Road to Rodeo with Rhonda Hartman: December 2023

A Little Vulnerable Moment

Monday, December 11, 2023

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I've been thinking a lot about where I want to go with barrel racing, and how I can get there lately. I guess because it's the end of 2023, and I thought I'd be so much farther by now. The end of the year is often introspective for me.

I know where I ultimately want to go, and I know what I need to be doing to get there. It just feels like when I start trying that every single thing in the universe works against me. And it makes me question literally everything.

I think this all goes back to confidence.

Ultimately, I don't feel confident or like I deserve to do this. And that is something that I learned and internalized based on outside sources telling me this. This is not something that I truly believe with my heart and soul. This is something that has been told to me so many times that I started to question it. I need to get back to the girl who gave it her all, took care of her horses, and believed that we were an unbeatable team.

What I know is this: I currently have two really amazing horses. One of which is due with a baby in March to a nice stallion who performs well in the roping pen and has a good head. This will give me three really nice horses to run with.

I also know that I have years of experience riding, training, and running horses. I know that I can handle sticky situations. I know that I can work with horses and get them where I need them. I know that I can build a team with a horse.

So what keeps holding me back?

It's only me. I need to get out of my own head and fall back on the things I know...and push the voices of those who told me I couldn't out of my head. I need to use those voices telling me I can't or I'm not good enough as fuel. Because I can think of nothing better than reaching my ultimate goals, and sending them the video links of me proving them wrong.

I've been working behind the scenes on this, but I'm ready to start sharing all of my journey publicly. I'm ready to let others share in this journey in the hopes that if they're feeling less than confident it helps them. At least letting everyone feeling down that they're not alone.

Essentially I'm ready to get delulu about what I can achieve. I'm about to be my biggest fan. So, let's go.

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Melvin, the mini donkey

Monday, December 4, 2023

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Does anyone have some animals where their only purpose is to let you hug them and make you feel better when you have a bad day?

I have a few, but Melvin is basically my therapist when he's not the one causing the need for therapy. I can lay across him, and he will just listen. Sometimes he brays softly as though telling me it's okay, and that he's going to escape tonight.

Anyway, I know I talk a lot about the horses like they're the stars, but I truly love Melvin. He's been one of the biggest blessings to me. He makes me get out of my head and problem solve when I'm trying to teach him things because although they may be similar to horses their brains are completely different. This is good. It's refreshing, and plus look how freaking cute he is!

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equine first aid kit · horse health · research

Horse Fact Friday: Horse First Aid Kit

Friday, December 1, 2023

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We don't want to think about it happening, but the reality is that if you own horses they're going to get hurt. They are literally born trying to un alive themselves. Whatever stupid thing you think cannot possibly happen because there is just no way for them to accomplish it...wrong. They can and they will.

So here are some must haves that you should always have in your barn for emergency and non-emergency care. Please remember that this advice is not veterinary, medical, or legal advice. And for certain things a veterinarian should ALWAYS be called.

Click here for a complete list from the University of Florida large animal veterinary hospital of when to call the vet.

For full disclosure all of these photos are clickable to my Amazon affiliate account, so I may earn commission if you purchase through those links, but a lot of this you can find at your local feed store or TSC. And some of it you might not need, but there are some things you definitely want in case you need them.

And some of the things can be hacked with other things. Like if you can't get ice boots, a cold hose works. For me, I need the ice boots because the summer in Arizona means the water temp from the hose is warm already. If your horse is barefoot, you probably don't need shoe pullers.

Bare minimum I think you need a way to get a wound clean and wrapped for the trip to the vet, and a way to stop massive bleeds until the vet arrives. And it's probably a good idea to be able to dress minor wounds that don't require veterinary attention.

Next Friday, I'll be sharing minimum items you need to bring your horse home. I'll reference this blog as the equine first aid kit.