Good morning all!  I am retiring on age this year and I am coming out of barrel racing retirement and my horses are coming out of retirement.  I am looking for any tips, suggestions to help an older person and older horse returning to barrel racing.  I haven't competed in years or so but I have still been riding here and there and I am somewhat fit but I can be fitter for sure.

My hauling partner has moved on and my husband isn't ready to retire so I will be hauling a lot on my own.  Any tips for hauling alone?  I can't think of a time when I did that much. 

One of my goals is to be able to get on my horse unassisted ditching my stool or not having to hunt up a fence panel to climb on.  My two horses are 15.3 and 16 hands, I am 5' 2" with stiff joints.  I worked myself down to a stool that is only a foot high but I still have to pull myself up.  I would love to put my bounce back in my mount any suggestions to get my bounce back?

I am hearing a lot on using cash apps to pay fees these days.  Any recommended apps or some of the apps used? 

I will start there for now.  Thank you.

Look up Kendra Dickenson online clinics!  she is cheap and very very good for everything (no matter where you are at with your horses)! and she supposed to have one every mth! This month will be the 3rd one and they last bout 5 days and you have 30 days to rewatch or watch.  She really helps with confidence and how to read your horse and makes you very aware of your body posture and how you can help your horse even more.  And also how to not micro manage your horses!  I've audited quite a few different clinics and hers is by far the best!   and she keeps it fun for you and the horse! not about drills! there is drills but its more than that! 

Thank you! Looking her up now!

I just realized I installed Stall High on my phone but never made the connection.

Where are you?

NC

Get a dog to travel with you. It will keep you company and if it is the right dog it will keep you safe too.

I wasnt sure bout a online clinic but she so great explaining things and why and visualization that it works! 

If you are hauling by yourself. 

Know how to change every tire on your travel rig.

Get a battery impact gun.

I suggest that you attend a clinic with a lot of saddle time. I am fortunate because bi live near Joseyssnd they have clinics year round. Anytime I feel I need a confidence boost I go to one. I did notice that they are having a clinic in Hattiesburg MS in September which would be worth looking into. If that is too far I'm sure there are some in your area that are good. Be sure that you do get plenty of saddle time. Josey's always has some long clinics in Marshall during the summer. If you want to come this far. I don't know what you think is wrong with using a stool to get on. I live in Texas and we all use a stool to get on. It certainly gives your horse some wither relief. 

Thanks y'all.  All good suggestions!

I thought about a getting another dog.   I would love another heeler.  I have 3 but my lab and pittie would give me up for kisses and treats and my heeler who is the best guard dog ever is old, losing her sight and hearing.

Yes clinics, online and in person!  I can do that.  I hauled states over for clinics in my earlier days and I am sure I can do that now.  I will start with the online to get me ready for in person.

Never heard of a battery impact gun and last time I had to change a tire on my trailer I couldn't get the lug nuts off.  I was lucky I blew the tire in front of a house with some really nice people who helped me get them off.  I guess when they saw me trying to jump on the lug wrench they felt sorry for me.

I agree with getting an impact wrench. I have this one after a friend of mine recommended it and it is a lifesaver! 

Together with the trailer aid and the correct long driver set (which I got at Harbor Freight) you can get a tire changed in no time. 

Less time spend on the side of the road is always better, plus with the trailer aid you don't have to offload the horses, just drive onto it with your good tire and you can change the flat easily.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF889M2-20-volt-Lithium-2-Inch/dp/B0099S9ZXW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3CVCROEUEB7B5&dchild=1&keywords=impact+wrench&qid=1621349176&refinements=p_89%3ADewalt&rnid=2528832011&s=hi&sprefix=impact+wren%2Caps%2C329&sr=1-5

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Tandem-Changing-Change-Trailers/dp/B000I4JPZE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=trailer+aid&qid=1621349410&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExU1hFR1UySExBUlhFJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTcyNzk1MjhRUFhNR1ROM0dLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NjU0MjAxWUZDSUUzVFdDSEU0JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I have always used a break over handle and can robs my cahnge a flat faster than an impact wrench which you always have to make sure is charged. With that said, I am 71 years old and while I can get the tire off I can't lift those heavy tires. I have had US RIDER for about 10 years and have used them a bunch. It costs about $150 a year. Well, worth it.