I Don’t Do Surveys...But I Recommend This One!

Fill out the Northwest Horse Source survey and you could win a pair of tickets (1 for each day) to Clinton Anderson’s Walkabout Tour coming to Redmond, Oregon April 10-11, 2010.


I rarely take surveys unless they will truly impact me in some way. If you’re an avid reader of the NWHS, you’ll want to take this survey. At the NWHS we usually do an annual survey and sometimes a short online survey each week to keep people up-to-speed with what’s happening. If you participate in our surveys on-line, you may have noticed that they’ve been absent for a couple of months.

We’re in the midst of a major website upgrade, adding more search capabilities for articles by topic, authors and other information you might be looking for. We’ll have the latest equine information for the Northwest and as always a great events calendar for you to keep up with all the current activities. It’s a great tool for planning your summer as well!

If you took the survey this last fall it hasn’t changed and there’s no need to do it again. So, encourage a friend to take the survey and win the tickets!

This information helps us decide the articles we run and gives us direction on the content we choose as well as select the writers that run in the magazine.

The survey is short, shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. Let us know what you think!
Here’s a link to the survey: http://surveys.ratepoint.com/survey/075f5aa34a3cc215314d6e40f7b84cf4

Hurry! Enter before April 5th for a chance to win.

If you miss the contest, I would encourage you to still participate in the survey. You could have input on the writers that we choose for the magazine. Perhaps a new feature either in print or online too.

Please share this email with your friends and colleagues. The survey will remain open until December 31, 2010.

Thanks again for your participation. Have a great week. Good luck!

Warmly,
Karen

Fun at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo in Albany Oregon

I just returned home from a fantastic weekend in Oregon. Every year I look forward to this Northwest Horse Fair & Expo. Now in its eleventh year, it draws a crowd from all over the Northwest to see the exhibits, horse events and awesome shopping. It’s a place to connect with writers, trainers, clinicians, to see what’s new in equine products and more.

This year was especially fun as I was able to spend some time with Catherine Madera who recently published a teen fiction book, “Rodeo Dreams.” Catherine has written feature articles for the magazine and is a great example of the talent we have right here in the Northwest. I also had the opportunity to meet an up-and-coming writer, Kim Wales. Kim is a talented photographer and artist who has worked with horses most of her life. She met her husband, Hugh, at the racetrack where both worked as jockeys in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industry here on the West Coast. They shared an inspiring story of watching an industry evolve and change through the years.

In addition to Kim’s contributions, I am excited to bring you more articles in upcoming issues of the magazine from Steve Rother. Steve gave several presentations at the expo and is a great example of the talent that comes out of the Northwest. Watch for his first article in the May issue.

The Expo gave me the opportunity to meet Al Dunning, a major horsemen in the performance horse industry - reining and cutting. What a thrill!

As always the Mustang Challenge was a big hit. The stands were packed as the top trainers brought out the Mustangs, which they each had in training for 90 days, for a chance at the prize money and an opportunity to raise money for the Mustang Heritage Foundation.


Finally I must say I just enjoy meeting our readers. The kind comments about the magazine were truly appreciated. I love hearing all the stories and meeting our readers face-to-face. We have such a diverse group of horse people in this region it really makes it fun to hear about the different breeds, riding styles and what really makes people enjoy their horses.
I hope for the opportunity to meet more of you at next year’s expo in March. If you haven’t been you’re really missing out. It truly is great fun and enjoyment. If you have a particular clinician or event that you enjoyed at the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, let me know. Email karen@nwhorsesource.com. I’ll share your comments with our readers. Have a great March and remember to RIDE!

Happy 30th Birthday VP Commotion!

Long on attitude, short on teeth! You have been, & are, the horse I always dreamed of. May the dream & the ride never end. Love, L




Submitted by Lorean
Stanwood, WA

Quality Horse Time

I envy those of you who are actively riding and enjoying your horses. I miss the weekly arena rides with friends and the weekend trail-riding excursions. After my mare, April, was diagnosed with Navicular, I decided to give her this year off. We may take a gentle trail ride or two this summer but it’s time she goes barefoot and rests for the season. Sounds like something I’d like to do!

