My Mission
“To help barrel racers WIN in the arena and out with resources for developing educated, confident, high-achieving equine athletes.”
“To help barrel racers WIN in the arena and out with resources for developing educated, confident, high-achieving equine athletes.”
The Pursuit, the Pause – and a Golden Future, Part III
in Uncategorized/by Heather SmithClick here for Part II in this three-part series.
PART III – THE SILVER (GOLD) LINING
With Pistol’s comeback (after ten years of being sidelined), it’s not that I did ONE lengthy rehab, and now he doesn’t need any special TLC and we were both back to “business as usual” like we were over a decade ago.
A big part of getting, and now keeping him sound is knowing, honoring and working around and within his limitations – and most importantly taking and applying lessons I learned from the long and grueling setback and comeback process.
During that time I held onto a quote by Tim Grover (Michael Jordan’s trainer) that said something like “You can never come back from an injury the same, you have to be better.”
The idea is that if you don’t come back better, you’re at risk of the same or other injuries and setbacks happening again. Most horse people assume that risk of re-injury is very high, but not necessarily. I can say with confidence, Pistol is better today at 23 years old than he was at 10.
Pistol and I still run barrels, because I go about it with a different approach and perspective. I’m more aware, more intentional, more thorough… more present. I am a better steward of him in a multitude of ways – and what I’ve learned and the habits I’ve formed will carry over to every horse I touch. My enhanced and always-growing awareness, skills and experience will help prevent injuries, but should they ever happen, I have confidence I can put the odds in our favor to overcome them (and be even better for it!).
Maybe, with my spine injuries – I too could still work toward and eventually achieve my huge barrel racing goals? But to even attempt that with new limitations on my side, I realized that my comeback, also – would require a different approach and perspective.
Before I was sidetracked by our move and the lengthy build – I was already feeling called to ride more and write (be at a desk) less. Even with my new limitations, I could not fathom letting go of my life-long horse goals. I was not ready to throw up a white flag and accept a life of full-time, sedentary work (when the previous chapter already had too much of that!). In fact, with the unknowns surrounding my physical abilities, and if or when they might worsen – I felt more motivated than ever to (cautiously) pursue my horse goals full steam!
The online business landscape as I knew it had changed even more, not making it impossible to be successful, but requiring more than I was able to continue giving while also giving my best to my horses and goals with them. I knew I couldn’t sustain the pace I had in the past, and that my focus could no longer be so fragmented. I needed to take a “quality over quantity” approach to dial in on what mattered most.
Throughout my life I’ve been “multi-passionate.” There were years worth of sidetracks focused on reining, colt starting, problem horses, web design, equine bodywork and rehab, horsemanship, online business, book publishing, coaching, hoof care, home building, dog training, team roping, etc. The side quests would have to stop – I needed to be ALL in on my biggest barrel racing goals. With the uncertainty of my spinal injuries, the clock was really ticking now!
Now I have to say – side quests are not all bad. My varied background has prepared me for such a time as this. But also, we can’t live our entire life always thinking and acting as if “we have time.”
I knew I would need to ride and pursue my goals – but in a smarter and more targeted way than ever before. So I considered how that might be possible… I mapped out what my ideal day schedule would look like. I did financial calculations, timelines and estimates.
My approach would have to be different…
My career needed to shift and put horses (AND my well-being) at the center, yet with my body’s new limitations, I couldn’t ride 10 head a day. But I COULD ride… I could possibly ride two (maybe three), with a lot of focus, care, thoughtfulness and attention. And a lighter horse load would allow me the time margin for the self-care I needed to stay sound and healthy myself. To take stretch breaks at noon, to get 8 hours of sleep most nights, to stick to my clean, anti-inflammatory diet, to get up at 4:00 a.m. for my physical therapy and modified workout each day.
Thankfully at our new place (where we raise our own hay) our overhead is low. And those few horses I was putting my love, training, time, skills, attention and experience into could be offered for sale when ready (1-2 per year) to fund this whole horse / barrel racing obsession and allow it to continue. Sure, I had bought and sold horses before (not always profitably), but that too, could be done differently and better than I had ever done before.
