Ain’t No Bugs on Me
Yesterday may have been Friday the 13th, but the creepy crawlies are still out. That’s right, it’s botfly season. These pests have it really figured out — they lay their eggs on the legs and sides of horses, places where they are likely to be ingested by the pass of…
Zuri’s Before and After
Transformations are par for the course here at SAFE, but as they often happen so incrementally, it can be challenging to remember the ‘before.’ When Zuri was first seized by Animal Control back in March of this year, she was about as low on the body condition score…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Carrie S worked alongside Sienna in the August Joel Conner Clinic, and had the following reflections about her experience with this beautiful mare: “I had the privilege of working with Sienna in the August Joel Conner clinic. This kind and sensitive mare has made…
Frosting Soft Feel Work
Frosting has come a long, long way from her days as a scraggly little filly, and has blossomed into quite a nice riding horse here at SAFE. Check out a video from one of her more recent rides, where she has begun work in the soft feel.
Alumni Update: Violet
Violet’s adopter, Lexee shared this update with us: On a beautiful August Sunday I took Violet on her first longer trail ride and man was she awesome! Lots of hills, walkers, dogs and bikes and she took them all in great stride. She even let some young kids pet her -…
Trixie at Foster
It isn’t very often that we send horses out to foster, but every so often a circumstance will arise where it makes sense. When Rae’s adopter reached out about needing a companion for Rae, we were happy to find a match. At sleepaway camp (aka foster), alumna Rae is…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Barb
“Working On The Volume Dial” by Candi K “The August Joel Conner Clinic brought another opportunity for Barb and I to work on our connection and skills in the world of horsemanship. We enjoyed being in the outdoor arena where there were a lot of horses and plenty of…
Mahina’s Hoof Progress
Mahina means moon in Hawaiian and much like a moon, this bright mare continues to wax. Unlike a moon, there is no sign of her waning. Mahina’s curriculum grows by the day as she learns more about what it means to be a good equine citizen. Now that she is able to be…
Lacey & Lise
Lise A has been grooming Lacey for the past little while, and has the following to say about this special mare: “One of the baby name meanings of “Lacey” is cheerful. And a descriptor used in a dictionary definition of “Lacey” is a web. I was offered the opportunity…
Alumni Update: Tilt (Korra)
Julie recently shared this update: Because of my busy schedule, Korra (Tilt) and I haven’t had much time to work together so things have been moving slow. Today, however, was our first ride outside of the round pen! Korra was curious but calm. She’s going to make an…
Winter and Wren, Sitting in a Tree
Winter, who was without horse friends for a number of years, was recently introduced to some herdmates here at SAFE. As you can see, Wren took to her immediately, and the two quickly became thick as thieves. In the herd hierarchy, Winter has shown herself to be a…
Jupiter Out on the Trails
Jupiter, brave Jupiter, recently hit the trails to showcase how all his hard work in the arena has paid off. This guy didn’t miss a stride on his recent trail walk, taking up the lead with the calm cool collected attitude of a seasoned pro. True, it wasn’t exactly his…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Deja Vu
Having the chance to work with Deja Vu — a horse who has not had much in the way of experience with this style of horsemanship — during the recent Joel Conner clinic was a challenging and tremendous learning experience for the both of us. At first, working Deja…
Inula’s New Friend
It’s a common expression that horse’s are a girl’s best friend, but some horses are certainly more inherently suited to the role than others. Inula is one such horse, whose natural sweetness propels her into instant BFF status. This cutie has been hanging out at…
Alumni Update: Pearl
Pearl is a happy and healthy gal. She and her adopters, Diana and Adam, go for walks, do obstacles, groom and just like to hang out together. Pearl loves all the horses in her heard at the stables she lives at.
Haltering Progress with Mahina
On her long legs, with a long neck upon which perches a delicate inquisitive head, Mahina in some lights resembles an exotic bird more than an equine. And much like a bird, Mahina arrived at SAFE quite flighty, and with a reluctance to being caught. She was curious…
Theo’s Jolly Good Time
Theo is by far the most playful guy on the property right now, the perfect storm of a growing, goofy gelding. When he’s not napping (which is frequently) he is trying to engage one of his herdmates in a bit of roughhousing or a game of chase. Otherwise, he is finding…
Alumni Update: Flynn
Adopter Kirsten shared an update on Flynn: A few pictures of Flynn. We recently had a “Painting with the Ponies” event at the barn and he was a popular pony. I think Flynn was very impressed. .
