Riding Against The Odds

Rachel Fenske
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Talking about overcoming challenges from life, rodeo, and everything in between. As well as tying in tips for rodeo and barrel racing, daily life as a rodeo student athlete, and learning things together along the way! linktr.ee/Rfr_rodeo

  1. 6d ago

    Lasix Part 2: Have We Been Looking at EIPH the Wrong Way?

    In my first Lasix episode, we covered what Lasix is, how it works, and why it remains one of the most controversial medications in horse sports. This week, we're taking the conversation a step further. Recent research has challenged some long-held beliefs about Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and asks a difficult question: Have we become so focused on preventing every trace of bleeding that we've stopped asking what bleeding actually means? We'll discuss what researchers are rethinking about EIPH, whether all bleeding is harmful, how Lasix has shaped the racing industry, and what the future might look like if the sport continues moving toward medication-free competition. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  2. Aug 7

    Treating, Preventing, and Understanding Ulcer Management

    Ulcer treatment is NOT as simple as throwing horses on omeprazole and hoping for the best. In Part 2 of this ulcer series, we discuss:• How ulcers are actually diagnosed• Why squamous and glandular ulcers are different• Omeprazole and how it works• Why some horses relapse repeatedly• The role of nutrition and management in prevention• Treatment mistakes people commonly make• Why medication alone often isn’t enough The goal shouldn’t just be treating ulcers.It should be understanding WHY they developed in the first place. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  3. Jul 31

    What Ulcers Really Look Like — Signs, Causes, and Misconceptions

    Ulcers are one of the most common and misunderstood problems in the horse world. A horse does NOT have to look skinny to have ulcers. And not every ulcered horse shows obvious symptoms. In this episode, we discuss:• The difference between squamous and glandular ulcers• Why horses are naturally prone to ulcers• Behavioral vs physical signs of ulcers• Why body condition score alone means almost nothing• Nutrition and management risk factors• The hidden ways ulcers affect performance and attitude• Why so many ulcer signs get dismissed as “behavior problems.” Sometimes what people call “attitude” is actually discomfort. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  4. Jul 24

    Mental Toughness vs Burnout – Knowing the Line

    The horse world praises people who never stop. The riders who push through injuries.The ones who never miss a run.The ones who stay strong no matter what. But nobody talks enough about what happens when survival mode becomes your personality. In this episode, I open up about the difference between true mental toughness and burnout — because there’s a point where constantly pushing yourself stops building you and starts emptying you. We discuss:• The emotional exhaustion that hides behind “hard work”• Why burnout often looks like numbness, irritability, and loss of passion• The pressure ambitious people put on themselves to always keep going• Why rest feels uncomfortable when your worth is tied to productivity• The difference between discipline and self-destruction• Learning that slowing down does not mean giving up Sometimes the strongest people are the ones carrying the heaviest things in silence. And sometimes healing starts the moment you stop treating yourself like a machine. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  5. Jul 17

    Why “Just Have Fun” Is Harder Than It Sounds

    People always say:“Just relax.”“Just enjoy it.”“Just have fun.” But when your dreams matter deeply to you, it’s rarely that simple. In this episode, I talk about the emotional pressure behind rodeo, competition, and ambition — and why so many athletes struggle to enjoy the thing they love most. We discuss:• How passion slowly turns into pressure• The fear of wasting potential or falling behind• Why perfectionism steals joy from the process• The emotional weight athletes carry quietly• Learning how to be present instead of constantly chasing the next goal• Reconnecting with the reason you started in the first place Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t working harder. Sometimes it’s allowing yourself to enjoy where you already are. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  6. Jul 10

    Learning to Ride for Yourself, Not the Crowd

    In a world full of opinions, social media, pressure, and competition, it’s easy to forget why you started riding in the first place. This episode is about learning how to stop performing for everyone else and reconnect with riding for yourself again. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo and Rocket Donkey using code RachelF10 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

  7. Jun 26

    Rebuilding Confidence After a Setback

    Sometimes one moment changes the way you see yourself. And suddenly something that once felt natural starts feeling terrifying. In this episode, I talk about the emotional side of rebuilding confidence after setbacks, because losing confidence doesn’t always happen loudly. Sometimes it happens quietly in hesitation, overthinking, and fear nobody else notices. We discuss: • How setbacks affect your identity as a rider • The silent fear that follows difficult experiences • Why confidence is not the absence of fear • Rebuilding trust in yourself one small moment at a time • Learning to stop punishing yourself for being human • Carrying lessons forward without letting them control your future Confidence rarely returns all at once. Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo, Rocket Donkey and Bucked Up using code RachelF10, and Swingin9t using code RachelFenske14

  8. Jun 19

    The Role of Nutrition in Barrel Racing Performance & Longevity

    Nutrition is one of the most overlooked parts of the horse world, but it impacts everything from stamina and recovery to soundness and longevity. In this episode of Riding Against the Odds, I dive into: • How nutrition affects barrel racing performance • Why forage and hydration matter more than people realize • The connection between feeding, injury prevention, and recovery • Why more supplements doesn’t always mean better • The importance of individualized feeding programs • How nutrition supports long-term equine health and soundness Links & Resources: Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Rfr_rodeo for behind-the-scenes content also visit our sponsors Tacktical and Ranch Dress’n using code Rfr_rodeo, Rocket Donkey and Bucked Up using code RachelF10, and Swingin9t using code RachelFenske14 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your rodeo friends! Got a question or topic you'd love to hear about? Send me an email at rachelfenske1@gmail.com  See you next week! Keep those barrels tight and your dreams big!

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About

Talking about overcoming challenges from life, rodeo, and everything in between. As well as tying in tips for rodeo and barrel racing, daily life as a rodeo student athlete, and learning things together along the way! linktr.ee/Rfr_rodeo

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Fenske
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Fenske
  • Show Website
    Riding Against The Odds