SAFE Horses
SAFE News and Updates
Jasper is Adopted!
Jasper is adopted! Connie came to SAFE looking for a companion for her 19 year old mare, Poppy, who had recently lost her gelding companion. When she met Jasper, Connie immediately fell in love with his soft eyes. Jasper came to SAFE in the summer of 2020 as a very nervous boy, easily startled and spooked. He had spent most of his life being passed from one home to the next and through no fault…
The Tooth Fairy Visits Otto
Though his follow-up appointment wasn’t for another month, a few days after he returned from his check-in with Dr. Hanson, Otto decided he was ready to go back. His now characteristic bump was appearing noticeably larger, and after a call to the vet, it was decided that it would be a good idea for him to be seen again. So back up to Mt. Vernon he went. [gallery size=“large” link=“file”…
Update on Chip and Dale
Shortly after arriving at their foster home, Chip and Dale gave us quite a scare. The pair had an intake vet visit scheduled for early March, where they would get overall examinations including bloodwork to test for possible Cushing’s, lameness evaluations, and dental checks. But anyone who has ever owned horses knows that things often do not go according to plan, and a medical emergency…
Mac and Domino in the Limelight
Our friends at the Limelight pet project stopped by last month to visit with Domino and Mac and learn a bit more about these two gentlemen! Their spotlight really highlighted the boys’ distinct personalities. Check out the video interview below!
Help for Two Senior Minis and Their Owner
Recently, SAFE received a phone call from a senior in our community. Up until mid January, they had been in very good health. Sadly, they were in an automobile accident and ever since had been experiencing a diminished capacity on their left side. While waiting for more testing and doctor visits, they were unable to care for their two senior minis with the same level of care they had for many…
Alumni Update: Misty
Misty is doing amazing! She is currently residing at Buck wood Farms as a lesson horse and is being ridden by a lovely lady Amber, who absolutely loves Misty. Come spring, Misty’s adopter will be able to start riding her again as she is finishing school and has a more regular work schedule. In the meantime, however, her adopter still gets to spend plenty of time with her and treat her like the…
Alumni Update: Sierra
No matter the season, Sierra always has something she loves. If it’s muddy, she loves to blend in with rolling in the mud and if it’s snowing, she just stands there to camouflage with her surroundings But, if there is a kicking ball, then it’s get up and go time! Here she is in each season!
Bath Day for Cramer
Cramer was a very good boy for his first bath at SAFE. He has come a long way from the timid giant that arrived just a short time ago. He is coming along nicely in the halter work, and we have been able to complete his first dental, vaccines and worming treatments. Over the next weeks we hope to have his first farrier visit and begin walking him around the property. We were surprised to find out…
Barb Needs a Knowledgeable Partner
Barb has a very strong sense of justice, so if you fail to release her immediately when she does the right thing, or add pressure that’s not meaningful, she’ll resent your poor timing. When you time up correctly and have good consistency of your feel and movements, Barb feels supported and can be the softest mare with a ton of effort to do the correct thing. Barb is comfortable being roped off…
Nyx is waiting to meet you!
Nyx is a 15-year-old big mustang boy standing at 16.0hh and he’s ready for an intermediate rider! He came to SAFE as a rescue in Washington, but he’s originally from Beatys Butte, Oregon HMA–a herd that is known to have traces of everything from Spanish mustang to draft-type breeds in their gene pools, the latter of which would explain Nyx’s stature and large, kind eye. No doubt about it, Nyx…
Our Baby Rae
Rae is doing very well this winter. She has been a good citizen with a few new members of her turnout herd. Rae keeps “her nose clean” in the herd and is never in the middle when things get energized. She is polite when meeting new horses and over all very easy to match up with others. In the field, as the other horses ran around getting to know the new members, Rae stood on a high spot in the…
George: Happy to get back to Work!
George is officially ready to get back to work. He has been enjoying returning to daily turnout and is beginning saddle time this week! We are excited to once again reopen applications as he progresses to full riding workouts over the next several weeks. This guy needs a job and we are happy to give his mind and body something to do! More to come!
Otto Training Update: Giving to Pressure
Check out this video of a training session with Otto as he works on giving to pressure through the use of a rope:
Jill Is Ready For Her Forever Home!
Jill has blossomed into a fun and reliable riding horse! This sweet mare is so fun to ride because she loves working with her rider and is forward and willing, but also enjoys working at a relaxed walk and is getting a pretty dynamite stop. While she’s still young, Jill is tackling every obstacle and new experience like an old pro. Given another year or so of riding experience, Jill will make a…
Alumni Update: Moon
Moon is a companion horse and is best buddies with another draft horse, Goliath. She loves attention, especially being groomed. Recently, she has found a farrier who really understands her hooves and loves her hoof-pedis every 8 weeks, which has improved her pigeon-toed gait! Moon’s partner reports she has a super sweet nature!
