Friends, Family and Horses Help Keep Us Healthy
by Karen Pickering
Wellness: The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise, and habits.
With my husband’s health challenges and my own battle to stay healthy to care for him, run the magazine and a small farm, I have become very aware of the value and meaning of wellness. Life has gone from doctor appointments, to emergency room visits, to therapy sessions while trying to squeeze in business and everything else. I’m on a treadmill that just doesn’t stop; insanity at its finest. Just when I’m at the point of sheer exhaustion and frustration, it seems someone or something comes through for us through a friendly face, a hug, or an unexpected gift. These things help to soothe the day-to-day challenges.
Recently, my good friend Allison suggested I come over and ride along with my editor, Catherine, and her good friend Constance. Allison let me ride her retired show horse, Playboy. Good friends, great horse and a relaxing evening away from the daily stress—what a treat. It was so therapeutic.
Last night I dropped in on the Trail Meister clinic at Fire Mountain Trail Course—one of my favorite destination points. Robert Eversole did a great clinic/demonstration on how to correctly put up a high line. Robert has become one of the leading authorities on horse camping and offers a helpful online resource for trail riding enthusiasts. As interesting and informative as it was, I simply enjoyed being around horse people and connecting with friends I haven’t seen all summer. It made me realize how much I miss these weekend outings and how important they are to my sanity and wellness.
Lastly, read this month’s story on page 6 about Kalypso Bay Farm, a classy facility in Deming, WA owned by Kate DeMarco. Her Gypsy Vanner breeding program has produced some of the finest horses in our region. Have an enjoyable fall; hope to see you on the trail.
Quote: What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things, instead of using people and loving things.
– Author Unknown
Published in October 2015 Issue
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.
