The Cyber Saddle

This blog has moved

2010-04-30T19:24:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://nwhscybersaddle.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://nwhscybersaddle.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Changes to NWHS Website Coming Soon!

2010-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Many things are happening with the NWHS Magazine. We’re in the midst of a website move upgrading to a newer more up-to-date system. Over the weekend you may notice some downtime as we transfer domains and get the system back up and running.The new site will offer a much better search for information, more pictures, author bios and more fun stuff like video, featured ads and an upgraded business

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

2010-03-30T22:10:00.000-07:00

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

Fun at the Northwest Horse Fair & Expo in Albany Oregon

2010-03-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

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

Happy 30th Birthday VP Commotion!

2010-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

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

Quality Horse Time

2010-03-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

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

Why Do We Have Horses?

2010-03-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

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

Is Spring really here?

2010-03-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

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

My Favorite Things Part 2

2010-02-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome back! This week I’m going to share with you the insights from Kim McElroy’s new DVD titled “Secrets of Drawing Horses” Level 1 – Connecting with the essence of horses.The DVD was very good. It was a very different concept in drawing using pastels. Kim discussed the traditional methods of teaching art. It brought back memories of art class and how right on she was

My Favorite Things

2010-02-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

Too much to do, not enough time or energy, how am I to get it all done? The horses stare at me as if I’m a stranger. The dog begs for attention. What am I to do?I can go down the path of pity in a big hurry. So when I’m feeling lonely or sad I try to focus on the things that make me smile, give me hope, and energize me. I know that now is a difficult time. I feel as

Seasons Change

2010-02-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

How much do you see your horses this time of year? I find it challenging to spend much time with them because it’s usually dark and cold. Chores twice a day and a noon feeding ensure that I see my girls enough but I miss the grooming and quiet times just relaxing with them. An occasional trail ride always brings me great joy and a renewed, refreshed attitude. My younger mare April has had many

Learning New Things ~ Please Be Patient

2010-02-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

Today I’m not quite sure if I agree technology has made life easier. As owner and publisher of the Northwest Horse Source, responsibility to get things done ultimately falls on me. This is not necessarily a bad thing as I really should know every aspect of the business and be an integral part of planning how things should go. I’m just a very paper driven, hands on person. It

Taking a Break

2010-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, Cyber Saddle Riders,We're taking a brief hiatus from the Reader Story of the Week posts as we work on streamlining our submission process and getting some website upgrades in place. However, we'd love for you to keep sending those stories in! They may not go up as quickly as usual, but we'll take good care of them until we're able to share them with the rest of the Northwest horse

Reading for fun or fact?

2010-01-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringLately, I’ve been immersed in motivational audio books. It’s interesting, but it seems I never read for fun. I’m always hungry to learn (sometimes out of necessity). My horse stories and training books seem to gather dust as I focus on staying motivated. So I propose a new conversation:I would be very interested to know what kinds of books you read. Do you read for enjoyment,

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, January 25, 2010

2010-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week's reader photo comes from Lauren Pochron, who says:"This is a photo of a wild pony that I found near the beach in Assateague, MD."~Lauren Pochron, www.ponyislandart.com

Reader Story of the Week: Back in the Saddle

2010-01-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

You've heard this story before. Everyone has, haven't they? So I'll skip past the childhood of loving horses and the injury that frightened me away for several years and fast forward right up to the day when I--Gulp!--decided to get back up in the saddle.I was living in southwestern Washington, new to the area, and didn't have any connections to recommend a good trainer or lesson barn. I took my

Note from the NWHS Staff

2010-01-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone in blogland,We are suspending the Thursday regional news blog posts temporarily as we update our website and work on other projects, but keep checking back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for other posts here on The Cyber Saddle!Don't forget to send us your stories and photos. Email your horse-related images and words to editor@nwhorsesource.com. We look forward to hearing from