Upcoming WASART Presentation
Saturday, September 7th from 12–3 at SAFE Harbor Stables As part of our educational opportunities for volunteers, we are excited to host The Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) at SAFE next month for an afternoon of learning how they help animals in need.…
Alumni Update: Freya
Freya is enjoying her retirement and living out her days as a companion to herd mate Mocha. Manuela loves Freya very much.
Brandy’s Manure Mystery
Trying to troubleshoot a horse’s gut, when it’s in disarray, can feel sometimes like assembling a puzzle acquired from Goodwill. With missing pieces and dog-eared corners, trying to figure out how to put it all together can be daunting. Recently, seemingly out…
Alumni Update: Doolin (Finn)
Finn, formerly known as Doolin, lives with three full size horses, one being Inula, a SAFE foster. They are all healthy and happy and get along well together. Shannon enjoys working Finn in the round pen regularly and sometimes ponies him along when she rides the…
Buck Brannaman Clinic Report: Artie
Kirsten AL has been working with and riding Artie for the last several months, and back in June took him to the Buck Brannaman clinic in Ellensburg. Here’s what she has to say about the experience: “This guy! Artie recently participated in the Buck Brannaman…
Alumni Update: Roscoe
Adopter Kasey recently shared her feelings and some photos of Roscoe: Roscoe!!! He’s worth his weight three times over in gold!!! My boys love him, my hubby loves him, I love him so much.
Heart of the Horse 2024
Take a peek inside the fun and excitement that was this year’s Heart of the Horse. It took six months of preparation to turn this five hour event into a spectacular celebrations of rescued horses. All of our expectations were exceeded, and when the dust settled, we’d…
Autumn Running Free
For the last several months, Autumn has been settling into her life at Freedom Reigns. After passing her intake quarantine, she was introduced to a small herd, and began her new life — free to be as wild a horse as her spirit wanted. To see her roaming the hills with…
Hoof Handling Progression with Winter
The journey of 1,000 instances of picking your hooves up for the farrier begins with a single lift. There was a time in Winter’s life when she had seen the farrier for hoof care, but it had been a number of years, so high on the priority list for her was getting those…
Alumni Update: Addie
Adopter Nicole reports they have been having a great time with Addie. Addie really enjoys trails, little girls and obstacles.
Sparky and Rojo in our Heart
Our mini donkeys, Sparky and Rojo, live the good life fostering at our friend and volunteer Jackie’s place alongside her menagerie, but they are still on the payroll here at SAFE as our ambassadors (alongside Sunny and Shasta, of course). As honored guests at our…
Alumni Update: Pippi
Casey Holcomb, Pippi’s adopter, recently sent this update and photos: Here are some pics of Pippi with my daughter Taryn, along with Keeva, who will be retiring soon! Pippi and Keeva love each other and Taryn is excited to keep training with Pippi.
