My spring started off rockin and rolling- I was really doing it big. I was getting to go to all the pro rodeos I wanted and my horse, Spencer, was doing so well. He was just .5 (half a second) out of placing at his first few....which were some really big building rodeos. I was thrilled, his first year at it and he was chasin them down with notable mistakes..........until he wasn't. Doing my due diligence and trying to be proactive I took him for some routine vet work, a few inflamed joints were bothering him even after a justified break and nsaids. We decided to do some maintenance, joint injections, to quickly remove the inflammation and protect the cartilage. There's nothing that will eat a joint up faster than chronic inflammation. Quality of life is absolutely priority around here and I can proudly say that most of my horses have lived to compete and stay competitive into their mid to late 20s when most are crippled up and retired to pasture. A couple weeks later we started getting SMOKED down at the rodeos- three of them to be exact. Unlike the other rodeos where we had made notable mistakes and could see where we had lost time, these runs were near flawless and yet- we were slow! Spencer was tired, he needed a break and some meds to boost him immune system likely compromised by the stress of hauling and competing. Even when you love to do something, it stresses you because you want to do it well! I decided on a month off. Wouldn't it be nice if every time you put in a few hard months at work they told you to stay home WITH pay for a month and you would be treated to weekly spa days, your own nutritionist, chiropractor, massage therapist and chef weekly until you were reevaluated to come back to work? You only came back when you were mentally so bored at the house you didn't even have to set your alarm to wake up and go...just excited for the day! THAT is how the majority of us want our horses to feel about their jobs running barrels. But what about me....I still want to go! Heck, I was just getting into the swing of things- entering, planning, overnight stalling and I was managing all really well with the support of my husband and others that help with the kids. Then I realized...its breeding season and own one of the most fertile, sound, kind and competitive live cover stallions in the big ol state of Texas and he would love some saddle time in between girlfriends- So while Spencer is resting we are making babies- and who doesn't love baby horses?! As I look out and watch him graze, I am reminded that there is always something else that needs attention and focus. When things dont go your way take the detour with confidence. Active