Our World is Ever-Changing

2010-01-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

One thing is certain in life: things will always change. I’m someone who resists change, much like the horse who wants to be fed at the same time every day and stick to the comfortable routine. When things disrupt my daily schedule I tend to get stressed.When change happens we often can only control how we respond to it. Recently, we’ve had major changes with the magazine, ranging from working on

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, January 18, 2010

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Another entry from Orcas Island Trail Rides:

Reader Story Fridays: How to Send Video

2010-01-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Want to share your story with The Northwest Horse Source but feeling a little more like showing than telling? Sending us a video is easy. We require that videos are hosted elsewhere, but free hosting sites like YouTube offer plenty of help to get you started. Here's the quick tutorial on uploading your video to YouTube.com. Then all you have to do is send us the link and let us know you'd like us

Take a Farm Tour!

2010-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Editor's Note: Our intrepid intern, Brandon Enyeart, has graduated from his internly duties and moved on, so for now every Thursday we'll be spotlighting local news that is submitted to us.Whatcom County Planning and Development Services and Whatcom Conservation District are hosting a Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands (CPAL) farm tour. The tour will be held from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday

A Little Quiet Time

2010-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you have so much to do you’re never going to get it all done? Do you ever wish for a simpler life? I do on a regular basis. The only time I really contemplate or get things sorted out is when I’m sick. Sitting at home these past few days has made me stop and think about what it would take to have a simpler life.Look at our horses. They live to see us two or three times a day

Reader Photo of the Week, January 11, 2010

2010-01-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

From the folks at Orcas Island Trail Rides:

Resolutions

2010-01-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week, we asked what your horse-related New Year's resolutions were. Just a couple of the responses we received were:To qualify for my Regional and National Championships again for 2010Ride 3x per weekWhat are your goals with your horses this year? We'd love to hear the tales of your successess and challenges.Feel free to submit your stories to us at any time. Just email to editor@

Five Dollars A Mile

2010-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Brandon EnyeartBack in December I wrote an article about a lady from Eagle Point, Oregon named Carole Mercer (Oregon Morgans: Turning Nightmares into Dreams). At that time, Carole had told me about a grassroots program she was going to start for her journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. First, let me give you a little information on the games.The

Words of Encouragement

2010-01-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringMonday was a particularly difficult day. Coming back to the office after two holiday weekends can be a challenge. I don’t think Mondays are ever easy as we struggle to get jumpstarted for the coming week, and this week was just more difficult than normal. As I fought back the urge to focus on the state of the economy—which I’m tired of hearing about, talking about and trying to

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Julie writes: Breanna (mom) has been at the vet hospital since last Tuesday and hopefully will come home today. Baby girl was born Friday at the clinic and was only 16 pounds and 18". She came home yesterday and has to be pan fed her milk every 2 hours. This will be a Christmas to remember.Julie JonesJF Miniature DonkeysMount Vernon, WAwww.jfranch.net

Reader Story of the Week: Friday, January 1, 2010

2010-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!Reader story form submission from: Orcas Island Trail RidesHow long have you had horses?all our livesWhat is the funniest thing your horse has done?We had put out a new mineral block for our horses and went out to feed in the evening and they were lined up behind each other (8 of them) like they were waiting for their turn to get to it!!! We unfortunately didn't get a pic as I

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

All of us at NWHS hope you had a wonderful 2009. Join us for more information, more horses and more events in 2010! Happy New Year!

