Region III

By Colton Walters – Performance Reporter

March and April find everyone preparing for region and state finals. We spend extra time tuning ourselves and our horses up in the practice pen while balancing the busy world of spring sports and activities at school. So with Region titles and state qualifications on the line, I caught up with a few Region III members to see what they are doing to prepare themselves and their equine partners for the finals as well as for the spring/summer rodeos.

Hadley White who competes in the Steer Wrestling, Tie Down, and the Team Roping says he likes to give his horses a mental break from the arena by riding in the pasture checking cows. He also includes regular PEMF treatments to help with overall soundness in all his horses. Breakaway roper and team roper, Channing Wescott, takes her horses to a chiropractor regularly and uses ice boots to help with joint and muscle recovery. Pecos Tatum, who is currently leading the region in the tie down roping, feeds his horses bone and joint supplements along with hemp seed oil and coconut oil. He maintains a

DVM, Candace Kendrick of Colorado City, stresses the importance of integrating routine maintenance such as shoeing, a regular worming schedule, the upkeep of equine dentistry, chiropractic treatment, and regular vet checks to ensure soundness and administer annual vaccinations. One of the most important horse care points is the need to keep continuous access to clean water. Proper hydration aids in the digestive process, blood circulation, and helps stabilize body temperature while also reducing the risk for colic. Kendrick also suggests taking measures to prevent and/ or treat ulcers. “While all horses can develop ulcers simply due to the acid that is continuously secreted in their stomach, competition horses are at greater risk due to the physical and mental stress endured during training, hauling and competing.” Ulcers can cause weight loss, a decline in performance, and overall irritability. One of the most simple prevention measures is to provide constant forage to help absorb acid in the horse’s stomach. This forage can come in the most natural form of grazing in the pasture on grass to keeping hay available for consumption at all times. As we prepare ourselves for state and the summer rodeos, remember to also prepare your horses to achieve their peak performance.