Karen Pickering

Owner/Publisher Karen’s lifelong love of horses began at a very early age when she wore out a couple of rocking horses before convincing her parents to get her the real thing. That ill-tempered bay gelding, Brandy, was a challenge for the young horsewoman, but it drove her ambition to become a horse trainer. After attending Canyonview Equestrian College’s Horsemanship Program, Karen realized she needed work that was a little more lucrative than training, so she took a job with Customs Brokerage to pay the bills. There, she discovered an affinity for computers and a talent for creating informative, entertaining newsletters. The Northwest Horse Source began as such a letter in December 1995, with a distribution of 1000 copies for its 12 black and white pages.  Now 29 years later, it's an online magazine and website with a reach of over 10,000 per month and growing! Not bad for the results of one woman’s dream to work with horses! Today, Karen remains involved with every aspect of the magazine and treasures the community of thousands who share a common passion.

Gratitude

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Lessons Learned from Decades Publishing the NW Horse Source By Karen Pickering   As I sit at my desk on a quiet Tuesday evening, I think of all the things I’m grateful for. I’ve had a lifetime of experiences, met some incredible people, and truly lived a life that many …

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Artist Emily Vander Haak

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Revealing the Heart of an Animal Interview by Kim Roe   How long have you been an artist and what are your specialties? I grew up surrounded by art. My mother has always been an art teacher, and I learned from her. I’ve been an artist all of my life. …

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Caring for Our Equine Friends

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Is Horse Care More Complicated Today? By Karen Pickering   The topic of equine wellness is on my mind a lot lately. I’m down to two horses—April and my mini, Chloe. It seems my current horses have more health issues than those I owned as a kid. My parents didn’t …

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Wellness is a Relative Term

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An Ounce of Prevention can be Priceless by Karen Pickering   It was early 2009 when I received the heartbreaking news that April had navicular disease. She was only 10-years-old and in the prime of her life; a fun to ride, responsive, quick yet kind, and super loving mare. She …

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Feather River College

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Hands-on Learning Leads to Careers with Horses and Cattle By Crystal Anderson   Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Quincy, California is a small community college with an impressive horse and cattle program. At Feather River College students can earn an associate degree or certificate in Agriculture or Equine …

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Oregon Horse Center

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A Northwest Treasure for Horse Events By Karen Pickering   In May I escaped for a short visit to one of the nicest equestrian facilities in the Northwest––The Oregon Horse Center (OHC). This was my first visit to OHC and though I’ve heard many good things about this facility it …

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Sterling Essentials

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Love of the Horse Inspired Unique Leather Care Products From an interview by Karen Pickering   How and why did you get started in business? The story of Sterling Essentials starts with horses in the Pacific Northwest. Our horses and our love for them was the inspiration behind our company and …

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Working in the Horse Industry

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Getting an Education Makes Sense   By Karen Pickering   I’ve loved horses since I was old enough to walk. I dreamed of being a horse trainer and taming the wild steed of my dreams. My mom hoped for a curly-haired daughter that loved dolls and dresses but ended up …

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Summer Projects Make an Eco-Friendly Farm

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Compost System Added for Cooking Poop! By Karen Pickering   This summer has been about projects. With my husband Mark feeling better and able to do more we’ve gotten quite a few things done around the farm. This month the Northwest Horse Source is focused on training and facilities, so …

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Super-Sized Performance Horses

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In the Service of our Veterans By Karen Pickering   On Saturday, May 26 I found myself at the Bellingham Memorial Day Parade. A small group of local veterans from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1585, led by John Ferdon, boarded a beautifully decorated wagon owned by Paul and Gail …

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