“It’s the bulls and blood, it’s the dust and mud, it’s the roar of the Sunday crowd…” (Garth Brooks).
Whatever your reason for falling in love with rodeo, you can’t deny that once you’re in, there’s no going back. Whether you’re a barrel racer or a team roper, a participant or a fan, there is no denying that when you walk through the doors of your favorite rodeo; the sound of a country song that speaks to your soul hits you… you’re home.
But all good things must come to an end… or do they…?
Keep reading to find out how to keep your rodeo spirit alive all year round.
Does rodeo have a season?
Yes. Most rodeos take place in the late spring through the summer. But most of the finals take place in the fall and winter. If you are a fan of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), then keep an eye on their calendar for pro rodeo event details and locations.
What should I bring to a winter rodeo for my horse?
If you are planning on attending a Winter rodeo, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to bring for your horse.
A small (or large) camp stove
Bringing a camp stove (along with a propane heater) to a winter rodeo event is a game changer and will a huge difference for your horse too. If you plan on working your horse at the rodeo this winter, you’ll want to keep them as warm as possible while they are working hard.
That includes their insides as well. Make sure your horse drinks warm (not hot) water. If they are having a hard time drinking, soak some grain in hot water. Make sure it cools down a little before you give it to your horse.
Camp Chef Two Burner Stove Explorer
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Extra grain
As an experienced horse person, you know that you need to bring food for your horse. When packing, keep in mind, they will be burning extra calories due to the cold and extra work. Be sure to keep their calorie intake up so they don’t lose weight. In high-energy situations, horses have a hard time remembering to drink water. Grain is a fantastic way to get your horse to drink water too. Soak their grain in it. Your horse will eat it up so fast you’ll barely have time to blink. If you soak their grain in water, make sure the water is hot and at least 5-6 inches over the top of their grain. Letting it sit to cool for at least 10 minutes will allow the grain to soak up the water and will help in the prevention of your horse choking.
Little Giant, Feed Pan, 3 gal
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A thick blanket or a riding blanket
When horses work in the winter and get sweaty or rained on, they can develop a chill. If you plan on exercising your horse while the temperatures are near freezing, get your horse a blanket. Having a blanket on hand to put on them while their core temperature is up and they are all sweaty will prevent them from developing a chill and getting sick. If your horse is used to being outside without a blanket only put their blanket on until their sweat has dried. You will want to get a blanket that is mid-weight. Check out our blog post for everything you need to know about properly blanketing your horse this winter.
If you choose to get a riding blanket, use it only until your horse is warmed up, and then take it off.
A spare saddle blanket
If your horse is working hard during your event, then they are definitely getting sweaty underneath their saddle blanket. While it’s not necessary, having an extra saddle pad for the winter months will help with sweat control. Keeping a dry saddle pad on hand will help soak up the excess moisture and aid in keeping them from getting too sweaty under the saddle.
Coat Defense
Have you ever used dry shampoo before? No? Well, if you haven’t, here’s how it works. You put a little bit of the powder or spray onto the greasy parts of your hair and it absorbs the oil, leaving your hair looking fresh and rejuvenated.
What does this have to do with horses, you ask?
There is a product called Coat Defense that, if used properly will help dry your horse’s sweat. Do this after you’ve pulled off their saddle pad during the cold months, it prevents rain rot and helps your horse dry out faster so they won’t catch a chill.
What events can I do in the winter?
Barrel racing, roping, and team penning all have events that continue throughout the winter months. Check in with your local event arena or groups for their schedule of events.
If you have a horse and are wanting to start rodeo, check in with your local gymkhana groups.
What is gymkhana? It’s an event, much like rodeo, but it focuses on fast pattern racing. It is more horse oriented and doesn’t (usually) have any other animals involved. It is a great way to introduce your horse to the fast-paced world of rodeo. If you’ve never done a show or event before, gymkhanas are a fantastic introduction to that arena without the high intensity that can often coincide with the bigger events.
Where can I watch rodeo?
There are many places where you can watch rodeo events in the winter.
Since most winter events are separate from your typical rodeo, you’ll likely find individual events instead of a whole one. There are a few full rodeos around during the winter if you are willing to travel. If you don’t want to risk the “winter wonderland” for an event, you can stream events on Cowboy Cowboy+, RFV-TV Now, or find The Cowboy Channel on your cable provider.
If you’re near (or have the means to travel to) Red Bluff, CA towards the end of December, the California Circuit Rodeo Finals are happening. If you’re not in an area that promotes big-time rodeo events check out your county fairgrounds or local Expo calendar.
Looking for more ideas to keep that rodeo fire burning? Check out these places for more info about events and
California:
If you are anywhere near Petaluma, give the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds a call for their events schedule. Their staff are super friendly and knowledgeable and can point you in the right direction.
Oregon:
Are you near the Salem area? Or are planning to head that way soon? Check out the Oregon State Fairgrounds event calendar for their event schedule. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give them a call instead!
Washington:
The Washington State Fairgrounds has a great calendar on its website for keeping an eye on events over the long winter months. If you can’t find the event you’re looking for, signup for their newsletter. You can also call them to inquire about different types of events or schedule one.