Out With the Old, In With the New

2009-12-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringAs I sit quietly in my office this morning, I contemplate the events of this past year. It’s been the most difficult year I can remember for a long time, and yet it has contained the best in lessons I’ve learned.My husband, Mark, has never been involved with the horses, but since my accident this past summer he has stepped in and done all the heavy lifting. He cleans stalls,

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, December 28, 2009

2009-12-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

"This was taken while Cat was getting a trim. I let go of the lead to take a look at her hind feet, and Garth grabbed it to hold her for me."~Marilyn"I hold Cat for mom"

Reader Story: Letter to the Editor, Senior Horses

2009-12-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

We've bumped our reader story to Thursday this week--even blogs get Christmas day off! Happy Holidays to all of you from NWHS.Am just now reading your December issue. Re: The Senior Horse, I thought it might interest you that I now have the 30-year-old registered Quarter Horse mare in the photo (see Monday's post) and another 31-year-old. Both are under blankets now, as well as my 18-year-old

Happy Holidays from The Northwest Horse Source!

2009-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to view the full holiday card Join us tomorrow for an early Reader Story of the Week, and have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season, however you choose to celebrate!

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, December 21, 2009

2009-12-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

Meet Star, a 30-year-old Quarter Horse Mare (age 29 in the photo) owned by Sally Shawley. For more about Sally's senior horses, check back this Friday for our Reader Story of the Week!

Reader Story of the Week: December 18, 2009

2009-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Submitted by an anonymous reader and horse owner of 7 years...Tribute to NatalieIn 2002 I bought my own horse after riding for 10 years at a riding school. She really is my everything, and what makes it so special is that I have a special condition, I have diastrophic dysplasia which means that I'm 3 ft tall and have a stiff skeleton. It's hard to find a "sport" who fits me but horses are really

The Time For Giving

2009-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Brandon EnyeartTime does fly by fast, doesn’t it? It seems like just yesterday I was writing about summer shows like The Event in Montana or taking pictures at the Northwest Washington Fair. Now here we are, smack dab in the holidays already. If you are like me, you might already have all your shopping done--or perhaps you are one of the brave ones and are waiting until the 24th to finish

Why Horse Magazines Won’t Die

2009-12-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringI ran across this article and I just had to share it: http://www.foliomag.com/2009/why-magazines-wont-die.I agree with the author completely. When I want to relax, I think of a magazine or good book, not grabbing my laptop. I want to curl up in a comfy chair with my dog and comfortably read an article or just browse the pages. Many of us sit in front of a computer all day and

Happy Holidays from the USEF

2009-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week, we'd like to start you off with a special holiday message from the US Equestrian Foundation. Have a happy, safe, and horse-filled holiday season!~The NWHS Staff

Back to Life: A Senior Horse Essay Contest Honorable Mention

2009-12-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Cindy Kingsberry [Note: this essay was originally attributed to Bonnie Orr in our reader newsletter, based on the name on the email containing the submission. Cindy Kingsberry is the author.]Senior Horse Essay Contest is a great idea, so often its seems people forget the older horses and the years of service they have given. I want to tell you about special moments with a senior horse called "

Helmet Safety: How To Fit a Helmet For Horseback Riding

2009-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

In lieu of our usual Northwest news this week, we'd like to bring you this important safety video on helmet fitting from the Certified Horsemanship Association. Just click here for a short video on proper helmet fit.

Holiday Wishes

2009-12-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringPhoto: April & Karen, 2002, by Jack KintnerAs you hustle about getting ready for the holidays, do you ever feel overwhelmed or cheated? What is this season supposed to mean? Certainly not stress. Why then do we feel so pushed to get things done? Have we forgotten the meaning of the holiday?This is a time of discovery for me. It’s a time to review my life and decide where I want

Reader Photo Monday! December 7, 2009

2009-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Here's one more photo of Carole Mercer and Dolly, one of her beloved dancing Morgans (in an appropriately wintery setting). If you missed this Oregon cowgirl's story last Friday, check it out here at Oregon Morgans: Turning Nightmares into Dreams.

