NW Rider Magazine - November 2019

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NORTHWEST RI DE R Written by Horse People for Horse People

Cover story It Takes As Long As it Takes by Jonath Robles

Also Featuring Stepping Outside My Box What Condition Your Transition Is In Your Why Matters Pony Power! Mud Management The Healing Power of Horses Winter Riding - Care of the Horse

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November 2019 • Volume 27 • Number 7 Owner/Editor Wendy Hensley wendy@nwridermagazine.com Telephone 360-567-7211

Table of Contents 6

COVER STORY It Takes As Long As It Takes by Jonath Robles

Website www.nwridermagazine.com Mailing Address 30703 NW Spencer Road Ridgefield, WA 98642 NW Rider Magazine reserves the right to reasonably edit all copy submitted. All contributions become the property of NW Rider Magazine. The magazine assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited photographs or manuscripts.

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Stepping Outside My Box by Nick Donohue

© Northwest Rider Magazine is published monthly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed herein are of those consulted and not necessarily those of Northwest Rider Magazine, the editor, or the owner of the magazine. Northwest Rider Magazine is not responsible for any damages beyond the cost of an advertisement

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What Condition Your Transition Is In by Mary Corning

for any error or omission that may occur that we are responsible for.

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Your Why Matters by Scott DePaolo

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Pony Power! by Alexia Allen, Hawthorne Farm

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Mud Management by Ashlynn Noble & Chris Wickliffe, DVM

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The Healing Power of Horses by Vonie Kalich

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Winter Riding - Care of the Horse by Heather Smith Thomas

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Equine Services Directory

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It Takes As Long As It Takes by Jonath Robles

Instant gratification – it’s what we’ve been conditioned for in today’s society. From food to education, social media, and everything in between, the norm is rapid satisfaction; we need everything NOW. Having spent the last ten years in the horse industry, I’ve realized that the desires in the horse world are no different. There is so much pressure put on these animals and their trainers to “get it done” in a hurry. But through my journey, I’ve learned not to fall into that trap. One of the most important foundational elements in my program: don’t put a timeline on training. In 2016 I was given the opportunity to travel around the US to compete in Colt Starting competitions. The goal was to teach these young horses a lot of information in a very short amount of time. After three and a half hours, these horses were expected to walk, trot, canter both directions correctly, go over poles, weave around poles, cross over a tarp, drag a log, have a rider rope off of their back, and willingly lift all four feet. These horses had barely been handled, let alone had a saddle and rider on their back. The expectation was set – get it done fast. Imagine how your child or dog might react if you tried to cram a whole season’s worth of lessons into a few hour time period. It was overwhelming, not only for these young horses but for some of the competitors as well! Some horses were willing and able to accept the physical, and more importantly, the mental pressure, but some weren’t. Often the trainers were unable to see when the horses were at their limit and they just kept pushing... The horses cracked. They ended up with a bad experience and a lack of trust in the humans that guided them. This style of colt starting just didn’t sit right with me. Fortunately, through these competitions, I was able to 6 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

stay focused on prioritizing the mental stability of the horse I was working with. I’m happy to say that when I laid my head down at the end of the day, I could sleep knowing that I did right by that animal. I was fortunate enough, because of the results of the competitions I participated in, to qualify for the Colt Starting National Finals held that year in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. I finished that competition and the year in high standings, bringing home a 3rd in the National Finals competition, and 2nd over-all nationally. But I wasn’t gratified. This – get broke quick – deal just wasn’t for me, and I gave up competing in colt starting competitions. I tried my hand in a slightly different arena though; I wanted to keep honing my skills and working with these young horses, but with a little less pressure so I started doing 2-day colt starting clinics. During these, I set clear boundaries and expectations with the spectators, I would let everyone know that I would only go as far as the horse would allow me during this time period. To me, it’s so much more important to build on a solid foundation of trust than to push the horse to learn and accomplish everything quickly. As the old adage goes - “you’ve got to be able to go slow to go fast”.


Owners frequently contact me to inquire about my training program and they want to know, if they send their horse to me, how long it will take to start their horse or to fix an issue their horse is having. I’m always upfront - I tell them I can’t answer that. It’s impossible to know how long it will take! A trainer that’s in the business to make a quick buck might assure a prospective client that they can solve all of their problems quickly, but a horseman will always tell you “it takes as long as it takes.” For me, even having a horse in my program for 30 days isn’t enough. And the owner that took their horse to the trainer that made them all those lofty promises eventually brings their horse to me when they realize the “quick fix” enviably created more problems. It’s the highest priority of mine to start with the right foundation and ensure that everyone involved is safe. This requires things to move a little bit slower. I want to be sure that through the training process I keep myself safe, keep the horse safe, and that the client is presented with an animal that they can trust and ultimately be safe with. There is too much at risk to go out on a limb for an impatient customer with unrealistic expectations, and at the end of the day, if I’m injured, I’m no good to the rest of the horses in my barn, my clients, or my daughter and family. A huge part of my job is managing those expectations of my clients so that they and their horses can be happy. It’s can be really challenging because we are all conditioned to this instant gratification, but I’d be doing everyone a disservice if I made promises I couldn’t keep. If an owner decides not to send a horse to me because they don’t like my timeline, that’s alright in my book. I’ve learned the hard way through bruises and falls that were a result of trying to rush a horse to satisfy a client. My advice for any aspiring trainer, or any horse owner trying to accomplish their goals, TAKE. YOUR. TIME. In my opinion, to make it in the horse world, you have to be focused on longevity. I want to be in this business for a long time, and in order to do that, I have to first and foremost protect my body. While I haven’t spent as long in this industry as some of my fellow trainers, I’ve learned to leave the days of training to “prove myself” in the past. Getting things done in the shortest time possible does not result in a solid foundation and a willingly guided horse. Now don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place to challenge and push your horse, as long as you’re keeping healthy growth at the forefront of your program. Similarly to raising kids, you can’t always be their best friend, sometimes you have to be the parent. As long as you set clear expectations, making things as black and white as possible for your equine

partner, and remember that you have to go slow before you can go fast, you’ll be successful. Try to remove yourself from the pressure to be the best as quickly as possible. I promise you’ll just end up taking one step forward and two steps back. The ultimate goal with every horse should be to build a bond, respect, and most importantly trust, and those all take time. J.R. Horse Training | (503) 410 - 4820 | www.jroblestraining.com | Facebook: JR Robles

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Stepping Outside My Box by Nick Donohue

