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Location: midwest mama | I barrel raced and rodeoed for years, and then took an over 10 year vacation from it. Family, work, life, etc. took priority, so I gave in and didn't hardly even ride for a very long time.
Several years ago I decided to start back again. I started slow with a younger horse, and worked my way up to running in the 1D. Competed for two years, and then my horse I was going on got hurt, and they are saying he will be off at least a year, IF he ever comes back good enough to be a barrel horse again. I have no back up horse - he is my one and only.
I really don't want to start another young one, so I have started looking around for an older been there, done that horse that I can go compete on and have some fun. I have found several that I thought might work for me, but they aren't cheap and now I am kind of getting cold feet and wondering if I even really want to start racing again. My time is limited and I have a lot of responsibilities with family/work, but I need to do something for me. Also, I'm feeling a little guilty for spending a lot for a horse. In my head and heart I want to, but then reality sets in. I really don't want to only do something half way - it's not my nature. I'm usually all in, or all out. Also, since I came back and started running again I have had severe performance anxiety. Stressed when I was running, and now stressed that I am not. Argh.
My question is this - how do you decide whether to keep racing or quit, throw in the towel and be a spectator/fan only? Sometimes I feel like I have a split personality. I'm really struggling with this, so any advice from people who have been in this same situation would be appreciated.
Edited by OldSchoolCowgirl 2015-08-10 1:25 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 233
| Big hugs for you and your horse. You may not have the money, time or want to to race anymore but what about just riding for your own sanity? | |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
 
Location: Dubach, LA | Running a 3D horse isn't that bad. To me, it's better than giving it up completely. No more than I get to ride and go, a 1/2D horse would be 3/4D before long anyway. Hugs to you. | |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Horses have always been in my life.... first pony at age 5. Never looked back. However, I have made adjustments along the way due to work, family and physical limitations. In my younger years I roped, barrel raced, rode jumpers, had a cutter, etc.... and attended college via a rodeo scholarship. I am pushing 60 now and still have horses -- I go slower -- I got very involved in showing and did the all-around events for many years - right now I concentrate on Showmanship with my wonderful mare. It's something that requires my time at the barn grooming and practicing and has me running around beside her (good to keep me in shape so there's my exercise time, too). I never dreamed I would love Showmanship as much - or more than other things I had done in the past - but I do -- it requires a deep bond between you and your horse and is very precise and it is difficult to do it at a world class level (and I am competitive at that level!). Anyway, my point is - there are many horse activities that are fun, challenging and can keep you involved with horses -- for example the Ranch Riding classes are really taking off --- barrel racing is not the only event. Yes, I did miss going fast -- but no more. I realized it was not about the running it was about the horse for me -- always about having a horse... good luck to you on finding your new path and journey. | |
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | The day you get the news that a race you were going to go to has been canceled due to whatever, and you feel relief, that's when you call it a day. I still get that urge to run now and then, but mostly just enjoy watching and keeping up with what my friends children and grandchildren are doing. When you watch the NFR and say, gosh I remember when she was born, you can't feel too bad about quitting LOL.
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| unfornautely i had to stop due to an accident but i would like to think that at 64 i would be trailriding in the river with friends enjoy my horses frankly
i hate the barrel races of today boring but i will never truly know but i wish oh i wish i could ride | |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Are you dead set on running 1D and winning? Why not just barrel race to have fun, that is what I do! | |
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| I think this is an issue that many struggle with. I know I do! I qualified for the circuit finals a couple of times and had a really nice horse. Skip ahead 14 years, 3 kids, and a mortgage later and I'm finding it very tough to compete. Horses are more expensive, competition's younger, and there seems to be no limit on the money being spent. We have girls in our neck of the woods running horses they paid $75,000 or more for only to win a rodeo that pays $500. Now don't get me wrong.....I would do it in a heart beat too if I could, just cant. So I do the best I can with what I have, hits some divisional shows, and hopefully someday another great horse will fall into my lap and I can compete at the level I'd like to be at again.
In my opinion, if you still think about running barrels everyday, then it's something that you are not ready to quit doing. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 667
| hoofs_in_motion - 2015-08-10 8:05 AM
Are you dead set on running 1D and winning? Why not just barrel race to have fun, that is what I do!
