When I’ve got a horse that tends to get uncollected and what I call “noodle-y” around the barrels this is the exercise I go to. It teaches the horse to get on its hind end, encouraging it to push off with its rear and keep its collection. For horses whose legs can get out from under them when the footing isn’t ideal, it will help teach them how to handle the ground better.

Why It’s Important

I think it’s really important for barrel horses, especially if they are going to go on to be rodeo horses, to learn how to handle all types of ground. If they don’t keep their legs underneath them and use their rears around the barrel, it’s going to be more difficult for them to work well on different ground conditions.

The Setup

I do this exercise using the equipment with which I regularly ride my horse, nothing special. I usually prefer working on a full barrel pattern, but it can be done with just one barrel. However, I think a lot of horses can lope a pretty circle with one barrel, but when you add speed and a pattern, that’s when they lose their collection. I do this exercise at the trot, on the pattern.

Make sure your horse is responsive and has a good headset on it, because you’ll be asking it to stop and pick its ribs up. You’ll need to have done that homework to do this drill successfully. You also want to make sure the horse is respectful of the bit and can move its front end around while the hind end stays still.

When To Do It

I don’t do this exercise with all my horses, because some horses don’t need to be stopped around the barrels. But for horses that need to learn how to collect themselves and stay collected around the
barrels, this is really good. When I feel a horse scrambling around the barrel, or I see a leg that’s not underneath the horse like it should be, that’s when I do this drill.

If a horse wants to leave the barrel a little early and doesn’t want to stay in the turn, this is also a good drill. I use it to keep them driving with their back end and avoid coming out of the turns too soon.

I do this exercise about once a week, and I’ll usually tune a horse with it right before I’m going to run in my warm-up, especially if I am somewhere with the barrels set up.

The Exercise

Do this exercise at the trot. You will be making a four-point square around the barrel. Start by trotting to the first barrel, on the path you would run the pattern. When you get about three feet away from the barrel, stop your horse, making sure it stays in alignment—its head and rear end need to stay straight. Don’t tip the nose to the inside with this drill, keep everything straight. I do this with horses that don’t normally have a lot of natural rate, and this helps them find that point.

After stopping, I will let the horse sit for a minute, then I’ll ask it to trot out of that past the barrel. When my leg gets even with the barrel, keeping the horse straight with my hands and legs, I will ask it to stop again. Using outside leg and hand pressure, I will ask the horse to make a counter-arc, with its hind end in one position while moving the front end over.

Once it’s moved over and is on the backside of the barrel, I will ask it to stop again to make the horse collect itself. I’ll ask it to turn with the same counter-arc again and finish the turn with a final stop when it’s almost past the barrel. We’ll then head to the next barrel at a trot, or if you just have one barrel set up, then I’d go pick up a lope and ride a few circles before coming back and doing the drill again.

Cautions

I only do this exercise a couple times, and then I’ll move on to something else. It’s not something to keep drilling in their brain. I just want them to be aware that they need to keep their body collected.

If your horse is not used to stopping at the barrel, it could make them a little anxious. That’s another reason to take it slow, let the horse relax and don’t get in a hurry. Don’t rush things.

You don’t want the horse hesitating at the barrels. We always want forward motion. That’s why I don’t do this with all of my horses, only the ones that have had a problem. You just want to remind them to keep their legs underneath them.

This article “Square Stopping” was originally published in the August 2019 issue of BHN.

The post Teach Your Horse to Keep Their Legs Underneath Them appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

1. Make sure they’re happy.

“They need to be feeling good and fed good. I like a horse looking really good—the better they look, the better they feel. I like to turn them out a lot. Mental health turns into physical health. If they’re in a stall all the time and grumpy and tight and uncomfortable, that gets them body sore which creates other issues. I like them out in the sun in the pasture, just being a horse. That helps them a ton mentally and phsycially.”

2. Relaxed pasture riding.

“I do a lot of long jogging out in the field. I trot horses a lot. I want them to be collected and know that when I take the reins they need to draw up underneath themselves, but I give them a lot of free time too. We long trot around the crop fields a lot, not constantly gathering them up and pounding on them and tuning every day. That takes a lot of pressure off them mentally and physically.”

