Idaho native, Megan McLeod, is making her presence known in the world of barrel racing. The 27-year-old Platinum Performance client declares that healthy horses are one of the most important aspects to success in her sport. With residences in Idaho, Arizona and Texas, and many shows in between, McLeod and her horses spend a lot of time on the road, which is why their health and soundness is her top priority.

We caught up with McLeod, on the road, at the National Barrel Horse Association Professional’s Choice Las Vegas Super Show. She turned in a successful weekend, with two finalists in the 1D barrel race. Consisting of over 700 entries on Saturday, McLeod garnered third place in the 1D on her 13-year-old barrel horse, “Uh-oh.” An astounding accomplishment for Uh-Oh, McLeod points out he’s recently been upgraded from “the back-up” to her “go-to-guy.” Uh-Oh also placed in the 1D in the Friday race of 670 entries. Even her 15-year-old, semi-retired horse, ‘Petey,” rose to the occasion to place seventh in Saturday’s 1D.

Running barrels since she was old enough to ride a horse, McLeod declares, “I always craved the speed.” Today, she mainly competes in the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association. She’s qualified for several tour finales and many major short rounds. And, in the expression of a true horsewoman, she notes that the biggest accomplishment is having qualified for these finales and short rounds on several different horses.

Although, like anyone on the road, her biggest goal is to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo. But, that won’t be her focus this year. “I have been mostly involved in rodeo until as of late. I had a futurity colt last year, who I’ve taken to derbies this year. I also purchased two 3-year olds this spring that I plan to futurity either as 4- or 5-year olds,” McLeod says. “My mom is a proven, and great, futurity horse trainer, and I would really love to follow in her footsteps, or at least get my horses to follow in her horses hoof prints.”

The past few years have seen McLeod on the road quite a bit. She is currently hauling three horses. With three on the road and others at home, she shares what it takes to keep them healthy. “Knowing every hair on your horse’s body is the most important thing you can do when traveling.” She explains that it’s imperative to keep them comfortable whether at home or in a box stall, while providing quality feed, water and shelter. “Although some situations are not ideal, letting a horse be a horse is of high importance.”

She believes that feeding a horse right is crucial. “Knowing your horses dietary needs can change not only his performance, but his demeanor,” she says. That’s why Platinum Performance is an integral part of McLeod’s equine-health regimen. She feeds Platinum CJ to all her horses on the road. “I think it is a great product and I’ve been happy with the results I’m seeing,” she says. “My family and I feed Platinum Performance Equine to all the other horses on the place. This includes colts, numerous head horses and barrel horses that don’t get in the trailer as much.”

After her dad discovered Platinum years ago and witnessed the positive changes in their horses, they’ve remained loyal customers. “Their coats got shinier and they put on a bit of weight. It helped to maintain the condition of their feet,” McLeod says.

Then, she started to notice the results of Platinum at a performance level. “Their energy level rose, and I was able to condition them better, resulting in better fit, stronger bodies. Even with a rise in energy levels, their minds stayed intact during training,” she says. “There are so many products out there that we have used and are great products, but when it comes down to putting my horses in the trailer and expecting to compete against the best in the world, Platinum has shown me the best results.”

Barrel racing can be a demanding and sometimes frustrating sport, but McLeod stays true to her own program. She realizes that what works for her might not work for someone else and vice versa. “The only thing I can really say is that there is no book on barrel racing. Ok, well there are lots of books on it, but some are going to work for you and others aren’t. That is the key, finding out what works for you,” she explains. “In the end, however, you have to have a healthy horse to consistently win. It is a big part of the game. Some horses are just higher maintenance, so knowing your horse’s diet, exercise program, and personality can really help to understand what a horse needs to be at the top of his game.”

My horses Name is Rita, she is a 7 year old grey Thouroughbred/Quarter horse. I use her for barrel racing. I got her about a year ago and she hadn’t been to many barrel races or rodeos. Over the past year we have grown together and I think we make an awesome team. We are doing better and better everyday. I am looking forward to taking her to a lot of rodeos/barrel races in the spring to really see what she can do!

