Montana is Adopted!
Montana drew attention from the start. A paint horse with two blue eyes and a Medicine Hat coloration certainly stands out amongst the throng of bays and chestnuts, and at times we couldn’t help but feel like an overprotective father referencing a shotgun when suitors…
Fabulous Facilities!
Aside from our herd of equines, there is another, non-sentient being that needs daily and routine maintenance: our property. There is always something that needs doing around the farm, with the projects ranging from quick and easy to big and complex. Luckily, we have…
Inula and Finn (Doolin), Foster Friends!
Inula is having the time of her life at her summer foster home, and has been smoothly introduced to foster brother (and alumni!) Finn. The two of them are getting along swimmingly, and it’s clear that where she is, love and grass abound. Inula is one lucky girl! Even…
Alumni Update: Hickory (Listo)
Hickory (Listo) and his adopter Fran moved near the Washington coast the end of 2023. They live in a community which has a co-op community barn where Listo resides with 2 ponies and other horses. Fran is currently not riding while recovering from an injury but intends…
Frosting for You
In her fourth year, Frosting is really proving herself as a solid little horse. Because of her age, her miles under saddle are on the lower side, but we have been making each one count. This mare has received a great start here at SAFE, and is ready for someone else…
May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Carrie S worked with Sienna during the May Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say about their experience: “I had the privilege of working with Sienna in the groundwork class at the Joel Conner Clinic on May 3–5 2024. I could easily just say ditto to…
Ferrari for Sale
The title is a bit misleading, but Veronica and a sports car do have quite a bit in common: flashy, sensitive, and one heck of a ride. With each ride a tune-up, Veronica gets better and better under saddle. On a loose rein, Veronica is going beautifully walk trot…
From Green to Gold
To watch her go under saddle, it’s hard to imagine that Blanche was only started a few months back, that she only has several handfuls of rides on her. Blanche is a very special type of horse, one who is relatively uncomplicated, as far as green horses go, and who has…
Happy Birthday, Shasta!
Though a lady never reveals her age, we would be remiss if we did not celebrate Shasta on this, her 24th birthday. It has been thirteen years since Shasta and her son Sunny D arrived at SAFE, which means that over half her life has seen her being properly loved and…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Jacob
Ben H worked a bit with our guy Jacob at the May Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say about their time together: “My time with Jacob was 3 days at a Joel Conner clinic this spring of 2024. When I first went to catch him, he was reluctant to be caught and…
No Cavities for Sugar
How do you float the teeth of a mini horse? Creatively. The concept is the same with all horses: support the head in order to keep the mouth open and file down the teeth. But when you’re just shy of 9 hands high, your support needs to match your size. Luckily, our…
Mirana is Amazing!
Meghan N has been working with Mirana for some time now, and has been helping her gain confidence and transform into the sweet mare who was hiding beneath her nervous exterior. Here is what Meghan says about their time spent together: “It has been such a privilege to…
Violet is Adopted!
April showers bring May flowers, and they also bring adoptions. We are very pleased to say that SAFE’s resident flower, Violet, has been adopted to none other than long-term volunteer Lexee N! Lexee had been patiently awaiting her prince (or princess) charming to come…
Alumni Program — Q1 Update
SAFE’s Mission Statement is more than just words. It contains the promises that we have made to the horses we serve. We promise a lifetime of safety, which is provided through the SAFE Alumni Program. But as you might be able to imagine, there is a lot that goes in to…
Alumni Update: Otto
Otto is spending time growing up and doing groundwork with Gabby. Gabby is planning to haul him to a few play days this year for exposure. Otto enjoys hanging out with his BFF, Zeus, an Appy gelding and all the other animals on this happy farm — goats, cats, rabbits,…
A Spoonful of Sugar
We welcomed a new member to our herd this week: Sugar, who at 8.2 hands is certainly close to the size of a sugar cube! This mini horse was originally part of the seizure of horses that brought us such familiar faces as Jupiter and Theo. Sugar was in rough shape when…
Volunteer Education: Animal Control Class
As part of our continuing education series for volunteers, this past weekend we were lucky enough to be able to host Officer Brian Boman from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Animal Control Department. Brian has over 20 years of experience in Animal Control, and is a…
Alumni Update: Champagne
Little Champagne has a new buddy!