Instead of sitting at a desk more, with so many big horse goals still ahead of me – it’s time to ride, not necessarily more, but with more specific intention, and a more thoughtful approach.
It’s time to source already-really nice horses (with keeper potential) that need some polishing, so I can keep my skills sharp and my goals within reach, and then offer a select few to help other barrel racer’s dreams come true.
At first it felt it was so unfair that my healthy spine was taken away before I’d reached the life goals that would require my greatest physical athleticism. But the experiences I’ve been through now have prepared me with what might be even more necessary and important – wisdom. My limitations won’t stop the calling God already put on my life and in my heart, but they will make for an even more inspiring story.
So what will the unfolding of this look like exactly?
I consider Barrel Racing Tips.com my “life’s work,” and it isn’t going anywhere, but there will be some eventual additions and evolving happening – and I plan to start sharing regularly again. Podcast replays are already back on track. You can expect social media posts weekly on Facebook and Instagram. Emails more sparingly (more like monthly), subscribe here BTW. Teaching clinics is on hold for now. A new book is already (slowly) in the works, and… will be ready, when it’s ready.
I’ll share more about him as his readiness draws near, but I can’t wait for you to see what this very special equine athlete with Royal Quick Dash, Frenchmans Guy, Dash For Perks and Dash Ta Fame on his papers has to offer!
IN SUMMARY
It’s true that herniated discs are permanent and my spine will never be the same. It’s true that my spinal injuries could get worse over time and require risky surgeries. But it’s also true that my (and your) future has uncertainty with spinal injuries, or without. It’s true that in many ways I am and can continue to be better, in spite of and even – because of what happened.
Today, my future is more focused on what matters most, and less on what doesn’t than ever before. For that, I’m grateful – and I hope sharing my story inspires you to consider and focus in on what matters most as well.
And that kind, talented golden gelding in the barn right now? He’s not just a horse I’m training to sell. He’s a symbol of everything this season has represented — beauty that emerged from hardship, potential that refused to be crushed, and a future that is full of hope.
I can’t wait to introduce him to you properly. Stay tuned. 💛
Ultimately, there WILL be new barrel racing education and inspiration still to come (+ occasional barrel horses for sale!) but at a moderate and maintainable rate from me.
Going forward, here are the best ways to stay in touch:
Lastly, thanks so much for your patience and understanding as content production rate has ebbed and flowed in recent years. Consistency is important to me, so I’ve tried to always be transparent with updates. You can trust that all the timeless education that makes up BarrelRacingTips.com will be right here for you to make the most of, with more to come (at its own pace).
While you’re here, you might also enjoy reading:
The Pursuit, the Pause – and a Golden Future, Part II
in Uncategorized/by Heather SmithPhoto by Texas Real Sports Photography
Click here for Part I in this three-part series.
PART II – THEN EVERYTHING CHANGED
It was July 1st, 2023.
That morning I had ran Pistol at a barrel race in Taylor, Texas. The pro rodeo was going on over the Fourth of July weekend in nearby Belton, Tx. As much as I love rodeoing, Pistol was no longer a fit for that competitive environment so Craig and I took in the pro rodeo Friday night as spectators.
On the way home, I received a late-night text from the gal who did the interval timing at the race that morning. Pistol would have clocked at the top of the 3D that day, and she let me know stats showed he had the fastest second and third barrel in all divisions (with over 400 entries)! Crazy, right!? I was thrilled and over the moon with that news.
As Craig drove down the dark highway on that warm July night, I was just smiling and marinating in so much gratitude and pure joy to have my best boy back. I put my phone down, took a deep breath and soaked in the sense of deep peace, thankfulness and optimism.
As our car came to a rest, the burnt rubber and gun powder smell was overwhelming. I quickly tried to get my bearings, made sure my limbs could function and found my phone. I climbed out of the car and gasped with emotion in the darkness as I made my way through the ditch and saw the undercarriage of another vehicle sitting on its side, with two lifeless bodies under/near it. I feared the worst and called 911.
The driver was unconscious and pinned under the vehicle with a severe head injury. The passenger was coherent but had a severe arm injury and was unable to sit up. In that moment, I did what seemed like the obvious right thing to do – I knelt by the passenger’s side, held her (good) hand and continuously and audibly prayed with and for her and the driver and spoke life over the entire situation.