The Gentle Bear: Senior Horse Essay Contest Honorable Mention

2009-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Jennifer TeigrobSome senior horses hold the wisdom and love that young horses haven't had the time to develop. Our family owned a senior horse that truly was one in a million. Bartell's Running Bear had a story that started long before we owned him, but we knew him only in his twilight years. In those years he changed a young girl's life forever.My sister Stephanie had a nasty little pony that

Oregon Morgans: Turning Nightmares into Dreams

2009-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Life of an Oregon Cowgirlby Brandon Enyeart, photos courtesy Carole MercerCarole Mercer was only four years old when she was bitten by the horse bug. Unlike many people in the horse world, Carole didn’t have a family history of horsemen and horsewomen; in fact, her parents didn’t really even like horses. However, a big brown gelding named Fisher who lived behind her family’s house in Sheridan

Product Review: Soft-Ride Equine Boots

2009-12-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen Pickering Click the image for a larger viewLast week I got some disappointing news. My mare, April, was diagnosed with navicular disease. This was very hard to take, especially after the long road to healing with her PSSM issue that started in the spring.The first ride we took this fall went very well. She’s such a willing horse, athletic with a great attitude. After cooling her out, I

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, November 30, 2009

2009-11-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

In case you missed the story on Friday, or if you just wanted a little more Morgan fun, here's another photo of Tiggerlillie, submitted by Bobbie Ann Beller.

Reader Story of the Week: Tiggerlillie's Triumph

2009-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Editor's Note: due to a server glitch, this story did not appear as scheduled last week. We hope you enjoy it this week as a little bit of Thanksgiving cheer!2009 National Mountian Trail Championshipsby Bobbie Ann BellerThe little black Morgan standing in line between the Mammoth Mule and the 15+ hand Paints looked like an unlikely candidate for a win at the National Mountian Trail Championships

A holiday wish for our readers

2009-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Gratitude

2009-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringWow, time slips away. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow! This year has been especially hard. The declining economy, illness, surgery, a sick horse...it just seems to pile up some days. Now that the rain has started, along with short days, and it’s easy to slip into depression and look at everything that’s gone wrong. Sound familiar?Enough!It’s time to look at what I’m

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, November 23, 2009

2009-11-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

A little bit of cute to start off the week..."Franky" by Kelli Pierson

November News Clippings

2009-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

A few news clippings from around the Northwest as we head into the end of November... ~Brandon EnyeartWashingtonLead researcher Don Knowles and his colleagues at the Animal Disease Research Unit at Washington State University have found that a relatively high dose of the cattle drug imidocarb dipropionate--used in the past for treating Texas Fever or Cattle Fever--eliminates piroplasmosis, a

Did you know...

2009-11-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

...that adult horses only require about 30 minutes of REM sleep per day? And that your horse's ability to lie down for REM sleep can greatly affect his overall health? Learn more about equine sleep and sleep deprivation--and the role it plays in your horse's health--in the December and January issues of The Northwest Horse Source. Dave Sauter, DVM, of Kulshan Veterinary Hospital takes a detailed

Reader Photo of the Week, Monday, November 16, 2009

2009-11-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

We're starting off the week with one more photo of Patrick and Kiowa, just because we couldn't resist. Don't they look like they're having fun?If you missed their story, see last Friday's Reader Story of the Week.

Reader Story of the Week: Patrick and Kiowa

2009-11-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Who says an old girl can’t learn new tricks?by Kathy Bateman, Stanwood Theraputic RidingKiowa is a twenty three year old Appaloosa / Quarter Horse cross, and one third of the equine team at Stanwood Therapeutic Riding, operating out of the Stanwood Equestrian Center. She is a very well put together horse who was the family pet for twenty two years, and had one other stint as a therapy horse in

Northwest Winter Horse Care

2009-11-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

by Brandon EnyeartLiving in the Northwest, you never know what kind of winter weather you are going to wake up to. Some days you might have a tropical storm, others you might have an arctic storm, and the rest fall somewhere in between. When it comes to caring for your horse, there is never a such thing as too much information, so listed below are some simple things to remember going into the

Inquisitive Minds Succeed

2009-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Karen PickeringI’ve had the privilege this past week of answering marketing questions for students attending the online courses at the University of Guelph, located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The questions were so relevant and clearly showed how much thought the students put into them. I think that when you’ve been in any business for a while it becomes a chore, something you put off rather

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, November 9, 2009

2009-11-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

A little wintery wonderland for this chilly November morning...Paddy, a 4-year-old PMU foalphoto by Sandra Baker Look for Paddy at the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield, Washington next year!

