SAFE Horses
SAFE News and Updates
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…
Cow Horse (in training) — Jacob
In addition to gaining miles under saddle, Jacob is learning some other fun things — like how relaxing it can be to be roped off of. Kaya and Jacob like to end their rides by throwing the rope a few times, which is a great exercise for Jacob to learn to be okay with the potentially frightening idea of an object swinging above his head, flying off in front of him, and touching him all over. But…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cramer
A letter to Cramer, following our time spent together at the September Joel Conner clinic: Dearest boy, how far you’ve come! Earlier this week, I came across your intake photos, and whoever was peering over my shoulder gasped – “That’s Cramer?” We met in the winter, when your coat was long and dull, and there was a bit more than just a shadow of ribs on you. You were a big and imposing…
Pomme is adopted!
Congratulations to Pomme and her new family! This adoption may be the quickest turn around in the history of SAFE horses, but when it’s right, it’s right! Debbie and Peter recently had lost their Quarter Horse mare due to colic which left their sweet 28 year old, Peanut, all alone. Their neighbor is one of our lovely fosters (who wonderfully foster failed to Daisy) and she recommended they give…
Loadin’ & Tyin’
In preparation for an off-site clinic (and just in general for adoption), Edward spent some time practicing trailer loading and standing tied recently. These are important skills for any horse to learn, ones that set them up for success in their future home (a home they cannot reach if not by trailer!) Edward proved a quick study, hopping on and off the trailer like an old pro. But trailering…
Barb, Out of the Woods
Have you seen Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window?’ Poor Jimmy Stewart, laid up in his apartment with a broken leg, unraveling a murder via a pair of binoculars. In the horse-remake, Barb might play Mr. Stewart (the jury is still out on Grace Kelley’s stand-in) given that she has spent the entire summer holed up on stall rest, hanging her head out the window, observant. Luckily, there have been no…
Gabby Picks Up Her Hind Feet
Gabby, SAFE’s first mule intake, has been in foster at Trisha’s home since March. Although she has never been to SAFE’s property, she is in excellent hands, and we so enjoy Trisha’s updates on her progress and training. She is doing an excellent job with her! Here is a recent post from Trisha along with a video of Gabby picking up her hind feet: “What you see: Gabby allowing her hind hoof to be…
Camille, walking into our hearts
For some time now, our herd at SAFE has been comprised of horses on the smaller side. Horses, and technically ponies. But it’s undeniable that there’s something about a big horse that really appeals to people. So when Camille showed up at SAFE, we were undeniably smitten. Looks aren’t everything – it was also her sweet and gentle nature that drew an adoring crowd to Camille. We’ve had a…
2022 Q3 Impact Statement
New Horses Intake Date: July 28, 2022 Pomme (Animal Control) Dolly (Animal Control) Intake Date: Aug 2, 2022 Bijou (Animal Control) Sebastian (Animal Control) Intake Date: Sept 5, 2022 Camille (Animal Control) Placed Horses Mac Tilt Ruckus Jill Pomme
October Volunteer of the Month: Jesse Boman
Congratulations to our October Volunteer of the Month, Jesse Boman! Jesse started last summer and almost right away starting signing up to fill in on shorthanded shifts. Over last Christmas break when most of the volunteers (and staff, myself included!) could not make it to the barn, Jesse was there everyday. On his own holiday break, he showed up every morning (sometimes before the staff) to…
Jill is Adopted!
We are excited to announce our little Jill is adopted!! Last month, she headed home with Anna, after spending a couple days riding with Joel at SAFE. Once at her new home, Anna sent us a picture of Jill enjoying a giant bite of grass and it’s those moments that make rescuing horses so rewarding. Jill’s mouth full of grass is a stark difference to the start of her story as we knew it. In 2019,…
Sebastian Making Gains
Sebastian arrived at SAFE a little over a month ago, and already looks like a different horse. He has put on a substantial amount of weight, and while he still has a bit to gain to obtain optimal rotundness, he is certainly looking more like a horse should. His early blood work results came back with unhealthy liver levels — a frequent reality for older, malnourished horses. Since he has been…
Asha’s New Career
Asha has settled in very nicely to her new career as a therapist at Raven Rock Ranch. After life started throwing her wonderful adopter many curve balls, a door opened for Asha, now called Ria, to join the amazing work being done at Raven Rock. We are appreciate their kindness as her adopter made the difficult and thoughtful decision to rehome her and grateful she can remain part of her life.
Open House this Weekend!
Join us this Saturday, September 24th, from noon-3PM for an afternoon of touring our beautiful property while hearing true tales of our horses’ journeys. Learn about our volunteer program and the many other ways you can support rescue horses. Shop our Tack Sale and SAFE merchandise, all proceeds go to help our horses and mission. Bring the whole family, it’s free! Light refreshments (including…
Giddy Up, Esme!
Following in the footsteps of her two “older brothers,” Edward and Jacob, the horses she came in with, Esme has been started under saddle. This sweet little mare made it clear early on that she was going to take a bit more time, but that has never been an issue. After all, it just means getting to spend more time with Esme, and that’s never a bad thing! Esme didn’t fuss much over having a…
Horsemanship Clinic with Joel Conner
Interested in expanding your horsemanship knowledge? Do you wonder what goes into preparing our horses for adoption? Join us this weekend, September 16–18th 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 you can see our…
Pepper in the Arena
More arena work with Pepper, this time showing some soft feel work and backing circles.
Meet Camille!
Welcome Camille to the SAFE family! Camille is a 20 yr old 18 hand, 1600 lb Percheron mare. Like many of our new intakes she comes to us with a very sad history. Her previous owner was literally working her to death as a carriage horse when Pierce County Animal Control stepped in and seized her. She has been recovering for the past two months with a lovely foster family. They helped her heal…
Unsticking Sienna
To work with a horse is to embark on an archaeological mission of sorts, uncovering within both the horse (and yourself!) hidden spots of trouble. Sometimes such spots are obvious — a horse who is worried about the flag flapping, or rope around their feet, or a stirrup in their blind spot. But sometimes these spots are buried deep, requiring what seems like a perfect storm of circumstances to…
Training Update: Pepper
Pepper was saddled for the first time last June, and has come a tremendously long way since then. These days, she’s riding in the big arena more often than not, and is learning how to carry herself with more balance and straightness. It’s hard to imagine this little mare started out as a wild thing considering how gentle she is today! But don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself…