3. Use therapies when needed.

“If we have one that gets sore feet or lower leg problems, we’ll put them on the Theraplate. We have one at home; I don’t know how much it helps, but it makes me feel like I’m doing something for them! They seem to like it a lot, so we’ll do that. I also like the cold saltwater spa a lot. We use that as much as we can at shows. I’ve also got ice boots, which is like a smaller version of the cold spa, for sore feet, abscesses, tightens up the legs, knees, everything.”

4. Go to the vet frequently.

“Vet work is very important. The colts, when we’re getting ready to futurity, I’m not ever scared to get one injected or worked on. To me, they’re trying for you. You’re working them a lot, they’re going to get sore—it’s pretty normal. I want them always feeling good. When we get vet work done on them more as a younger horse, they need it less as an older horse. Sore hocks turn into a sore back, and everything snowballs. If you don’t take care of it right away, you create a longterm, lifetime issue. If you keep them taken care of regularly, you avoid a lot of those problems and extend their career. The more work we did as a colt, they’re still out there running and not getting as much vet work as they used to. When they’re older and know how to handle their body and are stronger physically, they’ll need it less. If you don’t do it early on, they start guarding themselves. If they get sore in the hocks they’ll start getting their hip up in the air and their back is going to get sore and you’re going to crank on them and tune on them even more trying to get that right feel—it’s wrong to the horse if he’s sore and you’re doing something that’s making him more sore. I’m a really big believer in vet work and taking care of them.”

5. Be proactive against ulcers.

“We use buckets and buckets of Gastroplex. If I even think a horse is looking at his feed funny or might be funny in his gut, I give it to them. Keep the stress down on these colts and keep them eating and feeling good. When I go driving down the road and forget to eat, I get a little grumpy, so I don’t hold that against them. We use Equinety a lot; it’s amino acids and we use it for overall health. I think it makes the body use everything that’s already there, it doesn’t really put anything extra, so I like that a lot.”

6. Pay attention to your horse.

“They’re going to tell you if they’re not feeling right. Good horses don’t stop being good horses for no reason. Really pay attention to them. They’ll tell you, and then address it. Do not try to ride through it. Figure it out first, and then move on. It’s really important to take care of the horses. They’ve got to give you everything, and in this day and age as good as the horses are, you need them to feel perfect.”

Find more tips from Brandon Cullins here and view an entire library of videos from top trainers and barrel racers at TrainingBarrelHorses.com.

The post Brandon Cullins’ Six Keys to Happy Barrel Horses appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

As the coronavirus spreads, several of the Western performance horse industry’s major events are being postponed or canceled in an effort to contain the coronavirus in the United States and abroad.

An outbreak of COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2, began in Wuhan, China, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was declared a pandemic on March 11 by the World Health Organization.

The following Western performance industry events have announced cancellations or postponements. Click the links below for more information regarding each individual event.

Upcoming WPRA Events — as of March 17, 2020

For more updates from the WPRA, visit wpra.com

Barrel Races & Other Events — as of March 17, 2020

AQHA Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 13-16, 2020 – CANCELED

Road to the Horse, Lexington, Kentucky, March 19-22, 2020 – RESCHEDULED to June 18-21, 2020

Senior World Championships, Texarkana, Arkansas, March 26-28, 2020 – RESCHEDULED to May 28-31, 2020

14th Annual Sand Cup Futurity, Moses Lake, Washington, April 2-5, 2020 – POSTPONED

VGBRA Barrel Daze, Walla Walla, Washington, April 11-12, 2020 – POSTPONED

Better Barrel Races World Finals, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 22-26, 2020 – PLANNED

Kentucky Derby, Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2020 – POSTPONED

WCRA Segment 5 Semifinals, Guthrie, Oklahoma, May 12-16, 2020 – PLANNED

WCRA Segment 5 Major, Guthrie, Oklahoma, May 16, 2020 – PLANNED

WCRA Segment 5 Youth Major, Guthrie, Oklahoma, May 14-15, 2020 – PLANNED

NBHA Events — as of March 17, 2020

Shamrock Showdown Super Show, Jacksonville, Florida, March 27-29, 2020 – POSTPONED

For more updates from the NBHA, visit nbha.com.

Upcoming PRCA Events — as of 3/17/20 at 9:55 a.m.

