Daily Archives: April 16, 2009

 

Tracey is here to talk to us about preparation for the rodeo season, both mentally and physically.

 

 

 

Tracey thank you for taking the time to talk with us today, tell me what you do to prepare for the next rodeo season, do you ride colts, or take time off all together?

Well, when I am taking time off, I like to keep my main focus on my main horses while squeezing colts and other horses in. I will still haul to jackpot barrel races and other smaller stuff just to keep everything fresh.

 

 

In that time off, do you give your horses off completely, or do you still ride on a regular schedule? If so, what does that schedule look like? Do you use this time for tuning, or just letting them get some daily exercise?

I don’t think my horses every really get to take time off.  They don’t get worked extremely hard anyways but things can get lighter on them. If there is something that needs “brushing up on”, then I will take the time to address that.

 

 

How long out do you begin working them again, for the rodeo season?

Luckily for me, my main horse could probably sit for 3 months and make a run just as good, so he doesn’t have to have his legs worked in the ground on a regular basis. I would atleast like to try to start a light workout probably a month before hand. But like I said, my ponies never get to be off fully!! 

 

Tracey, mentally what are you doing to keep your mind right, are you going to jackpots, or just taking some time off all together?

I have been going to a lot of barrel races. Barrel races aren’t really my thing. I don’t like having to sit through 300 horses and then wait on my run!! It can get boring. I do like to go to smaller barrel races though. That gives the younger horses of mine something else to look at and get the feel for.

 

 

Do you do anything to physically prepare for the season, since your horses are getting in shape, do you do something physical as well? It might sound crazy but I like to ride my horses bareback a lot. Its keeps me “with them” a lot more I believe. Plus, it keeps my legs in pretty good shape! lol. It sure beats going to the gym to work out.  

 

 

As far as your rig, and getting it ready to hit the road, what is your routine?

Before we go anywhere to stay overnight, I like to have clean sheets on the bed in the trailer. Also, tires need to be good, water tanks need to be full and shavings need to be down in the back. My trailers tend to get turned upside down after some time off just from getting in them and using stuff…but I try to organize things a little better before I go.