The Barrel Racing Blog…

We want to take a moment and give a shout out to our girl Chelsea at the Barrel Racing Blog! If you are not a fan already of her page, you are missing out. She has some great information and does a great job following barrel racing. Be sure and check her out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Check out The Barrel Racing Blog!!

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Ranch Life 101: guidelines for women

1.  Always load your horse last in the trailer so it is the first one

unloaded.  By the time he’s got his horse unloaded, you will have your cinch pulled and be mounted up ready to go – lessening the chance of him riding off without you with your horse trying to follow while you are still trying to get your foot in the stirrup.

 

2. Never – and I repeat never – ever believe the phrase “We’ll be

right back,” when he has asked you to help him do something out on the ranch. The echoing words, “this will only take a little while” have filtered through generations of ranch wives and still today should invoke sincere distrust in the woman who hears them.

 

3.  Always know there is NO romantic intention when he pleadingly asks you to take a ride in the pickup with him around the ranch while he checks waters and looks at cattle. What that sweet request really means is he wants someone to open the gates.

 

4. He will always expect you to quickly be able to find one stray in a four-section  brush-covered pasture, but he will never be able to find the mayonnaise jar in four-square feet of refrigerator.

 

5.  Count every head of everything you see – cattle especially, but sometimes horses, deer, quail or whatever moves.  Count it in the gate, out the gate or on the horizon. The first time you don’t count is when he will have expected that you did. That blank eyelash-batting look you give him when he asks “How many?” will not be acceptable.

 

6.  Know that you will never be able to ride a horse or drive a pickup to suit him.  Given the choice of jobs, choose throwing the feed off the back of the pickup. If he is on the back and you are driving, the opportunity for constant criticism of speed, ability and your eyesight will be utilized to the full extent. “How in the *@*# could you NOT see that hole?”

 

7.  Never let yourself be on foot in the alley when he is sorting

cattle horseback. When he has shoved 20 head of running, bucking, kicking yearlings at you and then hollers “Hold ’em, hold ’em” at the top of his lungs, don’t think that you really can do it without loss of life or limb . Contrary to what he will lead you to believe, walking back to the house is always an option that has been used throughout time.

 

8.  Don’t expect him to correctly close the snap-on tops on the plastic refrigerator containers, but know he will expect you to always close every gate.  His reasoning, the cows will get out; the food will not.

 

9.  Always praise him when he helps in the kitchen – the very same way he does when you help with the ranch work – or not.

 

10. Know that when you step out of the house you move from the “wife” department to “hired hand” status.  Although the word “hired” indicates there will be a paycheck that you will never see, rest assured you will have job security.  The price is just right.  And most of the time you will be “the best help he has” even if it is because you are the ONLY help he has.
 

                 “Believe in Miracles”

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One day at a time..

Well here we are in the middle of winter and I am trying real hard to keep my motivation. I started off this winter with the plan to keep riding and hauling my horses, but it seems that mother nature didn’t agree with that plan, she has been a real pain this winter. However, you just have to do what you can! So, I have been riding when I can ride and that seems to be working, whether it be 3 times a week (on good weeks) or once a week on others. I sometimes start to put pressure on myself this time of year, I already have my planner all laid out of all the shows and rodeos this year, and then I start counting down the days until I need my horse to be in top shape and start freaking out. I have to remind myself, I can only do so much and putting pressure on myself isn’t going to help the situation.

I think it is easy to put pressure on yourself when in all reality it isn’t needed for a situation like this. You can’t help circumstance, you can’t fix the weather and you just have to take it one day at a time.  That has been my motto this winter “one day at a time”

On the other hand, I love seeing all the exciting events coming up in the future and know that when spring does get here there are going to be many good times throughout the rest of the year! I think it is important to be able to see what is ahead of you, that is why I like to plan it all out, even if I don’t attend every event, I can at least look ahead and have something to work toward. I am not a big New Years resolution person, but I do believe in goals for each year and setting goals that are realistic. Setting a goal of “I want to win this rodeo” in my opinion isn’t realistic because anything can happen! However you can set goals that are achievable, such as “I plan to attend 15 rodeos this year, and hope to improve at each one”. That is a goal that you can work toward. Don’t ever set yourself up for something that is out of your reach, you are only hurting yourself in the long run!  

Well I hope everyone is not going to crazy this winter, I know it has been frustrating for me but like I said “one day at a time”!

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

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Dealing with Nervousness….