Houston, TX, RODEOHOUSTON, 3/3-22/2020 CANCELED

Austin, TX, Rodeo Austin, 3/14/2020, 3/28/2020 CANCELED

Mercedes, TX, Rio Grande Valley Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, 3/18/2020, 3/18/2020 CANCELED

Mercedes, TX, Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo, 3/19/2020, 3/21/2020 CANCELED

Mercedes, TX, Mercedes Breakaway Roping, 3/19/2020, 3/21/2020 CANCELED

Montgomery, AL, Southeastern Livestock Exposition & Rodeo, 3/19/2020, 3/21/2020 POSTPONED

Nacogdoches, TX, Nacogdoches Pro Rodeo & Steer Show, 3/19/2020, 3/21/2020 CANCELED

Fargo, ND, PRCA Championship Rodeo, 3/20/2020, 3/21/2020 CANCELED

Nashville, GA, Cotton Blossom Roundup, 3/20/2020, 3/21/2020 POSTPONED

Winston Salem, NC, Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo, 3/20/2020, 3/21/2020 CANCELED

Goliad, TX, Goliad County Fair & PRCA Rodeo, 3/20/2020, 3/22/2020 CANCELED

Beaumont, TX, YMBL Championship Rodeo, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 POSTPONED

Lincoln, NE, Xtreme Bulls Challenge, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 CANCELED

Ocala, FL, Southeastern Pro Rodeo, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/15-16/2020

Ocala, FL, Ocala Breakaway Roping, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/15-16/2020

Redmond, OR, Redmond Breakaway Roping, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 POSTPONED

Redmond, OR, High Desert Stampede, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 POSTPONED

Springfield, MO, Ozark Empire Pro Rodeo, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/29-30/2020

Tyler, TX, Tyler Rose City Roundup, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 POSTPONED

Waxahachie, TX, Ellis County Livestock Show & Rodeo, 3/27/2020, 3/28/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/28-30/2020

Cave Creek, AZ, Cave Creek Rodeo Days, 3/27/2020, 3/29/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/22-24/2020

Cave Creek, AZ, Cave Creek Legacy Steer Roping, 3/28/2020, 3/28/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/22-24/2020

Enid, OK, Enid Ultimate Challenge Xtreme Bulls, 3/28/2020, 3/28/2020 POSTPONED

Chihuahua, CH, Rodeo De Primavera, 3/29/2020, 3/29/2020 PLANNED

Raleigh, NC, Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo, 3/29/2020, 3/29/2020 POSTPONED

Kissimmee, FL, RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, 4/2/2020, 4/4/2020 POSTPONEDLevelland, TX, ABC Pro Rodeo, 4/2/2020, 4/4/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/28-31/2020

Lauderdale, MS, Semi-Annual Ralph Morgan Rodeo, 4/3/2020, 4/4/2020 CANCELED

Lawton, OK, Liberty National Xtreme Bulls, 4/3/2020, 4/4/2020 POSTPONED

Levelland, TX, Levelland Legacy Steer Roping, 4/5/2020, 4/5/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/31/2020

Logandale, NV, Clark County Fair & Rodeo, 4/8/2020, 4/12/2020 CANCELED

El Paso, AR, Central Ark PRCA Rodeo, 4/10/2020, 4/11/2020 PLANNED

Havre, MT, MSU-Northern PRCA Extreme Bares & Broncs Challenge, 4/10/2020, 4/11/2020 PLANNED

Huntsville, TX, Walker County Fair & Rodeo, 4/10/2020, 4/11/2020 PLANNED

Oakdale, CA, Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo, 4/11/2020, 4/12/2020 PLANNED

Douglas, WY, Forever West Roughstock Classic, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 PLANNED

Longview, TX, Longview PRCA Rodeo, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 PLANNED

Madison, WI, Midwest Horse Fair & Rodeo, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 CANCELED

Roswell, NM, Jesse Andrus & Mike Hillman Memorial, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 PLANNED

Roswell, NM, Roswell Breakaway Roping, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 PLANNED

Wichita Falls PRCA Rodeo, Wichita Falls, TX, 4/17/2020, 4/18/2020 PLANNED

Medicine Hat, AB, Broncs and Honky Tonks Spring Indoor Rodeo, 4/17/2020, 4/19/2020 PLANNED

Red Bluff, CA, Red Bluff Breakaway Roping, 4/17/2020, 4/19/2020 PLANNED

Red Bluff, CA, Red Bluff Round-Up, 4/17/2020, 4/19/2020 PLANNED

Liberty Hill, TX, Ron Ross Memorial Steer Roping, 4/18/2020, 4/19/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/16-17/2020

