Goodbye, dear Cameron
We lost our dear Cameron today. We noticed he was not walking steadily, and was unweighting his left hind and dropping his right hind pastern. He had bounding pulses in both hind legs and his heart rate was at 70 bpm. When Dr Renner arrived, it had increased to 80s (double normal range). He was in a grave amount of pain that we could not control and it was determined he would continue to suffer…
Bijou, Companion Horse
After her intake quarantine was over, we began to get to know Bijou. With her sweet eyes and gentle personality, we were excited to learn a bit more about her. It is not uncommon that horses come to us without a history to speak of, and we must rely solely on assumptions and the little bits of insight that they give us based on their reactions to things. To handle on the ground, Bijou is…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Declan
Kaya M has been working with Declan, and had the opportunity to take him in the groundwork section of the clinic this past week. Though he is a new arrival here at SAFE, he is gentle enough that he is able to get right to work in our program! Here’s what Kaya had to say about their time spent together over the weekend: “This is one special horse! The amount of try and motivation that Declan…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cramer
Has there ever been a sweeter horse? Ok, I’m biased. But I think, objectively, that if there were a spectrum of sweetness, he’d definitely fall in the top percentile of the bell curve. There is just something about him, a gentleness, radiating outward. He has a heart to match the rest of him, big and full. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: he has come such a long way. It’s…
Chip and Dale Find a Permanent Home
Chip and Dale found a permanent home helping teens and adults with early recovery from screen addictions! The two boys will be permanent fosters at reSTART, who will cover the expenses for their care, in return the two just get to be horses and enjoy the easy life. reSTART Rise-Up Ranch offers an inpatient program to help adults struggling with screen addiction including video game, blockchain…
Alumni Post: Bean
Bean and her two four legged friends are lucky enough to have 2 acres to graze, run around, and kick up their heels. Bean is the queen of the herd, and her friend, Midas, has two bites on his butt, reminding him of his place. Michelle (Bean’s adopter) said the children love riding Bean because she’s so gentle and patient. It makes us happy to see how much love surrounds Bean. [gallery…
Hay for Our Herd
Hay prices in Washington have DOUBLED since March 2022. But for this year’s Fall Into Winter Hay Drive, we have a generous group of donors who have pledged to match EVERY DONATION YOU MAKE (up to $35,000) Can you help us reach our goal by the end of November?? Every penny of your tax deductible donation goes straight to the horses’ mouths!!! SAFE’s Fall Into Winter Hay Drive is the one and only…
Alumni Update: Ruby
Ruby enjoys her life on 17 acres of pasture and forest. About a year ago she lost her best gelding friend. To help her cope with the loss two young mares how lost their mother came to live with Ruby. She is now a fantastic mom who is quite strict with their behavior and is definitely in charge of the herd. Ruby is a well-loved horse and we are happy she is living her best life with Sophia.
Limelight Pet Project: King Domino Seeks a Castle
Domino, our regal old gelding, was featured recently on the Limelight Pet Project. As always, they do a wonderful job of showcasing our herd, through their interviews and photo sessions. Here is what they had to say about our sweet guy, Domino: “Meet Domino. He is a 26-year-old Registered Paint Quarter Horse who is waiting for his forever home with our friends at Save A Forgotten Equine in…
Artie is a Riding Horse
Well, it’s official: our sweet, handsome little Artie is a riding horse, and we couldn’t be more proud of him. Lexee N has been working with Artie for the last few months, and has been a huge part of this guy’s transformation. She calls him “Artie the wonder pony!” and says his tagline could be something like: “Coming to life under saddle in all the right ways!” Emphasis on ‘life.’…
Meet Declan!
It has been a busy start to the fall (more like Winter, with this change in weather) here at SAFE – our phenomenal Outreach team is working hard behind the scenes on rescuing a vast number of horses from dire situations, and we have welcomed, and are preparing to welcome, a few through our own gates. Our newest arrivals come to us from Yakima, and while animal control was involved with the case,…
Beva and Aspen Thrive and Survive
Beva and Aspen were owned by an elderly woman who collapsed in her home and was hospitalized in early October, leaving the horses to be cared for by a neighbor. Animal Control was called out about the horses’ condition, but found hay, water, and shelter on the property and a pair of horses that seemed pretty spry. They gave the neighbor feeding instructions and told the individual to contact…
Alumni Update: Mina
A note from Mina’s adopter, Elissa” “We are happy to report that Mina continues to thrive — and we continue to be completely smitten with her, of course. She is enjoying an easygoing life that suits her easygoing attitude. She spends each day with her older ‘brother,’ Watney, in their 3+ acre field that is surrounded by other horses on each side, and adjacent to the smaller field for our herd of…
Alumni Update: Pippi, Aries, Checkers and Breve
All 4 horses were adopted together and are living together on a lovely farm up in Skagit County. According to our volunteer that visited them, they are impeccably cared for, in great health, and are living in ‘horse heaven.’
