Cowkids Only - January/Febraury 2025
January/February 2025
Brought to you by The Bell Mare Book Company
Ask a Pro:
Dusky Lynn Hall
This month’s blog features million-dollar youth barrel racer Dusky Lynn Hall. At just 11 years old, Dusky Lynn is winning the biggest barrel races around the country. In the winter blog, Dusky Lynn, and her mom, Dusky, share their advice with other youth barrel racers. Whether you are a barrel racer, pole bender, or swing a rope instead, you will learn a lot from Dusky Lynn — her work ethic, maturity level, grit and try are far bigger than her size.
Ask a Pro:
Million-Dollar Youth Barrel Racer Dusky Lynn Hall and her mom, Dusky
Question: How many horses do you have and what are their names?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I have six horses I ride almost daily. My main horse is Wally. Then I also have Dexter, Enzo, Jax, Eysa and Chino. Most of these horses go back to Frenchman’s Guy. I seem to get along well with that bloodline of horses.
Question: What do you look for when you are buying horses for Dusky Lynn?
Dusky’s (Dusky Lynn’s Mom) Answer - SHARE THIS PART WITH YOUR PARENTS!: I try to look for horses who are between 14.3 hands and 15.2. I don’t want them too big and strong because she is little, but they have to be big enough to perform at the level she is running at. She also likes horses who are really fast — and she can handle the speed. Riding such fast horses allows her to make a few mistakes here and there and not take herself out of the money. I also look for horses who are honest in their turns. I don’t want something she has to really drive past or hold off a barrel. I don’t think she is big enough to do that and I don’t want her getting into bad habits. At the end of the day, she’s 11. So, I don’t buy her horses who are complicated to ride. Unless you are a seasoned professional, I just don’t think you can win consistently on a horse who is complicated to ride. I also won’t buy her anything that is too rough. If a horse is rough, they will just throw a little kid around and it will be hard for them to keep their balance. Not because they aren’t good riders, but because of their size. The only things I am not super picky on is their color and gender.
Ultimately, I want them to love barrel racing and love Dusky Lynn. I will overlook some soundness issues to check the other boxes of what we have to have.
That said, we work on them daily so they continue to be honest and easy to run. And, we consistently go learn from other barrel racers and trainers who are better than us.
Dusky Lynn Hall and her horse Enzo on the cover of Barrel Horse News magazine last year.
What is something you do with your horses that you think other kids might not be doing?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I do a lot of daily care for my horses. I clean stalls, I feed them all. I’m even learning how to give them shots. I think spending extra time with them helps me know them better. The extra insight helps me recognize and know what they need when we are getting ready for competition. It also lets my horses know me better because I am the one they see most often, which I think makes them love me more and try harder for me.
Question: You have so much strength and balance in the saddle. Why do you think that is?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I just ride. I ride every chance I get and I ride multiple horses every day. I also ride bareback a lot. I think riding bareback really helps improve your riding because if you get off center, there isn’t a saddle there to hold you in. It forces you to find your center of balance and strengthens the muscles it takes to make that happen.
Dusky’s Answer - SHARE THIS ANSWER WITH YOUR PARENTS!: Dusky Lynn rides 4 to 6 horses almost every day. And, she does it all willingly. I never have to tell her she needs to go work her horses. She works hard at getting better every day. Even when she is done riding her barrel horses, she will go ride her pony bareback for another hour just for fun. Her talent in the saddle is because of the hours she has spent horseback on a daily basis.
I also try to find real-life examples that apply to her riding for her to learn from. For example, we were at Oklahoma City and she wanted to drive the truck and trailer to the camping spot. So I put her in my lap and let her take the steering wheel. We came up to a turn and she started turning at the turn, instead of going past before turning the wheel. When she realized the trailer was going to hit the curb, I told her, “That’s what happens in a barrel turn too. If you start turning too soon, you are going to hit the barrel. You have to ride your horse up and past the barrel to get around it smoothly.”
We also never let her stop learning. Every opportunity we get, we take her to go ride with someone who knows more than we do. Kids really have a unique opportunity because it is easier to learn new things when you are young. So, rodeo kids can take advantage of their age by learning everything they can while they are young. Learn about your events, but also take time to learn about horsemanship. I think horsemanship is critical in every single rodeo event.