I’m dusting off the old mare, Dawn, and seeing if she can pack me around for a season. At 24 she still looks and feels great. Her back is showing her age a little but she is just as fresh and active as she was at half this age. She can’t do the hard-core riding I was doing last year but I can still hang with friends and enjoy the outdoors. I think Dawn enjoys being useful again.

We’ve been working very hard on updating the website to bring you more great resources and easier search capabilities. We’ll have a really cool business and club directory with added features. There’s still a lot to be done and I don’t know exactly when we’ll launch but we’ll make the announcement soon. I’ve given up a pile of riding time so I hope you enjoy the new website.

Keep up with all our latest news through the reader newsletter. These are sent out twice monthly. We have the upcoming issue teasers, horse keeping tips and even some Northwest News. If you haven’t signed up yet please visit the homepage of our website and sign up.

I appreciate the comments that are submitted. We’re populating the new website with all the blogs and comments so make sure and keep sending them. I really appreciate the interaction. You can make a comment below this article or email me: karen@nwhorsesource.com. Have a great week and enjoy some quality horse riding time!

Why Do We Have Horses?

Life can be difficult. Recent history has proven this for many of us. We’re blasted by the economic downturn every time we turn on the news. Many have suffered as a result of recent events.

I do believe that we have to take responsibility for our lives. It’s so easy to blame others for our misfortune. What do I have to be thankful for? I find gratitude always brings a new light to dark situations. We need to focus on what’s right, not what’s wrong. I believe it’s that way with our horses. I’ve been very fortunate over the years with relatively minor injuries and small veterinary bills. My time came this past year but I’m still looking forward to enjoying both my horses in the year to come.

Throughout difficult times the horses are my sanity. Caring for them, cleaning their stalls, feeding them; it’s what makes my day worthwhile. I think I enjoy taking care of them as much as I do riding. There is something magical and mystical about horses. They sense storms and dash around the pen in anticipation of the rain and wind. They are truly amazing. They bring calm when everything else seems to be overwhelming.

Even so, I think the practical side of horse ownership can be misleading. No doubt about it, horse keeping is expensive. It’s not for weak budgets or inexperienced beginners who are unaware of the cost of keeping horses. I believe its part of the reason we have so many unwanted horses today. People get in over their head and have no place to turn but let the horses go, or worse, stop caring for them. The problem truly belongs to all of us.

I’m thankful I’ve had horses most of my life and have acquired my horse keeping essentials. I would not want to start over today. Even so, I believe there are many ways to cut horse-keeping costs and enjoy our horses. Through reading and research we have the opportunity to educate ourselves about horse care. There are so many great resources out there. We really are very fortunate.

In an upcoming newsletter I will ask you to share ideas on horse keeping with other readers. As a community we have an opportunity to share our ideas and help others on their journey as well as our equine companions.

We’ll publish some of the ideas. Send them to karen@nwhorsesource.com. In the subject put “horse-keeping tips”. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas.

I’d also like to ask you to share why you have horses? Send me an email with “Why I have horses” or Why I have a horse” in the subject line and send to karen@nwhorsesource.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Is Spring really here?

The days still seem kind of short and the horses’ hair is still long but I see evidence that warmer weather is on its way! It was nearly 60 degrees here in Western Washington today. Unbelievable for this time of year. Are you ready for Spring? Here in the Pacific Northwest we’re seeing a great deal of moisture and warmer temperatures. A perfect recipe for lush grass.

Just a reminder to be careful turning your horse out on soggy pastures and lush grass. Our local veterinarian has already seen cases of laminitis. Here are some key things to remember about starting your horse out on this lush pasture:

1. Start by turning out just a few minutes each day. No more than 20 minutes.
2. Turn-out should be early morning or evening. The sugar levels are higher in grass midday.
3. Feed good quality hay if you don’t have time to monitor the feeding.

These are just a few suggestions. I highly recommend consulting with your veterinarian regarding spring feeding.

Another good resource for understanding pasture feeding and management is www.safergrass.org.

I’d love to hear your comments and concerns about spring feeding. What are some of the things that you’ve been doing to manage the spring grass? Please comment on the blog or send an email to me ~ Karen@nwhorsesource.com. Put “Spring Feeding” in the subject line.