Liberty Hill, TX, Liberty Hill Legacy Steer Roping, 4/18/2020, 4/19/2020 RESCHEDULED TO 5/16-17/2020

Wharton, TX, Wharton County Youth Fair & Exposition Xtreme Bulls, 4/22/2020, 4/23/2020 PLANNED

Lufkin, TX, Angelina Benefit Rodeo, 4/22/2020, 4/25/2020 PLANNED

Athens, TX, Henderson County First Responders PRCA Rodeo, 4/24/2020, 4/25/2020 PLANNED

Del Rio, TX, 43rd George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding, 4/24/2020, 4/25/2020 PLANNED

Crowsnest Pass, AB, Crowsnest Pass, 4/24/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

Lakeside, CA, Lakeside Rodeo, 4/24/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

St. Paul, MN, Minnesota Horse Exposition PRCA Rodeo, 4/24/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

Auburn, CA, Gold County Pro Rodeo, 4/25/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

Springville, CA, Springville Sierra Rodeo, 4/25/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

Torrington, WY, National Circuit Finals Steer Roping, 4/25/2020, 4/26/2020 PLANNED

Helotes, TX, Helotes Festival Association Rodeo, 4/30/2020, 5/2/2020 PLANNED

For more information, visit prorodeo.com

Upcoming Horse Sales – as of March 17, 2020

Billings Spring Sale, Billings, Montana, March 27-29, 2020 POSTPONED

*This developing story and will be updated as more information is available.

To add an industry event to this list, email Barrel Horse News at bhneditorial@cowboypublishing.com.

The post Coronavirus Event Status appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

World Champions Rodeo Alliance is proud to announce they have aligned with the Old Fort Days Futurity and Derby. The WCRA and Old Fort Days also announced that with the alignment of the two organizations, the futurity will officially change their May 16 final round to 1 p.m. to make it possible for athletes to compete in the WCRA Stampede at The E, a one-day, $1 million major rodeo May 16 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, at the Lazy E Arena.

“Having two organizations work together like this to directly benefit rodeo athletes is the definition of being all for rodeo,” WCRA President Bobby Mote said. “The alliance between the two events will give barrel racers the chance to run at both events, and more importantly, reward athletes who are consistently doing their job while competing at these events.”

The five-day OFD Futurity and Super Derby in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at Kay Rodger Park offers an estimated $230,000 total purse and includes more than $60,000 added money and $35,000 Future Fortunes bonus money. The collaboration between the two organizations will give barrel racers the chance to nominate their efforts and earn competition and consolation points.

The Old Fort Days Futurity and Super Derby is glad to make this adjustment to the final-round start time so their contestants can be a part of the WCRA Stampede at the Lazy E Arena.

The Stampede at the E, dubbed the Richest Rodeo in Oklahoma, is a one-day $1 million major that will host athletes from around the globe, competing for their share of $1 million. It will be nationally televised on the CBS Television Network.

Qualifying for WCRA events is based purely on performance and on series points, rather than dollars won, through the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier. For athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA and the VRQ, or an event producer interested in aligning with the WCRA platform and the new expanded points initiative, please visit wcrarodeo.com or call 833-368-3787.

The post Old Fort Days Futurity Aligns With WCRA, Moves Finals Start Time appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

Most conversations about alfalfa are loaded with misconception. In some parts of the country, the leafy green legume is readily available and commonly fed to horses. In other parts, it is a delicacy. In some circles of horse owners it is an essential staple, and in others it is completely off limits. Like most things, there is a time and place for alfalfa if it is available in your area.

Forage for horses can be divided into two categories–grasses and legumes. Grass hay species typically fed to horses include timothy, orchard grass, and Bermuda grass. Common legumes are clover and alfalfa. Relative to one another, grass hays are typically lower in protein, lower in calories, and require more effort by the digestive tract to extract nutrition. In contrast, alfalfa is more concentrated in protein and calories and is more easily digested. Keeping these factors in mind will help determine when alfalfa should be used or avoided.

