REGULAR FEA
EW
TURE Equine Wellness
A Place to Heal
by Nicole Lanphear
One woman’s passion for learning creates a sanctuary
for horses with special needs
I
n the realm of holistic horse care, there are pastures to accommodate rehabilitation and a
veterinarians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, surgical recovery center. Along with a local vet,
nutritionists, farriers and more. One Montana she works with horses from stall confi nement
woman looked to combine the breadth of knowl- through the healing process in different pens,
edge into one central location to better serve corrals and pastures suited to their needs.
horses and horse owners that have special needs. Each horse is unique, and Smaaland tailors
In Bozeman, Montana, her routine to each boarder’s needs and feeding
a woman named Judy schedule. One of her current horses foundered in
Smaaland offers a retreat the past, so he is turned out on a strictly timed
for horses who need more schedule with a grazing muzzle. Another horse is
supervision or attention a former dressage mount whose eye was kicked
than most boarding barns out by another horse. Smaaland watches him
Nicole Lanphear
can offer. She works with a closely and works to build his trust.
handful of alternative prac-
titioners, including chiropractors, acupuncturists, Providing Peace of Mind
Nicole Lanphear is a journalism
homeopaths, massage practitioners, and natural A hands-on approach and intensive super-
major at Western Washington
hoof care farriers to form a central location to vision provide the horses at Smaaland’s stable
University in Bellingham, treat various needs. with the care they need,
Washington. She is a former
Smaaland had horses but it isn’t just the horses
Clark County Fair Court princess
off and on since she was who benefi t. Owners, too,
and the 2005 Miss Teen Rodeo
a child, and fi ve years ago appreciate the time and
got back into the horse attention spent on care,
Washington. Her passion for
world with a vengeance. offering peace of mind to
writing is matched in her
She had become involved those who cannot provide
passion for horses, and she with natural healthcare full care themselves.
has two Arabian horses. She
for herself and her small Whether it’s soaking
was the 2007 American Horse
animals, and began to see abscesses or adminis-
Publication Student Award
more and more health tering medication, “It is
issues in horses that could fun to see what can be
Winner and has been published
benefi t from a similar done,” says Smaaland.
in magazines and newspapers
kind of care. Rescue horse “Louie’s Dream” when he “Within the confi nes of
throughout Washington. “I’m seeing a lot of
arrived for care at Smaaland’s facility.
what can be done, a prog-
horses come through
“Louie’s Dream” after receiving care.
nosis can change.”
with digestive, chiro-
practic issues, or general Building A Network
health challenges,” says “I love seeing horses
Smaaland. get better,” Smaaland says.
She saw a need in her “Their healing capabilities
community for a place are amazing, given the
where horses with special right tools. I’ve seen them
needs could get the kind of come around so quickly.”
care that regular boarding Smaaland’s larger goal
facilities couldn’t offer. is to provide her services
This summer, she on more of a consultation
converted her barn and
10 December 2008 The Northwest Horse Source
www.nwhorsesource.com
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