Alumni Update: Kat
We received a sad update from Shar on July 31st: Catherine‘s beautiful post about Butters (on the Facebook SAFE Alumni page) gave me the nudge I needed to share with all of you that I lost Kat last month to colic. She was 27. Losing her crushed my heart. I miss her…
Alumni Update: Butters
We received an update from Catherine on July 31st: We said goodbye to Butters this morning. Though her spirits were as bright as ever, her hind end was weakening and unsteady. She was so very happy to get to amble and munch allllll the dewy, green grass today.…
Alumni Update: Piper
Talia and Ben just moved, with Piper and her pasture mate, Nova, to a new property this spring. There is a nice trail that leaves from their new place, crosses a creek and meanders the area. They each walk the trail leading the horses. No riding at the moment — Talia…
Cleo and Deja on Grass
There are many aspects of horse rescue that are rewarding, but one of the best feelings has to be seeing a horse, who you know was previously underfed, now turned out on grass looking happy (and perhaps even a bit on the fat side!) Cleopatra and Deja Vu are two such…
Alumni Update: Jasper
Alumni volunteer Lisa G recently visited with Jasper and his adopter. Jasper is absolutely thriving in the Olympic Peninsula farm life. This happy and healthy fellow gets to spend his days turned out with a TRULY mixed herd; his 2 mare pals, Poppy and Sodee, 4…
Haltering Progression with Winter
Winter had lived for a number of years out on pasture without being caught. She remained curious of humans, but wary of their intentions, especially when it came to anyone handling her in a way that wasn’t on her terms. We were able to get a breakaway halter on Winter…
Alumni Update: Nyx and Echo
Update from Lindsay Henderson, Nyx’s adopter: The last few days we took a couple SAFE alumni (Nyx and Echo) out on a group camp out at Silver Falls. They were both rockstars! Echo and Addison Cory bravely led the way much of the time. So cool to be a part of and to…
Jupiter’s Back
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The good news is that at a recent lameness check back in early June, Jupiter was the soundest he’s ever been. Putting him on Equioxx, tacking on some front shoes, and legging him up has proven to be a tried and…
Alumni Update: Coco, Minnie and Teddi
Coco, Minnie, and Teddi are happy as can be out on the beautiful Key Peninsula. They have graduated to shared/open shelter (so they each have individual stalls, but the doors are left open so they can all meander in and out together), as they get on wonderfully as a…
Alumni Update: Cameo and Mara
Cameo and Mara are still BFFs and enjoy going for hand-walks (and rides for Cameo) with Janelle outside of the arena on a path to the Tolt Trail.
Zuri’s Joints
A mid-90s baby, Zuri is one of the oldest members of our herd. Before her arrival, she was nursed back to health by one of Pierce County Animal Control’s amazing fosters, who brought her body condition up from the 1 out of 9 she was seized at. Considering the rough…
Alumni Update: Ruby
Ruby is living a nice life with her adopter Sophia. Ruby enjoys the company of two Percheron cross mares as herd mates. In addition, there are two dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks.
Alumni Update: Aiden (Copper)
Copper (formerly Aiden) is living it up and LOVING life as a Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) horse with his human, Maeve. Just look at that view of Mount Rainier! He gets that view from his stall, lucky boy! Maeve said that Copper loves to do the games…
Domino’s “Thumbprint”
Penned by: Debbie M, SAFE Volunteer “Most of us enjoy some pampering; and Domino does, too, from his bevy of groomers who currently pamper him three to four or more times a week! Evidence of this includes his welcoming nicker when you approach his paddock, to his…
Together Forever, Chip and Dale
This past week, we made the heartbreaking decision to help Chip and Dale cross over. These two sweet older gentlemen had both been having acute health challenges as of late, and despite our careful management, were declining, not improving. Chip was experiencing…
Buck Brannaman Clinic Report: Edward
Kaya M has been working and riding Edward, and recently took him to attend the Buck Brannaman clinics in Spanaway and Ellensburg. Here’s what she has to say about the experience: “Eddie was a lucky guy recently! For two weekends in a row, he got to hang out with Buck…
Poppy and Moshi and the Brush Cutter
Casey A, who has been working and riding Moshi and Poppy, has been helping them free up their feet and find peace. This is exemplified by a recent event featuring the brush cutter: “SAFE’s facilities team is a hard-working crew, and today’s big project was clearing…
Buck Brannaman Clinic Report: Tiva
To ask what it was like to have the opportunity to bring Tiva to her first off-site clinic – and a Buck Brannaman clinic at that – the simplest answer I could give you is that it was great. Sometimes, language fails. Tiva was as at home in the strange corral of…
Alumni Program — Q2 Update
Our second quarter of SAFE alumni checks has come to a close. Q2 was extremely busy with 54 horses scheduled for their annual check, bringing our total number of horses checked on for the year up to 102! 43 horses were visited in person, with the remaining 11 horses…
Reflecting on Our Time with Buck Brannaman
As I sit here reflecting on the past two incredible weeks of learning from Buck Brannaman, I am filled with gratitude. To paraphrase Buck from the last day of the Ellensburg clinic, “In my life, I don’t know if I have been lucky, but I sure know that I have been…
