your belt the better you will be when you go back to rodeoing. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Funny that you should post this right now, because I was just discussing, with my hubby, how tough the seasoning process can be. I am actually hauling in the Midwest right now with my six year old. It is VERY different from running at the big barrel races and even the local rodeos. I'm waiting for the light bulb to go off... for both of us. The rodeo atmosphere doesn't bother him, but the big pens are a big change for us. Just remember not to try too hard. It's just another barrel race. Relax and let him find his little nitch. If you were doing well at the jackpots then just keep entering and don't push him... let him go his own speed till he is more confident in the new environment. As for me... I'll try to practice what I preach on my next run. ;)
Good luck!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 907
Location: a secret | Absolutely!! I call it character building.. lol I have learned though that you have to be realistic in seasoning one even when they show you hey I got this... they really dont. Hard to say, but enjoy the journey, and the ride one day you will look back and laugh how far you have come and what you had to endure to get there. Be patient. Lets start a seasoning club |
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 Mature beyond Years
Posts: 10780
Location: North of the 49th Parallel | Mine is on stall rest right now while trying to figure out some issues but she went from the 1D one run, to the 4D the run after, 5D the next one and then laid down a run .3 off a nice horse (hit a barrel so it didn't count). I had entered some ammy rodeos and vetted all of them the day after I entered. Frustrating. We're also working on trying to find a bit or hack that she works well in too. It is very humbling running a "colt". Mine is 8 but other than being hauled to reining shows when she was 4, this is my first year actually trying to go "hard." |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Im seasoning my 5 yr old and he's been a good boy.....I'm the problem LOL
Its fun, frustrating, exciting and I wouldn't trade it....I am so thankful to have an opportunity to learn from this colt...... |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | dream_chaser - 2015-06-29 9:43 PM Im seasoning my 5 yr old and he's been a good boy.....I'm the problem LOL
Its fun, frustrating, exciting and I wouldn't trade it....I am so thankful to have an opportunity to learn from this colt......
I SO LOVE STARTING HORSES, I'M AT THE POINT THAT I REALLY NEED TO FIND A SOMEONE ELSE TO BREAK THEM BUT I JUST CAN'T GO WITHOUT RIDING A ROLLER COASTER AND THAT WHAT COLTS CAN BE. MY JOB IS TO KEEP THEM GOING UP AND TO RIDE THEIR HIGHS.
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Yep, that is kind of the boat I am in with Bunny. She handles local races fine but big shows and rodeos really make her nervous. Going to those with her is kind of a gamble.. she's either going to work or she's going to be so upset and nervous she's going to blow it. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Herbie - 2015-06-29 4:56 PM Are you entering the slack at the rodeo when available? The performances at some of the ammy rodeos are wilder than the pro-rodeos. I would go back to barrel races for a little bit and let him get his confidence back, then start entering some slacks at the rodeo. If you don't get slack, i'd draw out or run something more seasoned. Once he's comfortable in the slack, maybe ease him into a performance where you know it's not going to be a wild west show. :)
It is definitely a humbling process, and not all horses are cut out to be rodeo horses. It's a tough life and takes a horse with a special mindset to be successful at rodeos IMO.
Exactly!!!
After they are proficient at the races and you want to step tothe rodeo's then enter slack. Once their fconfidence is shot it's hard and a longer road to get it back for them. Baby steps and going through the grades, like grade school. Kindergarten, 1st grade, second grade, ect. If they get overwhelmed, then step back to a simpler environment, and try it again later but slack is your best friend when getting one used to the rodeo world. |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | uno-dos-tres! - 2015-06-30 12:43 AM dream_chaser - 2015-06-29 9:43 PM Im seasoning my 5 yr old and he's been a good boy.....I'm the problem LOL
Its fun, frustrating, exciting and I wouldn't trade it....I am so thankful to have an opportunity to learn from this colt......
I SO LOVE STARTING HORSES, I'M AT THE POINT THAT I REALLY NEED TO FIND A SOMEONE ELSE TO BREAK THEM BUT I JUST CAN'T GO WITHOUT RIDING A ROLLER COASTER AND THAT WHAT COLTS CAN BE. MY JOB IS TO KEEP THEM GOING UP AND TO RIDE THEIR HIGHS.