Alfalfa as a Friend

The best place to implement alfalfa is in the diet of young growing horses and lactating mares. These two groups of horses have the highest need for protein, amino acids and calories—all of which are abundant in alfalfa. Hard keepers, senior horses or horses in high-intensity training programs may also benefit from alfalfa’s highly concentrated nutrient profile. These horses may not need a pure alfalfa diet, but feeding a mixture—50 percent alfalfa and 50 percent grass hay—can provide a big benefit.

Alfalfa as a Foe

Alfalfa should not be fed to horses with a tendency to become overweight. Since alfalfa is more concentrated in calories and is easily digested, easy keepers may begin to impersonate the Goodyear Blimp if offered too much alfalfa. Alfalfa may also have negative implications in horses that suffer from Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage—commonly termed “bleeders.” Here’s why-—if the diet contributes more protein than the horse requires, the excess is broken down into urea and excreted in the urine, evident by the ammonia smell. Ammonia fumes inhaled repeatedly over time can cause irritation in the airway which may cause the horse to bleed when exercised at high intensity.

Note: The root cause is excess protein in the diet, not alfalfa itself. Excess protein can also come from unnecessary amounts of grain and supplements.

General Rules

One mistake people often make is avoiding alfalfa for horses with sugar sensitivities such as PSSM, commonly termed “tying-up.” Alfalfa is typically lower in sugar than most grass hays. It’s important to note that time of harvest plays a major role in sugar content. The best policy if you have a sugar-sensitive horse is to test the carbohydrate content of your hay supply and consult with an equine nutritionist. 

Horses who are ridden very little or not at all should not be fed alfalfa. Instead, these horses do best on grass hay diets because that aligns better with their nutritional needs. As horses enter training or move into more frequent or intense riding programs, alfalfa is an excellent addition to support the increasing nutritional requirements. Alfalfa may even be a good alternative to adding extra grain. If using alfalfa as a grain replacement, a low protein Diet Balancer should be offered to supply trace minerals and balance important ratios such as calcium and phosphorus. In conclusion, seeking out an equine nutrition consultant or using a software program such as Feed XL can help determine whether alfalfa is right for your horse.

Read more from The Bluebonnet Scoop here.

The post Alfalfa—Friend or Foe? appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

Letter to Athletes from Rodeo Houston

Dear Rodeo Athletes:
 
In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close. The Rodeo will respectfully and dutifully comply with the City’s order.  
 
The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community.
 
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a fabric of this community since 1932. Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year.
 
We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage. We will provide additional information as it becomes available. Updates will be posted at rodeohouston.com/2020.
 
Thus, beginning today, we will not have any further RODEOHOUSTON competition for 2020.
 
Again, we are incredibly saddened by this change. We are aware of the tremendous impact this cancellation places on each of you. Thank you all for your understanding as we follow the City’s order.
 
Catherine H. Schultz 
Director – Sports and Event Presentations
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Barrel Horse News reached out to the WPRA on March 11 to confirm the allegations as well as inquire about how the cancellation of the rodeo in the midst of the event will affect the WPRA standings and its athletes. According to the WPRA, the next steps of action will be addressed when their decision has been made.

* This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available

* For more information, visit wpra.com

The post BREAKING: Rodeo Houston Cancelled Due To Coronavirus appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

Using the Bit

“I like to use a Kathy James bit on a daily basis. It really keeps my horses soft; it allows me to lift their shoulders up and bring them through their turns. I don’t run a lot of horses in it unless it feels like the perfect thing for them. It’s just a great tuning bit for me, and I can’t stress how soft it makes my horses.”

Mouthpiece: Two-Piece Twisted

“It seems to be something I can put on everything. It’s not intimidating, it’s probably a medium to large twist, so it doesn’t sore up their mouths. I seem to be a twisted fan, so this is my go-to.”

Shank: Medium Length, Straight with Reverse Gag

“When I first got the bit I wasn’t sure about it, but the more I used it the more I understood it. I like that it has a bit of a delayed reaction so if my hands aren’t in the right place it’s more forgiving. The horses tend to react really well, and the softness I get is unbelievable.”

Curb Strap: Loose Chain

“It works best with a looser curb strap. I didn’t think it was supposed to be that way when I first got it, which is probably why I didn’t like it as much—I had it tight. I asked some other trainers and they said no, loosen it up. It gives the bit a little more feel, more flexibility, not so scary on the colts, and it doesn’t react quite as fast. It just feels better loose, and I like a tight curb strap, but it works really good that way.”