Reader Story of the Week: A Haflinger Poem

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Visitors on a Summer Eveningby Emily GibsonBriarCroft Haflingershttp://www.briarcroft.com/weblog.htmFingers of twilight shadowBegin to reach over the hillCrawling down through the fieldUp unto the bank of blackberriesCovering fences along the alder grove.The Haflingers chew their lastLeaves of clover beforeComing to the barn for night, eyelids heavy,Relaxed and full, drowsy with spring

The Santa Rosa Trickster

2009-11-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Brandon EnyeartSometimes one story seems the same as any other: little girl begs for a horse every year for Christmas; one year she gets a Breyer horse, the next she gets a book about all the breeds in the world; the next perhaps a life-sized poster to hang up in her room. Then, finally, there is that one Christmas where everything comes together and the girl’s biggest wish comes true.You've

A Fun, Festive Halloween on Horseback

2009-11-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Halloween was a blast this year at Cowgirl Cattle Company in Lynden, Washington. Allison Trimble and Rachel Westby hosted a fun-filled day for over 25 attendees. The girls from the Western Washington University Equestrian Team were there, as well as many of Allison’s clients. The event was even videotaped, so I’m sure Allison’s new website, http://www.coastalequine.com/, will have footage of a

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, November 2

2009-11-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hunter Love with VP CommotionPhoto by John Love, submitted by Lorean Love

Reader Story of the Week: A Northwest Morning Encounter

2009-10-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

One, Two, Three, Four, FIVE?????????by Karyn CowdreyIt’s a true NW morning: dark, low heavy clouds, mist wet rain/fog mixed and only about 45 degrees. I stumble out of bed an hour later than normal because I was up until 3am working on a new computer project. I have not had my morning coffee yet because I forgot to set the timer before heading for slumber the night before. In a nutshell, I’m

The Horses of Halloween Past

2009-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Brandon EnyeartI have been in the horse circle for many years, and when it comes to being around the stables and such, this is my favorite time of year (as for the weather and stress of upcoming holidays...that’s another story). There is nothing I love more than seeing friends at the stables get creative and dress both themselves and their horses up for Halloween. I have photographed many

The Trail of Painted Ponies Enlivens the Pages of The Northwest Horse Source

2009-10-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringI’m so excited about our November issue! The Trail of Painted Ponies has graced our magazine with a heartfelt story about “The Fine Art of Giving.” Rod Barker, CEO and Founder of The Trail of Painted Ponies, is committed to the belief that giving can be a truly special gift for both the recipient and the giver. As a collector myself, Painted Ponies are one of my all-time

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, October 26, 2009

2009-10-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

This week's photo is "Colonel," submitted by Kellie.Want your photo on The Cyber Saddle? Send images to editor@nwhorsesource.com

Reader Advice at the Mounting Block

2009-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

In the last issue of the NWHS newsletter, our Horsekeeping Tip was to use a mounting block to save wear and tear on your tack, your body, and horse's back. A reader wrote in with an additional perspective and a word of warning we'd like to share with the rest of the NWHS community:Be sure your horse is very used to a mounting block. I recently had a serious accident when my horse moved quickly

Fox Hunt!

