Sara and Logan

SAFE’s Volunteer of the Month for April is the dedicated Sara Eggers! Sara joined our volunteer program in the summer of 2012. Her enthusiasm, reliability, and friendly smile have made her a favorite at SAFE Harbor Stables. She can be found doing farm chores on Tuesdays, feeding dinner on Fridays, and grooming for SAFE Trainer Brittney one day a week as well.

Recently, Sara took on the added responsibility of Assistant Herd Health Coordinator. She is getting our herd health database up to date as well as coordinating with the veterinarian to schedule routine care. I can tell you with certainty that she is an expert at administering dewormer!!

Sincere appreciation and congratulations to Sara in recognition of all that she does for the SAFE horses. Here’s a little more about Sara in her own words…

Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born with that horse gene, as many young girls are. But I didn’t get my first horse until high school. Her name was Butterscotch. She was a great horse, a baby sitter who would always give me just enough to keep me on my toes and learning. After she passed away, I got my second horse, Reno. She was a challenge, but she did teach me a lot. For all of Reno’s faults I am greatful to have owned her, she taught me how to deal with hard to deal with horses, how to not give in to bad behavior and to know what kind of horse I would much rather own. After high school, I sold Reno and went off to college. When I started volunteering at SAFE, it had been about 10 years since I worked with horses, and getting back to my horsey ways has been one of the best decisions of my life.

What made you decide to volunteer with SAFE? When I was in elementary school, about 11 years old, I got a couple of riding lessons on a horse named Lucky who belonged to a friend of my Aunt. Lucky was a rescue horse. The man who had owned her apparently beat her before she came to her current owner. Lucky was amazing. I believe she was trained in reining and was one of those over trained push-button horses. She was also very patient with me fumbling around on her back. After meeting her and hearing her story, I told myself I would volunteer at a horse rescue at some point in my life. I found SAFE early last year and started following them on Facebook. When SAFE moved to Woodinville, I jumped at the chance to start volunteering after work.

Who is your favorite SAFE horse? I have always had a soft spot for Strider, as many people do. But right now, I think my favorite is Logan! We bonded when he was taking mineral oil. I would stand with him while he ate his food and talk to him. He is such a sweet horse, and will be an “in your pocket” horse once he gets into shape and has some training. Plus how can you say no to those sweet big brown eyes?

Anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your experience with SAFE? Volunteering at SAFE has been an amazing experience. The people here are all wonderful, and to get to work with them and learn from them has been great for me. It’s been so nice to get to work with Brittney and getting back my horse skills, as well as learning lots of new things.