The driver didn’t initially have vitals. It took some grand gestures on the medical team’s part to bring him back to life and stabilized for a helicopter ride. The driver and passenger were each life flighted individually to a local hospital. It was uncertain whether they would survive or need amputation.
Craig and I stood in the dark pasture that night, surrounded by flashing lights taking it all in. Intense heat was already radiating up my spine. Our vehicle missed hitting an electric pole by 15 feet, which would have likely been fatal. Our car was totaled but we were standing, and incredible lucky to be alive.
Between the darkness and adrenaline, I didn’t realize until we got home after midnight that my hips were bleeding. The following weeks were incredibly stiff and sore. We sought medical attention ASAP to rule out fractures and took it easy. I was hopeful that with some time, the pain I was experiencing would all go away. But it didn’t. Ultimately MRIs confirmed multiple herniated discs in my thoracic and cervical spine.
An intense love for horses and desire to enjoy them as long as possible has meant I’ve always valued and taken good care of my body. I’ve been pretty safety conscious with no history of major injuries or horrific wrecks. I’ve been intentional and also fortunate to have complete health and physical freedom to enjoy my active, athletic and hardworking lifestyle to the fullest and without limitations. I knew my biggest horse goals were still ahead of me, but now my spine was damaged – not just in one, but several areas.
In understanding the seriousness of my injuries, I stopped riding & competing and focused on healing. In the first six months after the wreck I had over 30 appointments with various medical professionals. The initial months included all kinds of therapies, seeing specialists, numerous spinal injections, and surgery consults, etc. There was pain that flared up and stayed flared up for months. Always one to trust God and think positive, I understandably still had very low, depressing moments filled with fear, worry, tears and uncertainty for my future.
Over time, trial and error – I learned what activities I could no longer do, and which I had to modify. The list is long. My primary triggers are compression and concussion. I can no longer lift a roping saddle, trim more than two feet at a time or one horse per day, pull weeds, shovel sand around our arena, carry a standard weed eater or full 3 gallon pump sprayer. I can’t lift a hay bale, feed bag, or water bucket – making it impossible now to travel with horses independently. I can’t do exercises that require standing with heavy weight – such as bicep curls, overhead presses and many weighted lower body exercises. I can’t perform speed workouts I did in the past or further my dog’s agility training (or enjoy shuffle dancing!), since the concussion of running and jumping flares up my pain. With my spine already compromised, it’s now too risky to start colts, or take on troubled horses. Once my pain IS flared up, the list of limitations and modifications grows substantially – to the point of a heel strike when simply walking being painful.
I intimately learned my boundaries and also learned how to decompress my spine at home to create some relief. Not wanting to take a more invasive route to managing my pain if possible, I decided for the time being to modify my lifestyle as long as I can vs. go forward with surgeries, which in the thoracic and cervical areas especially, carry significant risk.
The uncertainty, frustration, discouragement and resentment was so overwhelming at times – I knew I HAD to try to find some kind of silver lining. I’ve always believed in the quote by Napoleon Hill –
So where was the blessing in all this?
Eventually I started riding again. We finished our arena and bought a handful of roping steers. I always had a vision for Craig and I to be one of those cute older couples entered together at the World Series Team Ropings. While I did check off a very small, starter team roping goal – I realized my thoracic disc herniations would never allow me to practice enough to be a competitive roper. We now had the horse property of our dreams with a beautiful roping arena – and my team roping career was completely over even before it began. The new heartbreaking limitations on my life haunted me daily.
I decided that I had to embrace and focus in on what I COULD still do – I COULD ride a couple reasonably smooth and safe horses per day (and I could do push-ups and bent over rows), and I did eventually start barrel racing again on my most trusted, old reliable equine friend – Pistol.
It’s hard to believe at times that every setback actually carries the seed of something greater, but I was about to find out — and that seed had a golden coat.
Click here for Part III where I shared exactly what that looked like.
In the mean time, enjoy reading:
The Pursuit, the Pause – and a Golden Future, Part I
in Uncategorized/by Heather SmithPART I – LONG TIME, NO SEE!