You are a special person! 
I just listesd mine for sale again b/c I can't do the roller coaster...
When I Googled his name to make sure I didn't have any old ads, I found that I have listed him each Spring as a 3,4, and now 5 year old. Apparently, I dream big over the winter (when I'm not riding much) then reality strikes...  |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Herbie - 2015-06-29 4:56 PM Are you entering the slack at the rodeo when available? The performances at some of the ammy rodeos are wilder than the pro-rodeos. I would go back to barrel races for a little bit and let him get his confidence back, then start entering some slacks at the rodeo. If you don't get slack, i'd draw out or run something more seasoned. Once he's comfortable in the slack, maybe ease him into a performance where you know it's not going to be a wild west show. :)
It is definitely a humbling process, and not all horses are cut out to be rodeo horses. It's a tough life and takes a horse with a special mindset to be successful at rodeos IMO.
We got off track at a packed performance. We ran in 90 to the first barrel and when we came around the back side he saw all the movement from the crowd. On the way to the second he just got lost. Tried to pull back toward the ally. We came to a sliding stop at the fence behind barrel 2. This past weekend we did get the slack, but I got on during the last performance event. This too was a packed house with lots going on. He became super nervous so I let him sit quiet and tried to let him be calm. As we came into the arena he just went right to the fence, totally not seeing the first barrel. :(
He has been to big pro rodeos as a rope horse, such as Ft Worth. I guess it is different running as hard as you can out of a blind ally. I am determined. Will def enter the slack when able! I totally agree it takes a certain kind to handle rodeos. Thanks for the advice! :) |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| Thank you for the encouraging words! I knew someone on here had to be in a similar situation. I def see why so many horses for sale have the caption "just needs seasoning". LOL It is tough sometimes. Good luck to you out there!! I hope you do well! You should post an update for us! :) |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| dream_chaser - 2015-06-29 9:43 PM Im seasoning my 5 yr old and he's been a good boy.....I'm the problem LOL
Its fun, frustrating, exciting and I wouldn't trade it....I am so thankful to have an opportunity to learn from this colt......
You are right. I feel like I am learning a lot during this process. It is an emotional rollercoaster for sure! In the end I def think it makes us better horse people. :) Good luck with your 5 yr old! |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| casualdust07 - 2015-06-30 6:40 AM Yep, that is kind of the boat I am in with Bunny. She handles local races fine but big shows and rodeos really make her nervous. Going to those with her is kind of a gamble.. she's either going to work or she's going to be so upset and nervous she's going to blow it.
It is like rolling dice! Hopefully we will all look back on this thread one day while riding our finished horses! :) |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| rodeomom3 - 2015-06-29 2:58 PM The young ones definitely make you work for it, good luck!
Yes they do! Thank you!! |
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| HotPants - 2015-06-29 7:23 PM Absolutely!! I call it character building.. lol I have learned though that you have to be realistic in seasoning one even when they show you hey I got this... they really dont. Hard to say, but enjoy the journey, and the ride one day you will look back and laugh how far you have come and what you had to endure to get there. Be patient. Lets start a seasoning club
Love this! Yes I agree, I would love to join a seasoning club!! Haha. Sometimes a few kind words from someone who feels your pain is all you need! |
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Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | What if you stuffed his ears? Maybe if he couldn't hear all of the commotion he would stay more relaxed and focused? My 5 YO hears everythng and sees everything. He's very focused going in the pen but he has go go gadget hearing. HAHA We used to stuff our calf horses ears every time just to keep them focused and working rope.
Definitely try to let him pick his own pace the first rodeos you take him back to. I made the same mistake trying to season a mare at Mesquite several years ago. I entered slack, but as I was coming up the alley to make my run, a big charlois bull jumped up out of the lane and scared the doo doo out of her. She never was quite the same after that, poor thing. Rodeos can definitely make or break one, and yes, I would think even though your horse has been hauled to some rodeos, the barrel race is entirely different, as we are somewhat putting them on their honor to work. It's nearly impossible to keep them "in your hand" like a roper would during a barrel run.....at least if you're trying to win something.
Hopefully he'll come back and ease back into the jackpot scenario relaxed and focused, and then when it's time to transition back to rodeos, you can ease him back into that as well. |
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