SAFE Volunteer Debbie M recently visited with SAFE Alum, River; his humans, Wendy and David Z; and “big sister”, Ameli, at their beautiful 5‑acre property in Snohomish. River arrived at SAFE in December 2012, along with two herd mates as part of an owner surrender situation. He was originally adopted in July 2013 and trained in dressage but sold to Wendy Z in late 2016. After 2.5 years of additional dressage training, Wendy listened to River’s telling her he really wasn’t that into dressage, especially the collection part, and decided to let him be a training/trail horse.
Wendy then decided to expand the family with Ameli who is her award-winning dressage mare and BBF (Best Bossy Friend) of River. River and Ameli have a lovely barn where they are tucked into their respective stalls at night but spend much of their days in their ample and adjacent dry paddocks with shelters. They also spend time together meandering or frolicking in their large pasture when the grass and weather conditions allow.
River is regularly ridden twice a week by one of Wendy’s friends in the covered arena on the property. On occasion, he also enjoys a ride on the wooded trail Wendy and David built on one end of their property. River is a very social horse and loves his human interactions. In some ways, he is much like a large dog and obviously well-cared for and loved by his humans. At 16, he is happy, healthy and enjoying life; and, as Wendy put it, “he truly is in his forever home”. Thank you, Wendy and David, for your commitment to River and for embracing him as part of your family!
