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