Northwest Horse Source Articles

From Rodeos to the Racetrack

2010-03-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of the horse opportunities Washington has to offerBy Nicole Lanphear“And they’re off!”The racing bells of Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, echo throughout the state at the largest racetrack in the area. From April to September, the dirt flies as thoroughbreds shoot from the gates.Emerald Downs is but a small piece of the equestrian activity available throughout Washington

Spotlight on the News - February 2010

2010-03-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

Norwegian Fjord from NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center was Chosen Prestigious "Equine of the Year" by NARHAKleng, an 18-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse who has carried hundreds of disabled riders on his strong back over the years at the NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center (NWTRC) outside Bellingham, Washington, won the 2009 Equine of the Year Award, presented in

Earn Your Horse's Respect, Part 1

2010-03-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

Put your safety first and establish a respectful distance when training your horseby Clinton Anderson, Downunder HorsemanshipA respectful horse is a willing horse. When you ask him to move, he does so instantly. When you lead him, he walks next to you like a shadow. When you go into his stall, he greets you with his ears pricked forward. He wants to be your

Get Away with the NWRCHA

2010-03-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

An introduction to the people of the Northwest Reined Cow Horse Associationby Allison TrimbleFor many hard-working people who love their horses, finding time for themselves can be extremely challenging. We all have so many responsibilities that there can be little time left for family or friends. In the past 10 years, horse shows have been my only vacations. I got to thinking about the large

The Plus Sign Exercise

2010-03-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Use of ground poles and the cavalletti, part 4by Alice TrindleFebruary is often not a favorite month for aspiring horsemen and women, as it is hard to become motivated when the snow has drifted into the trailer and through the arena door and it takes five layers of clothing to just make it out to catch your horse. Often, my winter mind has drifted as well, and it takes real dedication to get

Save Money and Ease Your Workload

2010-03-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Reducing bedding, part 2by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean WaterUsing less bedding saves you time and money in three ways:1) in ease of stall cleaning2) in having less stall waste to deal with3) in helping you end up with a nicer compost product with less carbon (from the bedding) in the compost.This month we wind up the series on bedding reduction by discussing alternative beddings.Alternative

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

2010-03-01T07:03:00.000-08:00

Determining your horse’s work intensity for feeding purposesby Larry Lawrence, DVMOptimal nutrition of the performance horse hinges foremost on the exercise it performs. Just as the diet of a human bodybuilder is dissimilar to that of a marathon runner, most horses are fed with performance goals in mind. Therefore, accurately assessing the level of work performed by a horse is essential in

Heel Pain in Horses

2010-03-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

Understanding navicular conditions to improve your horse's healthby R. Paul SchwabMost horse owners have heard the dreaded term "navicular disease." It falls in the category with Strangles and colic as far as terms you hope your veterinarian doesn’t mention when discussing the health and soundness of your horse. But what is navicular disease?Navicular disease has been used over the years to

Let 'er Buck!

2010-02-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Pendleton Round-Up celebrates 100 years of the wild NorthwestCowboys and cowgirls may be a thing of the past to some, but their modern day counterparts still keep up that Wild West spirit. Here in the Pacific Northwest, there is no better celebration of the western way of life, past and present, than the premier event of September each year in Pendleton, Oregon:

Old Horses, New Friends: NWHS Reader Perspectives

2010-02-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

We asked our newsletter* readers to tell us about their experiences buying, selling and adopting horses in 2009. Here's what they had to say..."I attended an auction in Calhan, CO. I had no intentions of buying anything--just looking. Yeah, right. We all know that saying."I had seen this horse outside, but he would not turn and come to me, he just ate and ate.

January 2010 - Spotlight on the News

2010-02-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

“Country Lifestyle Experience” Second Annual Small Farm ExpoExpanded for 2010!Thee 2010 event will expand from two days to a three-day weekend, running from April 16 through the 18th at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center in Albany, Oregon. This unique expo features a variety of workshops, demonstrations, lectures, live animal exhibits and a trade show. According to

No More Worming Worries

2010-02-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

Retrain a horse that’s hard to worm in seven stepsby Clinton AndersonWorming is one of the basic elements of good horsekeeping and should be a worry-free, routine practice that takes place several times a year. For many people and their horses, worming time means trouble. The owner becomes frustrated because the horse is difficult to worm and the horse becomes

The New Reality of Breeding

2010-02-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Where are we heading with the horse breeding industry?by Allison TrimbleThese days we all are being more selective about when and how we spend our money. The horse market, considered a luxury market for most people, has been struggling. As we look forward to this breeding season I want to share with you what I have done as a breeder and stallion owner to stay afloat.Financial SenseI went into

