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.

Performance Horse Challenges

August 5, 2020July 1, 2012 by Karen Pickering

Help Your Horse Be the Best He Can Be by Karen Pickering What is a performance horse? Normally we think of racehorses, 3-day event horses or any horse performing at high levels of exertion. This would qualify most of our English or Western performance events. Even a trail horse …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Gear Up!

August 5, 2020June 1, 2012 by Karen Pickering

The Care and Keeping of Your Horse’s Tack by Karen Pickering It’s time to break out the saddles, bridles and equipment so we can ride! This issue focuses on tack and equipment and in a lean economy it’s wise to focus on taking better care of the tack we have. …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Nothing Like a Little Fresh Air

August 5, 2020May 1, 2012 by Karen Pickering

Spring Expos help Prepare for Summer Riding by Karen Pickering I look forward to spring and summer as this is the time of year to get out on the trails, go camping and enjoy the outdoors. It’s a chance for our horses to stretch their legs, too, especially if …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Equine Events

August 5, 2020April 1, 2012 by Karen Pickering

Horse Activities in Full Swing by Karen Pickering I lost my mom over a month ago; she was 93 years old. These recent expos bring back fond memories of traveling to equine events with her. She was my biggest supporter over the years and a big part of the …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

A Dream Come True

August 5, 2020February 1, 2012 by Karen Pickering

On Choosing an Equine Lifestyle by Karen Pickering It was summer of 1995 when I decided I wanted to create a magazine. Decisions are sometimes difficult and life choices are not easy, but I believe the magazine is what I was meant to do. I’m privileged and lucky to …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

It’s Out of My Control!

August 5, 2020December 1, 2011 by Karen Pickering

50 is Frustrating and (with a bit of fun) Fabulous by Karen Pickering I’m doing too much. Since I just turned 50 I feel kind of like a senior—my brain wants me to do all these things, but my body just can’t keep up! Frustrating. Life has been a …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Gifts of Time

August 5, 2020November 1, 2011 by Karen Pickering

Enjoy Every Minute This Holiday Season by Karen Pickering As I write this piece for our November gift issue I’m preparing for a weekend of trail riding at Washington State Horse Park in Cle Elm, Washington. The last several weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for me and …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Wellness With Purpose

August 5, 2020October 1, 2011 by Karen Pickering

by Karen Pickering For those experiencing them, the golden years don’t always seem that way. However for two hours a couple of weeks ago they took on a golden hue for my retired mare Dawn, and some of the folks at Stafholt’s retirement home in Blaine, Washington. The retired …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Learning is an Investment

August 5, 2020September 1, 2011 by Karen Pickering

The Journey to Enjoying Your Horse by Karen Pickering It has been a glorious weekend of sunshine and horses. The summer is already half over before it’s begun, but we made it down to the trailhead for an enjoyable Saturday ride. It’s my favorite thing to do. It’s …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Barb Apple’s Halter/Bridle

May 4, 2020August 1, 2011 by Karen Pickering

Review by Karen Pickering The halter works like a side-pull, but is soft on the nose as it does not have a hard lariat rope across the nose. It is a halter made of soft yacht braid rope with rings on the …

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

This page sponsored by:

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Thank you for supporting the businesses that support The Northwest Horse Source

Join the conversation:

Check out the Magazine!