Discipline Focus - Barrel Racing with Shaun Rathy

As a bodyworker, we can see a variety of horses in any given day and we likely have worked on horses from many disciplines. However, it isn’t uncommon to get in involved with having more clients based in a certain discipline. Whether that be because it’s the discipline we ourselves compete in, or because it’s the barns we’ve been working in predominantly that have a specific focus.

Whatever it may be, we thought it would be fun to chat with individuals from a variety of different equine sports to discuss the ins and outs of their discipline as well as talk about what specifics we might find as bodyworkers in the horses that perform there.

Today our focus is on Barrel Racing. Fast is an understatement when most races are won in under twenty seconds with mili-seconds between contestant times!! A discipline that on the outside seems simple enough, but when you add in all the elements required, one sees how in-depth and technical it truly is.

Today we sit down with Shaun Rathy, manager for the rehab and breeding operations of one of Alberta’s premier facilities, the Bar None Ranch. Shaun has been involved with horses the majority of her life, she started out in the hunter/jumper world before switching to Barrel Racing. Her training and conditioning program is superb so it was fabulous to sit down with her and find out the inner workings of this sport.

For more information on Shaun, check out her Instagram @ryd_2_win or visit the Bar None Ranches Website at https://barnoneranches.com/

My co-host, Tina Watkins EST, EEBW3, is the founder of InHand Equine Therapy which strives to improve the lives of horses through equine bodywork. She also has over a decade of experience teaching other bodyworkers and offers both mentorship and continuing education for professionals and owners alike.

For more information about our continuing education short courses for equine professionals and owners courses, please check out https://inhandequinetherapy.podia.com

Follow along with our social media sites on FB and instagram under @inhandequinetherapy.

Our goal with this podcast is to continually open the conversation around equine wellness and bodywork. It is through open conversation that we can grow this industry with knowledge and understanding of our equine partners. Ever evolving along with tried and true methods of horse husbandry, it’s by learning from one another that we will elevate the care of these amazing animals and partners.

So don’t be afraid to connect through social media, both Facebook and Instagram @equinebodytalks

#opentheconversation