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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2016)
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 13 Trail to success in horse adoption By Kathryn Godsiff Correspondent Adopting a rescued horse is a process, one that can be fraught with unexpected bumps and bruises. Too often, when those rough spots crop up, the horse is passed along to another hopeful owner. Sisters horse trainer Alison Weston started a nonprofit this year with the intention of creating a trail to success for horses ending up in a rescue and those warm-hearted peo- ple who choose them. Solid Strides, a 501(c)(3) entity, has a three-fold mis- sion: to provide training for the horses, then to match- make to find appropriate homes, and finally to provide ongoing training and sup- port for the new pairs. The post-adoption services are an aspect not normally found in the horse-rescue world, one that Weston emphasizes. The first horse to go through the program, Carmel- ita, found a committed home and the follow-up cemented a relationship between Car- melita and her new owner that showed Weston she was onto a good idea. “The whole point of this is no failure. I want to send people on their way to a suc- cessful partnership with their new horse.” Education for those who volunteer at rescues is also offered. Often those who run the rescue establishments are committed to the day-to-day operations and don’t have time or space to train the volunteers beyond the basics. Weston’s passion for developing horse- manship in every area of horse-care meets a need in the rescue world. I want to send people on their way to a successful partnership with their new horse. — Alison Weston A riding accident in Octo- ber has Weston sidelined for the winter, and her current Solid Strides horse, Sum- mer, will resume training in the spring. However, Weston discovered that the evalua- tion services and lessons can be done from a chair while her broken femur heals. She’s working with 3 Sisters Equine Rescue, assessing long-term Starts Friday Fri., Dec. 23 – Thurs., Dec. 29 The Eagle Huntress (G) Fri-Thurs 2:15, 4:15, 6:30 Feb 17 / Fri / 8-11 PM Sassparilla They are pungent, not subtle. Dirty bluegrass band from Portland. Mar 1 / Wed / 7-10:30 PM Tommy Castro and the Painkillers Playing music guaranteed to fi re up fans and leave critics searching for new words of praise. Passengers (PG-13) Fri-Thurs 2:00, 4:45, 7:45 Sing (PG) Fri-Thurs 2:45, 5:15, 7:15 Rogue One (PG-13) Mar 9 / Thurs / 8-11 PM Fri-Thurs 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 Zepparella explores their own improvised magic within the framework of Zeppelin’s mighty songs! Movie times and titles are bsite subject to change. Visit we n. atio rm info st late or call for Zepparella PUB OPENS 1 HR PRIOR TO SHOWS BelfryEvents.com 541-815-9122 Rent The Belfry! Perfect venue for live music, weddings, receptions, meetings, or any event. WWW.SISTERS MOVIEHOUSE.COM 541-549-8800 potential of some of their horse-adopter pairs. Effective horse training is a long-term commitment. Weston doesn’t believe in the quick makeover-type pro- cesses that capture attention but don’t offer followup. She accepts that the Solid Strides approach will be slow and steady. This does present some funding challenges, however. “The main source of steady income for Solid Strides is the $1,500 adoption fee for each horse,” Weston said. “With me out of commission, we’ll be exploring alternative fund- raising, and also welcome any end-of-year donations from people with a heart for success- ful rescue-horse adoptions.” Any branch of US Bank accepts donations, and there is a Donate Now button on the Solid Strides Facebook page. Also check the Facebook page for updates on events, educa- tion opportunities and training progress. PHOTO PROVIDED Solid Strides helps rescue horses and their people succeed. Entertainment•Arts•Special Events Wed.~Dec. 21 Sunday~Dec. 25 Sisters Saloon Texas Hold ’Em Tournament! 7 p.m. Every Wednesday! For more information call 541-549-7427 or go to sisterssaloon.net. The Lodge Restaurant at Black Butte Ranch Live Music with Sisters High Desert Bell Choir 6 to 7 p.m. For dinner reservations at The Lodge call 541-595-1260. Merry Christmas! Thurs.~Dec. 29 Black Butte Ranch Horse Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot cider or coffee after the $10 (kids under 5 free). Monday~Dec. 26 ride. Reservations and prepayment Black Butte Ranch Snowshoe required at 541-595-1252. & Bonfi re Adventure 2 to Friday~Dec. 30 4 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. For ages 10 and older. $10 ($5 ages Paulina Springs Books 10-12). With s’mores and hot Author Reading with Steve cocoa at the fi re. Reservations Olson, “Eruption: The Untold required at 541-595-5879. Story of Mount St. Helens” Must bring snowshoes (rentals 6 p.m. With refreshments. $5 available at Glaze Meadow entry refunded upon purchase Rec Center, 541-595-5877). of featured book. For more Thurs.~Dec. 22 call 541-549-0866 Tuesday~Dec. 27 information or go to paulinasprings.com. Black Butte Ranch Snowshoe Black Butte Ranch Horse & Bonfi re Adventure 2 to Black Butte Ranch Horse 4 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. For ages Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot 10 and older. $10 ($5 ages to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot cider or coffee after the 10-12). With s’mores and hot cider or coffee after the cocoa at the fi re. Reservations ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). Reservations and prepayment Reservations and prepayment required at 541-595-5879. required at 541-595-1252. Must bring snowshoes to required at 541-595-1252. participate (rentals are Wed.~Dec. 28 available at the Glaze Meadow Saturday~Dec. 31 Rec Center, 541-595-5877). Sisters Saloon Texas Hold Sisters Saloon New Year’s ’Em Tournament! 7 p.m. Eve Party and Live Music Friday~Dec. 23 Every Wednesday! For more with the Bobby Lindstrom information call 541-549-7427 Band 8 to 11 p.m. Blues and Downtown Sisters 4th or go to sisterssaloon.net. Friday Art Stroll 4 to 7 p.m. Rock, no cover! 541-549-7427 Galleries & shops feature live or go to sisterssaloon.net. Black Butte Ranch Horse entertainment & refreshments! Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. Black Butte Ranch Horse sistersartsassociation.org. to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. cider or coffee after the Aspen Lounge at Black to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). Butte Ranch Live Music! cider or coffee after the Reservations and prepayment ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information call 541-595-1260. required at 541-595-1252. Reservations and prepayment required at 541-595-1252. Glaze Meadow at Black Saturday~Dec. 24 Butte Ranch Snowshoe & Sunday~Jan. 1 Bonfi re Adventure 2 to Black Butte Ranch Horse 4 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. For ages Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. Black Butte Ranch Horse 10 and older. $10 ($5 ages to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot Drawn Carriage Rides 11 a.m. 10-12). With s’mores and cider or coffee after the to 3 p.m. with cocoa, hot hot cocoa at the fi re. Space ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). cider or coffee after the Reservations and prepayment limited; reservations required ride. $10 (kids under 5 free). at 541-595-5879. Must bring are required in advance by Reservations and prepayment snowshoes (rentals available calling 541-595-1252. required at 541-595-1252. at GMRC, 541-595-5877). Schedule subject to change. Submit by 5 p.m. Fridays to teresa@nuggetnews.com