 

It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone has had to deal with nerves when they are competing at some point in their lives. I am sure that Sherry Cervi or Trevor Brazile get a case of the butterflies when the pressure is on. I think it is safe to say that we have all dealt with nervousness or stage fright and it can be hard to overcome at times. Different things trigger this emotion for different people. It may be when you pull up in the parking lot to a rodeo that you immediately feel that rush of hotness and jitters. For some it may be when the announcer calls their name. Just as nervousness affects everyone at different times, many people have different remedies to fix this problem. I have heard some ladies say that they need to be by themselves before they run, others say that that makes it worse and they like to talk to someone before they head down the alley. Some bull riders have said they have to go through a certain stretching routine and really stay focused to keep them from getting too nervous. Like I said, it is different for everyone but here are some simple things you can do to hopefully turn that nervous energy in to positive adrenaline and go do you VERY best!

 

1. Know that you are prepared! This means that you spent the time in the practice pen and you know that you have done your homework. Also, make sure everything is already packed and you know WHERE it is packed. There is nothing worse than slinging stuff in the trailer last minute (and then hunting for that LAST polo wrap once you get there) and haulin tail out of your driveway.  Feeling unprepared can make anyone want to puke before they get ready to compete (or at least it does ME!).

 

2. Be familiar with the place you are going to. If you have never been to this particular venue, get there in plenty of time to locate, stalls, water, warm up pen, office, arena, etc. Be sure to locate everything you think you might need before you compete.

 

3. Stay confident and focused or as the ole saying goes “keep your eye on the ball!” It is so easy to get to a rodeo and run smack dab in to Mary Jo (you know, the girl you haven’t seen in AGES!!!) and get to yappin. Next thing you know you have 15 minutes to saddle and warm up and your heart is beating out of your chest. Stay focused and remember you can always yap later.

 

4. Don’t let the crowd or other competitors intimidate you. Remember that most of them are there to do a job too and are not focused on you. A very smart lady once told me “Girl, no one EVER remembers the bad runs, they only remember the good ones!!” I find that to be so true. When talking with friends it seems that you hear a lot more “wow, did you see Ashley’s run, it was gorgeous!” I don’t seem to hear a lot of “Wow, did you see Leigh’s horse last month, he ducked the second barrel TWICE” which is great because I would like to forget that he ducked the second barrel as well! HAHA

 

5. HAVE FUN! This is the most important. We attend these events to have fun and at the end of the day, no matter how nervous you got, you should still walk back to your rig, with your awesome horse walking next to you KNOWING that you had a GREAT time and you can’t wait to do it again!!

 

Until next time!

 

 

 

P.S. If none of the above works, I have heard that Jose Cuervo is very capable of settling your nerves!

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OTRR talks to Megan Knight of Knight Performance Equine Dentistry *Part Two*

OTRR has really enjoyed getting to know Megan! If you missed part one please be sure and check it out here….. Part One

 

What do you find is the biggest misconception about Equine Dentistry?

 One of the biggest misconceptions that I find about equine dentistry is that it is not necessary. Many owners have the misconception that because horses in the wild are not receiving dental care, domesticated horses shouldn’t need it either. This is incorrect, because in the wild, the forage that a horse consumes is very different than that for a domestic horse. Wild horses would typically eat very coarse roughage that maintains better balance in their mouths. Domestic horses are eating soft, processed hay and grains that do not naturally keep the mouth in balance.  

 The other big misconception about equine dentistry is that it does not have to be done regularly. Many people think that they can go years without having their horse worked on. This is detrimental to the animal because through a horse’s lifetime, their teeth continually grow until they eventually expire when the horse is old. As those teeth grow, imbalances, malocclusions, protuberances and sharp points can occur. This can create serious dental issues for the horse that can manifest in behavioral and physical problems. That is why regular dental care is essential for the horses.

What types of problems are usually misdiagnosed?

 There are many problems a horse may have that are misdiagnosed. Horse owners cannot see the inside of their horse’s mouth, so consequently they do not know what issues may be plaguing their animal. It tends to be out of sight, out of mind. There are many negative issues for the horse that are associated with lack of proper and regular dental care. Some of these issues can be physiological such as being under weight, dropping feed while eating, quidding (the act of balling up hay while eating and spitting it out), and soaking feed, etcetera. Other  issues can be behavioral such as head shaking or throwing, cribbing, rubbing teeth, biting, pulling at the bit, evading the bit, chewing on the bit and rearing to name a few. On my website are many pictures of dental issues that a horse may have that a horse owner may never see. All of these issues are rectifiable with good dentistry.

How far do you travel for clients? What is your primary area? Or are you in many different places throughout the year?

My primary area is Kentucky, but I will travel any distance to accommodate my clients. I travel out of state several times a year. No distance is too far.  

