Gerry & Robbie with pal Jewel

There is nothing shy or retiring about active retirees Gerry and Robbie Meisner. This couple is a powerhouse of activity at the barn. After a full careers in academia, and raising a family, Gerry and Robbie embarked on a second career of fulfilling their lifelong dream to be horse-folk. Like most things we see them do, they took a systematic approach. From their then home base in Tennessee, they found a horse rescue where they could learn the realities of life with horses. The Meisners felt fortunate to be involved with a rescue where they could learn hands on horse skills. Robbie shared a great story about her involvement:

I was fortunate enough to be chosen by the Horse Haven equine manager to participate in a training program with Gary Lane – a note gaited horse trainer from Kentucky. We worked with Gary on ground work and then riding the horse we were assigned. Nobody had ever ridden the horse assigned to me at Horse Haven and I was stunned (I’m at best an intermediate rider). When they told me to mount up and ride her around the arena my anxiety level was pretty high and on top of that the stirrups were set for somebody a little over 5 foot (I’m about 6 foot). Needless to say, it wasn’t the best ride of my life or hers, but the mare now lives with us and is as sweet and forgiving as any horse I’ve ever been around.

The Meisners chose to retire to Washington and purchased a home in Roy in 2014. Two of the horses they worked with at the rescue in Tennessee made the journey with them. The couple was happy to find SAFE, as it reminded them of the positive experience they had at the rescue in Tennessee. Gerry says it best:

Two years later we are living the dream and reality of life with horses. How can we not love working at a horse rescue when it has enabled us live a dream?

Gerry and Robbie are a dream realized for SAFE. They leave their happy farm at least twice a month to come and do daily chores for us. They are reliable, responsible workers, and eager learners. We are honored to have them on our team. If you see them around the barn, please congratulate our June Volunteers of the Month, Gerry & Robbie Meisner.