2024 SAFE Open House Dates
SAFE holds a quarterly Open House in which we invite our supporters and neighbors to come for a visit! Here are the dates we’ve chosen for 2024: 2024 Open House Dates: April 27, 2024 June 15, 2024 September 28, 2024 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE — December 8, 2024 (no tack sale) Time: Noon to 3pm Location: Safe Harbor Stables 10407 192nd Ave NE Redmond WA 98053 Admission and parking are free to these…
Joel Conner Clinic in November
Interested in expanding your horsemanship knowledge? Do you wonder what goes into preparing our horses for adoption? Join us, Friday November 11th — Sunday, November 13th for our quarterly horsemanship clinic with Joel Connor. Schedule: — Groundwork 8AM-11AM — Riding 11:30–2:30PM — Colt Start with SAFE horses following the riding class Not only will you have the chance to learn from Joel, but…
November Volunteer of the Month: Kellie Larsen
Most Volunteers of the Month spend their time onsite at SAFE in some capacity. However, this month we recognize a member of the behind-the-scenes SAFE Community Outreach Team who shoulders the responsibility of reviewing all the Community Outreach Applications submitted online by horse owners across WA state and sometimes beyond. These applicants are seeking help with rehoming their horses,…
Camille and Sebastian, peas in a pod
Camille and Sebastian could be styled as storybook characters in the furry flesh. Two older horses, brought together by virtue of poor circumstance, united under shared healing. She, an ex-carriage horse, standing at a cool 18 hands, a true gentle giant. He, whose past is entirely unknown to us, but whose last experience with humans before he arrived here was watching them leave him behind,…
Jacob is ready for adoption!
Our sweet Jacob is ready to meet his human! He is a primarily easy-going guy who would thrive in a home with an intermediate rider who is looking to ride frequently – because he is still green and learning boundaries, he will do best in a home where he is in regular work. He has proven to be level-headed on walks outside the arena and quite brave when faced with new and unfamiliar circumstances,…
Dolly is Adopted!
Angela met Dolly only two weeks after her arrival at SAFE and immediately fell in love with her kind disposition. Dolly, now named Rose, remained in our care while we continued to brush up on her horsemanship skills. In September, Angela attended the groundwork clinic with Joel Connor, laying a foundation for the future and strengthening their bond together. At the end of the weekend, Dolly…
Alumni update: Gracie and Emmy
We are happy to hear Gracie and Emmy are living happy, healthy lives together with their adopters, who love them very much! Here is a photo they recently sent us.
Darling Darla
Darla has been sound since August, and in regular work with Kaya since then. She has certainly come a long way from the nervous mare we met at the end of last summer, and while she is still quite sensitive about things, she grows a bit more comfortable in her skin with each week that passes. And that’s certainly not a result of just sitting around. Darla’s increased (and increasing) comfort is a…
Approaching Montana
Montana is NOT a baby. You wouldn’t think he was, looking at him, but there’s something about a sensitive guy like Montana that makes it so people’s first inclination is to handle him with kid gloves. There’s a hesitation when they go to pet him, and it’s understandable why – his nervous snorts, the taut arch of his neck, the way he slides backwards when you draw near, all signs stylizing him as…
Alumni Update: CJ and Rosie
CJ and Rosie were adopted together and still remain the best of friends today! Their other friends/roomates include chickens, turkeys, goats and ducks. Eric, their adopter, loves being able to look out his window and see them in their pasture.
Alumni Update: Sampson
Sampson is living the good life in Scottsdale, AZ. He is boarded at a facility with a horse swimming pool! Sampson was a competitive show jumper, but is now retired from jumping and is doing working on dressage. Sampson’s adopter loves him very much and said will never part with him. He truly has a happily ever after!
Otto, ready to meet you!
Otto has been put through his paces, and is ready to start meeting potential adopters! First saddled May of 2022, he has proven to be very level-headed — just shy of six months under saddle, Otto has proven that he is ready for his next adventure. Though it is still relatively early in his education, Otto has taken each new experience in stride, and is currently going well under saddle. But…
Veronica Under Saddle
Veronica is a riding horse! There is a spectrum here, of course. Veronica’s first rides would have been more suited to a rodeo setting – she would have made a fine saddle bronc, don’t let her size fool you. And while she’s still quite some time away from being ‘grandma’s horse,’ she has certainly made some serious progress from those first few times with a rider. Veronica’s sense of…
We’re Headed to Buck Brannaman!
Are you interested in seeing a few of our riding horses in action?! How about seeing their skills (and our horsemanship skills) expand under the tutelage of the legendary Buck Brannaman?! Well now is your chance, this weekend October 21–23rd in Spanaway at the Tacoma Unit Horseman’s Arena from 9AM‑4:30PM! For only $30 a day to audit, watch Otto, Rae and George stretch their knowledge in what…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bijou
Kirsten L. worked with Bijou in the September Joel clinic, and had the following to say about her experience: “With a fitting name of French origins, Bijou means a rare gem and that is certainly the case for this 20 year old mare indeed. She shines both in appearance and attitude. Her muscular image makes her seem much younger and quite capable of holding her own. And then her willingness…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Valentine
Lise A. worked with Valentine in the September Joel clinic, and had the following to say about her experience: “I had a great time doing ground work for three mornings with Valentine at the most recent clinic with Joel. Valentine has a lot of try and makes an effort to understand what is being asked of her. Once she “gets it” she moves with relative ease. She will tend to creep forward…