What are the signs your horse is in need of dentistry work?

The signs that a horse may need dentistry are often behavioral issues related to their mouth and/or physical issues while trying to eat. Good dentistry is needed to eliminate or reduce problems such as poor coat condition, lack of proper weight, undigested food in stool, colic, chewing with difficulty, dropping feed while chewing, excessive salivation while eating, eating slowly, or being head shy.

Where did you go to school and do you go back often for classes?

 I attended the Academy of Equine Dentistry in Idaho. It is an amazing school that is extremely proactive in researching and developing equine dentistry. It is a place where dental practitioners and veterinarians can collaborate and work together to expand their knowledge and promote the proper education of equine dentistry. I travel back to Idaho at least once a year for continuing education. It is so important for me as a dental practitioner to be current on all of the new developments in equine dentistry.

What is the best way to get in contact with you?

The best way to get in contact with me is to give me a call. 907-952-2888. I also have a website with all of my contact information, www.knightequinedentistry.com.

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OTRR talks to Megan Knight of Knight Performance Equine Dentistry

 OTRR had the chance to interview Megan, we really enjoyed our time getting to know her and the work she did on our horses. So lets hear from her!

Tell us what first drew you to Dentistry?

I have always been interested in equine medicine and health care. In fact, for many years I thought I would be an equine veterinarian. But, several years ago I had a challenging experience with a horse that I owned. This experience was the beginning of my interest in dentistry. She was a middle aged quarter horse mare that began rapidly losing weight and dropping feed while she was eating. I had several veterinarians look at her and no one could figure out what was wrong. I started doing some research on the internet and found some information on equine dentistry. That is when I discovered the Academy of Equine Dentistry website. I was amazed and I knew right away that I wanted to attend that school and become an equine dentist. 

What is the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is explaining to horse owners why performance dentistry is so much more beneficial and effective for the horse than the hand-floating type of dentistry. Performance dentistry focuses on the overall balance of the horse’s mouth. This basically means that the TM Joint, the molar tables and the incisor tables are all balanced with each other. If any of these parts are not balanced, the horse will still have discomfort or pain. Performance dentistry is the result of years of collaboration between dental practitioners and veterinary research.  Dentistry is a continually evolving process that we are learning more about and improving all of the time.

What is the most common teeth problems that you come across?

The most common dental issue that I come across is actually the lack of proper and regular dental care. Most horses that I work on, have either not had regular care, or the care that they have had did not address all of the dental issues that the horse was experiencing.

How often do you recommend a horse have his teeth looked at?

Horses that are over five years old should usually have dentistry done once a year. Horses that are under five years old need to have dentistry done every six months. These young horses are losing caps, which are baby teeth, every six months. Most of the time nature does its job and sheds these caps without a problem. Sometimes, however, the caps do not shed correctly and they can cause many complications for the horse. Furthermore, the adult teeth that grow in can be extremely sharp and can cause damage to the soft tissue in the horse’s mouth.

Please check back next week for Part 2 of this interview with Megan Knight. Be sure and go to her website for more information!

Knight Performance Equine Dentistry

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Thanksgiving is a time for really reflecting..

When the bell rings and calls you to the table, we hope you are surrounded by family and friends.

It is very hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already here. This year has absolutely flown by. I think that is a sign that I have enjoyed it very much. I still ask myself, how can summer already be over? We have been blessed this week with beautiful weather. It was almost 70 earlier this week, but this morning it is pretty cold with a heavy frost on.
 
I believe Thanksgiving is a time for really reflecting on the things you are most thankful for. It would take me a week to type out all the things I am thankful for as I am truly blessed. I have everything I could ever need in this world, a wonderful family, amazing friends and my health. To me those are the most important things in this world. I was speaking with my mother yesterday about our family and it seems that we have lost a lot of family members around the holidays. We both talked about dealing with death and remembrance. There is nothing ever easy about death and it is something I believe you never really understand. However, like I told my mother yesterday, we have to remember how lucky we were to have our loved ones in the first place. I am very thankful for the time I was able to share in their lives and I am sure this Thanksgiving we will talk and remember the wonderful moments these amazing people surrounded us.
 
I am sure you are thinking how does a thanksgiving post involve death, but I do think it is very important to remember the loved ones that wont be with us on this wonderful day, all while rejoicing in the blessings we all have.
 
So from our table to yours we wish you a very happy and health Thanksgiving. 

What are you thankful for this year?