This article was originally published in the August 2019 issue of Barrel Horse News.

The post Bits of Success with Ivy Hurst appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

Hillman and “Truck” earned their bid to The American via a top 10 finish in the 2019 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. This year is Hillman’s third trip to The American but first time to qualify for the Final Four, as well as the first year she called on her main mount Truck in AT&T Stadium.

Hillman says that’s due in part to the change in arena and pattern setup with the addition of an alleyway.

“He’s a very special horse. I’ve wanted to run him here every year I’ve been here, but the alley situation I haven’t been able to run him, because he takes a minute to stop,” Hillman said. “I was so grateful to see the alley.”

She adds that the offset pattern was a minor challenge but nothing she or Truck hadn’t tackled before.

“Rodeo brings challenge no matter where we’re at. We run into a lot of challenges rodeoing and crooked patterns, so to me it was just I get to run my rodeo horse and go in there and he’s going to find a barrel,” Hillman said. “I really liked that we had an alley instead of a quick stop, so I was thankful for that.”

Hillman has more than $907,900 in Equi-Stat reported lifetime earnings and just added $100,000 with The American championship. Truck has led Hillman to four National Finals Rodeo qualifications and earned more than $383,263 in Equi-Stat reported lifetime earnings. Hillman made the tough decision to leave the 2007 bay gelding at home for the 2019 NFR giving him a rest from competition. Hillman said that break set him up for the win at AT&T Stadium.

“Last year I tried to pick and choose where to run him. I’ve had him for about six years now and he’s been my constant. He’s made the NFR four years in a row now. It’s Truck’s world, we just live in it, so keeping him happy is our whole goal,” Hillman said with a chuckle. “I’m so thankful for Jason and Melissa Mouton for allowing me to be his jockey and part own him.”

The Weatherford, Texas, cowgirl came into The American on Saturday for the first round and ran a 15.504 to finish second and advance to the Round of Eight on Sunday. Truck was dialed in and never made a false move on the unorthodox pattern in the Round of Eight. He turned in a 15.457 to top the round and take the lead in the aggregate with a 30.961, which punched Hillman’s ticket to the Final Four. With high stakes in the Final Four, Hillman and Truck didn’t take a safe approach. They came into the arena gunning for the win and clocked a 15.405 for the championship.

Hillman says the win is special for many reasons, but her main mount is a major reason to be thankful.

“God has us on this crazy journey, and it’s been fun—it’s been a lot of ups and downs—but it’s been worth it for sure,” Hillman said.

Results from the long round of 20 on March 7 can be found here.

Results from all events can be found here.

Recap and results from The Semifinals can be found here.

RFD-TV’S THE AMERICAN RESULTS

1. Stevi Hillman, Cuatro Fame, 15.405, $100,000
2. Dona Kay Rule, High Valor, 15.472, $25,000
3. Wenda Johnson, Macgyver Moonflash, 15.763
4. Kassie Mowry, Epic Guy, 16.344

Final Four Qualifiers—Aggregate

Round of Eight time, aggregate on two

1. Stevi Hillman, Cuatro Fame, 15.457, 30.961
2. Wenda Johnson, Macgyver Moonflash, 15.744, 31.114
3. Dona Kay Rule, High Valor, 15.711, 31.267
4. Kassie Mowry, Epic Guy, 15.548, 31.308

Round of Eight Results

Round of Eight time, aggregate on two

1. Stevi Hillman, Cuatro Fame, 15.457
2. Kassie Mowry, Epic Guy, 15.548
3. Emily Miller, Namgis D 33, 15.708, 31.351
4. Dona Kay Rule, High Valor, 15.711
5. Haley Wolfe, Iron Eyes Rio Bravo, 15.734, 31.626
6. Wenda Johnson, Macgyver Moonflash, 15.744
7. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Kisskiss Bangbang, 15.745, 31.390
8. Sabra O’Quinn, Slicks Lil Amigo, 16.012, 31.878

The post Stevi Hillman Trucks to RFD-TV’s The American Victory appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

The top 10 ladies of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association 2019 season met March 7 to battle it out against the top 10 qualifiers from RFD-TV’s The American Semifinals, plus one Jr. American Champion exemption. Stakes were high as only eight qualifying positions were available to advance to Sunday’s championship round, where more than $2 million will be paid out.

