rodeowithjoker - 2014-04-26 10:20 AM I already paid the fees the last time we thought he was fixed. My options are to (1) sell the spot (and gosh what a pain that will be), (2) sub another horse in (and I have 2 to choose from) or (3) figure out the vet out rules and do that by Monday (but what fun is it to go and only run one horse when you're used to running 2 or 3).



I entered Chance and Clifford. Joker doesn't usually do well in that arena and it would be at least 2 but probably 3 runs in a weekend, which seems to be a lot for his old body. If Streak can keep progressing the next week & a half, I think he's my better option to make several runs in a weekend. He's not the type to look around or be silly, and it is a 4D. I think the only time I entered him (super small jackpot) he was 3 seconds off Matt's mare (2D time) and we didn't have a great trip through the pattern. He was kind of unprepared for me to ask him to actually run a little between barrels. But at state, if we can just make the finals, a lot of times most of the 4D times get a check.

Divisional races are a crapshoot unless you can go win them outright and not that many people have the horse to do that. It sucks to go without Chance because he's has won a round there the last two years and won a 1D check on every run but I don't have a choice this time.

rodeowithjoker - 2014-04-26 9:20 AM I already paid the fees the last time we thought he was fixed. My options are to (1) sell the spot (and gosh what a pain that will be), (2) sub another horse in (and I have 2 to choose from) or (3) figure out the vet out rules and do that by Monday (but what fun is it to go and only run one horse when you're used to running 2 or 3).



I entered Chance and Clifford. Joker doesn't usually do well in that arena and it would be at least 2 but probably 3 runs in a weekend, which seems to be a lot for his old body. If Streak can keep progressing the next week & a half, I think he's my better option to make several runs in a weekend. He's not the type to look around or be silly, and it is a 4D. I think the only time I entered him (super small jackpot) he was 3 seconds off Matt's mare (2D time) and we didn't have a great trip through the pattern. He was kind of unprepared for me to ask him to actually run a little between barrels. But at state, if we can just make the finals, a lot of times most of the 4D times get a check.

Divisional races are a crapshoot unless you can go win them outright and not that many people have the horse to do that. It sucks to go without Chance because he's has won a round there the last two years and won a 1D check on every run but I don't have a choice this time.

Bibliafarm - 2014-04-26 12:32 PM


your point in this past post? sounds to me and please dont take this wrong because I do not keep up with you or know your situation..  you arent experienced I guess or  if you were you certainly would not be 2nd guessing nor asking here nor asking what to do.. youd know what to do.. we arent asking about your "other horses " and accomplishments.. truly not.. everyone was offering advice on this horse.. and you seem to want to ramble on about your life and other horses.. that wasnt the question nor the advice.. stop running the **** horse ,save your money on entries and figure out the horses issues.. or retire him.. period.. it not that difficult to figure that out.. truly.. 

Dr. J - 2014-04-26 12:53 PM Her point was to answer another poster's question about why would she want to run a different horse instead of the horse that this post was about. She's already said numerous times that she is drawing Chance out of the State Finals show because something isn't right. When she mentioned running one of her other horses in his spot someone asked her why she would do that. This was her answer. It was not an attempt to brag. Simply stating it sucks she can't run the horse that she has had the most success with at this race isn't bragging. Melanie is not "inexperienced". She's probably ran barrels more than most of the people on this board combined. She's definitely one of the most dedicated and driven barrel racers I know. Good grief people, we should be praising Melanie for continuing to be concerned about her horses's welfare when she feels something is still off. THREE different vets have told her he was fine and to run him. So it's not like the horse has a known lameness and she just doesn't care.

classicpotatochip - 2014-04-26 5:12 PM I don't think she's doing anything wrong. I think she's been the victim of vets that seem willing to tell her the horse is fine. She's headed to a new vet. She's had an arsenal of advice. She's got a list she's going to do at the new vet. If she didn't care about her horse, be frustrated, and confused about what's going on with him, she wouldn't be posting. I think, biblia, that you totally nasty to her just now, and unreasonably so. I usually agree with you, but on that post, nope. Honestly, I think folks have been pretty rough on here towards her. I'm not as thick skinned as her, and I sure have felt upset about people's treatment of her. I don't even know her!!! and I'm pretty upset with the board.

Just Plain Lucky - 2014-04-26 5:12 PM Well, in the years I've been here on BHW, Melanie's training/advice threads have always been amazingly civil and informative. Her threads, to me, have always been this way. She seems to reply to every question, suggestion, and bit of advice...never a lick of frustration or attitude even when the situation was a little frustrating. These days we get mad when people neglect or ignore the advice given on this forum. Melanie doesn't do that. We get mad at the "askholes" that come on here asking for what they want to hear. Melanie isn't an askhole. I think she handled the ridiculousness of some of these posts pretty well. Frankly, I am surprised by some of the out-of-character posts here, by members whom I respect and like! Holy crap, my heart is pretty much sinking into my stomach after reading some of these posts. Melanie has shown tons of improvement on a horse that she made by herself (Chance), and who wouldn't be frustrated when your blood, sweat, and tears seem to be swirling down the drain due to the ever ominous weight of lameness. We've all been there, absolutely. I think some empathy is in order here. She has a new vet appmt arranged and I am sure she will do what is right for Chance. For crying out loud, at least she's trying! She could be one of those morons that continues to ignore ALL advice from ANYONE, doesn't consult vets, etc, but she is doing all of that. And she gets insulted numerous times for coming here for help and advice. I thought that was what BHW was for? We drive away new "askhole" members all the and laugh about it. Now I'm afraid we've lost a good, respected, nice member. Yay? Congrats?

Itsme - 2014-04-26 9:05 PM Internet know it alls out in full force!! They can find any issue in a horse from 300 yards and a pair of binos...

readytorodeo - 2014-04-27 2:47 PM  I know your frustration.  I have a really nice mare.  Went through what your going through.  Vets telling me she was fine and to run her.  I knew she wasn't. I finally found someone who would listen.  It was her feet.  Found a great Shoer and a vet that knows what to look for in barrel horses.  You know your horse.  Don't stop till you get the answers.  Have you checked his whirlbone for soreness.?  My mares feet caused soreness in the whirlbone and SI.  

rodeowithjoker - 2014-04-27 3:35 PM

That is the part that sucks the most. My family members have thought I was wasting my money all year looking for problems with him, but finally last month my Dad got stuck taking him to a couple vet appointments (chiro/vet who found the SI soreness and the vet who did the SI injections) and now at least Dad is a believer. He's stopped questioning me when I've said there is something else that's still not right. Mom has kind of figured out that saying he's not lame and I should run him won't do any good so she just walks away when I mention going to another vet. I'm not sure I have Matt totally sold on it either but he's got enough barrel horse experience to not question my judgement.

I'm an hour north of Independence KS if that gives you any idea of my distance from Bristol. His feet have been feeling pretty darn good the last year or so, and Equipack seems to have helped the last couple shoeings. Granted he's a little off right now because he's missing one of the front shoes but we'll get that replaced this week. He's been running and playing even without that shoe but I'll be glad when my shoer gets home and can reset it.

We haven't checked whorlbones but it will be on my list. Hocks, stifles, whorlbones, kissing spine, feet of course.......I'm going to have to go back through and see if there are any suggestions I've missed. Yes I am that annoying horse owner who has a list longer than her arm of things to ask about at the vet clinic because learning something new is always one of my goals for a vet visit.