It can be really intimidating to step outside of your comfort zone. It can be a challenge regardless of your experience, time, and knowledge, yet being willing to do so is instrumental to progress. I stepped outside of my comfort zone in a big way the summer of 2016, by attending my first Western States Stock Horse (WSSH) show and it has been so valuable in my progress ever since. I had never shown a horse before, nor had I been around or studied with anyone in regards to showing. Since 2006, I have started colts and done problem solving training for the public. Most of these horses I had for 90 days, and a few for 120. I had very little experience refining them to a level to show. To be completely honest, I had no idea really what they needed to do or how well they needed to do it. As a professional in the horse industry, I was about to put myself out there and try something that I was going to be very novice at; this both excited and terrified me leading up to the first show I attended. In preparing (and I use that word loosely, as I had no idea what I needed to prepare for) I rented some cattle for an afternoon to practice. At this point I didn’t even know I could look up the patterns online, and get the patterns for the upcoming show, so I made one up myself. A couple circles big and fast, small and slow, some spins, a rollback here and there and let’s not forget the sliding stops. Yeah, it was pretty funny… just a piece of advice: if you have never done something, don’t go watch videos of the best in the industry and then try to replicate it without actually preparing your horse or yourself! After I practiced my patterns, it was time to work a cow. Now at this point, I had only seen YouTube videos of Reined Cow Horse, and while I understood how to work cattle from a more working type background, I didn’t really understand what they were looking for from boxing, or what I should be looking for while boxing, I just moved the steer up and down the back wall and worked on getting turns from my horse. When it was time to go down the fence, I pushed it down the wall and then tried to move my horse up past the steer and turn him. My horse pretty much said, “no, I am where I need to be, go ahead and rope him.” Whoops, guess I didn’t think about that. It took some work, but I got my horse to understand I wasn’t tracking 8 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

up to rope, but that I actually wanted to get by the steer and turn him. Once I had that, I got my two fence turns and it was time to circle the steer. Again, having never done it, I wasn’t really sure what to do other than get to his head and move him in a circle, then change directions and do it again. We actually had a blast and it did help me feel more prepared having attempted it a few times, though looking back now, I find the whole day a little comical. But you have to start somewhere! When I pulled up to the venue, I got unloaded and checked in with Stacey, who, along with her husband Robert, started WSSH and continue to lead the ship. She was so warm and welcoming, and helped me get all my paperwork in order and ready to go for the weekend. It was not only Stacey, but everyone I met, from the WSSH clinicians to other trainers and exhibitors, who were extremely welcoming and friendly. It was such a warm environment, it helped put me at ease right away. One of the great things about WSSH is that the Friday before the show, they hold two sessions of clinics. The morning session is for folks who have done the clinics before or have some experience, while the afternoon session is for everyone, even first timers like me. I had signed up for the clinics, as I thought it might be a good idea to see what each class was and maybe get some of my nerves out. It worked great and I highly recommend if you are interested in showing with WSSH but are unsure, that you sign up for the clinics and get your toes wet- you won’t regret it. The clinicians are very warm and welcoming and have a wealth of knowledge


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to help you transition into showing or to simply help you make a better horse. Doing the clinics really helped me prepare, have a better understanding of each class and what was to be expected, as well as calmed my nerves. It was absolutely a great experience and set up the rest of the weekend for success. The next day when the show began, my first class was Pleasure, which was a nice class to start out with. The class consists of a walk, trot, and lope pattern along the rail of the arena, showing off you and your horse’s ability to make smooth transitions and perform well within each gait. After Pleasure, it was time for Trail. The trail course consists of obstacles like lope overs, gates, getting mail from a mailbox, back through and log drags. They set up a pattern with these obstacles and incorporate the walk, trot and lope through the pattern. That evening I also had my Reining class. The reining patterns consist of large fast circles, small slow circles, lead changes, spins and sliding stops. All of the American Stock Horse Patterns are available on-line directly from their website, Americanstockhorse.org. My last class, Working Cow Horse was Sunday. There are a few different divisions, Youth, Novice Rookie, Rookie, Limited Non Pro, Non Pro, Green Horse Non Pro, Green Horse Open and Open. The Youth and Novice classes do a dry work pattern and then box a cow for a minute, The Limited Non Pro and Green Horse Classes, box a cow on one end of the arena, drive it down to the other end and box it there, the Non Pro and Open classes do the full working cow horse run, Box the cow at one end, drive it down the fence and get a turn each direction. Once this is done, they can either circle the cow each way or rope it and face it up. Overall the show was a great experience. The horse I brought did well in Trail, ok in Pleasure, and ended up in the bottom half or third for Reining and Cow Horse. It was the start of a lot of important growth for me, my horses, and my horsemanship program. This first show was pretty nerve racking for me, especially putting myself out there as an open competitor when I had zero experience in this arena. I had actually put it off for two years until I finally got up the courage to do it. My only regret is not doing it when I first thought about it. Through showing horses in WSSH, my horsemanship has grown, my horses have improved, my training program has expanded and improved, my clients and their horses have improved, all because I took a risk and was willing to look foolish for a short time if I had to. Fast forward to 2019, I am now teaching those same clinics helping folks refine their showing skills or simply getting started, and that same horse I took and showed at that very first show just finished 3rd in the nation in the American Stock Horse

Association in the open division all around, 4th in Open Pleasure, 4th in Open Trail, 10th in Open Reining and 7th in Open Cow Horse. None of that could have happened if I would have let my insecurities keep me from leaving my comfort zone and trying something new. That thing you have been thinking about doing, stop thinking about it and go for it. If you have been looking for something to do with your horse, I cannot recommend WSSH any more highly, it is a great organization full of wonderful people and horses. I hope to see there! Enjoy the Journey Nick & Jessie Donohue

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November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 11


