Shali Lord checks in from the ranch and explains why outside riding can be beneficial for colts and finished horses. Riding barrel horses in different situations can help them mentally and physically.
“It can be great for horses to have outside experiences in different footing,” Lord said. “It teaches them to be a horse and learn about the placement of their feet. We do a lot of ranch work and outside riding with our horses. Sometimes when we have cattle out here we need to go check water or hay, so it’s great for our horses to be outside, learn to be a horse and have a clear mind.”
Lord explains why she incorporates conditioning into her workouts outside of the arena as well.
- Listen to Shali Lord on The Money Barrel Podcast.
- Shali Lord shows what her ideal pre-run warm-up looks like.
- Shali Lord discusses draw reins, how to use them and how they keep her horses light and responsive.
BRM Flashback: Shali Lord Wins 2021 Mountain States Circuit Finals
Riding her 2010 wicked-fast gray mare Frosted In Fame (“CeCe”), Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., raced her way to the top of the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland, Colo., Oct. 22-23, 2021. With a total on three runs of 46.97 seconds to earn $5,365, Lord secured her position atop the Mountain States Circuit year-end standings with season earnings of $25,383, much of it won riding the 2009 sorrel stallion Freckles Ta Fame (Dash Ta Fame x Frenchmans Freckles x Frenchmans Guy). “Can Man,” owned by Joe and Carla Spitz, was sadly sidelined during the final weeks of the regular rodeo season all while Lord was in hot pursuit of a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. A win at her circuit finals was validation for Lord after experiencing the disappointing rough patch.
“CeCe was just feeling great,” said Lord. “She likes that arena, she likes the ground and if she can get in there and get a good feel of the ground, she does really well. It was a great ending to what’s been a few pretty rough months.”
