SEP Member of the Month

“Karen Bartlett and Red Star Heather“
by Anne Chunko

Last year, Karen Bartlett attended a livestock auction in her home state of Washington when she saw a skinny bay mare that went for a top bid $150.

The bidder left without paying for the mare. Out of sympathy, Bartlett paid the money and took the mare home.

The brand on the mare’s neck revealed she was Red Star Heather, by Armbro Moscow and out of the Abercrombie mare Armbro Nerve. Before finding her way to the sale, the bay pacer had raced 10 times at Fraser Downs in British Columbia, Canada, earning $4,709 and taking her lifetime mark of 2:03f at age 4.

Bartlett took the mare home and began to rehabilitate her. To help “Heather” with soreness in her right stifle joint, Bartlett started giving her supplements with glucosamine; methylsulfonylmethane also known as MSM; and the herb devil’s claw. In addition, she put the mare on a good feeding regimen to gain weight, and physical therapy exercises with the mare.

After a few months of rest and gaining weight, Bartlett began retraining her for riding. Three months of “gentle schooling,” focusing on dressage, helped get the mare off to a good start under saddle, according to Bartlett.

The mare has good instincts under saddle, Bartlett added. If the rider seems off balance, Heather will stop or slow down to let the rider regain their balance.

They are currently working on improving the trot for a smoother rider and developing the canter. Lunge line work, particularly using side reins to help the horse balance and learn to give to the bit, have helped, Bartlett said. In addition, lateral work and circles are exercises that are helping to develop Heather’s muscles as a riding horse.

“She is exceptionally willing and gentle,” Bartlett said. Heather is “obedient and tries hard to please. She loves gentle pats and will lay her head in your arms.”

In addition to ring work and retraining, the pair enjoys trail riding in the Evergreen state.