Riding Against The Odds

Let's talk about something every horse owner knows but not everyone talks about enough: the money! Buying a barrel horse is only the beginning. Between feed, hay, farrier visits, veterinary care, tack, hauling, entry fees, and unexpected emergencies, the costs can add up quickly. And if you're dreaming of competing, it's important to understand what you're getting into before you f...

It's spooky season, and we're bringing a little Halloween magic to the barn! Have you ever had your horse spook at something that absolutely wasn't there? Heard a strange noise in the barn after dark? Had a ride go completely sideways for no reason you could explain? Or heard one of those creepy horse stories that makes you think twice before walking into the barn alone? This Halloween...

Magnetic blankets. PEMF machines. Massage guns. Ice boots. Red light therapy. Ceramic-lined sheets. The horse industry is full of products promising better performance, faster recovery, and improved comfort. But which therapies actually have evidence behind them, and which ones rely mostly on testimonials and marketing? In this episode, we're taking a balanced look at some of the most popular...

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right, working harder than ever, spending more time at the barn, riding more, practicing more, and yet your results aren't changing? The truth is that effort alone doesn't guarantee progress. In this episode, we're talking about three uncomfortable reasons riders stay stuck: following the wrong training plan, under-fueling their bodie...

Every rider in the warm-up pen is trying to prepare for their run, but when communication breaks down, accidents happen fast. In this episode, we're talking about warm-up pen etiquette: the unwritten rules that keep horses and riders safe. From passing correctly and calling your direction changes to understanding your horse's behavior around others, we'll cover the habits that can prev...

Lunging is one of the most common tools in the horse world. At nearly every horse show, you'll see horses running circles before riders ever get in the saddle. But is all that lunging actually helping? In this episode, we discuss the benefits of lunging, the physical strain circles place on a horse's body, why lunging is often mistaken for conditioning, and how excessive lunging can contri...

In the horse world, hard work is often celebrated. More rides. More drills. More exhibitions. More miles. More competitions. But what happens when more work actually starts making you worse? In this episode, we're talking about overtraining, what it is, why it happens, and how it affects both horses and riders. We'll discuss the difference between fitness and fatigue, the warning signs of...

When does veterinary treatment become performance enhancement? Where is the line between helping a horse recover and helping a horse compete when it shouldn't? In this episode, we're tackling one of the most controversial topics in the horse industry: performance-enhancing drugs. We'll discuss the difference between legitimate veterinary care and performance enhancement, why masking pa...

Every rider wants the secret to better runs, softer horses, and more consistency in the arena. But what if the answer isn't a new bit, a new drill, or a completely different training method? In this episode, we're talking about why most training problems come from weak foundations rather than a lack of advanced maneuvers. We'll discuss consistency, pressure and release, the importance...

A pretty horse can still be a bad purchase. In this episode, we're talking about some of the biggest red flags to watch for when shopping for a horse. From missing records and inconsistent stories to dangerous behaviors and pre-purchase exams, we'll discuss how to protect yourself from expensive surprises and make smarter buying decisions. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and...

Have you ever looked at a feed tag and wondered what half the ingredients actually do? Why are some feeds packed with corn and oats while others rely on beet pulp, rice bran, or soybean hulls? In this episode, we're breaking down common horse feed ingredients, what purpose they serve, and how feed companies build different formulas for different horses. Understanding ingredients can help you m...

Most horse owners spend hours researching supplements, grains, and additives—but the truth is, good nutrition starts with understanding the basics. What NSC actually means,and why it matters for some horses more than others. How to read a feed tag instead of falling for marketing buzzwords. Why ingredients like beet pulp, soybean meal, oats, corn, flax, and rice bran are used, and what each one co...

In my first Lasix episode, we covered what Lasix is, how it works, and why it remains one of the most controversial medications in horse sports. This week, we're taking the conversation a step further. Recent research has challenged some long-held beliefs about Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and asks a difficult question: Have we become so focused on preventing every trace of ble...

Ulcer treatment is NOT as simple as throwing horses on omeprazole and hoping for the best. In Part 2 of this ulcer series, we discuss:• How ulcers are actually diagnosed• Why squamous and glandular ulcers are different• Omeprazole and how it works• Why some horses relapse repeatedly• The role of nutrition and management in prevention• Treatment mistakes people commonly make• Why medication alone o...

Ulcers are one of the most common and misunderstood problems in the horse world. A horse does NOT have to look skinny to have ulcers. And not every ulcered horse shows obvious symptoms. In this episode, we discuss:• The difference between squamous and glandular ulcers• Why horses are naturally prone to ulcers• Behavioral vs physical signs of ulcers• Why body condition score alone means almost noth...

The horse world praises people who never stop. The riders who push through injuries. The ones who never miss a run. The ones who stay strong no matter what. But nobody talks enough about what happens when survival mode becomes your personality. In this episode, I open up about the difference between true mental toughness and burnout — because there’s a point where constantly pushing yourself stops...

People always say: “Just relax.” “Just enjoy it.” “Just have fun.” But when your dreams matter deeply to you, it’s rarely that simple. In this episode, I talk about the emotional pressure behind rodeo, competition, and ambition — and why so many athletes struggle to enjoy the thing they love most. We discuss: • How passion slowly turns into pressure • The fear of wasting potential or falling behin...

In a world full of opinions, social media, pressure, and competition, it’s easy to forget why you started riding in the first place. This episode is about learning how to stop performing for everyone else and reconnect with riding for yourself again. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress...

Sometimes one moment changes the way you see yourself. And suddenly something that once felt natural starts feeling terrifying. In this episode, I talk about the emotional side of rebuilding confidence after setbacks, because losing confidence doesn’t always happen loudly. Sometimes it happens quietly in hesitation, overthinking, and fear nobody else notices. We discuss: • How setbacks affect your...

Nutrition is one of the most overlooked parts of the horse world, but it impacts everything from stamina and recovery to soundness and longevity. In this episode of Riding Against the Odds, I dive into: • How nutrition affects barrel racing performance • Why forage and hydration matter more than people realize • The connection between feeding, injury prevention, and recovery • Why more supplements...

From Lasix and pain-masking medications to the pressure to stay competitive, this episode dives into the ethical side of equine sports and why conditioning, horsemanship, and long-term horse welfare should matter more than quick fixes. In this episode I discuss: • The difference between veterinary care and performance enhancement • How drugs can compromise fair competition • Why conditioning matte...

Not every horse shows effort the same way. Some horses are naturally flashy and intense. Others stay quiet, reserved, or unsure, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying. In this episode I discuss: • The difference between confusion, pain, fear, and disobedience • Why some horses try hard even when the result isn’t perfect • How unrealistic expectations damage trust • Learning to reward small impr...

Training without a trainer isn’t easy, and it’s not talked about enough. When you don’t have guidance, every decision is on you. The good and the bad. In this episode, I cover: • The reality of learning through trial and error • The pressure of making your own training decisions • How to grow and improve without constant guidance If you’re figuring it out as you go, this one’s for you. Links &...

Not every barrel horse was bred to be one. Some of us start with what we have, not what’s “ideal.” And sometimes, those horses teach us more than the “perfect” ones ever could. In this episode, I talk about: • What it’s really like training a horse that wasn’t built for barrels • The challenges no one talks about, mentally and physically • Why these horses can make you a better rider in the long r...

Lasix is one of the most controversial medications in the horse world, but are we talking enough about conditioning? In this episode, I break down: • What Lasix actually does • Why some horses bleed during exercise • The difference between managing a horse and masking a problem • Why conditioning matters more than people realize • The pipe analogy that completely changed how I understood Lasix and...