Reducing Bedding, Part 1

2010-02-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Save money and ease your workload, part 1 of 2By Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean WaterReducing bedding usage is a smart management idea for any size horse property. Less bedding means cleaning stalls will be easier and faster, since you won’t have to hunt around for manure in mounds of shavings. It also means you end up with less stall waste to deal with. If you compost, that means less carbon

The Cattle Guard Exercise

2010-02-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Use of ground poles and the cavalletti, continuedby Alice Trindle2010 marks another year of opportunity to grow together in our horsemanship skills and knowledge through the pages of The Northwest Horse Source. We have a great progression to explore, starting with two more articles regarding the use of ground poles and cavalletti. After that, we move into a ten-month exploration of starting and

Water: The Overlooked Nutrient

2010-02-01T07:03:00.000-08:00

A look at factors surrounding water intake for optimal equine healthby Dr. Larry LawrenceThe most important nutrient in the horse’s diet is one that is rarely added to feeds: water. Though it is often overlooked in discussions involving equine nutrition, water could be considered the first limiting nutrient of all horses, as they cannot survive for as many days without water as they can without

Sleep Deprivation in Horses Part 2 of 2

2010-02-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

Is your horse getting enough sleep?by Dave Sauter, DVM As noted in last month's article, sleep deprivation will occur in horses if they are either prevented from lying down or unwilling to do so. Unlike humans, horses take several days or even weeks to develop symptoms of sleep deprivation. Symptoms include:Excessive daytime sleepinessCollapsing episodes, especially during relaxing circumstances

Equine Photography for Buyers and Sellers

2010-01-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

A picture can be worth a thousand words...or dollars by Catherine MaderaIn the equine marketplace, the impact of good photography should not be underestimated. For sellers, it can mean the difference between a casual glance and a sale. For those buying, be aware that pictures can be accidentally or deliberately misleading, camouflaging conformation flaws, unsightly scars or injuries. With a few

Live Long, Live Well

2010-01-01T07:15:00.000-08:00

What to look for as your horse gets into its senior yearsby Ron Colton, DVM, Evergreen Equine Veterinary PracticeWe don’t know just how many older horses there are, but we do know that number is growing. If you don’t have an older horse now, chances are you will someday. Learning to recognize the early signs of age-related declines in health can make a big difference in your horse’s quality and

The Left to Right Hip Shot

2010-01-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

Learn one of the more difficult—and impressive—ranch roping shots.by Pat HooksEditor's note: If you missed Pat Hooks' previous article on Ranch Roping, "Basic Head Shots," in our June 2009 issue, you can read it online at http://content.yudu.com/Library/A17swc/NWHSJune2009/resources/30.htm. Or go to nwhorsesource.com, click Past Issues in the menu, and scroll down to June 2009.This go-'round, let

Spotlight on the News - December 2009

2010-01-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

Grand Mobility – Advanced Joint Support Formula for Dogs by Grand MeadowsProduct review by Karen PickeringEndorsed by the National Animal Supplement Council, Grand Mobility provides maximum support for healthy joint function and connective tissue health, formulated to help protect your dog's joints for long-term benefits. The product is a combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, MSM,

Senior Show Horses

2010-01-01T07:09:00.000-08:00

The top 5 things to consider for aging show horsesby Allison TrimbleI went through the near-retirement of my good bridle horse, Smokums Playlena “Playboy,” a few years ago. It was a heartbreaking reality. As an 11-year-old, he was starting to have some health and maintenance issues. After quite an ordeal, he was finally diagnosed with tendonitis under his coffin and navicular bones. Cow horses

Ground Pole Exercises

2010-01-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

Use of ground poles and the cavalletti, part 2by Alice TrindleWith the holiday season upon us, it seems we have even less time to spend with our horses. It is a rush everywhere, with every activity in which we partake. So here is a little reminder from the point of view of the horse: slow down! During this very busy time in our human calendar, remember to take that deep breath, recall the

Thwarting Thieves

2010-01-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

Security strategies for horse ownersby April LaLande, Horses for Clean WaterMany of us tend to spend every spare cent on our four-legged friends and their accoutrements, rarely thinking about how those pennies can add up. That gorgeous show saddle, comfy trail gear or handmade brow-band--how would we feel if they were stolen? Or, even more overwhelming, what if one of our horses were stolen?

Vitamins and Minerals Explained

2010-01-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Which supplements are necessary, and when are you offering too much of a good thing?by Wendy Harless Mollat, DVM, Diplomate ACVIMAs noted in last month's column, the bulk of your horse's diet should come from good quality forage (hay, hay pellets or hay-based complete feeds); however, the addition of certain supplements is often necessary to make up for vitamin and mineral deficits that may be