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  Color My World
Posts: 4940
   
Location: My perfect world bubble | I switched a couple years ago from barrel racing to eventing and one of the first things I noticed is how fewer vet visits eventers have! And I'm talking at the 4*, FEI, Olympic level. Far fewer injections, supplements, chiropractors, etc. These horses are under arguably more physical stress when you look at Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country and the demands of competing in all 3 at one event. I asked a prominent FEI vet in Louisiana who also treats barrel horses why that was. He said barrel racers run to the vet for everything, always want something injected. He's gotten to where he doesn't even what to treat barrel racer's horses anymore because of the constant requests for injections. I've been on both sides - and I was involved in barrel racing long before vet work became so important and that wasn't the right answer either. Lots of sore horses and blown up horses as a result. But I also think too many excues are made for a horse being "sore" when it doesn't work right. Just like people - horses also have to work through some pain. It's just part of being an athlete. But it's a lot easier to load up and head to the vet then get out there, get ourselves in shape and become better horsemen. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | In 23 years of warmbloods (dressage and jumpers ) I have had only 2 Horses injected. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I injected my gelding at age 10 after 6 years of barrel racing and only because I tried everything else first, he was hopping on his front end and he always used his hind end, it did seem to fix the problem and I have not injected him since (almost 2 years) he's completely sound.
I had my wrist injected with cortisone because I broke it several times, only once did I do it and i haven't had pain since, I also went to physical therapy and helped my body get stronger. I think we can do the same with our horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Paintbrlrcr - 2015-03-01 4:12 PM
I switched a couple years ago from barrel racing to eventing and one of the first things I noticed is how fewer vet visits eventers have! And I'm talking at the 4*, FEI, Olympic level. Far fewer injections, supplements, chiropractors, etc. These horses are under arguably more physical stress when you look at Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country and the demands of competing in all 3 at one event. I asked a prominent FEI vet in Louisiana who also treats barrel horses why that was. He said barrel racers run to the vet for everything, always want something injected. He's gotten to where he doesn't even what to treat barrel racer's horses anymore because of the constant requests for injections. I've been on both sides - and I was involved in barrel racing long before vet work became so important and that wasn't the right answer either. Lots of sore horses and blown up horses as a result. But I also think too many excues are made for a horse being "sore" when it doesn't work right. Just like people - horses also have to work through some pain. It's just part of being an athlete. But it's a lot easier to load up and head to the vet then get out there, get ourselves in shape and become better horsemen.Â
I agree with this since I have done eventing and hunter jumpers, the only thing I can say is that when running barrels we are teaching a horse to turn in tight circles, something they are not intended to do. We also teach them to use their hind quarters more, when a horse uses 70% of their front end naturally. |
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Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | I was having trouble with my 3yo (now 4) last fall picking up the right lead. I had a baby last May, and we rode fairly consistently about 2-3x/wk throughout the summer, but my strength was lopsided. I get that it wasn't a lot of riding, but was regular. Grim was getting heavy in an o-ring snaffle come fall and I was considering a different bit, thinking maybe the o-ring wasn't sensitive enough for increased canter work, and also wondering if he should see the chiro for the right lead.
I ended up giving myself lessons from a dressage trainer for my birthday, and the problems were in my posture. I am so thankful for her eyes to be able to correct my posture to be able to ask Grim correctly - it was all me. I thought I was being careful and I certainly was doing the best I could -- I'm quite open to 'me' being the problem with my horse's performance -- but now I'm a firm believer that there isn't a replacement for another pair of skilled eyes to evaluate my riding and be able to give me feedback for better outcomes.
When I ride correctly, not only does G giving me the correct lead, but he also lopes the nicest circles I could ever ask for and at a beautiful cadence -- I can so feel him working off of his hind end. Also, he became so much more responsive and the need for a different, harsher bit went away.
I'm so thankful for my horse who still tries despite my limitations!
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 Don't Need Sugar Coating
Posts: 1183
Location: AR & OK | Lots of good information in this thread.  |
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 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | The best thing I did for my riding ability was lose some of the extra weight I was carrying and wasn't strong enough to control and buy a reined cow horse colt.
That rotten sucker will tell on me in a second if my body gets crooked or if my weight isn't balanced between my stirrups or if my hands get 1/4" out of place. When I'm right, he's right. When I'm wrong, he's both too broke and not smart enough to compensate and work despite me. Riding him has made me better and more consistent on my other horses. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I read a book on horses and their crookedness written by physiologist specialist in horses and they explain and show you how bad ridding can injure a horse. I believe that is the reason for many of the barrel horses' problems with lameness along with the torque that our sport puts on their joints. There a lot of girls on this site that are knowledgeable and know how important good riding is, but the general population of barrel racers, not at all. This really hit home for me when I realized my horse was drifting to the left at a walk because MY pelvis was out. We were also having lead issues. Fix the saddle fit and he was some better, get myself adjusted and he was back to correct lead/lope departures. My chiro, who is also my daughter,lol, told me to get adjusted when I adjust my horse otherwise I will just cause him to go out again because of my imbalance. This does seem to work for us. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
I can honestly say that I am constantly working on my riding. I will occassionally tune on a horse for a friend and love riding the horses that come to the clinics. It helps keep me sharp and tuned up. There is only one way to get good at this and that is to do it. If you only ride occassionally during the week, you aren't going to be able to ride like the guy that is doing it everyday on different horses.
The biggest problem I see is that many riders don't know what the right way FEELS like. They believe that their horse IS soft and responsive. Many times I will put them on one of my horses... next time I will have to video their reaction... but they are pretty shocked.
Most of them say things like, Wow! I have some stuff to work on, some can't figure out the buttons because their seat, hands, and timing are so off. These are not green riders, some are seasoned 1d/2d competitors trying to bump it up a hair to the next level.
It doesn't matter what d you're running in or what you inspire to be... a nice horse is a nice horse, and you'll know it the minute you swing your leg over that saddle.
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | great thread!!!! |
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