First-time American Rodeo qualifier Wenda Johnson rode Tres Mesa Horses’ 7-year-old bay gelding Macgyver Moonflash (First Moonflash x Touched By The Moon x Black Moons Arising) to the top of the field with a 15.370. Johnson and “Macgyver” qualified through the semifinals qualification process, which means they are eligible for the $1 million bonus. Among the top eight contestants who will be coming back Sunday for the round of eight in the finals are five qualifiers and three WPRA invitees, who are not eligible for the $1 million bonus but would earn $100,000 if they win the event.

The top eight advancing to the top eight are Johnson, Stevi Hillman, Dona Kay Rule, Emily Miller, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Kassie Mowry, Sabra O’Quinn and Haley Wolfe.

Results from all events can be found here.

Recap and results from The Semifinals can be found here.

The American Long Round Results

1. Wenda Johnson, Macgyver Moonflash, 15.370 – Q

2. Stevi Hillman, Cuatro Fame, 15.504

3. Dona Kay Rule, High Valor, 15.556

4. Emily Miller, Namgis D 33, 15.643

5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Kisskiss Bangbang, 15.645 – Q

6. Kassie Mowry, Epic Guy, 15.760 – Q

7. Sabra O’Quinn, Slicks Lil Amigo, 15.866 – Q

8. Haley Wolfe, Iron Eyes Rio Bravo, 15.892 – Q

9. Sherry Cervi, MP Jet Royal Money, 15.909 – Q

10. Ivy Saebens, KN Fabs Gift Of Fame, 15.970

11. Jessica Routier, Fiery Miss West, 15.996

12. Hailey Lockwood, DM Sissy Hayday, 16.012

13. Nellie Miller, Rafter W Minnie Reba, 16.103

14. Lisa Lockhart, Rosas Cantina CC, 16.130

15. Shali Lord, Freckles Ta Fame, 16.168

16. Brandon Cullins, A Corntersone, 16.448 – Q

17. Kacey Gartner, Rebel Look, 16.503 – Q

18. Patton Ann Lynch, Firen To Be A Hero, 20.879*- Jr. American Champion exemption

19. Randee Prindle, Red Man Jones, 20.916* – Q

20. Amberleigh Moore, CP Dark Moon, 21.085* 

21. Claire Sechelski, Gypsy Rose Cat, 21.418* – Q

Q – denotes qualifier eligible for $1 million bonus

* denotes penalty 

The American Top 8 Pedigrees

The post Wenda Johnson Tops Round One of RFD-TV’s The American appeared first on Barrel Horse News.

COLIC—gastrointestinal pain—is one of the most common afflictions horse owners encounter. But colic can stem from a variety of problems. It’s important to educate yourself on what can cause colic, what it looks like, and what you can do to treat it. Amy Armentrout, DVM, of Burleson Equine Hospital in Burleson, Texas, shares tips to help you navigate this tricky condition.

Causes

The list of potential causes for colic is long and can depend on the age and level of work for the horse. Armentrout says most colic signs are due to the GI system having abnormal motility. Armentrout says to picture the GI system from mouth to rectum as a giant tube of toothpaste, when thinking about motility.

“Squeezing the tube of toothpaste from the end to the opening allows the toothpaste to flow out of the tube easily,” Armentrout said. “This is how normal GI motility works—it pushes feed and fluids through the intestines. Altered GI mobility happens when the tube of toothpaste gets squeezed everywhere—at the front, at the middle, behind—all at the same time.”

Causes of altered GI motility aren’t completely clear, Armentrout says, but she says pain, excitement, stress and fear can all be factors. Changes in feed, water and housing can trigger colic, as well as recent vaccination or deworming, dehydration, heavy parasite burden, and changes to barometric pressure or weather.

“The fact that I’m giving a huge list indicates that there isn’t just one major cause, and it also means there’s no one way to prevent or treat colic,” Armentrout said. “It should also be noted that foals can colic—generally
from a meconium impaction, ruptured bladder, or ulcers—and yearlings can colic—generally related to parasites.”

Part of the problem with horses and colic is that horses can’t vomit.

“Humans are able to vomit because their esophagus has skeletal muscle— which is muscle that can be controlled—like a bicep curling an arm,” Armentrout said. “The horse does not have skeletal muscle throughout the esophagus, it has smooth muscle. This is muscle that does a job without you consciously telling the muscle to do it.”

