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 Member
Posts: 35
Location: Kansas | Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. I'm a learning barrel racer from Kansas and have been training my mare to barrel race this year. Her name is Star, she's a 7yo QH mare. I took her to a show Saturday and entered her in barrel racing. In my eyes, we had a great run, probably our best yet! However, some people think she's lame. She shows no signs of being lame to me. She did other events and even jumped over logs that same day and never once felt off. I rode her today and she didn't feel off, she doesn't look off, nor does she act like she's hurting. My guess is we just need to work more on getting her to use her body correctly around the barrels. I may also have a chiropractor come adjust her.
Here is the video from our run. She did buck at the beginning and crowhop to the first barrel because she was being a brat and buddy sour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q96TZHK-nHI
Edited by kansasbarrelracer 2016-11-01 6:04 PM
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
 
| I'm so glad you are trying to take care of your horse! Great job!
I am like others and see a lot of soreness in the rear end. I would ask a really good barrel racer where she vets, and take your horse in to that same vet. When you get there, ask for a full lameness exam.
Be prepared for a vet bill of several hundred to get everything done and get her road worthy again.
I'm willing to bet big money that with some vet care, a lot of the sourness and bratty behavior goes away, and that you find it a lot easier to get faster, smoother runs from her.
I know it's hard to feel like you should spend that type of money, but be sure to remember that these animals shouldn't have to be in pain for our good time.
She sure is a pretty mare, and I think that you both show a ton of potential! |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Beautiful mare!!! To me she also looks sore. What makes me think this is the tail swishing, and how her two back legs don't every really move up under herself in any of her movements. It seems like she wants to move correctly, but can't so she shakes her head a bit in frustration. Looks like she has a great work ethic. If it were me I would have a flex test done and x rays. There is a moment or two where it also looks like she crossfires, which can make for a rough ride. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Just wanted to say welcome and definitely get the vet to line you and her out. I love me a black horse!!! |
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Member
Posts: 35
Location: Kansas | Thanks everyone! My vet does acupuncture and I was just reading on their website that the session starts with an exam, which may include a lameness exam. Should we try that out and possibly acupuncture? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| kansasbarrelracer - 2016-11-01 8:34 PM
Thanks everyone! My vet does acupuncture and I was just reading on their website that the session starts with an exam, which may include a lameness exam. Should we try that out and possibly acupuncture?
Absolutely start with a thorough lameness exam - that's a great idea! Good for you for taking the initiative. I also see stiffness in the hind end and I'd almost guarantee if you get her checked out and fixed up she'll feel a whole lot better to ride. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | You ride your mare very well, but I do see an issue in her hindend too.. Shes a nice mare hope that you get this all ironed out, so you can keep having fun with her.. |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | She looks OK to me. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I watched your Carrot race video, now that was really cute, lol..Your dad sounds like a really proud Papa..  |
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Location: Illinois | She's a cute mare! She is off on the back end so just like everyone else said have a vet do a full lameness exam and then go on from there! Good luck girl! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Sore in the rear - might even be an ovary thing. |
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 The Comeback Kid
Posts: 1564
Location: lost in missouri | The tail wringing and not moving up underneath herself are dead giveaways she is sore. I agree with Griz it could also be a female issue as my mare gets very ouchy around that time of the month and doesnt use herself properly and swishes her tail, but once it is over that time of the month she is back to using herself and doing her thing. the short stride behind though also makes me think she could be sore in her hocks or her lumbro sacral joint |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | she's sore somewhere, and I noticed you posted another video named "star bites me".....definite give away something is sore especially if she's trying to bite you when you are saddling her |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | I agree with the other comments above. She does look off on her hind end. It's like she just can't seem to get the correct lead on her hind end. So she crossfires which can make for a very uncomfortable ride. The reason they would do that is most likely from being sore. She could be sore in only that movement, which might mean she doesnt exactly show up as being lame on a regular walk/trot. I would show the vet this video. It could be a simple fix!
Edited by ccarpe18 2016-11-02 9:39 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 380
| My mare will toss her tail around like that when she is in heat too. Have a vet out to double check her just in case. I have thought about giving my mare a little Bute when she is in season. As a lady myself I can imagine the kind of discomfort she could be in. Check saddle fit too. Hard to tell from the video but it looks like it doesn't fit well.
Edited by SloRide 2016-11-02 10:01 AM
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Member
Posts: 35
Location: Kansas | Thanks guys for your opinions! She been having a "saddling" problem where when I put the saddle on, she gets a worried look and pins her ears. This has been going on for a few weeks and she is still the same but a little better about it. I've thought about her being in heat or saddle fit but doubt that is it. She's never acted like this before and she's been ridden in the same tack since I've had her with no issues until now. I'll talk to my dad about it and get the vet out to do a lameness exam and go from there. I definitely see her "bunny hopping" around the barrel now. |
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Member
Posts: 35
Location: Kansas | Update: Called the vet and scheduled an appointment for Tuesday. Really hoping it's nothing too serious. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Just wanted to reach out and say good luck and welcome to the board from another KS resident |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | kansasbarrelracer - 2016-11-03 11:30 AM Update: Called the vet and scheduled an appointment for Tuesday. Really hoping it's nothing too serious.
Please let us know what the vet has to say. And yes, let's hope it's nothing serious. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | In the 3rd video down of you in the indoor pen she's most definitely not using that inside hind leg at all, she's kind of hopping around on it and holding it up and off the ground as much as she can to avoid using it. My first thought would be hock, stifle, hip.....of course hocks get blamed for a lot but the fact that it's that inside hind that's the worst when turning would make me think hocks. Could be ovaries but I've found my mare who had a cyst only wagged her tail really bad, it never effected her hind end quite that extensively.
The video of her biting you: you can def tell shes very apprehensive about you putting the saddle on her, starting with the pad. If you get the issue fixed soon that may change but if not she will never enjoy riding and it can get worse or take the fun out of it! She seems like a very willing horse that's trying to please you but riding through the pain which most of them do!
Ps- I admire your patience with her as some of the younger generation would not be quite as calm with her especially after a bite...me personally would have smacked my mare right Away (on neck or side not head) but you have to pick your battles
I hope for the best and good results! Keep us updated for sure, you're on the right track!
Edited by RnRJack 2016-11-03 1:19 PM
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