Barrel race competitor works to help keep horses healthy

By John E. Chambers

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

The health of barrel racing horses has been a concern of at least one competitor in Saturday evening's Sunflower State Games barrel- racing event at the Topeka Round-Up Club.

Jo Turner, Meriden, has worked with Meriden veterinarian Dr. Jeff Van Petten in producing a video on the subject of "Barrel Horse Wellness." The video informs horse owners how to keep their horses in good condition and how to recognize signs that their horse may be hurting, even though it may lack any visible problems.

The challenge is to catch any problems before barrel racing horses, whose performances are compared in one-tenth of a second, become lame. It is also to keep horses sound and keep them loving the sport.

Barrel racing is a very physically demanding activity, Turner said. The horse must race up to 20 mph, slow and turn at the first barrel, then spring to the next, slow and turn for the second and repeat for the third, then race back to the starting point.

Van Petten, who has the videos available at his clinic, practices not only medicine, but also chiropractic and acupuncture on horses.

Turner said it is important during the hot weather to provide lots of water for the competing horses. She also gives them electrolytes in hot weather.

Turner brought with her to the Games two horses she had raised. The mare was a world champion. One is a 5-year-old and the other is a 6-year-old.

"I love working with young horses," she said.

Turner has four horses, including two brood mares and the two competition horses.

Turner is a regional director for the national Barrel Horse Association. Her region includes Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. She helped form the state association in 1993.

At that time, the organizers were hoping to see the association reach a membership of 200. It now has more than 800 members.

Turner noted the number of expensive horse trailers and tow vehicles at the event, as well as the horses themselves, and said racing horses requires a big investment.

Copyright 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.