Question: What is your favorite barrel drill you use to keep your horses sharp?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I have two drills I like to do with my horses. The first one I learned from Ashley Schafer. To do this drill, you put four barrels in a square. The first time you do this with your horse, give yourself plenty of space between the barrels to make it easier for you and your horse. You can also do it at a trot until you figure it out well enough to lope. In this drill, you don’t turn the barrels tight. You are basically just turning circles around them with the barrel being the center of your circle. You will turn each barrel the same direction. So all rights or all lefts. As you go around the barrels, work on holding your horse between your hands and feet. Don’t let them come in close on one side of the turn, or float away from the barrel. Try to make your circle round and even. This is a video of Ashley doing the drill.
I also like putting four barrels in a straight line and circling them all the same direction. I learned this drill from Kelly Conrado. It is the same concept as the square drill. You just want the barrel to be the center of your circle and you want your horse to make smooth, round circles around it. In this drill, you circle each barrel twice at a trot and stop and pause before moving to the next barrel. Here is a video of me doing this drill at Kelly’s house this winter. My mom comments on the video to help explain what I am doing.
Question: How do you keep from getting nervous at big events?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer: I try to remind myself that no matter where I am, it’s still just a barrel race. My job is the same whether I am doing one of my barrel drills at home, or running in Globe Life Field at The American. And if I don’t do well, there will be another barrel race I can enter tomorrow. If you get nervous, your horse gets nervous and then neither of you are focused.
Question: How often do you get on Dusky Lynn’s horses, or does she do all of the training and tuning herself?
Dusky’s Answer - SHARE THIS ANSWER WITH YOUR PARENTS!: I ride one of her horses every day and I usually rotate through them so that about once or twice a week I am riding each of them. And I am not riding them because she’s not capable. I get on them so that I can feel what she is feeling. I watch her ride all of them, but you can only see so much. Sometimes, I think parents need to get on their kid’s horse and feel what the kid is feeling so they can better understand how to help their kids.
Question: Give us an update on The American. Where are you at in the qualification process?
Dusky’s Answer:
In January, Dusky Lynn qualified for and won The American West Regional Finals in Las Vegas, which secured her spot to run at Globe Life Field on April 11. She will have to advance through two more rounds once she gets to Globe Life, including a round where she will compete against the top 5 barrel racers from the 2023 NFR, to make it to The American Finals and be eligible for the $1 million payout. She started entering The American qualifiers as a 7-year-old and made it to Globe Life in 2023 as a 9-year-old and then again this year as an 11-year-old. She has not made the final round yet, but that has been her goal for years.
Question: Do you feel more prepared to advance through The American this year?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I do. I’m older and I have run at Globe Life Field before, so I know how to better handle that set up than I did the first time I went. I think I will probably ride, Wally, but I’m not sure. We will have to see whoever is working and feeling the best that day.
The video below shows Dusky Lynn’s winning run at The American West Regional Finals at The South Point in January. She is on her horse Wally.
Question: At most of the places you go, your competition has more experience than you. How do you overcome that?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer: Because I am younger than everyone there, there’s a good chance the other barrel racers have already run at the arena and I probably haven’t. I always get there early enough to at least ride my horses in the arena before I compete. Even if the barrels aren’t set up, I will find the stakes or the lasers and trot or lope my horses around them so I can get a feel for the pattern. If the race offers warm ups or exhibitions, I will do exhibitions on all of my horses. I think going an extra step to make myself and my horses more prepared helps us compete better. We also try to compete places we know are set up well for us. If there is an arena that we just don’t do well in, we won’t go back there. We try to set my horses up for success as much as we can.
Question: When you first started really competing, is there something you wish you would have known then that you know now?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer: I would just tell myself to never stop chasing your dreams or give up. If you work hard and try hard, success is going to happen.
The sky is the limit it seems for the youngest million-dollar barrel racer, Dusky Lynn Hall.
Question: What is your favorite thing to read?
Dusky Lynn’s Answer:
I love reading for school. I usually have about 10 book reports I have to do each year. Right now I am reading, “The Girl Who Drank the Moon” and “Elephant in the Garden.” If I get to choose what I read, I usually read about horses and how they are bred. I like knowing which bloodlines are winning the most and how horses are connected.