I’ve been quiet here for a while. Not because I haven’t had anything to say, but because I was still living the story I needed to share.
Maybe you’ve been keeping up on social media, or are a longtime email subscriber. Either way, I appreciate you riding along all this time.
After all, if you’re like me – your genuine love for horses and dedication to growing in your horsemanship and barrel racing is a life-long game.
The last few years have been the most defining of my life. It’s time I told you why – and what that means for you and your barrel racing!
Some extreme and unexpected twists and turns have resulted in profound life lessons and shifts. I’ll be passing those along below before sharing some exiting new offerings here, so stay tuned and let’s review…
WHERE WE BEGAN
In 2011, I had gone through some huge personal growth spurts and was on fire to share my lessons with the world – and folks resonated with them. Blogging was at its height when I started BarrelRacingTips.com and published my first book, as was organic reach on social media. In 2013 my husband and I moved to Texas to enjoy our horses to the max., but my good gelding, Pistol still hadn’t bounced back from a mysterious injury he sustained in 2012.
With him not sound to compete, I poured my heart & soul into writing more books, creating content, building a following – as well as pursuing and reaching some huge horsemanship goals I knew would even further support the barrel racing I was called to do in the future.
I was working around the clock and burning the candle at both ends. Eventually, that pace was no longer sustainable. I started losing my “voice,” and was feeling more inspired to ride vs. write. I always felt called to make the world a better place and elevate others, but it was starting to be at the expense of my health and personal goals. Organic reach on social media was declining. My hard work wasn’t producing the reach and traffic it used to. I felt drained and squeezed from all sides.
Around that time (2019), Craig and I decided to make a change. We began looking for a new horse property that would suit our needs a little better, AND give us more financial freedom than our existing property allowed. The land we found was perfect. The home, barn and arena building process ahead was far from it.
Being that I’m the self-employed one between us with a flexible schedule, my career was put on hold while I did full-time damage control with what turned out to be a shady contractor. In home building there’s often only one, first chance to get things done right. I fought on the front lines for the structural integrity of our new investment while we lived in a camper.
Everything (including my biz and the horses) were put on the back burner for years while the build was (very) slowly completed to our standards. There was daily disappointment of shoddy work, the discomfort of addressing and correcting it, and many days of simply toiling on-site as a laborer. It was an incredibly grueling, discouraging and stressful time of my life.
THE HIGHS AND LOWS
Eventually I was able to gain back some breathing room and start enjoying our horses again. By this time, I had poured 10 years, many failed rehab attempts and over $100K into getting my heart horse, Pistol sound. I decided to try ONE more time before giving up and calling him retired. It made no sense from the outside looking in, since he now had age on his side too. But my unmoving desire to restore my best equine friend’s soundness and make up for lost time didn’t have to make sense to anyone else. And let’s face it – is barrel racing EVER guaranteed to pencil out well, anyway? This was different. It was personal, and I was driven more by improving his well-being than being highly competitive or profitable.
In July, 2021 I started keeping Pistol in a 20×70 pen instead of turned out. I treated his decade-old (never clearly or fully diagnosed) injury like a new injury. I kept him in padded hoof boots 12 hours of each day. I started week one with a 5-minute hand walk and very slowly increased from there. His subtle, decade-old limp went away. Eventually he was allowed gradually increasing turnout. I very, very slowly progressed to riding and conditioning with all green lights and zero regression.
In March, 2022 (EIGHT months later) our BIG target goal arrived – the Elite Barrel Race in Waco, TX. Pistol was more fit than ever and we entered the Open all three days. He was 19 years old, and we clocked at the top of the 4D and won a little over $450 that weekend amongst the toughest Texas competition (with over 400 entries). The emotion of that comeback still shakes me to my core and to my knees.
Although we’ve had minor, temporary hiccups or setbacks since – he’s STILL sound and just as, if not MORE competitive today, after that DECADE of being crippled. I thank God daily for His healing miracles and encouragement to not give up, which lead to taking one more, slightly different and very long, gradual and detailed approach to his rehab, conditioning and care.
