They’re very small, nearly invisible. They hide in tree stumps, in trees, near trails, even on or under the trail. If you’ve ever encountered bees on a trail ride it cannot only be terrifying, but dangerous. I’ve only run across bees twice on a trail ride. Both times could have been devastating. The first time […]

Smart riders do groundwork before getting in the saddle to make sure their horses are tuned in to them and using the thinking side of their brain. On average, during a routine training session, I’ll do 30 to 45 minutes of groundwork and then 45 minutes to an hour of riding. Once the horse is […]

Driving horses seemed to be the perfect alternative to riding when my mare, April, became too lame to ride much. I myself, suffering from a hip injury decided it was the perfect thing to do until I could resolve the painful issue of mounting and dismounting. I had a miniature horse so decided to put […]

For serious equestrians, riding horses is more than a casual sport or leisurely pastime. Riding is an art and a passion. Like other pursuits of this nature, horseback riding is not something you learn to do well in a few months—or even a few years.  Leading to an important question for parents - what's the […]

Whether you are new to the equestrian world or an experienced veteran that has practically lived your life in a saddle, there are some things that must be remembered. Saddles are not something that can be skimped on and knowing what kind of saddle you need is one of the keys to success.  But what […]

Springtime always makes me think of fresh grass and fresh horses. A little sunshine, a little taste of the luscious green Pacific Northwest grass, and the horses are feeling good! Perhaps feeling a little too good! The danger when turning horses out comes at the gate: Two things can happen; 1) Your horse rips away […]

How long after the injury did you administer first aid? I was away on a trip and the caretakers at the boarding facility didn’t notice it for two to three days according to the veterinarian (based on tissue damage) What caused the injury? A nail sticking out about an inch from a post on fencing […]

Avoid an Accident by Gaining Knowledge Saddened by the loss of a 12-year-old barrel racer and heading into the busy lesson and clinic season, safety has been heavy on my mind. Becoming a parent brought a heightened awareness for my children’s safety with horses, as well as my own. This brought a screeching halt to […]

Information from a Veterinarian for Horse and Pet Owners COVID-19 is a term that has rapidly acquired worldwide recognition.  The seriousness of this highly contagious disease is inescapable.  The situation and information regarding COVID-19 is fast changing.  Below is recently collated information from three veterinary sources:  the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the American […]

A letter from concerned reader. I was thinking about our sport, the virus and risk. Each and every one of us should dial back risk as much as possible right now. If you end up needing treatment your exposure to the virus and the chance of bringing it back to infect your family goes up […]

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with horse industry professionals about what they need to have in "your" barn when they come to you as a service provider. These professionals include your Veterinarian, Farrier, body worker, chiropractors or others. Often times when we build and design a barn our thoughts are about what "I" […]

How nice it would be if during a natural disaster or emergency, you casually walkout, hook up your truck and trailer, load your hay, supplements and all the other items on your checklist; walk to the barn, grab your halters, fly masks and equine identification; all your horses willingly walk into the trailer and you […]

Being around a green or untrained horse can be dangerous in a variety of situations. The goal of owning and riding your horse is to enjoy them. A difficult or unruly horse is no fun. Here are some tips to help you and others enjoy your horses to the fullest while staying safe. New to […]

Safety Considerations When Riding on the Trail As an avid trail rider I enjoy a peaceful, relaxing ride on some of the most beautiful trails the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Over the years I have learned some valuable lessons from my own experience but also from clinicians and instructors on the subject of trail […]

Photos and videos by Karen Pickering Learning to be safe while driving Disclaimer: I’m fairly new to driving. While I had a great instructor for my first few lessons, I’m not an experienced driver. Over the years I have driven draft teams but very little. These are observations based on the little experience that I’ve […]

It was a wet, rainy, windy winter day. I had decided to take my senior mare, Dawn, out for a trail ride at Les Hilde Trailhead. I had driven down for the day to my lot at Cowboy Campsite. When I started out it was cool but nice enough for a ride. I knew most […]

Be Prepared for a Safe Trip Whether driving a few miles to an event with your horse or planning a trip, there are some considerations before you begin your journey. In this day and age staying at home with your horse limits the experiences you can enjoy. From local competitions to horse camping with friends, […]

Be prepared, not scared One of the most critical lessons I’ve learned in working with horses is to always be prepared for what could happen. Safety when working around horses should always be at the top of your mind. Horses are a flight animal; humans are prey animals. If we understand this, it’s a little […]

A Trail Riding Horror Story Several years ago, I had planned a “send-off” ride for my best friend, “T”. She was moving to Tennessee, so I organized a group ride with some of our closest friends. Her mare, Rosie, hadn’t been ridden much since T was preparing for the move. Rosie was a spooky horse […]

Horse safety vests are a good investment for any skill level, but especially for newer riders. These types of vests can't prevent a fall, but if you do, it will help protect your upper body from an impact.