Kim Roe

Kim Roe grew up riding on the family ranch and competed in Western rail classes, trail horse, reining, working cow, and hunter/jumper. She trained her first horse for money at 12 years old, starting a pony for a neighbor. Kim has been a professional dressage instructor in Washington state for over 30 years, training hundreds of horses and students through the levels. In recent years Kim has become involved in Working Equitation and is a small ‘r’ Working Equitation judge with WE United. Kim is the editor of the Northwest Horse Source Magazine, and also a writer, photographer, and poet. She owns and manages Blue Gate Farm in Deming, Washington where she continues to be passionate about helping horses and riders in many disciplines.

Trainer’s Corner: Is Your Horse Supple?

April 17, 2025 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions for Improving Your Horse’s Flexibility Riding a horse who has achieved a high degree of suppleness gives a wonderful feeling to its rider. A supple horse moves fluidly and freely over the ground. Its hind legs reach well under its body while bending the joints of …

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Small Farm Makeover: How to Use and Build Temporary Fencing

April 10, 2025 by Kim Roe

This temporary fence incorporates small wood posts and half-inch poly tape to keep overweight horses off a lush hay field. It helps discourage wildlife too. Photo by Kim Roe

Portable, Short-Term Fences Help Manage Equine Properties It’s important to begin a discussion about temporary fencing by saying that this type of fence should only be used inside the perimeters of solid, safe, permanent fencing. Temporary fencing is a good way to divide pastures quickly and easily. It’s a way …

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Cover Story: Heather Gastelum is Passionate About Empowering Women

April 3, 2025 by Kim Roe

Photo by Ali Briggs Photography

Cowgirl Capable Retreats Blend Horsemanship with Firearms Training Heather Gastelum loves helping women and girls become confident and capable. These are qualities that were passed down to her by both her grandmothers. Heather was raised to be strong, use her voice, and think for herself. She was taught to solve …

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Editor’s Postcard: Chores Don’t End When You’re Under the Weather

March 18, 2025 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

Horse Care Helps Me Go On I have the flu. I’m feeling sorry for myself, which I suppose is expected under the circumstances. But I’m especially snappy because it’s winter and I run a boarding barn and make my living giving riding lessons. I’ve canceled lessons for the week, which …

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Cover Story: Annual Northwest Horse Fair & Expo Returns to Albany, Oregon March 21–23

March 4, 2025 by Kim Roe

Road to the Horse Winner Mike Major Headlines Educational Lineup Compiled by Kim Roe The Northwest Horse Fair & Expo, a yearly celebration of the horse in the Pacific Northwest since 1999, returns March 21-23, 2025, to the Linn County Fair & Expo Center in Albany, Oregon. The Northwest Horse …

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Editor’s Postcard: Connections to the Past

February 11, 2025 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

Treasured Tools of the Trade On my farm I rely on mechanical and electronic equipment every day to keep the place running. My tractor, arena drag, coffee pot, wheelbarrow and manure fork, and the computer I’m typing on will all eventually wear out and break. Honestly, though, I have little …

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Editor’s Postcard: Letting Dreams Go

January 7, 2025 by Kim Roe

Equine Systemic Proteoglycan Accumulation

Gus with his dam at five months old. Photo by Kim Roe.

A Grim Diagnosis for a Beloved Horse In last month’s column I wrote about my 7-year-old gelding, Gus, and his struggle to stay sound. Slightly lame over the summer with an undiagnosed injury to his left hind, he then bowed a tendon in his right hind in October. I rested …

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Trainer’s Corner: Happy Foot Work

December 30, 2024 by Kim Roe

Shift the horse’s weight to the opposite leg before attempting to pick up their foot. Photo Courtesy Kim Roe.

Four Tips for Handling Your Horse’s Feet without Stress Imagine how it feels for a prey animal like a horse to have their foot held and manipulated by a predator species like a human. It’s truly amazing they ever let us touch their feet! If we come to the horse …

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Editor’s Postcard: Learning to Listen

December 13, 2024 by Kim Roe

Photo Courtesy Kim Roe

Horses Don’t Always Want What People Think They Want Not that long ago the norm for top-notch equine care was to stall horses at night and turn them out in paddocks or fields in the day. We spent a lot of time leading horses in and out, stall cleaning was …

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Small Farm Makeover: Bedding Matters

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 by Kim Roe

Photo Courtesy Kim Roe

Material and Technique Choices Save Time and Money We’re all interested in finding ways to save money while still providing our horses good care. Purchasing bedding is an essential expense horse owners face and is especially important during the wet, frozen, winter months. Horses need a soft, dry place to …

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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

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