Shortly after that in April, 2022 we welcomed home a new four-legged family member, known as Abounding Jospehine (a.k.a. Josie) – a beautiful red merle Australian Shepherd rescue dog. I still had a lot on my plate with the build, so committing to her felt somewhat impulsive, but my weary heart had a hole only a special dog could fill (my blue merle Aussie, Tess had passed away in 2016). I “didn’t have time” to devote to Josie’s training then, but knew it would be best to invest in her educational foundation from the get-go instead of putting it off for “some day.”
With limited dog showing experience, I set some specific goals and barely more than a year after welcoming Josie home, we closed in on tacking four AKC titles to her name, including a first place position on top of the agility podium. I’m proud to have guided her to getting started working stock, as well as officially achieving a Canine Good Citizen title, Trick Dog Novice title, Farm Dog Certification and Agility Course Test 1 title.
Finally, with Pistol back in action, my dog training goals checked off, and our roping arena almost finished – the future felt SO bright and things really seemed to be looking up.
But as any horseperson knows – just when you think you’ve finally got your feet under you, life has a way of humbling you back to your knees.
Click here for Part II, where I shared exactly how that happened.
You might also enjoy reading:
Introducing the 2019 Top 15 NFR Barrel Racing Qualifiers
in NFR Barrel Racing/by Heather SmithThe top 15 NFR barrel racing qualifiers are all settled in Las Vegas and will soon be blasting down the alley at the Thomas & Mack.
In anticipation of the rodeo action, I’m excited to share some background stats and descriptions of the horse power (with pedigree links!) we can look forward to seeing during this years race to the gold buckle.
So before the gates open, let’s dive in and get to know these these amazing women and their horses – who we can look forward to entertaining, educating, and inspiring us at the 2019 NFR and beyond!
Read more
Q&A with First-Time NFR Barrel Racer and Rodeo Veteran, Dona Kay Rule
in NFR Barrel Racing/by Heather SmithThey say it takes 20 years to make an overnight success.
Dona Kay Rule’s been a success with horses and in the rodeo arena for much longer than that. With family and business priorities though, it’s only been recently that she’s had the freedom to pursue rodeoing professionally full-time.
As not only a top barrel racer, but an exceptional roper and recipient of the WPRA Pioneer award, Dona Kay may be a first-timer in the alley of the Thomas and Mack this year, but as a lifelong, tough competitor in team roping and calf roping as well – she’s no rookie. Read more
Top 15 Barrel Horse Pedigrees Headed to the 2019 NFR
in NFR Barrel Racing/by Heather SmithThe stage has been set and soon rodeo’s leading ladies and their elite equine athletes will make their way to the bright lights of Las Vegas.
This post highlights the lineage of the incredible horse power that ran steady in 2019 for barrel racing veterans and made dreams come true for first-time NFR barrel racing qualifiers.
May this collection of pedigrees prepare you to study the world’s best barrel horses in action and inspire you to bring out the best in your horses and consider your next champion!
Read more
Looking Back on Rodeo Road with the 2018 Top 15 NFR Barrel Racers
in NFR Barrel Racing/by Heather SmithNow that we’re several days in to the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – I bet you’re more than inspired to give your best effort to your own barrel racing goals in the new year!
If you’re wondering what it really takes to make NFR dreams more than just dreams, there’s no one better to ask then the gals to who have been there, won that.
In today’s collection of Q&A’s, the top 15 NFR barrel racers share their greatest challenges and biggest lessons from the 2018 season, plus insights for overcoming adversity, as well as what they’re most grateful for.
You’re sure to gain some valuable wisdom to apply to your own barrel racing journey!
Read more
NFR Warm Up – Get to Know the 2018 Top 15 Barrel Racing Qualifiers
in NFR Barrel Racing/by Heather SmithThe top 15 NFR barrel racing qualifiers have arrived in Las Vegas and will soon be blasting down the alley at the Thomas & Mack.
In anticipation of the rodeo action, I’m excited to share their reflections on the 2018 season, and what we can look forwarding to seeing in this years race to the gold buckle.
So before the gates open, let’s dive in and get to know these these amazing women and their horses who we can look forward to entertaining, educating, and inspiring us – at the 2018 NFR and beyond!
Read more