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…
Curious About George?
George is more than ready to find his forever home! He is a 4‑year-old Yakima Reservation gelding with a personality that much exceeds his 13.3 hands. Started at the end of 2020, George is going phenomenally under saddle – walk trot lope – with the potential to go far. He would do best in a home with an intermediate rider who will keep him busy. He has trailered off-property for clinics and been…
All Grown Up
There is one certainty in this life — time will pass. Sometimes like molasses (often when we are in less than pleasant situations, reclined in the dentist’s chair, or when waiting on an important phone call — the seconds slug along) but more often than not it seems that time is a train car rushing past, leaving us winded and wondering how that thing back there is now here, and now gone. All…
Alumni Update: Shortbread and Whisky
We recently got an update on these two cute buttons! Whisky and Shortbread are lucky to enjoy grass time and Sherry says they sometimes get the zoomies and it’s fun to watch them run and roll around. She said “They are both so sweet and a joy of her life.”
Alumni Update: Billy
Billy’s family sent a few photos from the past year. Marin had this to say about our Billy: “Billy is doing great! He somehow gets sweeter and more curious every day. I can now give him kisses on his face, braid his forelock, touch his ears freely and without flinches (from the front), and give him hugs. We’re still working on not wearing the halter 24/7, but he can have off days where it’s…
Jacob’s Progress
Jacob has been under saddle now since the beginning of this year. He was the easiest of his compatriots to saddle, but that does not mean that he was the safest. Jacob is perfectly easy to get along with if you both have the same ideas about what to do, but as soon as you ask him to do something that he would rather not, problems arise. It first manifested when driving him forward. He felt that…
Alumni Update: Orion and Roxanne at the Derby
Check out these photos of Roxanne and Orion at the French Creek Pony Club derby a few weeks ago! They are beautiful! Roxanne said “We had just the *best* day at the French Creek Derby, and came home with a blue ribbon! We did a BN combined test, so dressage and cross country. He finished with a 72.1 in dressage and a clean cross country round. I‘m SO proud of him, I couldn’t be more pleased with…
September Volunteer of the Month: Sam Etzel
Congratulations to our volunteer of the month, Sam Etzel! Sam started volunteering on the Sunday AM team in November 2020 and always jumps on the chance to help out. She was instrumental during the snow last December, donating her time off from work to help care care for our horses when others couldn’t make the drive. Earlier this year she became Co Lead and this week starts as a Barn Assist! I…
Tiva is Making Friends
Go Tiva!! Last week, she met quite a few new two legged friends and just a couple days ago she let Candi walk up and halter her! We captured it on video so you have to believe us! She’s still a bit shy and can get upset if pushed and doesn’t feel free to move her feet, but overall doing great! She now can be brushed, hosed off, fly sprayed, introduced and touched with the flag, walked around the…
Bijou in the Round Pen
It’s been a busy first few weeks here at SAFE since Bijou arrived. Now off of Quarantine, she had her first set of vaccines, dental float and microchipped. She also got a lovely pair of front shoes from our farrier and was a super star for it! Here is a short little video of our first day working a little with her in the round pen. She is very gentle, kind and has a wonderful disposition. We are…
Training Update: Nova
Long-legged Nova will celebrate her 4th birthday this November. In the meantime, she has been working on her physique with some trot pole work. We think that Nova has it in her to really take on some fences one day, but for now, we will stick with cavalettis.
Alumni Update: Flynn
Kirsten had this to say about Flynn: “Flynn loves being adored by all the kiddos who come to our farm. I’ve noticed as his confidence has improved as a 1 eyed horse he has helped build the confidence of the more timid kiddo riders! He truly is a special pony with the sweetest heart filled with so much love! Thank you for letting this special gelding be apart of our herd!” [gallery columns=“2”…
