Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Open barn: Farm event shares joys of rural life
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Kevin Nortz / The Herald
"Evan likes to come out and be a little helper," says Corinne Logan of her 5-year-old son. Above, Evan helps brush dirt from Svenna, a 2-year-old Norwegian fjord, on Wednesday while Corinne supervises.
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Svenna munches on breakfast.
At Willows Edge Farm in Bothell, the horses' names say it all.
Ole is the resident stallion. Greta, Mina, Lena and Elsie are mares. Next you have Svenna and Steren, a filly and a gelding, respectively.
Finally, you come to the real star, Skjonn Ti.
Just 4 weeks old, she's this Norwegian fjord horse farm's fetching new foal, joyfully clopping around, stumbling slightly on new spring legs.
"Hi, sweet girl. Hi, cute baby," Corinne Logan coos to the beloved animal on a recent early morning after feeding the other horses.
"Yes," Logan says affectionately. "Your legs are straightening out now."
Pronounced shun-TEE, Skjonn Ti translates roughly to "beautiful 10," a perfect 10.
Logan's friendly foal and other mild-mannered horses will surely be the main attraction Saturday when Logan, 39, her husband, Scott, 46, and their children host their first-ever Open Barn.
It's a chance for the public to learn about one of the oldest and purest horse breeds as well as the inner workings of life on a modern horse farm.
The quaint 2.5-acre parcel is surrounded by evergreens and punctuated by a quiet, duck-dotted pond. Chickens are clucking and pecking at their feed. Spring garden vegetables are starting to sprout. Edible fruit trees are flowering. Two cats, brother and sister, the rodent police, frolic.
Logan fell in love with the Norwegian fjord breed in 1996 when she was working for her father selling horse trailers.
"I was fascinated," she said of the animal's beauty and mild manners. "They're called the golden retrievers of the horse world and it fits."
Norwegian fjords' manes are cut into elongated mohawks to showcase the dramatic black stripes that run from their tufts of forelock hair all the way down their spines and into their tails.
In addition to petting the farm's friendly horses and chickens, Open Barn visitors will also get to meet Peanut, the farm's resident Holland lop rabbit.
"She absolutely loves people," Logan said of her fuzzy snow-white friend. "She bounces around her cage until somebody picks her up."
Though the event is free, visitors who want to ride the smallish horses can take pony rides for $5 to benefit the Equine Rescue Association in Marysville.
Kids who want to experience more can sign up for one of many Family Farm Life Camp days this summer.
Logan, who grew up on the property and later bought it from her parents, is delighted to share their way of life with kids and adults.
"I can't imagine doing anything else right now," she said.
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com
Visit the farm
What: Willows Edge Farm invites the public to meet the staff and animals on the farm, which specializes in mild-mannered Norwegian fjord horses. Other activities will include starting a vegetable plant to take home, coloring and education stations, drawings and contests. Pony rides for $5 will benefit the Equine Rescue Association in Marysville.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: 18505 51st Ave. SE, Bothell
Admission: free, but bring a canned food item for the Maltby Food Bank.
Information: See www.willowsedgefarm.com or call 425-402-6781.
Family Farm Life Camp
Day camps at Willows Edge Farm allow kids ages 5 to 14 to spend a day immersed in farm life.
Students work with the animals, including horses, chickens and rabbits. They also clean and prep barns, tack and animals; learn the science behind animal care; practice gardening techniques; and take riding lessons, if they wish. No more than nine students are allowed to enroll for each camp to ensure a ratio of one teacher for every two to three children.
Available days include June 26; July 2, 10, 13-15, 21-24; Aug. 3-7, 11-13; and Sept. 1-3.
Fee is $79 per day, less if multiple days are purchased.
Ole is the resident stallion. Greta, Mina, Lena and Elsie are mares. Next you have Svenna and Steren, a filly and a gelding, respectively.
Finally, you come to the real star, Skjonn Ti.
Just 4 weeks old, she's this Norwegian fjord horse farm's fetching new foal, joyfully clopping around, stumbling slightly on new spring legs.
"Hi, sweet girl. Hi, cute baby," Corinne Logan coos to the beloved animal on a recent early morning after feeding the other horses.
"Yes," Logan says affectionately. "Your legs are straightening out now."
Pronounced shun-TEE, Skjonn Ti translates roughly to "beautiful 10," a perfect 10.
Logan's friendly foal and other mild-mannered horses will surely be the main attraction Saturday when Logan, 39, her husband, Scott, 46, and their children host their first-ever Open Barn.
It's a chance for the public to learn about one of the oldest and purest horse breeds as well as the inner workings of life on a modern horse farm.
The quaint 2.5-acre parcel is surrounded by evergreens and punctuated by a quiet, duck-dotted pond. Chickens are clucking and pecking at their feed. Spring garden vegetables are starting to sprout. Edible fruit trees are flowering. Two cats, brother and sister, the rodent police, frolic.
Logan fell in love with the Norwegian fjord breed in 1996 when she was working for her father selling horse trailers.
"I was fascinated," she said of the animal's beauty and mild manners. "They're called the golden retrievers of the horse world and it fits."
Norwegian fjords' manes are cut into elongated mohawks to showcase the dramatic black stripes that run from their tufts of forelock hair all the way down their spines and into their tails.
In addition to petting the farm's friendly horses and chickens, Open Barn visitors will also get to meet Peanut, the farm's resident Holland lop rabbit.
"She absolutely loves people," Logan said of her fuzzy snow-white friend. "She bounces around her cage until somebody picks her up."
Though the event is free, visitors who want to ride the smallish horses can take pony rides for $5 to benefit the Equine Rescue Association in Marysville.
Kids who want to experience more can sign up for one of many Family Farm Life Camp days this summer.
Logan, who grew up on the property and later bought it from her parents, is delighted to share their way of life with kids and adults.
"I can't imagine doing anything else right now," she said.
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com
Visit the farm
What: Willows Edge Farm invites the public to meet the staff and animals on the farm, which specializes in mild-mannered Norwegian fjord horses. Other activities will include starting a vegetable plant to take home, coloring and education stations, drawings and contests. Pony rides for $5 will benefit the Equine Rescue Association in Marysville.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: 18505 51st Ave. SE, Bothell
Admission: free, but bring a canned food item for the Maltby Food Bank.
Information: See www.willowsedgefarm.com or call 425-402-6781.
Family Farm Life Camp
Day camps at Willows Edge Farm allow kids ages 5 to 14 to spend a day immersed in farm life.
Students work with the animals, including horses, chickens and rabbits. They also clean and prep barns, tack and animals; learn the science behind animal care; practice gardening techniques; and take riding lessons, if they wish. No more than nine students are allowed to enroll for each camp to ensure a ratio of one teacher for every two to three children.
Available days include June 26; July 2, 10, 13-15, 21-24; Aug. 3-7, 11-13; and Sept. 1-3.
Fee is $79 per day, less if multiple days are purchased.
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