2009-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

Photo essay by Brandon EnyeartClick on any photo for a larger viewI compiled these pictures from the Fox Hunt held this past Saturday near Sumas. It is the second year I have been to the event, but the first time taking photos. It is always a fun event to watch, even if my driver (my grandfather) and I get lost frequently; I will definitely take the blame for that.As to be expected in October, it

Northwest Teen Wins Big at the International Reining Festival in Denver

2009-10-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Karen Pickering, Photo by John O’HaraRyann McKinzie, 17, of East Wenatchee, WA made the Northwest proud on the weekend of September 22, 2009. Winning nearly $25,000 in the go-around and finals at the International Reining Festival 2009, Ryann's horse, RU Missin Diamonds, carried her to a landslide victory. When I asked Ryann if she had expected to do this well, she said, “Yes. Diamond is

Reader Photo of the Week: Sierra!

2009-10-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

This week's photo is Sierra, an Arabian/Quarter Horse mare, taken by David LewisHave an equine photo you want to share? Send it to editor@nwhorsesource.com!

Reader Story: Friday, October 16th

2009-10-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Submitted through our reader story submission form.NameAmandaHow long have you had horses?Don't have any...yetWhat is the funniest thing your horse has done?It wasn't my horse, but the horses across the street where I grew up were off of a busy road. They were so used to traffic noise that nothing bothered them--not airplanes overhead or honking or backfires, or even the shooting range up the

The New and Improved Grants Pass Downs

2009-10-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Brandon Enyeart, NWHSYou might remember the article on Grants Pass Downs in Oregon posted here earlier this summer. It was written shortly after their yearly meet, which had one of their best turnouts to date. Since then, even more has been happening at Grants Pass Downs to help establish its place as one of the more progressive racetracks on the West Coast.The Downs' Director of

Nutrition Was a Hot Topic at the Elenbaas Open House

2009-10-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Karen Pickering photos by NWHSOctober 6th brought many local horse people out to the Elenbaas Country Store in Lynden, Washington. The evening was packed with guest speakers talking about dewormers, vaccines, and the theme of the evening: equine nutrition.Scott Hooper, a regional representative from Farnam Companies, Inc., discussed the importance of deworming practices, farm management, daily

Photo of the Week: Monday, October 12 2009

2009-10-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Trying out for the WWU Equestrian Team... photo by Karen Pickering

Reader Story of the Week: Bed Spreading

2009-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Emily GibsonBriarCroft Haflingershttp://www.briarcroft.com/weblog.htmWhen I glanced out the window and saw the large shavings truck pull up to our barn to dump its load in the shavings shed, you’d have thought it was the Second Coming. I could almost hear the trumpet sound and the heavens sing. It was that welcome and long anticipated.We’re in the middle of a wood shavings shortage in the

The Hottest New Equine Sport You Haven’t Heard Of

2009-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Brandon EnyeartWe can rightfully thank Australia for a number of things: AC/DC, Naomi Watts, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Waltzing Matilda--okay, well, some things more than others. However, you may not have heard of a relatively new sporting event from the land down under that is finally starting to catch on stateside. Blokes and Sheilas, I present to you...polocrosse! This “new” event to the

Local Horses Win at the Rocky Mountain International Championships Sept 8th - 12th

2009-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KentuckyArticle and photos by Stride Right FarmsThis annual championship has Rocky Mountain horses coming from throughout the USA & Canada to compete for the titles. The world renowned Kentucky Horse Park is where the World Equestrian Games are being held Sept. 25 - Oct 10, 2010.We are proud to announce that two of our horses that are Northwest champions

Reader Photo of the Week: Monday, October 5, 2009

2009-10-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

One last photo from the Fox Bay Derby, by Brandon Enyeart:

Reader Story Fridays: Karyn's Story

2009-10-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Submitted through our Reader Story Submission form. Have a story to share but don't know where to get started? Use the form!NameKarynHow long have you had horses?Off and on for 30 yrsWhat is the funniest thing your horse has done?Funniest thing: One gelding let himself out of his stall and then all the other horses in the barn and put himself BACK in his stall 3 nights in a row before we caught

Fox Bay Farm Annual Derby

2009-10-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

Photo essay by Brandon EnyeartThis is a collection of photos from Fox Bay Farm’s annual derby. I have shot 7 Derbies now, and every year it is great to see the mixture of breeds that are brought to the event and the different generations of riders who show up as well. Thankfully, the weather cooperated for yet another year and I was able to get some nice pictures of the riders and their horses.