I love this. This is me as well. I do this for sanity and as a hobby. | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Boy... I just sent my best friend a message that literally duplicates your post. I went through a lot of bad luck, finally bought one that I loved and trained him from the ground up. Granted hes not a 1D horse but a 2D/3D horse with a heart of gold. I got 5 years of running him and he was diagnosed with kissing spine... trying to maintain him through exercise and some meso therapy but his future is very unknown.
I went out and bought a new prospect, drove to OK only to find out she wasnt honest. Biggest deal breaker being his size. He was much much smaller than advertised and I am just too big for him. he should be going to his new home today... I bawled over it... I dont buy him to sell him.
Now I am back to square one... do I just do what i can with my guy with KS and partly retire both of us? or do I put the work into another propsect. Which part of me isnt wanting to do because its so draining with my already busy schedule. So part of me wonders... do I just retire. I cant afford anything finished or even well started... I am 25 and my life revolves around horses.
So i guess I feel your pain  | |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | TNcowgirl88 - 2015-08-10 9:15 AM hoofs_in_motion - 2015-08-10 8:05 AM Are you dead set on running 1D and winning? Why not just barrel race to have fun, that is what I do! I love this. This is me as well. I do this for sanity and as a hobby.
exactly. My horse is 2/3D. I hope to hit the 1D with my colt, but that won't be for a few years.
In the meantime I love running a safe and consistent horse. | |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| I'm in the same situation … hugs to you! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I'm struggling with this same issue so you are not alone! I"m glad someone feels the same way I do. I've been involved in horses since I was 11 and am 30 now. Life has just gotten so busy, work, now college classes towards a masters, 5 dogs, travel, family, friends and meetings, volunteer work. It's overwhelming. Not to mention, since we bought a house 5 years ago, I'd almost rather stick money into it and my retirement. I feel guilty spending money racing or on horses. I went from 7 to 3 and now to one horse and am debating if I shouldn't just sell him. I haven't been placing as competitively as I'd like and I'm an all or nothing person too.
I would have said get out for a while and see if you miss it but after a 10 yr vacation from it you definitely have!!! Did you miss it when you were out for 10 yrs? When you ride do you like it more than anything else? I guess depending on those answers, it should give you a clue as to the right choice. I still don't know what I should do. I almost think buying rescue horses and working with them when I have time would be a low stress way to go instead of competitive riding and all the cost that goes into it. Plus it gives me great satisfaction to train a horse to be useful and wanted instead of going to slaughter or doing nothing. That to me is an amazing accomplishment. I guess I feel like I've hit a plateau with racing and am not getting better. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Vickie - 2015-08-10 6:45 AM
The day you get the news that a race you were going to go to has been canceled due to whatever, and you feel relief, that's when you call it a day. I still get that urge to run now and then, but mostly just enjoy watching and keeping up with what my friends children and grandchildren are doing. When you watch the NFR and say, gosh I remember when she was born, you can't feel too bad about quitting LOL.
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wow! THIS ^^^ I have actually felt relief many times becuase I always have other things I'd like to do... maybe that's a sign! | |
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Veteran
Posts: 106
| DLV - 2015-08-10 11:29 AM
Vickie - 2015-08-10 6:45 AM
The day you get the news that a race you were going to go to has been canceled due to whatever, and you feel relief, that's when you call it a day. I still get that urge to run now and then, but mostly just enjoy watching and keeping up with what my friends children and grandchildren are doing. When you watch the NFR and say, gosh I remember when she was born, you can't feel too bad about quitting LOL.
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wow! THIS ^^^ I have actually felt relief many times becuase I always have other things I'd like to do... maybe that's a sign!
I think I am close to the edge too and I feel relief a lot, then guilt...I've ridden all my life..horse shows, rodeo'd etc and the hubby rodeo'd too...along the way my husbands family farm was expanding and it was making it difficult for us to leave for any period of time and for him to devote any time to practicing so we sold his dogging horse and got rid of our LQ...he decided to play around with team roping a little...just going to friends and roping...no interest in hauling...I just messed around and barrel raced whenever...when I was 34 (he is 40) we decided to have a baby and I got pregnant with our little boy. I sold all my horses and stopped riding but taught and hauled 2 teenage girls to shows and HS rodeo during that time.... I bought a long yearling two weeks after I gave birth.
