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.

Hope for the Future – Well-Bred Performance Horses Make Training a Joy

August 5, 2020June 30, 2020 by Kim Roe

Gus. Photo by Kim Roe.

My young horse, Gus, turned three years old in May. The years have flown by since I brought him home as a pudgy weanling, and now it’s time to start him under saddle. He’s a typical adolescent—bumbling and silly in one moment, taking my breath away with his athleticism and …

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Thank You, Marilyn Hagen – 30 Years of Serving the Horse Community in Northwest Washington State

June 4, 2020 by Kim Roe

Marilyn and Rick Hagen. Photo provided by Marilyn Hagen.

Marilyn Hagen is a much-appreciated member of the equine community in Northwest Washington State. She has owned and operated a leather and horse blanket repair and cleaning business named R & M Leather for 30 years. Marilyn also makes specialty leather items. Along with her husband Rick, they’ve operated a …

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Tack is Useful Art – The Stuff We Need and the Stuff We Love

August 5, 2020June 3, 2020 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

I just wanted to mow the lawn. After weeks of rain the sky finally cleared. My grass was knee deep and I figured I could get a little done after the evening chores. But five minutes into the job one of the tires fell off its rim. Oh bother! There …

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Tips for Fitting an English Saddle – An Instructor’s Perspective

August 5, 2020June 3, 2020 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

The conversation goes something like this: “I’m trying out a new dressage saddle. Will you let me know if it works for my horse?” This is when I start to get a little uncomfortable. I always answer, “Yes, but I’m not a saddle fitter; I’m a riding instructor.” I do …

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Boarding Horses for Others – Is it Worth it?

August 5, 2020June 1, 2020 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

Have you thought about taking on a few boarders to help make ends meet? If you keep your horses at home, it might seem like a way to make some extra cash. Or maybe you’re considering building or buying a horse facility and starting a business. Can you make a …

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How to Take a Riding Lesson – Eight Ways to be a Good Student

June 30, 2020June 1, 2020 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

Many articles are written on how to find a good instructor. This article will focus on how to be a good student. Good instructors truly want to help their students learn. Instructors prepare lesson plans and bring their best into the arena. They want their students to succeed and have …

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Rhythm of the Gaits

June 30, 2020May 28, 2020 by Kim Roe

The Canter is a three-beat gait. Photo by Kim Roe.

“Rhythm is the term used for the characteristic sequence of footfalls and timing of a pure walk, pure trot, and pure canter. The rhythm should be expressed with energy and in a suitable and consistent tempo, with the horse remaining in the balance and self-carriage appropriate to its level of …

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The Lonely Horse

August 5, 2020May 27, 2020 by Kim Roe

Photo by Kim Roe

All equines are herd animals by nature. Like humans, horses need interaction with members of their own species in order to thrive. But as prey animals, it’s a biological imperative for equines to be part of a herd. The herd represents safety from predators for themselves and their offspring. Being …

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When Your Trainer Yells “Go Forward”

June 30, 2020May 19, 2020 by Kim Roe

The ability to ride your horse forward is an important basic no matter your discipline. Even if your goal is to have a slow-moving pleasure horse, it’s still important to train your horse to go forward. Horses need to move actively forward for their physical and mental health, and for …

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The Case for Cleanliness

May 13, 2020 by Kim Roe

Horse farm owners spend a lot of time cleaning things. They pick out stalls and pens, sweep barn aisles, hay storage areas, and tack rooms; mow, rake, and weed-whack yards, mow and harrow fields, compost and spread manure piles, knock down spider webs, dust and wash stall walls, wash feed …

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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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