Ride, Tiva, Ride
Inside the boundaries of a 6ft tall priefert round pen, Tiva rolls her hindquarters to the left. It’s the 5,000th time she’s done so (not today, but in general) but it passes without fanfare or recognition. She will roll them another 5000 times before the year is out.…
Jacob in April
In the sunshine, Jacob shines like the copper of a new penny. While he and BFF Edward are a matched pair of chestnuts, Edward is shedding out into more of a liver, which makes differentiating between the two a little easier from a distance. Jacob has been taking it…
Inula at Foster
For the most part, once a horse comes to SAFE, they will stay on property until they make their way to their forever home. But on rare occasions, a circumstance arises that is too perfect for us to pass up. When an alumni adopter reached out to us expressing her…
Alumni Update: Breve and Checkers
Due to family circumstances Breve and Checkers were re-homed and now live with Lola Lang on a family farm that was started by Lola’s mom and dad. Lola has continued the family tradition of building a place where people can learn about horses. There are roughly 50…
Alumni Update: Heidi
Heidi and her 34-year-old pasture mate, Prince, love spending time grazing together. Heidi is healthy, well cared for and dearly loved.
Alumni Update: Nyx
An update from Lindsay: Boy, do I love this horse I got from SAFE. Getting my own horses for the first time in my late 30’s and then moving them home soon after has been a trip. Sooo many life lessons. There’s just not a real way to fully prepare for it. Nyx is a guy…
Watch Over Me
Horses come to us for different reasons. For many, it’s a first step toward a new and better life. Others get their chance for some much needed peace and caring, and a chance for us to rewrite their final chapter. Dorothy is one such horse. Dorothy is a beauty of a…
Brandy’s Hobbies
Brandy, one of the matriarchs of SAFE, will turn 30 this July according to our records. So what is she getting up to so far in her 30th year? Well, first and foremost, keeping close with BFF Bandit. While Brandy finds a lot of support in humans, and has made great…
A Bath for Montana
What’s brown, off-white, and dark bay all over? A dirty Montana! This guy earned the nickname of ‘cat’ last summer for two reasons: he was known to sunbathe on the regular, and he had an uncanny ability to look clean(ish) despite spending so much time in the dirt,…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Veronica
What a fun little sports car riding horse Veronica has become, we should call her our little red Miata! She was very well behaved throughout the recent clinic. We worked a lot on improving her hindquarters and true unified walk. When she gets in balance, the trot and…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Catherine N worked Sienna in the March Joel Conner clinic, and says the following about her experience: “I worked Sienna in the groundwork for the March Joel Conner Clinic. I feel like we were both nervous at first, but quickly settled in. Sienna, I felt, was able to…
Alumni Update: River
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…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Artie
Kirsten L has been riding Artie for several months, and brought him in to the March Joel Conner clinic. Here is her report on the experience: “Mr. Artie Shaw is quite the gentleman! This was my first riding clinic with Joel and Artie was incredibly patient with my…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bandit
Kirsten L has been working with Bandit for well over a year now, and has the following to say about their time spent together during the March Joel Conner clinic: “In working with Bandit at our 6th Clinic together, the saying ‘one step at a time’ rings true. This 27-…
Alumni Update: Betty & Eleven
A SAFE alumni volunteer recently checked in with Betty and Eleven and their adopter, Cindee. Cindee admits these lovely mares are quite spoiled and are living the life every horse dreams of — plenty of running space, a heated stall in winter (Cindee’s husband wants…
SAFE Horse Rescue: Autumn’s Journey
The goal of any animal rescue organization is to help their charges return to the happy, healthy individuals that nature intended them to be. It’s a mission that the volunteers at SAFE Horse Rescue in Redmond have successfully completed more than 300 times over the…
Rest in Peace, Lancelot
Every once in a while, we are reminded of just how delicate horses actually are. While announcing the loss of one of our herd is never easy, this one is a bit more painful than most. During his first saddling, in a freak accident, Lance broke his leg. While a broken…
