Rider Wellness Archives – The Northwest Horse Source

Rider Wellness: Hay Season

December 17, 2024 by Michelle Eames

Oly Helps Unload the Hay. Photo Courtesy Michelle Eames.

Having Your Hay Delivered is Money Well Spent Normal people think of the seasons of the year as spring, summer, fall, and winter. We horse people think differently. We have mud-season, vet-check season, the beginning of riding season, and then the big one: hay season. I don’t have hay fields, …

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Rider Wellness: Don’t Do Stupid Things

October 20, 2024October 14, 2024 by Michelle Eames

Michelle on a trail ride with horses Oly and Capy, enjoying the view. Photo Credit: Carol Klar.

Setting Yourself Up for Success I didn’t really want to tell my friends about my last broken arm. It was a lot of drama and kind of embarrassing. My friends were shocked. Three broken arms in less than a year? What the heck were you doing? Other phrases were also …

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Rider Wellness: To Ride or Not to Ride (That Is the Hardest Question)

September 16, 2024 by Michelle Eames

While Michelle was healing, Vali was sent to “summer camp” at Olivia Farm, where he quickly received the nickname Uncle Vali for his help with training the younger Fjord Horses. Photo credit: Solveig Pedersen

What Would Make You Stop Riding? I used to bounce when I came off my horse, and I rarely came off. This year though, I’ve come off two times too many, and the second time I knew immediately my arm was badly broken. As I sat on the ground after …

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Rider Wellness: How to Dress for Success

August 26, 2024 by Michelle Eames

The author and her horse make a fashion splash at Lake Kachess. Photo by Carol Klar.

Find Useful Clothes that Match Your Personal Style I’ve always been a jeans and T-shirt girl, with maybe a turtleneck and a fleece to top my jeans when it’s cold. I don’t mind sitting in the dirt (except in tick season), and I generally only notice the dirt under my …

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Rider Wellness: Don’t Act Like a Horse!

July 29, 2024July 19, 2024 by Michelle Eames

Photo Courtesy Michelle Eames

Keep Your (Human) Head in Tense Moments I don’t usually fall off my horse, Vali, but when I do, I do it big. I have a good seat and can generally ride what Vali gives me, and he is finally well-mannered at his mature age of 13. I remember one …

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Rider Wellness: Getting Back on the Horse

June 6, 2024 by Michelle Eames

Photo Credit: Carol Klar

You’ll Know When It’s the Right Time to Remount The old saying is that you should always “get back on the horse”. I did get back on my horse the day I fell off during a moment of chaos when riding with friends. I got back on because I had …

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Rider Wellness: Shoveling Manure Adds Up

May 18, 2024 by Michelle Eames

Photo Courtesy Michelle Eames

Horse Chores Burn Calories but You Still Need to Watch Your Diet I always think I’m not very fit and don’t exercise enough. I try to squeeze more exercise into my day, but I’m basically lazy. I like walking, at a slow casual speed (much like my Fjord horse), or …

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Rider Wellness: You Can Get Physically Fit this Year!

June 13, 2023February 16, 2023 by Vonie Kalich

When it’s cold outside or the footing isn’t good, you can still get your steps in walking with your horse. You’ll both benefit!

Make a Habit of Moving Your Body It’s a new year and the holidays are over. Like many others, you’ve decided it’s time to get in shape or return to your pre-holiday routine. Despite good intentions, many people find it hard to stick to their new plan or get back …

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Rider Wellness: Riders’ Nutrition Concerns

October 19, 2022October 15, 2022 by Vonie Kalich

Do for Yourself What You Do for Your Horses As a horse owner, I know the importance of ensuring my horse gets the food he needs and the value of proper equine nutrition. I consider myself lucky that my horse isn’t an easy keeper, so I don’t have to worry …

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Get Right with Your Body Before Riding – Cultivate a Healthy Body and Mind

May 3, 2022 by Vonie Kalich

William Shakespeare said, “Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners.” When I first read that quote, I paused to let the words sink in. As I thought about our bodies being gardens, I thought of how many women (myself included) talk negatively to ourselves and proceed …

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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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