Two years later...I have a wonderful open horse that a good friend gave me to ride. He is fun and uncomplicated to ride...just a joy to have around and safe for my kid to be around to. My filly has turned out to be THE nicest horse I have ever owned....and shows all indications of a 1d hopeful. She comes back from the trainer I sent her to this week...
And I have ZERO interest in riding or going anywhere. Not because I am scared or out of the grove...I just simply want to do other things...fiddle around my house and play with my kid and I am happy and content doing it. Then guilt comes into play...I have all this money tied up into the horses...saddles, trailers, gear, training fees etc...
Sometimes I feel like the ONLY thing that keeps me dragging along in the horses right now is my son...I want him to grow up going to shows and hopefully want to be a part of it. I figure the only way I can do that is to keep him exposed to it. | |
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 Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | I spent many, many years on the road hauling to rodeos, jackpots and shows and my husband drove me, worked to support me and kept my horses going. We came to a time in life that the kids were out of high school rodeo and gone and my husband wanted to try team penning. I readily gave up hauling to barrel races and we hauled all over the Midwest for him. I eventually bought a prospect (for barrels) but since he was a futurity cutting drop-out, I tried the penning….and loved it. Fast forward a couple of years and my husband was sidelined with cancer surgery on his shoulder. Not one to just stay home, I played with my penning horse and after a month went to a barrel race and won the 4-D…..For the next couple of years, I went and placed in the 3-4D or Seniors…..didn’t care if I went fast or not….I went to have FUN with my friends.
Find something to do with horses that just keeps you having FUN ! ! Barrel Racing or being in the 1-D is not the only thing to do………… | |
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 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
Location: Oklahoma | With age. .our bodies shift. Barrel racing / riding / professional obligations and family obligations also shift and we make adjustments, but you go with your heart and what you want to do.
Only YOU can decide what makes you happy and what you have time for. There are some horses I have sold that have left me feeling empty and I hve had no desire to throw my leg over another one and hit the road. Then one will come along that I am bonded with and I am happy sitting outside with them, on their back, or going to a competition.
I think it's in your soul since you came back after such a long break. We are always doing things against a clock - time is fighting us and one day our bodies or health won't let us hit the road anymore. As long as you enjoy your horse and what you are doing - GO. . if not. . stay home. I take breaks, but I always end up on the road until my body won't let me anymore.
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | It can be very discouraging especially when certain names show up or it's the same people in the 1D. I try to have fun but I don't go places that are stressful anymore, even if it's close to the house. I had a horse I thought was going to help me move up and I lost her to a pasture accident. I haven't been the same since. I'm finishing another one now and while I'm proud of what she does, it's awfully hard to not look over my shoulder at those 1D riders, because I know I've got the horsepower under me to be there and I'm not. I haven't gone as much this summer because I've worked at the speedway. I still want to ride/run barrels, just wish I was more successful at it because I know it's there. I think about quitting but I'd probably miss it if I did. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 831
| wow...haven't been on here for a few years.....got hurt, got too busy teaching....Got healthy, quit my teaching job and wonder if I can do it again....money is TIGHT (because I went to a less paying job,but got my sanity back) Wanting to start running again, but start out in small less expensive competitions.... | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 629
| Vickie - 2015-08-10 7:45 AM
The day you get the news that a race you were going to go to has been canceled due to whatever, and you feel relief, that's when you call it a day. I still get that urge to run now and then, but mostly just enjoy watching and keeping up with what my friends children and grandchildren are doing. When you watch the NFR and say, gosh I remember when she was born, you can't feel too bad about quitting LOL.
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I have to disagree with this. There have been many days where I was hoping that a show was cancelled because it was too hot, too cold, too much chance of rain, or I had something else I had to choose between, and a show getting cancelled would make me not choose.
I kind of look at showing like this. I keep my horses as in shape as possible so that if a show is scheduled, and I wake up that day feeling like I want to go, they are prepared to go. But, if its 100 degrees, the promoter won't change it to a night show, and the ground sucks anyways, I'm not going.
And, it always happens, that when I don't feel like taking a horse, or don't have the money/a sound horse to go, but I go to cheer on my friends, I always get there and wish I had my horse there.
These situations happen at different times of people's lives. The only one who knows if you really want to give it up, is you.
Someone once told me that if you can't decide between 2 things do this. Write them down, put them in a hat, shake them up, and pick one. If you are disappointed in what you chose, now you know how you really felt. And if you are relieved with what you chose, the same applies. | |
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