A Journey of Discovery by Kim Roe One of my favorite poems is Riding Lesson, by the Pulitzer Prize winning poet Henry Taylor. I learned two things from an early riding teacher. He held a nervous filly in one hand and gestured with the other, saying “Listen. Keep one … Read More
Finding Answers for Training Problems by Kim Roe Early in the year I sit down and outline long-term and short-term goals for each of my performance horses. I then strategize a training protocol that will help me get there. Unfortunately, with horses our goals often have to change. Horses … Read More
A Supportive Tribe by Kim Roe One of my favorite picture books as a child told the story of a woman who owned a barn full of horses of every color. Each day she went out to the barn, walked down the row of stalls, and chose one of … Read More
Finding New Friends in the Horse World by Kim Roe I recently returned from a judge’s seminar for the relatively new equestrian sport of working equitation. It was five days of intensive training hosted by Working Equitation United and taught by two Portuguese men who judge for the World … Read More
The Places Horses Take Us by Kim Roe I’ve always loved a horse show. It’s not just the competition, though that’s certainly part of it. I love the whole package. From the moment I drive onto the show grounds I’ve entered my happy place. Everywhere I look are beautiful, … Read More
Putting Down Roots by Kim Roe In early spring the color of dawn changes here at Blue Gate Farm; there’s a faint pink glow, a welcome tint after all those dark winter mornings. Late February is marked by the evening calls of frogs looking for love. Soon the migrating … Read More
Horses are a Joy to be Shared by Kim Roe One recent morning I heard my two senior horses running and snorting in their field. As I walked up to investigate I saw a large dog barking at them from the other side of the fence. Irritated, I decided … Read More
A Labor of Love, Time, and Money by Kim Roe When I meet someone for the first time and they find out I am involved in the horse business, I am inevitably asked, “Do you raise horses?” I tend to answer too quickly, “Aack! No way.” It’s a knee-jerk … Read More
Saying Goodbye Hurts by Kim Roe In September I had to euthanize my 35-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Dynanic. A son of the legendary Reminic, my mother bred and raised him. She used him for cutting, reining, and working cow horse. We rode him in the mountains, gathered and herded … Read More
Horses – The Tie that Binds Us By: Kim Roe I live in a river valley in the foothills below Mt. Baker. We are a community of farmers, loggers, poets, and musicians. Elk and cattle graze the vast green fields, corn thrives, and we grow some of the best … Read More
