This arena is where the times events happened, such as barrel racing, goat tying, team roping and steer wrestling.
This area is where the Bronc riding, bull riding, pole bending and flag racing would occur.
This last week I spent my time in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the National Little Britches Rodeo finals. There were at least 1500 horses and competitors from 29 different states. We had very few cases of lameness and very few eye problems. We did give a few horses some electrolytes and water by putting a tube through their nose and into their stomach. I was shadowing Dr. Darla Moser and a few other vet students. We were the on-site veterinarian so if there were any injuries, we would be there to help.
We would watch the rodeo each day until we would get a call (Dr.Moser’s number was on multiple flyers). When there are lame horses, which means they aren’t walking correctly, we do a flex test and see where the pain is at. We watch the horse walk and trot to see what leg or area is bothering the horse the most. Once they find the area, they inject a nerve block and wait 3-5 minutes and then do another flex test. If the horse is sound and is not limping anymore, we found the area that was hurting the horse and Dr. moser would talk to them about the possible ways they could fix this problem. Like a navicular disease which is common in quarter horses can be prevented and fixed by having the Ferrier make different horse shoes to fix the problem. I got the chance to watch the rodeo I have always dreamed of being in!
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