Sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition
Success with a performance horse starts long before the blue ribbons are awarded. More often, it is shaped in quiet moments: the steady rhythm of a barn aisle, the deliberate pacing of rehabilitation, the slow return of appetite and muscle tone. For world champion steer wrestler Ty Erickson and professional horse trainer Cierra Erickson, this past season has been a testament to the kind of resilience that only develops when a rider and horse rebuild themselves side by side.
The three of them have shared long miles, victories, setbacks and, last year, a parallel battle with injury and illness that tested every bit of willpower between them. What they learned in the process was not about competition at all. It was about care, patience, routine and how to support an athlete from the inside out.
A season that changed everything
In early 2024, Ty unexpectedly suffered a severe ankle injury during a run. The damage was extensive: a dislocation, torn tendons, bone trauma and months of rehab ahead. Riding, let alone competing, suddenly became an unknown.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through,” Ty recalls. “Every day was rehab. Icing, stretching, laser treatments, whatever I could do to heal.” After Ty worked to regain his strength in 2024, another challenge unfolded in the barn the following spring.
The Erickson’s 14-year-old 2024 AQHA Horse of the Year, Finding Meno aka “Crush,” fell critically ill. What began as a routine concern turned into a life-threatening infection. The horse spent weeks in intensive care, lost alarming amounts of weight and returned home with his topline hollowed, ribs visible and energy depleted. “He lost tons of weight. It was very touch and go,” said Cierra.
Over the course of two seasons, the Ericksons managed two rehabilitation journeys, one for Ty and one for Crush, both requiring consistency and long-term strategy.
Nutrition: A key piece of the puzzle
In addition to working with their trusted veterinarian, Crush’s recovery included a detailed nutrition plan tailored to help rebuild strength and muscle safely and steadily. For Cierra, who manages all ten of their performance horses’ conditioning programs, the approach had to be thoughtful and backed by science.
They shifted Crush to Purina ® Equine Senior ® Active for higher calorie density, digestive benefits and the fat content needed to help regain body condition without overwhelming his system. Equine Senior ® Active gave Crush the calories and fat he needed while keeping him comfortable, according to Cierra. “He cleaned up every meal, and that alone was huge.”
They paired this with Purina ® SuperSport ® Amino Acid Supplement, which helped support his muscle recovery. “SuperSport helped him rebuild his muscle mass and stacked his muscle back on,” Cierra explains. “It was the foundation for him.”
As he recovered, hydration became another priority. Purina ® RepleniMash ® played an essential role in helping Crush drink consistently, even when on the road. “Hydration is the easiest thing to lose track of, especially with a horse coming off health challenges,” Cierra says. “RepleniMash encouraged him to take in more water.”
Each change was incremental, but the cumulative effect was undeniable.
Rebuilding through routine
The Ericksons rebuilt with routine, the quiet anchor that defines their training program. “You see big progress over time,” Ty says. “But only if you’re consistent every day.”
At home, Cierra handles the conditioning rides, tailoring each horse’s program based on unique needs and body condition. For Crush, she adjusted the intensity day by day, slowly reintroducing strength work while allowing ample recovery.
Crush has always been a naturally settled horse, known for his steadiness. But even he has quirks. Fireworks unsettle him, certain environments can heighten his sensitivity and he depends heavily on the reassurance of predictable routines.
The Ericksons kept his routine predictable with the same feeding windows, same grooming order and same pre-work warmups. “He needed to feel like himself again,” she says. “That meant not pushing him too fast, letting the conditioning come naturally as he regained confidence.”
A return built on resilience
Both Ty and Crush stepped back into full work, not because they rushed, but because they rebuilt slowly and diligently. Ty said he did not want to let the setback define him, but it took perseverance to fully recover. Cierra shares the same sentiment. “You can either fall into a victim mindset or choose to put in the work. Ty didn’t quit. Crush didn’t quit. They both fought for this comeback.”
Today, Crush stands strong and confident again, a testament not just to veterinary care and nutrition, but to the quiet, consistent commitment that defines the Erickson program. “We’re grateful,” Cierra says. “Every ride is something we don’t take for granted.”
Because true success is not measured in buckles, applause, or fast runs. It is measured in muscle regained and the quiet triumph of a horse and rider who were not ready to quit.
Learn more or get in touch with a horse nutrition expert at purinamills.com/horse-feed .