Cowkid Devotional
By High Call Ministries Pastor Kelly Cronkhite
Kelly is not your typical pastor. He’s a Jesus-loving cowboy, rancher and roper.
It is estimated that the Bible started being written more than 3,000 years ago. That’s a long time! But, unlike any other book available, the Bible is what we call a “living document.” The Bible is God’s word. His instruction manual for life. His love letter to humankind back then and today. He knew what would be happening in today’s world when the Bible first started being written thousands of years ago and He made sure it would still be relevant to us today. This month, we took some scriptures you can memorize and use when you need them — just like our ancestors did before us.
When you are nervous or unsure:
2 Timothy 1:7 — For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 —”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Philippians 4:6 — Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
When you don’t feel strong enough: Phillipians 4:13 —For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
When you are scared: Isaiah 41:10 — Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
When you don’t feel like you are enough: Psalm 139:14 —I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
When you are not confident: Jeremiah 17:7 — But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
When you feel alone:
James 4:8 —Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
Romans 8:39 —No power in the sky above or in the earth below —indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
When you need to feel brave: Joshua 1:9 —Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
When you feel like giving up: Galatians 6:9 — Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
When you need to forgive: Colossians 3:13 —Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
These are just a few examples of scripture that still apply to the troubles we face today. I encourage you to find a translation of the Bible that makes sense to you and spend time reading it every day. God will plant the scripture you need in your heart and it will guide you in the direction you need to go. Until next time, God bless you!
Horse Care Tip of the Month
By Equine Veterinarian Zach Bruggen
Winter Workout Blues
Has winter weather been keeping you out of the saddle? Dr. Bruggen has some easy stretches and physical therapy exercises you can practice with your rodeo horse when it is too snowy, muddy or cold to ride.
Depending on where you live, winter can be brutal. If you feel like all you do is feed and water your horses during the winter months, you aren’t alone - I feel the same! One way we can continue to build the bond with our horses and keep them strong and healthy during less-than-ideal weather is with stretching and physical therapy exercises. Below are a few pictures of ideas you can try. None of these exercises take very long, which makes them ideal for cold weather. Also, all of these exercises can be done at a walk or trot so they are safe to do anywhere you can find a dry spot - even if it isn’t in your arena. That darn groundhog saw his shadow again, so spend these last few weeks of winter working on these stretches and exercises with your rodeo horses.
***NOTE*** Make sure to listen to your horse. Watch their cues. If they seem like they are in pain or unwilling to do an exercise or stretch, back off. Ask your parents or veterinarian to watch your horse and see if there is a reason they are unwilling to do the exercise.
Hill Stretch
Much like people, horses can get sore in their “lower back.” This area on a horse is the area of the back that is closest to the horse’s rump. We can stretch this area by teaching our horses to put their front feet at the top of a hill and their back feet at the bottom. At first, use a small hill and try to get them to stand in this position for 30 seconds. As the horse gets more used to the stretch, you can let them stay in that position for 1 or even 2 minutes. As your horse realizes how good the stretch feels, you might even notice them stretching themselves in the pasture, or putting their head down to make the stretch deeper!
Hill Work
Another good use for hills is to use them to build muscle and balance. Walking and trotting uphill helps build muscle in their back and hindquarters, which makes them stronger in their stops, turns and accelerations. Walking and trotting downhill (make sure you have semi-dry footing) helps horses with their balance. If it is too cold to saddle, just lead your horse up and down the hill! You will both get stronger. To start, walk your horse up and down a hill 5 to 6 times a day several days a week. As your horse gets stronger, you can start trotting them up and down. You can also get creative and back them up and down the hill or walk them sideways across the hill both directions. Just don’t overdo it. Hill work is harder than it looks and a little bit goes a long way.
Ground Poles
You might not be getting to do a lot of pole bending this winter, but you can still use your poles! Space your poles equally apart and then knock them over. Walk and/or trot your horse over all six poles 4 to 5 times, several days a week. Ground poles help build core strength in your horse and also work to build stability in important joints like the stifle and hock. If your arena is muddy, pick a flat, semi-dry surface somewhere in the grass.