Jackie McArthur- San Luis Obispo, CA

My horse Frankie J. is the 2009 California State Champion Pole Bending Horse. He and I will be traveling to New Mexico to compete at Nationals next week. He is a 10 year old AQHA Red Dun gelding. He and I both love the Platinum Performance Bars! I think the Original Bars are the best!

Madison Gibson- Tehachapi, CA

I have the most amazing horse. I ride with the Ohio Top Hands Rodeo Drill Team. My ChrisMiss is a favorite also at nursing homes and theraputic riding centers. She is truely is a Platinum Horse, with her Health Beauty and Disposition.

Rosanna Freeman- Akron, OH

I bought “Iva Lotta Class” aka Jordan in 2003 as a 6 year old. Denise Taylor, the previous owner, trained him. She told me to take him slow and progress at a comfortable time table. It took a year to figure everything out, but when it came together it was great. We were having so much success early and I couldn’t wait to buy my permit for the WPRA. Then one afternoon he was playing with another horse over the barbed wire fence and got his foot caught. It was horrible. We rushed him to vet and found out the wire cut into his coffin joint. The vet said it would take a miracle for this horse to even live nevertheless, be 100% sound.

He said he could do surgery, but said it would be doubtful. I consulted with Dr. Dean Taylor from Utah, who knows this horse very well, and he told me to go ahead with the surgery. There were 2 surgeries to flush the coffin joint and I was right there with him the whole time. I wasn’t going to leave him. He spent a few days at the vet and I was there almost all day every day. The day we brought him home I was so happy. I was told it would be 3 months of stall rest and changing the bandages everyday. I knew I could do it. This horse is my best friend and I would do everything I possible could for him. So I did. I was there day in and out, changing bandages, cleaning the stall, fresh water, and everything I could do. I even sat and talked to him and told him it would be all right. Not to mention the medicine he had to have. But I was positive. He is a strong horse and has a will of nails. After 3 months, we went to the vet to have him checked and the vet couldn’t believe that he was doing so well. He was even sound. Jordan was able to be turned out into a small corral for exercise. Dr. Dean Taylor suggested Platinum Performance Wellness and Ortho Chon II to help him stay sound. I took his advise and haven’t looked back on that. We had the vet re-examine Jordan for soundness and he received a clean bill of health, 100% sound. Jordan continued on rest for a few more months. After the additional 3 months off, I received the go ahead to ride him. Slow exercise first and then gradually more exercise. Well, time came for us to run barrels again. I was thrilled but to only find out he pulled a hind tendon. More rest. 3 more months off. I was disappointed but new it was best for Jordan to have the best care. We decided to rest him for the rest of the year and bring him back the following year. When the time came to run again I was nervous because if something else could go wrong. Jordan ran awesome and won the 1D, but after the run he coughed and blood came out of his nose. I was scared. I called Dr. Dean Taylor and he said he was bleeding. All the questions and thoughts went through my mind. What will I do? We tried Lasix but it didn’t work, he looked horrible on it and didn’t fire at all. Then Dr. Dean Taylor suggested Hemo-Flo from Platinum. I tried it and well, that is what works for Jordan. It is great. He hasn’t had a bleeding issue in a long time. In 2008, Jordan and I filled my permit and thought we were going to do well at the circuit rodeos. Well, I found out hock problems were working against him and once again I consulted with the vet. He suggested Platinum Vet Joint Formula for Jordan. Now Jordan is out and running tough. Lately, he has been outrunning the competiton by 4 tenths and it feels incredible. 2009 will be Jordan’s year. I contribute alot of his success to Dr. Dean Taylor and the products from Platinum Performance. Right now Jordan is on Platinum Performance Wellness, Hemo-Flo, Ortho Chon II, and Platinum Vet Joint Formula. All my horses are on products from Platinum. I wouldn’t trust another company with my horse’s health. Without these products, Jordan wouldn’t be happy and running so tough. Thank you Platinum. I have had people ask me what I am using and I tell Platinum Performance.

Carla from Sheridan, WY