Karen Pickering

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 25 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. Now excited to start a version of her original magazine in Colorado!

Spring is Here!

August 5, 2020April 1, 2018 by Karen Pickering

Planning Ahead is an Essential Part of Life By Karen Pickering I long for t-shirt weather and lazy afternoon trail rides. As I write this column it’s February 26th, the Monday after a crazy weekend of six inches of snow and super cold weather. We just finished the Small …

Envisioning a New Barn

August 5, 2020March 1, 2018 by Karen Pickering

Dreams are Free! by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher Our March Barn and Farm issue is one of my favorites of the year. Spring is starting to unfold and more daylight brightens the spirits. Let the dreaming begin! I have lived in the same home for more than 30 years …

Time in the Barn

August 5, 2020February 1, 2018 by Karen Pickering

More Than Just a Home for Horses by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher My barn is not fancy. My dad built it for me in the 70s due to my relentless begging for a place for my growing collection of horses. I think I had seven horses at one time. …

Saying Goodbye

August 5, 2020December 1, 2017 by Karen Pickering

A Lifetime of Friendship and Business Ventures by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher This picture depicts one of the greatest adventures of my lifetime. I was 29 years old and had just lost my father a few months prior. My friend T (Theresa) pushed until I agreed to be a …

A Gift of Time

August 5, 2020November 1, 2017 by Karen Pickering

Experiences Make Great Gifts by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher I just finished a week in Colorado Springs with friends. It’s difficult when good friends move away, especially the horsey ones. The older I get the more I value experiences rather than things, so a visit was in order. Good …

Keeping Healthy

August 5, 2020October 1, 2017 by Karen Pickering

The Journey to Wellness for Human and Horse by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher Over the past three years I’ve been exposed to more opinions than I can absorb. With my husband Mark’s medical issue, I’ve learned there are many ways to approach a health challenge. My biggest lesson has …

Life Brings Learning

August 5, 2020September 1, 2017 by Karen Pickering

What Experience Has Taught Me by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher It’s hard to believe I’ve been publishing the magazine for over 21 years. The way we did things when I started looks nothing like it does now. Time passes, things change, and we either adapt or die. There is …

Weekend Retreats

August 5, 2020August 1, 2017 by Karen Pickering

Time to Get Away and Recharge by Karen Pickering, NWHS Publisher It was a hustle to get ready to go on our first camping trip of the year. Spending time at Stonewater Camp with our church horsemen’s group is an outing I look forward to every year. Nestled in …

I Miss Riding April

July 17, 2017 by Karen Pickering

Paying the Price for Poor Choices I have a confession. I have been amiss in my rehab plans for April. What I’ve learned in dealing with a Navicular horse is that exercise is key. Skoshie Davis has done an amazing job of getting my mare back on track but …

Bug Off – Controlling Flies in the Barn

August 5, 2020July 15, 2017 by Karen Pickering

By Jennifer Roberts We all love spending time in the barn with our horses; but sometimes, the bugs can, well, bug us. While flies may be a fact of life, we can limit population their numbers, allowing us to enjoy the time that we spend in the barn even …