Alumni Update: Piper
Piper’s adopter, Talia, recently provided an update. It’s been a long time since I gave a Piper update! We’re all trying to get in shape for spring with hikes up the big hill. The Arabian (Nova) led the way, and Piper and I did just a little huffing and puffing behind…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Edward
Kaya M has been riding Edward as of late, and the two of them participated in the March Joel Conner clinic together. Here’s what Kaya has to say about their time: “Edward and I had a little set back a couple months ago in the process of getting more life and have been…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Theo
As a young guy just starting out in our training program, the goal for Theo is to keep things light. We’re working to develop his balance and strengthen his confidence while wearing the saddle. Theo continues to get softer and is showing great improvement with…
Snohomish Animal Control Officer Training
This past week, SAFE hosted two of Snohomish County Animal Control’s newest officers, Sarah Weaver and Ashlynn Trujillo for a day of hands-on education. Even for those with knowledge of horses, encountering an unknown horse in the field presents its challenges and…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Frosting
There are many things that we adore about Frosting but the overarching theme is her kind heart. As her understanding of the work grows so does the partnership with her handlers. Over the last few weeks she has been getting ridden consistently at least 4 times a week.…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Barb
Barb is named so because back when she was a wild thing, veritably feral as part of the Fall City 40, she ran herself through a barbed wire fence. This would not be Barb’s only brush with fencing, as several years later she would tweak her back crawling out of her…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Blanche
Lexee N, who has been working with Blanche since her arrival at SAFE, put the first rides on this lovely lady at the end of March, and has the following to say about her: “This mare! Blanche has been checking boxes left and right since she’s arrived at SAFE. She’s…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Wren
This mare has “try” in spades! One of the sweetest mares on the property, she is eager to meet you at the gate, accepting of everything asked of her and lets out the cutest nickers when you dismount. She LOVE her tummy scratches when you take off the saddle and…
Autumn Will Soon Run Free
SAFE takes in a lot of unhandled, untouchable horses…mostly because a lot of unhandled, untouchable horses end up at rescues. It’s not against the law to let a young horse grow up without giving it an education, but uneducated young horses can grow up to be unwanted…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Jupiter
Lexee N has been working and riding Jupiter for several months, and recently brought him into the March Joel Conner clinic. Here’s what she has to say about this handsome guy: “Jupiter is one of the sweetest, dopiest guys you could ever meet. And although his demeanor…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Pepper
Candi K, who has been working with Pepper since her return to SAFE, rode this cute little mare in the recent Joel Conner clinic. Here’s what she had to say about their time together: “When it comes to our sweet Pepper, Cher says it best in her song “Just What I Have…
Look Ma, No Reins!
Part of a horse’s education under saddle, perhaps the most basic yet complex thing they learn, is how to steer and stay hooked on to a rider’s line based on leg alone. Frosting, who was started last year at SAFE, demonstrates in the video below just how well she is…
Alumni Update: Emma
Emma continues to enjoy a nice life with her adopter Jan, herd mate Galaxy and two goats, Seamus and Sequoia.
Dorothy Health Update
Dorothy came to SAFE from Pierce County Animal Control after being seized from a neglectful situation. PCAC does a tremendous job of vetting and rehabbing the horses that come into their care before they even come to SAFE, but Dorothy came to us still in need of a…
Alumni Update: Rae
Christina and Rae attended the March Joel Conner Horsemanship Clinic at SAFE. Here is an update from Christina. What a whirlwind of a week! Rae and I are still processing all the great things we learned at the Joel Conner Clinic at SAFE last week, but it was all SO…