Backing
Backing your horse is something we often overlook or do incorrectly. When we back horses from the ground correctly, we can really tone and strengthen their muscles and reinforce their respect for us as their leader. Start by asking for a few backwards steps at a time. Try to get them to back without pulling on them with the lead rope. Rather, use your body position to drive them backwards. The horse’s head should be even with or below their withers and their back should be slightly rounded. Ideally, we want them to pick up and place their back feet, rather than slide or shuffle them, but that might not be possible for every horse. As your horse gets better at backing, try backing up or down a hill for an added challenge.
Massage Grooming
As long as you don’t use too much pressure, there really isn’t a right or wrong way to massage your horse. Use a rubber curry comb and massage your horse in circular motions. Most horses love this and if you pay attention to their cues, they will tell you the spots they need massaged most. They might lean into the brush, lick their lips, sigh or even close their eyes to tell you how much they appreciate your work. Massage can help their muscles from getting stiff and helps build the bond between you and your horse when saddle time is few and far between. It also is a good opportunity for you to notice any soreness or injuries on your horse.
Exercise of the Month:
Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift with a Target
By Logan Corbett with Champion Living Fitness
You probably know you have a dominant hand - for most of us, it is the hand we write with. But, did you know you might also have a dominant leg? In the sport of rodeo, every single event requires great balance, which can be hard to accomplish if one side of your body is stronger than the other. This month’s exercise focuses on correcting those imbalances so you can ride better, run faster and feel stronger. The exercise also helps strengthen the muscles around the foot, ankle and knee, which can help prevent rolled ankles and knee injuries. I recommend starting with 5 lifts on each side several days a week. As the exercise gets easier, increase the number of lifts per side and watch your hard work pay off in the arena! Remember, a little bit of exercise every day will make you stronger, more balanced and less likely to get injured.
Rodeo Word of the Month:
Slack
Slack
In rodeo, slack can mean a couple different things. It can be a roping term used to describe the portion of the rope between your loop and coils. You must pull your slack to get your loop tight around the calf or steer’s neck, horns or feet.
The second way the word slack is used is to describe entries. During a performance, there are usually only 10-15 contestants per event. However, there might be more contestants entered in the rodeo than the performance time allows for. Therefore, many rodeos will hold a slack during the day to accommodate all the contestants who want to enter. Their times will count towards the payout, even though they won’t be competing during the rodeo performance. Some contestants actually prefer to perform during the slack because it is more laidback and might be at a more convenient time for their schedule.
Rodeo Math Problem of the Month:
Miles per Gallon
How far can you make it on a tank of diesel fuel?
Max and Elsie’s family have a diesel truck with a 35-gallon fuel tank. With their living quarters horse trailer on, the truck averages 8 miles per gallon of fuel. If the tank is full when they leave, about how many miles can the family travel before they have to stop and fill up? If their rodeo is 300 miles from their house, will they be able to make it on one tank of fuel, or will they need to stop and fill up with diesel? If diesel costs $3.50/gallon, how much will it cost to fill up their truck?
This illustration is from the “Short Go and the Junior Rodeo Trail” chapter book. To order the book, have your parents click here.
Reading Comprehension:
Controlling Our Thoughts
This is a page from our previous COWKIDS ONLY blog professional Ty Hillman in his book, “Mind Fuel.” To read more mental strength tips from Ty and learn about his book, checkout his COWKIDS ONLY blog post.
Do you ever think about what you are thinking about? It seems like a strange concept, but in order to change how we feel, we must change our thoughts. We feel what we focus on. If we are in a high-pressure situation and we focus on what our friends and family will think about us if we fail, we feel completely different than if we focus on the task at hand and remember how many hours we have practiced and perfected what we are about to do. The former leads to fear and anxiety, while the latter leads to feelings of peace and confidence.
Successful people in any endeavor make a habit out of focusing on what is in their control and the task at hand rather than focusing on things outside of their control and letting their mind run wild with the “what ifs.”
Test Your Comprehension:
When you start to think about the “what ifs” (What if I miss? What if I hit a barrel? What if I fail this test?), how can you change your thinking to a more positive approach?
What is something you can control when you are competing?
What is something you can’t control when you are competing?
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Thank you for reading our blog! We want to hear your thoughts! Click here to send us any questions, comments or feedback you have! 〰️