Rodeo & Horse feed (house, to buy, gated)

[tford]

I am asking for my mom who is considering moving to CS from Florida. She is a big barrel racer and wants to know if there are a lot of events in the area she can attend and participate in. Also what is the cost of feed and hay?
She is used to the mild winters in Florida and is concerened about the snow and winters in CS for herself and her animals. What do you think and what can you tell her about the winters in CS.

Thank you.
Melissa

[Mike from back east]

Melissa, behind our house is Kettle Creek Ranch, where about 90 horses are boarded. The area is up around Powers Blvd and Ranch Rd on the north east side of town. The horses were out here all winter, a few had blankets, most did not, they survived just fine. Look them up in the phone book and call him to see what he pays for feed and hay. I think they charge $225 a month to board a horse. Should be no shortage of places to do barrel racing here.

[Nadine]

What level of barrel racing is your Mom doing. Pro, saddle club fun stuff? Lots of roping's around the area within 75 miles. and they will rope until they are snowed out and then some. Most have jackpot barrel racing. Saddle-clubs have gymkhanas all summer some jackpot. Of course there are open breed shows that will do barrel racing sometimes. Altho I don't live in CSwe have competed there.

As to the price of hay. Good horse grass hay has been easy to buy this yr at $5 and up for 60-65 lb bales where I live. So far so good. Last yr it went up around $10 in the winter and spring. (I store hay for all yr. but have irrigated pasture) Some was lost on first cutting this yr but did well. Mt hay is ready to cut early but cannot get it cut for the rain. If the next cuttings are ruined by rain then the price will go up of coarse. I feed Purina Strategy, grass. $11 something per 50. My horse is not running so I don't feed much just enough lb morn and night to put her additives in. Makes her happy too. Strategy does not make a horse hot so she may not want that.

Wintering. Horses do fine if they have some shelter to be able to get out of sun,wet, cold and wind. Some people don't bother but I believe they just don't care about the comfort of their animal. When real cold, down below freezing I will put on a blanket especially if it snows. I always use a water repellent breathable blanket. I use a system to add and subtract layers as needed. My horse likes to get wet then stand in the barn an shiver. But horses really don't need it, they do quite well without blanketing if just given extra hay to keep their funace burning when real cold. If your Mom is moving while it is warm no problem but if she is waiting until it gets cold, I am sure her horse will not have the coat, it will need for a little while.

You didn't ask but a good farrier will cost around $100 to shoe. That is where I live about 40 miles from CS am told it is higher in CS. Acually I pay 75 to shoe and 35 to trim. I have standing appointments. Good farriers are real busy and hard to come by on a call when needed bases. Summer every 6 wks and winter trim every 8 wks on my horse. That is about average growth for hooves here.

[silverslightning]

Nadine
You sound very informed. I am trying to find out some things about your area. The price of feed, I am feeding a 12% protein with 8% fat that runs me about $10 a bag here, is there a feed compatable to that in your area? I feed alfalfa ($11-$14) & coastal ($5-$6). As far as my barrel racing I have a 1D/2D horse and a 4D horse, I like to do local jackpots but LOVE to do the real money ones (World Barrel Racing Prod) and NBHA.
My horses are used to the mild Florida winters and when it gets cold here they are blanketed otherwise they get cold. I when to a race in Ok. last Nov and my mare almost shook herself to death she was so cold.
I am hoping to be moving up there before the end of Sept, but I have to sell my place here first.
Thanks for all your info. Linda

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by silverslightning

Nadine
You sound very informed. I am trying to find out some things about your area. The price of feed, I am feeding a 12% protein with 8% fat that runs me about $10 a bag here, is there a feed compatable to that in your area? I feed alfalfa ($11-$14) & coastal ($5-$6). As far as my barrel racing I have a 1D/2D horse and a 4D horse, I like to do local jackpots but LOVE to do the real money ones (World Barrel Racing Prod) and NBHA.
My horses are used to the mild Florida winters and when it gets cold here they are blanketed otherwise they get cold. I when to a race in Ok. last Nov and my mare almost shook herself to death she was so cold.
I am hoping to be moving up there before the end of Sept, but I have to sell my place here first.
Thanks for all your info. Linda

Straight Alfalfa is a little higher than grass here. My grass hay from my field is a mix of big pink clover and orchard grass. I have no idea the content of coastal. I do like the mix of alfalfa and grass. I have not fed that hot on grain for along time. Will have to check on 12%. You might go to CSU. They should give you some info on the difference. An extension agent in El Paso county should be of help also. Selenium can be a problem in some areas not in Colorado.

As to the WBR and NBHA, pull up their schedule as see what is available in this area. I know of several gals that are racing PRCA. I have been out of it too long to be up to date. You may have to put in some travel time.

[vfrpilot]

The Gazette had a great story on female barrell racers today. Check it out at Gazette.com. It was called "racy ladies".

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by vfrpilot

The Gazette had a great story on female barrell racers today. Check it out at Gazette.com. It was called "racy ladies".

Cool article. Link is: Life: racy ladies | ladies, fountain, night - Gazette.com

s/Mike

[Nadine]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Cool article. Link is: Life: racy ladies | ladies, fountain, night - Gazette.com

s/Mike

It is always interesting, funny, sometimes madding how non competitors view a sport. But there is some info in this article for our Florida Mom, that is thinking about moving to CS.