The End of Summer

2009-09-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringCan you believe it’s nearly October? This summer has flown by! It seems that the amount of time I've spent in the saddle has been next to none. It certainly affects my creativity, enthusiasm and drive. There’s just nothing like spending time with your horse, connecting at a level that takes hours in the saddle to understand. Both April and I are making our way back to health (

Reader Photo (And Local News!): WWU Equestrian Team

2009-09-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Tryouts for the 2009 WWU Equestrian Team were held at Cowgirl Cattle Co. on Sat, Sept 26th. The team will be comprised of 35 girls, from walk trot to open caliber, that will be competing in both english and western equitation. The team will be competing in IHSA events in the Northwest throughout the year, and then will hopefully sending girls to both regionals and nationals. This is a club

Reader Story of the Week: Ginny the Chincoteague Pony

2009-09-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

What a delight to be able to write a little about my adventures in the horse world with my Chincoteague Pony,Virginia Island Rose, aka Ginny Rose. What a journey it has been. I have never owned a horse before and really never had horses in my world. Just too busy being a mom to 4 very active now grown children and working in the world of nursing as an RN with a speciality in Hospice Nursing. As

Take a Walk on the Wild Side for National Wild Horse Adoption Day

2009-09-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Brandon EnyeartWhat will you be doing this Saturday? Perhaps you will have your final barbeque of the season. Maybe you will take the boat out to enjoy the last of the summer weather. There may even be those of you who are preparing for the fall weather – it has to show up some time, right? Many of us involved with horses will be celebrating the first ever National Wild Horse Adoption Day.

Getting Healthy, Getting Committed

2009-09-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

I'm sure the readers of this blog know that both my horse and I have had some health issues. A daily regime of exercise for my horse has made it pretty clear that she’s not the only one on her way back to getting healthy. I, too, am making the slow road to recovery.I’m pictured here with my other mare, Dawn, who is 24 years old, on a trail ride at Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland, WA early

Reader Photo of the Week: Chincoteague Pony!

2009-09-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Photo of Ginny, a Chincoteague Ponyby Judy HaglundSee the Reader Story of the Week this coming Friday for more about Ginny!

Reader Story Fridays: Sandy's Story

2009-09-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Name SandyHow long have you had horses?30 YearsWhen you're worn out, what motivates you do get out and spend time with your horses?Even when I"m exhausted I go to my horses.No matter what, they help me to relax. Even if the only thing I do is sit and listen to them chewing their food or watch them interact with each other in the field. I just love the smell of my horses and the barn, the freedom

West Nile Virus Update: Cause for Concern, Not for Panic

2009-09-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

by Brandon EnyeartWe are all probably a little tired of hearing about West Nile Virus (WNV) by now. It seems like ages ago when we all feared the human race would be wiped out in a matter of hours once the disease hit our state. Okay, maybe I was the only one. However, even though the disease has not turned out to be the next black plague for humans, it has become very troublesome for horse

Getting Back in the Saddle – Technology Time

2009-09-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringI guess that would be figuratively speaking, but after losing some quality work and horse time between the car accident and surgery, I’m more than ready for life to return to normal. I’ve read a couple of books, jumped into Twitter (reading “Twitter Power” – find us at www.twitter.com/nwhorsesource) and am focusing on all of this new technology. Honestly, I’d rather be riding up

Reader Photo of the Week: Reined Cow Horse!