What Condition Your Transition Is In by Mary Corning

My greatest teachers spoke their wisdom in what I lovingly call “oneliners”. These one-liners have been shared like mythical teachings. Many are statements that ultimately become proverbs spanning every discipline. “It all happens in the transition.” is one message that taught me a powerful life lesson. Horses mirror life. The challenge of change experienced in life or in horsemanship, offers us valuable insights ─ if we will let it. Change is constant, whether we notice it or not. It shows itself in relationships, environment, in aging and even in knowledge and perceptions. The interesting paradox to change is that the one thing that doesn’t change, is also the thing we need to use in order to understand change. That thing is conscious awareness. Awareness is what an open mind experiences in the moment just before it labels what it sees. Consciousness is deep listening. Once someone asked me if horsemanship was like horse whispering? I replied, “From what I can tell, the horses are the ones doing the whispering. It’s my job to listen deeply.” Deep listening, awareness and observation are all within the gift of consciousness. Consciousness can be the best tool we have for living an effective life. Interestingly enough, it is often overlooked and under estimated. Whether it is in horsemanship or transitioning life experiences, the ability to observe and understand can create lasting positive change in everything we do. The minds of a horse and a human operate through memory, repetition and comprehension. Positive change requires attention. The difference between responsiveness and reactivity can also be the difference between an unforgettable ride and an unforgiving one. To have the full benefit of responsiveness requires the ability to consciously intercept the mind and the body prior to habit. This is a subtle change that makes a monumental difference in the quality of any transition. That difference can be traced back to the level of 12 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

human awareness. In horsemanship this awareness must extend beyond the physical relationship with the horse. We must also take into account what I call the “third entity”. The third entity is the relationship. The blend of horse and human. Here is an example when awareness made an important difference in the outcome on a recent trail ride. I was riding in the coast range mountains with a friend. Her horse had never before been in the woods. This trail is a lovely loop with bridges to cross and hills to climb. It was a perfect summer day and the forest was a sanctuary from the summer sun. As we rode along, the trail narrowed. To our right was a steep draw dropping about a hundred feet with a creek at the bottom. To the left the bank shot straight up. As we traveled along the path we came to a spot where a ground squirrel had carved out a massive hole. It spanned across the trail from one side to the other. My horse stopped to survey and I sensed his concern as he drew back. Years ago, before I


understood the value of the present moment and how it affects the next sequence of responses, I might have taken ahold and legged him across, hoping that the horse behind me would just follow along. Had I done this and my horse resisted, it could have easily initiated resistance in the inexperienced horse as well. I paused a long moment and set boundaries with my hands and my legs, offering support but not force. I waited there to observe and understand how my horse was responding. To me, whether it’s life or horsemanship, this is what I call “The power in the pause”. He backed up a couple of steps and arched his neck, snorted a little and took a better look at that gaping hole before him. Because I allowed him the time to look, the time to pause and to gather his composure, he had composure to gather. I asked him to move forward, though I made it a request rather than a demand. I will never forget how good it felt when my horse trusted my encouragement and moved across that hole with faith and feel. I looked back to see the horse behind me crossing confidently and the rider grinning from ear to ear. I have since then wondered how that situation might have been different had I been different. To me this is a great example of not going beyond the quality in the relationship. Nothing means more to me than my horse’s respect. I know for certain that you have to give respect to get it. It all happens in the transition. For me what happened that day gets to the heart of horsemanship and a key to bridging the gap between acceptance and reaction. We can have a real relationship with what “is” rather than a false, forced relationship with what we think “should be”. We can gain the experience we need for our transitions when we are willing to be deeply rooted in them. We can work from a success to a success, and have flexibility of perspective. All of this provides us, and our horses, the opportunity to build a learning frame of mind.

exactly alike. To be effective in transitions we must have the awareness to adjust ourselves and our requests to a changing world. All too often the human wants to make something happen. This sense of force interrupts the natural dialogue that takes place and it can put a conflict into a transition. We can have a flexibility to our boundaries that allows for adjustment from one horse to another as well as one day to another. This too can offer insight to more effective relationships of all kinds.

When we are habituated, we can think that what we are accustomed to is balanced or effective. Though truth be known, we can easily mistake what feels familiar for what is effective. We can practice ineffectiveness long enough to believe that we are being effective. It is important to quality horsemanship that we remember “Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect”. Habits oppose consciousness. And true consciousness is necessary for consistent effectiveness.

Within every breath is a transition. The more we listen and understand what is taking place in this moment, the more effective we will be in the next. For much of my life my ambition got in the way of my learning. I remember a great horseman saying, “I wish I knew then what I think I know now.” This statement taught me how perceptions and even knowledge are constantly changing. I find it much more effective to know I don’t know, than to think I do. That is not to say that I don’t try to learn and understand. It is that I don’t hold on to who I think I am for too long. Because when I do, tomorrow proves me wrong. Life is all about change.

I have seen the value in giving the horse time to respond. Force opposes flow. There is a rhythm to relationships as they evolve. And no two days are

As I watch my kids grow, my career shifting, my community expanding and even my body aging, I see my life changing constantly. I know that what I practice

Habits oppose consciousness.

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is what I get good at. How can I practice confidence in a constantly changing world? How do I unlearn the reactive fear that seems to be primordial survival? I have learned that when I improve myself, I improve my relationship with my horses. I realized that I don’t have to settle for fear, resistance, and conflict in myself, in my life or in my horses. I can find a much greater understanding when I am willing to observe without knowing. I found I can unlearn the habit of fear and replace it with curious discernment. I make better choices and use less force when I am not resisting outcomes or trying to make something happen. The first step I had to master in improving any transition, whether it be physical, mental or spiritual was to draw back, pause, listen and understand. What is my part in the equation? How can I improve my emotions, actions, and intentions in each transition? I learned that when I improve my fifty percent of the relationship with life, or with my horses, my relationships improve. The key elements for successful transitions come from… Willingness Open mindedness

About Mary Corning Mary Corning changes lives by defining the transformative power of pain. As a mentor, speaker, life consultant and writer, she clearly and compassionately models this process through her messages and stories. Mary extends her philosophy into her world of horses, where both people and horses benefit from realizing a different way to interpret challenge. Mary lives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, on twenty acres of land at the foothills of the Coast Range. She is blissfully married to her husband, Magnus, who is her life’s perfect partner. She has a best friend who vitalizes her whole heart with an unwavering friendship. Mary is passionately involved with her horses and dedicated to her work with people. She loves life, and her home includes two wonderful stepsons who have given her the gift of a front-row seat into youthful expression. Her constant companions and confidants are her dogs and cats. When she is not writing, working, or enjoying her home life, her favorite pastime is horse camping in one of western Oregon’s many beautiful forests.

Attention Observation Listening Empathy Understanding The condition my transition is in improves exponentially when I am consciously aware. This is perhaps the simplest thing we will ever learn. But by simple, I don’t mean easy. The rewards of utilizing change to expand our awareness create a ripple effect that can and does change the world we live in.