She likens these muscles to food being moved through the intestine— you don’t think about needing to digest food, it just happens.

“Moving feed through the esophagus is a passive process in the horse, which also means they can’t move feed back up the esophagus,” Armentrout said. “This is a problem, because if their stomach fills with feed or fluid, they can’t vomit it out and it can rupture the stomach.”

Signs of Colic

Because colic refers to anything indicating a GI upset, Armentrout says signs can be as mild as simply not eating or as profound as rolling and thrashing.

“Mild signs include not eating, curling the upper lip, pawing occasionally, or laying down,” Armentrout said. “Severe signs include rolling and thrashing uncontrollably.”

What to Do

Stay safe, Armentrout recommends first and foremost. Stay out of the way if the horse is rolling—you don’t have to stop the rolling if it’s in a suitable area.

“Many people mistakenly think that rolling will ‘twist a gut,’ but this is untrue,” Armentrout said. “Horses roll because they are already painful or twisting. Staying calm and safe is the first priority.”

If your horse is safe to handle, taking it for a walk can help stimulate GI motility. A trailer ride can also help.

Armentrout recommends calling your veterinarian any time you’re concerned about the wellbeing of your horse.

“Mild colics, when treated appropriately, can resolve quickly and easily with few complications,” Armentrout said. “I often see colics where the horse hasn’t been acting normally for days, and by the time I see it there are big problems that often require more time to make the horse better and an increased expense [for the owner].”

Gather facts about your horse in preparation for talking with your veterinarian—when did the horse last eat? Did it finish the meal? When was the last time someone saw the horse act normally? Has the horse been passing manure and gas normally? When was the last time the horse was dewormed? Is there access to water? What is the feeding type and schedule, and have there been any changes?

Learn how to take your horse’s vital signs and keep a stethoscope in your emergency kit for colicky horses, Armentrout advises.

You should be able to find the horse’s heart rate, respiratory rate, listen for GI sounds, and look at mucous membranes or gums to determine hydration status. Check the gums by pushing your finger against them to make them white, and then count the seconds until they are pink again. This is called a capillary refill time. You should also take the horse’s temperature. Armentrout says normal rates include heart rate 32-48 beats per minute; respiratory rate 12-20 breaths per minute; temperature 99.0-101.5° Fahrenheit. Mucous membranes should be pink, moist, and have a capillary refill time of less than two seconds. You should hear two to three strong gurgling GI sounds every 30 seconds when listening to the gut. High heart rates (above 60 beats per minute), high temperatures (above 102 degrees Fahrenheit), white, purple, or brick mucous membranes, or a CRT longer than three seconds all warrant veterinary care.

What Not To Do

Armentrout advises against administering Banamine, a common muscle relaxer, until you have spoken with your veterinarian.

“If you plan to have a veterinarian examine your horse, many want to see a horse when it hasn’t had any medication,” Armentrout said. “This is something you should discuss with your veterinarian.”

If your horse has known problems that contribute to regular colic, you may feel more comfortable administering Banamine on your own and waiting to see how it responds. But Armentrout cautions against continuing to give the medication.

“If Banamine hasn’t worked in an hour, a veterinarian should be contacted,” Armentrout said. “It should be noted that if the first dose of Banamine didn’t work, a second dose won’t help. Banamine should only be given every 12 hours to avoid overdosing and kidney damage. If it isn’t working, then you should absolutely get a veterinarian involved sooner rather than later.”

If the horse seems dehydrated, do not put a hose in your horse’s mouth to try to force it to drink. The water can go into the lungs and cause respiratory distress. Don’t try to administer any kind of enema or put anything into the rectum, especially a hand or arm.

“Enemas are not effective in adult horses due to anatomy, and rectal tears happen in horses fairly easily,” Armentrout said. “Rectal palpation should only be performed by a veterinarian, since tearing the rectum can result in death.”

While walking your horse is a good thing, don’t over walk it. Armentrout says if the horse wants to lay down and rest quietly, you should let it do so.

“I have seen horses that were walked so much during a colic episode, they actually foundered,” Armentrout said.

“Laying quietly is fine.”

This article was originally published in the November 2019 issue of BHN.

The post Colic Check appeared first on Barrel Horse News.