2009-09-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

"Hailey"Submitted by Linda Diehl, Square Diehl RanchLinda says...Here is a photo of our three-year-old filly: Hailey (Sheza Haillion). Dean McCann (our trainer) will be showing her in less than one month at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno. We are very excited and will keep you posted on her progress! A special “Thank You” to our friend Roxanne Peters, who really knows how to capture an

Reader Story Friday: Cast Your Cares

2009-09-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Cast Your Caresby Emily GibsonBriarCroft Haflingershttp://www.briarcroft.com/weblog.htmIn late May, on our farm, there is only a brief period of utter silence during the dark of the night. Up until about 2 AM, the spring peepers are croaking and chorusing vigorously in our ponds and wetlands, and around 4 AM the diverse bird song begins in the many tall trees surrounding the house and

September 26th is Coming Fast!

2009-09-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

If you missed it in our news section, we at The Northwest Horse Source would like to remind you that September 26th is National Wild Horse Adoption Day. BLM groups, trainers, and other horse folks have scheduled events throughout the nation to educate the public on the issues surrounding wild horses, including training, safety, and herd management. Adopting a wild horse helps not only to ensure

A weekend full of events

2009-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringThe weekend of August 29th was a fun-filled, educational weekend around here. It started off with Cowboy Campsite’s annual YeeHaw event in Sedro Woolley, WA. I heard rumor that nearly 500 people attended this year. From horse games to pie eating contests, there was something for everyone. Trail rides, horse soccer and many other equine events took place throughout the day, plus

Happy September!

2009-09-08T10:01:00.001-07:00

Yes, we took a brief break from the Cyber Saddle for the Labor Day holiday, but now the NWHS staff is refreshed and ready to run! We're putting together the October issue, which this year carries the theme of Equine Wellness.We're also planning ahead our editorial columns for next year, so speaking of wellness, if there is a topic you would like to see covered in our monthly Equine Wellness

Taking the sting out of winning

2009-09-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

by Brandon Enyeart It seems like you can’t get away from the battle between those who want to make progress in the sport of horse racing and those who are still living in the past these days. Several issues have caused great conflict, such as changing to synthetic track surfaces, the amount of rest time a horse should have between races, the use of blood thinners before a race, and the list goes

Summer Fun(draiser)

2009-09-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringI always look forward to participating in the Double S Country Horse Fair. This fundraiser benefits the AQHA Professional Horsemen through the AQHA Foundation. It’s a worthwhile cause, but also a great opportunity for horse people to take part in several clinics and demonstrations—from hoofball to working cattle, branding to horseshoeing and more!The event is held at a beautiful

Reader photo of the week: August 31, 2009

2009-08-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

A follow-up photo from Susan Roswold: Same training session, more confidence!

NEW! Reader Story Submission Form

2009-08-28T15:37:00.001-07:00

Want a really easy way to share your story with us? Click here to go to our new story submission form! It has some prompts to get those storytelling juices flowing.You can still send stories or video links to editor@nwhorsesource.com.Have a great weekend!

Horse Rescue Success and Sadness

2009-08-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

by Brandon Enyeart, Northwest Horse Source Photos courtesy Gretchen Salstrom of People Helping HorsesIt has been almost two years since the Jake Rider case brought three emaciated, malnourished horses (Coda, Howdy, and Lily) to People Helping Horses (PHH) in Arlington, Washington. Since then, Rider was found guilty on 11 counts of animal cruelty and is being sentenced as this article is being

Emergency Horse Care

2009-08-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

by Karen PickeringI've written often about learning life's lessons, and that has never been more clear to me than over the past few months, during which I've faced plenty of challenges including a sick horse, a totaled car, and surgery. I think it's appropriate that our coming issue theme is "Boarding and Training," because I've been thinking a lot about boarding lately.My husband and neighbors

Reader Photo of the Week: August 24, 2009

2009-08-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

This week's photo comes from Susan Roswold, whose trainer decided she needed to get an independent seat from her hands. "He put me on this horse bridleless. It was a huge thrill."