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There is much written about overcoming emotional pain. But writer, speaker, consultant and mentor Mary S. Corning takes a fresh and groundbreaking approach, a true paradigm shift, to facing pain in her book, Perfect Practice. Rather than working to overcome it, Corning counsels that readers focus on its wisdom, gain insights, and then use them as a vehicle for growth for freedom from our own fearful thoughts. In her inspirational new book, Perfect Practice: A Philosophy for Living an Authentic and Transparent Life (Circle Around Publishing; June 10, 2019; $15.95), Corning hopes to plant a seed of inspiration for readers to learn how to transform pain into purpose, conflict into confidence, and fear into curiosity. Corning shows readers how to look deeply into the experiences that have caused them pain, using their hearts and minds to apply it to their lives in a transformational way.


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Your Why Matters by Scott DePaolo Many of you know what you want to do, who you want to be, and what you want from your horses, but do you know your why? Knowing your why may be the most important part of any goal you want to accomplish or any mountain you are climbing. They say that if you have a strong enough why, you can endure almost any how. Your why is your North Star, your guiding light, and the secret sauce that keeps you going on your journey, the thing that makes you strive for your ultimate goal or life’s purpose. Nothing great or worthwhile has ever been accomplished without a strong why. I remember one of my high school coaches lecturing us after practice before the big game. He was holding a twelve-foot two-by-six. It has been years ago now, but I think of it often. He singled me out and said, “Hey, DePae, would you walk across this two-by-six if I laid it on the ground?” I answered, “Sure, Coach!” He asked another question, “If it was ten feet in the air, would you still walk across it?” I hesitated. That was a little more risky. So he asked again with just a little change. “Would you walk across this two-by-six suspended ten feet in the air for twenty dollars?” “Sure,” I said without hesitation and thought, Why wouldn’t I? (I was quite a bit younger then and would do just about almost anything for twenty dollars). Then he changed the question again and asked, “Would you walk across the same two-by-six suspended between two buildings ten stories high for twenty dollars?” 16 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

That answer was easy, and I did not hesitate. “No way! Are you crazy, Coach? Who would do that for twenty dollars? I am not that dumb!” Changing the question just a bit one more time, he asked me, “Scott, would you walk across this two-bysix suspended between two buildings ten stories up to carry a rescue line from one building to another building that your most loved family members were on if that building was on fire and you were their only hope?” Without pausing to think, I said, “Sure. Who wouldn’t? Of course I would.” I am guessing that most of you would also! Your why matters. Throughout history, story after story,—from the ancient story of Troy, to George Washington crossing the Delaware, to the D-Day invasion, to our own more recent space exploration, to every champion that ever received a gold medal— their why has been the most important thing. If you have no why, there is no way! Whether you are an Olympic level athlete, a soldier, a business owner, a mom or dad, anyone with a goal or something you want to achieve, or a Horseman, your why matters! Over the past year, I have been building a series of horsemanship and lifemanship clinics that could be participated in as an on-going, year-long series, or as stand-alone clinics/workshops. They all have a horsemanship focus as well as personal growth aspect. I strongly believe that for things to get better,


we have to get better. That means to me that I need to work harder on me then I do on my horse. I remember Ray Hunt saying many years ago that you’ve got to work harder on yourself than you do your horse. The series’ titles are New Year, New You; Fear and Confidence; Will Power and Habits; and Peak Performance. All of these clinics have different focus ideas and materials; however, two topics have stood out as being foundational and irreplaceable to the success of the participants: The Power of Why and Goal Setting. Over the next two months leading up to the new year, I will discuss the basics of these two very important tools. Why do you ride? The answer to this question could make all of the difference. The power of your why will give you the secret sauce to strive for your wildest dreams and accomplish your greatest goals as well as bring growth through adversity. Anything worth accomplishing should be hard by nature. As a horseman/rider/every-day-athlete,—whether it is rainy and cold, whether you are tired or sore, whether you are frustrated with your progress or just won the event you had been training for, or maybe you have had a setback, something that took you out of your game, or maybe you or your horse are recovering from an injury—what propels you forward to ride as much as possible? Maybe you have hit a wall either mentally or physically, or you are out of your comfort zone and scared to go on. You may find yourself discouraged because success is full of failure and want to quit often. It is all up hill! Any journey worth going on takes a lot of work, determination, and grit. That is why you need a strong why! Your why is not a thought; it is an emotion and comes from way down deep. It almost always is unselfish and most often comes from deep inside your heart. Here is a tool to help you determine your why for almost anything worth doing. It is called The Seven Levels. This is a simple exercise, but it’s not easy. It will take effort and some thinking time, but in the end it will be well worth it. Ask yourself a series of questions. First of all, what do I want to do, be or have? The answer to this will be a goal, dream, or achievement. Then go through the seven levels. Question #1: Why do I want to do/be that?

Question #2: Why do I want to (answer to #1)? ̲Question #3: Why do I want to (answer to #2)? ̲Question #4: Why do I want to (answer to #3)? ̲Question #5: Why do I want to (answer to #4)? ̲Question #6: Why do I want to (answer to #5)? Question #7: Why do I want to (answer to #6)?

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The answer to #7 is deep enough to be your true why! It will be from the heart and give you the reason, strength, and the grit to go on, even on the bad days and the I-don’t-like-it days. Here are my answers to the seven levels of why I ride every day: Question 1: It is important to me. Question 2: Riding keeps me balanced in life. Question 3: Riding is a keystone habit. Question 4: Riding makes all other parts of my life better. Question 5: I am riding so I can be the best me I can be. Question 6: So I can grow in my horsemanship. Question 7: I ride every day so I can learn to be able to use horses and horsemanship to add value to others through horsemanship and lifemanship. That is my why. What is yours? Don’t miss next month’s article when we’ll talk about nine tools for accomplishing any goal. Make it a great day. Happy trails, Scott D November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 17


Pony Power! by: Alexia Allen, Hawthorne Farm

For over a decade, horses were antidotes to my office job. I could truly be myself sitting on my horse, and then I’d spend the rest of my daylight hours sitting at a desk. When I left that job and started an educational farm and homestead, my equines got bored. They watched me over the fence as I ran around the garden. The homestead kept me fully engaged, but then my riding horses were out of a job. My horses eventually retired, but I was curious… How could I integrate horse time with farm work time? People have been farming for a lot longer than there have been tractors. What if horses could do my farm’s plowing and cultivating? I had taken a few driving lessons. A local teamster with Belgian horses let me take the lines on his wagon a few times. Just so you know, the long strips of leather that go to the horse’s bit are called “lines” for most west-coast farm driving. Not “reins,” which are for riding. I learned this and more from the man with the Belgians, Wayne Buckner. A passerby asked if his horses were a hobby. Wayne leaned forward from the wagon seat. “Not a hobby,” he said firmly. “A PASSION!” With examples like that, I was ready to take the plunge back into horse life. When I found a team of Amish ponies for sale near Bellingham, I couldn’t resist. A “team” is two horses trained to work side by side, often called a “pair” for pleasure driving. I got my team from a man who grew up driving giant Percherons in the show ring, but he eventually switched to Shetland ponies. “Just as much fun, and a lot less feed,” he said as he brought the team out to be harnessed. I wasn’t up for starting a young or inexperienced farm horse, but these 51-inch ponies were as broke as I could find. Pull a cart while six fire engines zoom past? No problem. They lean into their collars and do their job. They are pretty old—there’s a reason the Amish sold 18 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

