Late morning on September 7, Labor Day, I was hot-footing it north on Interstate 5, heading home from judging a horse show in Eugene, Oregon. As I sung along with the radio, I noted to myself how dry the Willamette Valley looked. Along the way I stopped off to meet …
Read MoreOut of the Ashes – Stories of Generosity Remind Us of Humanity’s Kindness
There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. These are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns—those things we don’t know we don’t know. – Donald Rumsfeld Wellness weighs heavy on our minds these days. It …
Read MoreExploring Options in Equine Wellness – Sometimes We Find What We Need in the Unknown
It’s late July as I write this column and I’m preparing to make the eight-hour drive down to the Oregon Horse Center to judge a Working Equitation show. Hurray! It’s the first horse show I’ve been to in 2020. I’m excited to see horses and people in the flesh. I’ll …
Read MoreLearning Continues – A Computer, Wi-Fi, and Imagination Create Opportunity
Training is directing your horse toward something he doesn’t know. – Anna Blake When I was in my late teens, I worked with an older horse trainer I respected a great deal. He didn’t talk a lot, but one of the things he told me was this: “Train a …
Read MoreMaturity Brings Excellence in Horse Training- Move Slowly, Take Your Time, and Take Breaks
My young horse, Gus, turned three years old in May. The years have flown by since I brought him home as a pudgy weanling, and now it’s time to start him under saddle. He’s a typical adolescent—bumbling and silly in one moment, taking my breath away with his athleticism and …
Read MoreHope for the Future – Well-Bred Performance Horses Make Training a Joy
I just wanted to mow the lawn. After weeks of rain the sky finally cleared. My grass was knee deep and I figured I could get a little done after the evening chores. But five minutes into the job one of the tires fell off its rim. Oh bother! There …
Read MoreTack is Useful Art – The Stuff We Need and the Stuff We Love
“What I love about people (and I do love people) is that crises bring out the best in them. And the best people aren’t people, they’re animals.” – Stephen Colbert I’ll admit it, I’ve been rather sad lately. The world seems darker than usual. There’s a lot of bad news …
Showing Offers Opportunity for Growth By Kim Roe I love horse shows. I love arriving on the grounds and seeing all the beautiful, excited horses and happy people. I love the anticipation, the drama, and great performances. I love picnics and peaceful behind-the-barn napping in the shade. But showing involves …
Farm Life is Lived in the Present By Kim Roe So come the storms of winter and then The birds in spring again I have no fear of time For who knows how my love grows? And who knows where the time goes? – Sandy Denny The song …
Read MoreEditor’s Postcard: Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Over 30 years ago I moved to Whatcom County, Washington. Not long after, I was invited to go watch the International Plowing Match in Lynden. The event is still vivid in my memory. There were draft horses of many breeds (and a few mules) and generations of handlers who walked …
We’re celebrating 25 years in the industry! What does that mean for you? It takes a team of dedicated individuals to keep this information coming to you. We love the content provided by local experts in veterinary care, training, farm management, and more. We love celebrating our regional clubs and organizations too! Join our local community today with a small contribution.
Thank you for helping us keep The Northwest Horse Alive!
Karen Pickering, Publisher