 

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Knight Performance Equine Dentistry

I had the pleasure of meeting Megan Knight with Knight Performance Equine Dentistry, a few months ago and after speaking with her I really wanted to learn more about her practice. I am adamant about having my horses teeth done and checked and I have had Veterinarians to professional equine dentist work on my horses teeth. I will say after meeting Megan and hearing the passion in her voice about what she does, I knew I had to give this girl a try.

I couldn’t have been MORE impressed. She came out last night and worked on two of our horses and I was just blown away. The first thing I noticed is she actually has a halter that she puts on the horses to hold their heads up. Every dentist I have used in the past has either had me hold their head up or they bring someone with them. I really liked the halter because it seemed much more gentle and also I could get in there and really see what Megan was doing. She explained everything, each and every step, let me feel everything she did, and I feel much more educated on what to look and feel for, concerning my horses teeth.

With the light that Megan uses, I could really get in there and see my horses mouth really well.  Which was so nice and I could feel a few places where Roanie’s mouth was jagged in the back and was causing a few ulcers and it was weird to be able to see them and know what I was looking at. She also really worked on his incisors and got them really lined up, and the difference when she was finished was amazing. Leigh made a great comment, she said “Megan is like a cosmetologist she takes an ugly mouth and makes it pretty”

You can check out her website and look for a in depth interview soon on OTRR with Megan. She travels a lot, so don’t be scared to call her and see if she comes to your area, she was leaving today for Chicago and then headed to New Jersey. 

http://knightequinedentistry.com/

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I Learned that a Smile to a Stranger………..

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a three day barrel race in Indiana. It is one of my all time favorite venues to go to. The facility is awesome and the people that work the show are so nice and welcoming. I just love going there! This particular weekend I took my young horse and we spent a lot of time riding in the warm-up pen. One thing I noticed all weekend is how NICE everyone is. It is so refreshing to get out of town, go to a great venue and just be around friends and family for three days and EVERYBODY seems to be in a good mood. I mean come on, how often do you get that many people together and everyone seem happy? I dont know about your world but it doesn’t happen in mine very often. Saturday night the show celebrated Halloween and the Indiana IBRA members  brought candy and a lot of kids dressed up and went around the arena trick or treating. I was in the stall area watering the horses when this all started and I just sat back and watched. It was really something to see. All the little kiddies were having so much fun (I saw one kid dressed as a skunk, cutest costume EVER!) and the parents were all smiling and laughing. I couldn’t help but take notice and I  thought to myself that it is so refreshing to be around people for the weekend that LOVE what they are doing. Every one at that show had a passion for barrel racing and horses and were excited to be there.  We are so very lucky to share in our love of the horse and it bring so many wonderful people together. We all compete together in the arena but when we run out of that pen, you find us sitting at each others trailers, sharing food and drinks and laughing and having fun. I watched as one of my friends took her headstall apart to lend her bit to another fellow barrel racer that forgot hers. I watched as many people jumped over the rail of the arena to help a fallen rider and make absolute SURE she was ok. I watched a mother help her little boy on his pony in the warm up pen and instruct him to stay on the outside as to not get in anyones way (AWESOME MOM!) and I watched  and listened as so many people clapped and said “great job, way to go, or  I PROMISE you will do better next time” to their fellow competitors. I learned that a smile to a stranger….makes you no longer a stranger.

In  nutshell it was nice to sit back that weekend, take the stress off and WATCH what really happens at a barrel race. In a world full of meaness, cruelty, political defensiveness and long tiring work weeks that we ALL struggle with, it was a breath of fresh air to be with my family and friends for the weekend. I can honestly say I am so proud to be a barrel racer and a part of the barrel racing world. Thanks!! 

Talk to ya soon!

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Staying motivated in the winter…

I have never really wanted to haul during the winter months, it gets cold and I turn into a hermit and want to live in my pajamas and my recliner. I look outside and see snow or ice and think “forget it”. Well…. This season didn’t go as well as planned and wouldn’t you know  that when I would normally be winding my season down my horse has stepped up and I am not ready to quit for the year.

So… that is where I have to dig deep for motivation. There are many shows that I can go to this winter, and a few saddle series and some nice 3 days shows as well. I figure I can try to stick it out and hopefully accomplish a few goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the year, because if I quit now.. that wont happen! So I have decided to push forward and see what we can accomplish.

Of course in my opinion everything is harder in the winter and everything takes twice as long! So that will mean riding as soon as I get home from work, trying to beat the dark, even though I have one light that shines into the pasture. I will also have to haul more during the week so that will take up more time as well. However I know if I reach the goal I set for myself it will all be worth it!!

“If you are going to be a champion you must be willing to pay a greater price” 

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