them—but as far as I’m concerned they can live out their days doing easy work on my few acres. I wish I could hitch them up and drive to the grocery store, but I don’t think Seattle drivers would be very patient with me. Maybe someday I’ll steer the ponies through the coffee-shop drive-through. Most of all, farming with horses is a thrilling connection to history. It hearkens to a time when society moved at a horse’s pace. My feet feel the earth behind the team as we harrow the pasture or cultivate onion rows. We learn where the soft spots are, where the going gets tough, where the earthworms are thickest. The quiet horses let me appreciate the bird song around me. All this, and I certainly stay in shape along with the team! After a day in the field, my problems seem tiny. I sleep soundly, dreaming of new ways to hitch equipment for the team. I’m in a long lineage of people who love accomplishing tasks with real horse power. The work my horses do keeps me alive—both through the joy they bring me, and because they literally help me grow food! I’ll be honest, the learning curve is steep. Harnessing a horse is like getting an airplane ready to fly—a bewildering pile of straps and buckles and hooks, each one crucial to the safety of the whole outfit. Even though I had done a little driving before, I was glad to find mentors both locally and online. Expert eyes and opinions have saved me from serious mishaps. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know, and there are a lot of unsafe YouTube examples out there. One of my catchphrases when I got the ponies was, “I


t

know just enough to get myself into trouble!” While not every horse is a driving horse, my team relishes the opportunity to do field work. A neighbor with decades of experience said, “It’s the mares who have the work ethic,” and my mare-and-gelding team bear that out. Dolly gives me looks that clearly say, “Lady, you obviously don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve spent more time hitched to farm equipment than you can even imagine.” She is the taskmaster of the team, doing the bulk of the work if I allow her to pull ahead of her teammate Duke. Duke, bless his unflappable heart, lets kids shoot bows and arrows off his back, pulls a wagon load of lettuce to give away at church, drags a rattling harrow in circles while friends practice driving, and doesn’t bat an ear when I attach him to a crinkly, soapy, roll of wool so he can pull it around the neighborhood to make a piece of wool felt Mongolian-style. He would, however, rather lounge in the sunshine and eat his ration of senior feed. I’m happy to be a retirement home for Amish ponies. It’s a blessing that Duke and Dolly came to Hawthorn Farm where they can teach us to communicate with horses through lines, voice, and heart. Knowing that I could connect young people to this skill nudged me into investing time and money for the team. This horse-drawn farm offers something more interesting than a screen. For all the interactive pleasures of the online world, you can’t eat it. Navigating a pony through rows of onions is an interactive thrill. That sounds funny when I write it, but it has more excitement than your average video game, and a workout besides. And hopefully some onions to eat, provided you steer your pony right. Let’s reclaim this ancient skill and keep it living. Who knows what the future of farming will look like? I’m having a blast building towards a low-

carbon-footprint future. After all, my horses are solar-powered tractors. Their exhaust is fertilizer, they follow voice commands better than the fanciest cars I’ve seen, and they can reproduce themselves (ever seen a baby tractor in the barn?). With a team, I can hitch them together for more power, or use one horse when I need maneuverability. There’s a place in the farms of the future for beautiful, conscientious horse power. Farming with horses is a dream for me. It’s a dream that requires effort, attention, and more time than your average park-and-forget-it tractor. But it’s my responsibility to model appreciation for our food and planet to the young people I work with. If I’m not having fun, why will they want to help? Enjoy your horses and dreams! Alexia Allen lives and works at Hawthorn Farm in Woodinville with her husband Daniel Kirchhof, Farm Grandma Jenn Wolfe, and many other helpful family members, including dairy goats. Find out more at HawthornFarm.org Resources: Washington Draft Horse and Mule Association. Demonstrations, member meetings, and the annual Draft Horse Extravaganza! http://www.wdhma.org/ Just south of Portland, a wonderful old-time auction of horse-drawn equipment of all sorts and farm gizmos aplenty. April 17-18, 2020 https:// pacificoverlandauction.com/ Doc Hammill puts out the best driving training DVDs I’ve seen, with phone mentoring and workshops available too. www.dochammill.com

November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 19


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Mud Management By Ashlynn Noble & Chris Wickliffe, DVM It’s that time of year again! The rain has returned and with rain comes mud. Did you know that western Oregon and Washington average between 3547 inches of rain per year? And while the Central and Eastern parts of Oregon and Washington get significantly less, that doesn’t mean that they are immune to the mud. Mud management for our horses is very important because mud leads to excessive moisture against the skin and is a great breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Chronic exposure to these can lead to hoof abscesses, mud fever and/or thrush. Hoof abscesses are very common in western Oregon and Washington. They are caused by bacteria entering a crack, puncture or defect in the hoof wall or sole. Anaerobic bacteria then start to grow in this area causing inflammation and sudden lameness. This painful problem can make a horse go from trail riding one day to barely able to walk the next. Superficial abscess can often be cured with soaking the foot in hot water and Epsom salts. But often a farrier or veterinarian visit will speed the healing process and help prevent re-occurrence. A reoccurring or deep abscess should always be seen by a veterinarian or a farrier to decide on the appropriate treatment plan. Mud fever, also known as scratches, is another problem brought on by mud. It is caused by a mixture of fungal and bacterial that cause a skin infection that results in painful sores on the fetlock and pasterns of horses. They are more commonly found in horses that have feathers over their fetlocks and pasterns. This is because moisture gets trapped under the long hair and bacteria flourish in dark, warm, damp environments. Treatment includes clipping the area to allow drying. Cleaning with an anti-bacterial/ fungal agent like chlorhexidine. Wrapping to minimize swelling, systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Often these are persistent but superficial infections. However, it is possible for scratches to lead to a systemic lymphangitis that is life threatening. So it is important for it to be seen by your veterinarian. Hoof thrush is another common issue caused by bacteria that gives off that unwanted smell from a horses’ hoof that many of us are familiar with. Thrush occurs naturally and thrives in an unsanitary 22 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