Alumni Update: Bucky B Lucky
Lorenzo, formally known as Bucky B Lucky and his adopter Ruth, are still actively competing often. Here are some recent photos of playing, training and competing! Such a handsome fella!
We Love Our Minis
Written by our volunteer, Debbie Meyer, aka “Best Buddy to Shasta & Sunny” Traditionally, February has been known as the month of love. As a result, no better time for an update on SAFE’s lovable ambassadors and permanent residents, Shasta and Sunny D. As some of you may not know (or remember), Shasta and Sunny arrived at SAFE in 2011 after being seized by Animal Control when another mini on…
Terrific Teddi
Recently, Teddi reminded us what an amazing herd member she can be! Since Minnie and Coco had to have their vaccines done to help them protect against strangles, we were instructed to keep them separated for one-week post-vaccine from other horses. Since it is winter, we don’t have any open paddocks, Teddi had to go back in the “filly field” with a few old friends, Rae, and a few new friends,…
Cameron Enjoys Long Walks
We have a few volunteers who come once a week to give our gentleman Cameron a walk around the property. Here is what Meghan Nicolson had to say: “Walking with Cameron is a highlight of my week! When we first started walking together he just wanted to go, with his long/fast strides; but it didn’t take long before Cameron learned to slow down to my pace. He is very aware of everyone/everything at…
Alumni Update: Lucy
Check out these photos of Lucy! She has been finding her way in the herd and apparently found a new friend that she is mothering a bit.
Sienna is our Special Project
Here is what Terry had to say about Sienna: What an absolute gift Joel Conner is to SAFE and horses like Sienna. His resolve, knowledge and compassion for her success is unmatched. Joel made Sienna a “special project” in this past November’s horsemanship clinic. He worked her with purpose and dedication to fill in her insecurities while carrying a rider. This mare has a huge heart with a ton of…
Playful Pepper
This little rascal must have decided to play a little too rough with the big girls and got a nasty laceration on her cannon bone of her hind left leg. Luckily it is very far from her heart and time is all that is needed to heal. It was covered with long winter coat and was discovered a bit too long after the injury to be sutured, so we were left to just clean it up, clip the hair away and keep a…
Alumni Update: Dottie
Dottie is living the good life with her entire family! As you can see, she has plenty of friends to keep her entertained and happy!
Nyx’s Balance
Terry had this to say about Nyx: I have started to ride Nyx a few times a week. He is making some great changes and does well with a good groundwork session at the beginning of the week and then comfortably ridden. One observation is how crooked he was moving even on the ground. Helping him “stand up” and move straight on a unified circle was almost impossible when we started working him. We had…
2024 Joel Conner Clinics
We have scheduled dates for our 2024 Joel Conner Horsemanship clinics. These clinics are an incredible opportunity to learn about the horsemanship that SAFE uses to prepare our horses for success in their future homes. 2024 Joel Conner Horsemanship Clinic Dates March 22–24, 2024 May 3–5, 2024 August 16–18, 2024 October 25–27, 2024 Schedule (subject to change) Groundwork Class: 9:00AM to 12:00PM…
Jacob is Learning
Terry had this to say about Jacob: Jacob is a good gelding with a fair amount of try. His biggest issues stem from years prior to SAFE when he learned to evade any pressure put on him. Like any young horse he has at times tested the leadership of his handlers. Most likely, as a young horse, he found that he could intimidate or pressure people to move out of his way. He had a bit of a wake-up…
Coco’s First Snow!
As most of you remember, we had quite a bit of snow over the holidays. Being that Coco is new to life and born in April, it was the first time this little lady experienced the magic of a winter wonderland. Luckily our Barn Staff captured the moment to share with all of us. Check out the short video of Coco, Minnie and a brief appearance by Teddi, who cares more about the food than the white…
Nova and Jill Are Besties
Nova and Jill are enjoying each other’s company this winter. We have changed up the mare herd dynamics a bit and added a few of the older mares to a herd. Jill and Barb just wouldn’t “play nice” so some adjustments were made. Nova and Jill are the best of buds and it is pretty cute given their size difference to see them side by side in everything they do. Winter is moving along and in March we…
Alumni Update: Miah
Miah is now living with her new adopter of one year, Tamara! She had been riding trails until being placed on stall rest, much to Miah’s dismay! But, now has been able to walk around in her gravel paddock with her companion Mr. Apple, a very cute Appy Pony!
February Volunteer of the Month: Jessica Sprague
Congratulations to February Volunteer of the Month, Jessica Sprague! Jessica started volunteering right at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Since then she has been a reliable, hardworking team member who stepped up to become Shift Lead last October. Since then she has trained several new volunteers and supported her team through the ups and downs of occasionally being shorthanded…