environment such as a muddy unpicked pasture or a dirty stall. It commonly affects the frog of the hoof due to the low amount of oxygen that reaches that part of the hoof. Mud is a breeding ground for bacteria so eliminating it from your paddock is beneficial for the health of your horses. Most farriers have a favorite way of treating thrush that works well in their area. Trust them, they are an essential part of your horse health team. In addition, the excess moisture in mud causes soft hooves and soles which can lead to uneven wear on different parts of the hoof, hoof cracks, stretching of the white line and bruising of the sole. When horses are spending a lot of time in mud, the resulting soft hoof wall can wear down unevenly. This can lead to advanced problems such as long toes, short heels, and excessive solar pressure. When this happens the horse’s hoof will need to be slowly reconstructed by a farrier in order to make your horse comfortable and sound again. This can be an expensive and a very time-consuming process. It is best to try and avoid this by managing mud in your paddocks and pastures. There are several methods for mud management. The most important thing to do is plan ahead. When designing a paddock/pasture choose high ground with natural water runoff this will help prevent pastures from building up with standing water. All paddock areas should be designed with a slope. You can slope your pastures at a 1-2 % grade to redirect water away from buildings or high traffic areas. When done


correctly, sloping your pastures can be a very effective and cheap mud management strategy. Mud often happens in high traffic areas where water is unable to drain and therefore pools up. Raising these areas with geotextile cloth, rock and a drainage system is helpful. Installing a French drain around the outside of your paddocks is also a great option for management of excess water. A French drain is a trench that is dug along the paddock and filled with gravel. As water runs off into the drain, the trench then leads that water away from the paddock to a sacrifice area. This sacrifice area is commonly known as a riparian area designated for the excess water to run off. One of the best ways to fix a muddy pasture is to fill in the low spots where water accumulates and place down a footing grid system. This is a wonderful option. However, it can be costly as footing and grid systems are not cheap. Placing a grid system can be done many ways. An easy way to start is by placing a layer of geotextile cloth down over high traffic areas or the entire paddock if you choose. Once fabric is in place, a grid system is then placed, followed by about 6 inches of footing of your choice. Many people choose a sand or gravel mixture. This helps allow for proper drainage and keeps your paddock mud free. Some additional options for mud management are to pick you pastures and rest your pastures on a rotation schedule if possible. Trampling causes compaction of the soil, loss of nutrients, and poor drainage ability. A good rule of thumb is one horse per acre. Rotating pastures will help keep the vegetation and nutrients in your pastures for many years to come. There are many different footing options out there

as well. Each footing has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some common footing choices are as follows; crushed rock, gravel, sand, shavings, straw, and hogs fuel (wood ships or shreds). Unfortunately, hogs fuel decomposes quickly over time and sand can cause other problems such as sand colic when accidentally ingested. Gravel or crushed stone on the other hand can be a great choice, although it becomes uncomfortable for the horse to stand on if it is larger than 5/8�. On a budget you can use a mixture of several footings and apply gravel to the high traffic areas only. Just remember if your going to use any footing system make sure to put a geotextile cloth under it to ensure that water can run through without releasing mud to surface. One last recommendation if you still have mud in your pasture. Find a clean dry spot, such as a stall, and put your horse in at night. This allows their feet and legs to dry out overnight. A great trick is to use bedding pellets or a mix of pellets and shavings. Pellets absorb a much greater amount of water then shavings and will help the feet dry faster. All of us at Cascadia Equine Veterinary Clinic hope that all of you are having a wonderful fall and are making time to get out and enjoy our amazing northwest with your equine partners. November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 23


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November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 25


The Healing Power of Horses

by Vonie Kalich, A Tail of New Beginnings

As a Life Coach, I frequently partner with my horse Cody to coach individuals and groups. During the process of coaching in a group setting, there is the potential for borrowed benefits. Borrowed benefits are when a client receives benefits from another client’s coaching process. Little did I know, as my practice grew, that I too would receive so many powerful benefits. One day in June, I received the greatest gift while coaching a client that Cody and I had worked with back in March. She was coming out for another session with us, and here I was five days after my first chemotherapy treatment. I overflowed with all sorts of fears and doubts. I was afraid of my ability to coach. I wanted to do the best possible job for my client. I wanted to show up for her and not have her feel sorry for me because I’d just had chemo or because I had cancer. I wanted her to be able to leave her problems, fears, doubts, grief, or what have you on the arena floor. I wanted her to know that Cody and I cared deeply for her and who she was when she showed up and who she was when she left. Not only did I worry about the client’s experience, but I was also worried about me. I had just started chemo treatments. I wasn’t feeling well that day, and it turned out to be the start of a severe infection that ended up hospitalizing me. I was afraid that I might die. How was I going to be able to support myself? What will happen to my business? Could I still work, and if so, how much of a backseat was it going to have to take? I had been gaining momentum in my business, now what? The word cancer alone is enough to create fear! All those fears could have the potential to cause me to lose my home, my truck, and worse, my horse Cody. Not only was he the horse that I loved, cared for, and rode, but he was also my business partner. There I was, faceto-face with all the fears and doubts. Despite having completed a chemo treatment and not feeling well, everything in me believed it to be in my 26 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

highest good to go out and coach the client who was dealing with a different kind of pain and suffering. Once again, she had bravely sought out further coaching and wanted to continue the healing process she’d started. What I received that day was transformational for me. The gift was more significant than any of my fears of cancer. I received the gift of love, the gift of purpose, the gift of connection, and inspiration. I received the gift of belonging and the gift of light. Being witness to and a part of someone else’s healing is more powerful than all the fears I’d had that morning, so I showed up to the barn ready to coach. The morning wasn’t about cancer or sickness. It was about service to another. It was about healing that which was broken and making it whole for her. It was about showing up and being present. It was about holding space for another. I wasn’t the only one to show up. Cody showed up in a bigger and more powerful way than he’d ever shown up before. His intuition was what was needed not only to help the client but to help me to heal my fragmented heart. I walked away from that coaching session, knowing it was not going to be our last and that I was going to kick cancer’s butt. We, as horse owners, know that horses touch our lives far beyond what non-horse people could even imagine.


OWN YOUR OWN UNIQUE BUSINESS! They lower our blood pressure; they are magnificent in helping us feel better when we are feeling down. When we aren’t scared about something that might scare them, they calm our nerves. They help us feel connected and stay in the present moment. If we aren’t, they will find a way to bring us back to the present. They listen to what we feel, way beyond what most of us even know we are feeling. Coaching clients is my passion. It brings me joy, and big grins on my face to know that Cody and I, as a team, help others to Heal Their Hearts and Love Their Lives. I’m so grateful for that coaching session. I was honored to step into the arena and helped the client to leave her past behind her and in the arena dirt. Despite cancer, I continued to coach individuals and groups, and now cancer treatments are over. The best part is that I’m still here on the right side of the dirt, and I get to continue to do what I love. I invite you to take the opportunity to join Cody and me for a coaching session either as an individual or in a group setting. I know your horse helps you, and until you experience it, you won’t ever know what a human coach and another horse might do to help you to leave your past in the arena dirt.

Field and Brush Maintenance, LLC is for sale and it could be yours! We are currently based in Sherwood, Oregon, with customers throughout the counties of Washington, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Clackamas, and Multnomah. The business was founded 10 years ago and has a full client list as well as equipment for sale. The owner is only selling because he’s ready for retirement. Income for 2018 was $54,000 and only included a work cycle of approximately 6 months (April thru Sept), because the owner focused on Agricultural jobs only. With aggressive marketing and sales, there is no limit to its real potential.

VERY IMPORTANT: We are now approaching the busy time of year, so a quick sale now would, as part of the deal, allow the owner to spend the rest of this year training you and your personnel with the equipment, introducing them to customers, and training in the use of Quick Books. If sold to private party, books could be transferred to their name and be continued from there. In addition to the owners free consulting time for the buyer for this year, he would also be available to fill-in on jobs periodically during the transition this season for a special hourly rate. If you have interest, please contact the owner immediately so you can benefit from this busy time of year. LETS TALK !

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November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 27


Winter Riding – Care of the Horse by Heather Smith Thomas

Many horses get a vacation during winter, yet these months can be a fun time to ride, if you and your horse are prepared. It’s not a good time to train green horses-in the rain or on slick, muddy or frozen ground with bad footing--but the seasoned or well started horse can do fine. Horses in careers that require peak conditioning do better with continued exercise during winter; it takes less time to get them back into perfect fitness next spring. HOOF CARE AND TRACTION Deep snow, slippery mud, ice or frozen ground can be treacherous, especially on a hillside. Many horsemen remove their horses’ shoes for winter. Bare feet have better traction than most shoes; the sharp edges of the bare foot can cut into the snow or slick ground a little better than a shod foot, and snow doesn’t ball up so badly in a bare foot. If snow is wet and packing, it builds up in the foot and the horse is soon walking on four balls of ice. If there is much ice, snow or frozen ground, however, you may want your horse shod with spots of borium welded onto the shoes. The borium (tungston carbide) has tiny sharp, hard crystals that give more traction on slippery surfaces, digging in and grabbing--whereas a regular shoe will slip. Horses can also be shod with calks for winter, but these can be dangerous if horses are pastured together and one gets kicked. Your farrier may have suggestions for special winter shoes that will make the best footing for your horse in your particular winter conditions. If snow balls up in the feet, this can be prevented by greasing the soles. Butter, margarine or petroleum jelly can create a “non-stick” surface. You might also have your farrier put snow pads on. These have a bulge that keeps the snow from balling up in the feet, making for safer riding. SADDLING A horse that lives at pasture in winter may be woolly and have mud in his coat. When grooming him to saddle up, you don’t need to be fussy about how he looks, but you do need to take time to get his back clean. You don’t want a sore back; make sure there’s no mud or matted hair under the saddle pad. If he is wet from rain or snow, brush out as much moisture as possible before saddling. A wet back galls easier than a dry one. 28 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

When saddling in winter, you may have to readjust your tack. In summer the horses are lean and hard, and short-haired. In winter they may not be ridden as often nor as long and may have put on a weight. Long winter hair can also make a difference in how many holes you take up on the cinch or girth. Don’t expect your winter horse to have the same dimensions he has in summer. Even his bridle may fit a little snug, due to winter hair. WARMING THE BIT In cold weather an icy-cold metal bit can be quite unpleasant for the horse when you first put it into his mouth. Most horses will resent this, and may try to avoid the bit. To prevent this problem, make sure the bit is not cold when you bridle the horse. During winter, keep your bridles in the house instead of the barn or tack room, and take them outside just before bridling the horse. If the horse is a long ways from your house and this is not practical, keep the bit warm during transport from house to horse. One way that works well (if there’s not a long time between when you take the bridle out of the house and put it on the horse) is to dampen a washcloth with very


down. If possible, plan your rides early in the day so you can get your horse cooled out before sundown—so he won’t break out into a second sweat after you put him away. If he is wet, dry him as much as possible before you turn him loose, so he won’t chill. This takes extra time when a horse has a long hair coat, but it’s worth it. If a horse is hot and tired, you don’t want him to chill and be stressed (and possibly get sick) just because you didn’t cool him out and dry him. His heavy hair coat and winter skin are good insulation, but if he is wet clear down to the skin, he loses that insulation. In summer the horse’s skin is thin and blood capillaries are near the surface so he can sweat easily and bring overheated blood near the skin for cooling. In winter his capillaries are not so near the surface. His body is programmed to conserve heat. His long thick hair stands up, trapping air between the hairs, making an excellent layer of insulation between his body and the cold air. He can handle subzero temperatures without discomfort.

hot water and wrap it around the bit. Then wrap a hand towel over the wet washcloth to help hold in the heat, providing insulation. This will also keep the moisture in and everything else dry, if you are putting the bridles into your car or taking them with other tack out to the horse. This will keep bits warm for a reasonable length of time even in extremely cold weather, and ensures that bridling doesn’t become an unpleasant experience for your horse. WARM-UP BEFORE, AND COOL-OUT AFTER A RIDE Always take time to gradually warm up the horse at the beginning of your ride, before you do any fast work. This will help your horse 2 ways. Starting out at the walk can get his mind settled into working attitude (especially if he’s had some time off and might feel frisky and goofy) as well as his muscles, joints and tendons limbered up. He will be less apt to slip and fall (due to not paying attention to business at hand) and less apt to injure himself. A good warm-up is important any time of year, but especially in winter when weather is cold. Proper cool-out is equally crucial. Winter days are short; temperature drops quickly once the sun goes

If he’s wet, that’s a different story. Under normal conditions when he is standing out in rain or snow with hair fluffed up, most of the moisture runs off and he doesn’t get wet clear down to his skin unless it rains steadily for a long time. But if you ride him and he sweats, then his skin is wet, his hair is plastered down and no longer insulating, and if you put him away without drying him and fluffing up his hair, he may chill. Dry him as much as you can with a towel, fluffing up his hair, then brush him. Make sure his body temperature is back to normal (walking him if he is moderately hot) and his hair coat drying before you put him away. If his hair is fluffed it will continue to dry, and provide insulation as it finishes drying. If weather is windy, he needs a windbreak in his pen or pasture. If you finish your ride late in the day, the horse is hot and wet and weather is getting worse, take as much time as necessary to get him properly cooled out and dry. For these same reasons, it’s not wise to bathe a horse during cold weather. If he gets muddy or dirty, it’s healthiest for him if you just take the extra time to brush the dirt and mud from his coat. CLIPPING AND BLANKETING Some people clip their horses if they ride a lot in winter (full body clip or just a clip in saddle and girth area) to make it easier to keep the horse clean and cool him out. Long, wet hair can be hard to get dry if the horse sweats. Clipping is fine if a horse lives in a stall or routinely wears a blanket when turned out in November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 29


A scarf around neck and face can help keep you warm if weather is cold and windy. The day may be sunny, but if there is any wind it quickly takes away body heat. Keep the wind chill factor in mind. If your hands get cold, use lightweight, flexible gloves that still allow a good feel on the reins. Wind can make a nice day into a miserable one unless you are dressed for it. Danger of frostbite is worse if wind is blowing. You might expect frostbite at zero and be prepared for it, but you are just as apt to suffer problems at a warmer temperature if there is wind. When you and your horse are moving it has the same effect on exposed skin as if a wind were blowing. If you are traveling at a brisk 10 mile-per-hour trot on a still day, it is the same as if your skin were subjected to a 10 mileper-hour wind.

cold weather. Don’t clip a horse that lives outdoors or he won’t be able to handle cold, windy or wet weather. A horse that lives at pasture or in an outside paddock should not be clipped and deprived of natural protection. It’s better to take the extra time to get his back clean before saddling, and the extra time to cool him out and dry him after a ride. RIDER CLOTHING AND FOOT WEAR When riding in winter, you need warm clothing but something lightweight so you can move freely. You don’t want to be so cold your hands won’t work or your feet get numb; if you are stiff you can’t do a proper job of riding. Yet don’t be so bundled up you can’t move. You have to be able to get on and off easily. When riding on treacherous frozen footing, you want to be able to move with the horse and also able to get free of the saddle if the horse ever does fall down. It’s dangerous to be so bundled up you can’t move freely when working on slippery footing, so don’t be hindered by too many clothes. Never wear bulky footwear that might hang up in a stirrup, and don’t have mud on your boots that might cause them to slip out of the stirrup. Use riding boots that are loose enough to accommodate a heavy sock and your feet will usually stay warm enough. It’s better to have footwear slightly loose than too tight. A boot too tight (as when you try to wear thick, warm socks) will restrict circulation in your feet; they will get colder than if you had less layers and more room. You need room to wiggle your toes. Keeping circulation going in your feet helps keep them warm. 30 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com

Wind makes it seem colder than the actual temperature, because it’s taking away your body heat. Wind chill charts give an idea of how much colder it is at various wind speeds. A 10 mile-per-hour trot at 15 degrees will make it equivalent to 2 below zero on your exposed skin. At 35 degrees, a 10 mile-per-hour wind makes it like 21 degrees. The sun may be shining, the thermometer may indicate it’s not too cold, but if there’s a wind, be prepared. It’s no fun to come home so stiff and cold you can’t unbuckle your bridle.


Equine Services Directory Horse Trainers

Boarding Facilities

Donohue Horsemanship Silver Spade Ranch: Horseback Riding Lessons: All Ages and abilities: Colt Starting: Problem Solving: Training: Stock Horse Showing/Training/Coaching: 503-593-8775 www.Donohuehorsemanship.com

R&R Equestrian Center Boarding and riding facility in Woodland, Washington. Stalls, indoor arena, outdoor arena, turnouts, and overnight stays. www.rrequestriancenter.com 360-225-3950

Scott DePaolo Horsemanship Training at all skill levels. Clinics, lessons, and more! www.ScottDePaolo Horsemanship.com Facebook: scottdepaolohorsemanship

Whispering Meadows Equestrian Center 40 acre horse boarding facility with an indoor and outdoor riding arena. Conveniently located between Eugene and Junction City, Oregon. We have 47 stalls, 23 with runs and many outside paddocks. www.whisperingmeadowsec.com 541-607-1902

Rafter 2S Ranch Over 20 years experience in horse training specializing in colt starting and finished performance horses. Orchard grass, barley hay, and quality beef also for sale. Kristi Siebert, Goldendale, WA 509-773-4268

Shavings K Bar D Enterprises, LLC Delivering premium bagged Fine shavings to the Pacific Northwest. Delivery available from full semi load to 1 pallet (40 bags) Call David - 503-806-0955

Leather Work Big Hat Saddlery Big Hat Saddlery is dedicated to providing custom made leather goods for horse & rider, made from the finest materials. Can also repair and clean saddles. Brent Skill 360-837-3482

Veterinarians Amazia Veterinary Services Large and small animal care. Serving all of Clark County, Washington. 360-892-7524 www.amaziavet.com Cascadia Equine Veterinary Clinic Fully mobile equine veterinary practice serving the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Tel: 541-207-8308 Email: contact@cascadiaequine.com www.cascadiaequine.com

Want to get listed? Limited space available.

360-567-7211 wendy@nwridermagazine.com

November 2019 - Northwest Rider Magazine | 31


INSTALLATION • DESIGN

Quality construction with a personal touch • Personal riding arenas

• Custom buildings

• Boarding facilities

• Hay storage buildings

• Stall barns

• Shops and garages

• Custom stalls

• Clearspans up to 100’

Experience & Quality Our business depends on our reputation. We are family owned and operated since 1977! Unlike many of our competitors, we never subcontract the labor on any job. This allows us the ability to maintain our high standard of quality. We’re so confi dent in our team that we’ll provide you with a written guarantee of when your project will be completed.

** WINTER SPECIAL! ** 10% Discount Nov 1st - March 1st (Restrictions apply) “They have built two arenas for us and did an excellent job on both! They are fast, professional, and do excellent work!” ~ Kim Yore, Castle Rock, WA

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888.453.5964 17825 Painter Loop NE • Hubbard, Oregon 97032

FILL OUT A FREE QUOTE FORM ONLINE • Serving All of Oregon & Washington

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32 | www.NWRiderMagazine.com


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