September Volunteer of the Month: Amy Owens
Congratulations to Amy Owens, our September Volunteer of the Month! For the last 2 years and 3 months, Amy has been a dedicated force at SAFE, consistently improving the lives of our horses. As a vital member of the Thursday morning chore shift, Amy shows up week after week, no matter the weather, ready to work with a can-do attitude. Her kindness and welcoming smile brighten everyone’s day,…
Mahina’s Hoof Progress
Mahina means moon in Hawaiian and much like a moon, this bright mare continues to wax. Unlike a moon, there is no sign of her waning. Mahina’s curriculum grows by the day as she learns more about what it means to be a good equine citizen. Now that she is able to be caught, she has moved on to more advanced projects like learning the building blocks of this horsemanship and using her newfound…
Lacey & Lise
Lise A has been grooming Lacey for the past little while, and has the following to say about this special mare: “One of the baby name meanings of “Lacey” is cheerful. And a descriptor used in a dictionary definition of “Lacey” is a web. I was offered the opportunity to pick one of a few SAFE horses to groom who aren’t for beginners due to their quirky attitudes. I mused and decided that I would…
Alumni Update: Tilt (Korra)
Julie recently shared this update: Because of my busy schedule, Korra (Tilt) and I haven’t had much time to work together so things have been moving slow. Today, however, was our first ride outside of the round pen! Korra was curious but calm. She’s going to make an excellent little trail horse. Oh, and chaps by Phoebe Trocano!
Winter and Wren, Sitting in a Tree
Winter, who was without horse friends for a number of years, was recently introduced to some herdmates here at SAFE. As you can see, Wren took to her immediately, and the two quickly became thick as thieves. In the herd hierarchy, Winter has shown herself to be a leader, but a fair one. She and BFF Wren often munch from the same haybox, and she is kind enough to share the shelter with both Tiva…
Jupiter Out on the Trails
Jupiter, brave Jupiter, recently hit the trails to showcase how all his hard work in the arena has paid off. This guy didn’t miss a stride on his recent trail walk, taking up the lead with the calm cool collected attitude of a seasoned pro. True, it wasn’t exactly his first time on the trail, having seen it for the first time on a hand walk a few weeks prior, but to walk alongside and to walk…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Deja Vu
Having the chance to work with Deja Vu — a horse who has not had much in the way of experience with this style of horsemanship — during the recent Joel Conner clinic was a challenging and tremendous learning experience for the both of us. At first, working Deja was like working a 2x4. Her rigidity was based entirely in insecurity, an unwillingness to let go of any part of her field of…
Inula’s New Friend
It’s a common expression that horse’s are a girl’s best friend, but some horses are certainly more inherently suited to the role than others. Inula is one such horse, whose natural sweetness propels her into instant BFF status. This cutie has been hanging out at foster with some four-legged friends, but recently had some visitors of the two-legged variety — including one close to Inula’s own…
Alumni Update: Pearl
Pearl is a happy and healthy gal. She and her adopters, Diana and Adam, go for walks, do obstacles, groom and just like to hang out together. Pearl loves all the horses in her heard at the stables she lives at.
Haltering Progress with Mahina
On her long legs, with a long neck upon which perches a delicate inquisitive head, Mahina in some lights resembles an exotic bird more than an equine. And much like a bird, Mahina arrived at SAFE quite flighty, and with a reluctance to being caught. She was curious from the very beginning, but insisted that any touches were on her terms, allowing for scratches on the withers and back, but…
Theo’s Jolly Good Time
Theo is by far the most playful guy on the property right now, the perfect storm of a growing, goofy gelding. When he’s not napping (which is frequently) he is trying to engage one of his herdmates in a bit of roughhousing or a game of chase. Otherwise, he is finding something to get his mouth around — grain pans, fly masks left too close to the fence line, fallen sticks. You name it, Theo has…
Alumni Update: Flynn
Adopter Kirsten shared an update on Flynn: A few pictures of Flynn. We recently had a “Painting with the Ponies” event at the barn and he was a popular pony. I think Flynn was very impressed. .
Upcoming WASART Presentation
Saturday, September 7th from 12–3 at SAFE Harbor Stables As part of our educational opportunities for volunteers, we are excited to host The Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) at SAFE next month for an afternoon of learning how they help animals in need. WASART is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit all-volunteer organization that helps companion animals and livestock out of immediate crisis and…
Alumni Update: Freya
Freya is enjoying her retirement and living out her days as a companion to herd mate Mocha. Manuela loves Freya very much.
Brandy’s Manure Mystery
Trying to troubleshoot a horse’s gut, when it’s in disarray, can feel sometimes like assembling a puzzle acquired from Goodwill. With missing pieces and dog-eared corners, trying to figure out how to put it all together can be daunting. Recently, seemingly out of nowhere, Brandy’s stool quality dissolved – literally. A bit of background: Brandy has been a mash-only horse since she first…
Alumni Update: Doolin (Finn)
Finn, formerly known as Doolin, lives with three full size horses, one being Inula, a SAFE foster. They are all healthy and happy and get along well together. Shannon enjoys working Finn in the round pen regularly and sometimes ponies him along when she rides the trails in nearby Lord Hill Park. He loves to hang out with his pasture pals in their spacious turnout and gets a couple of hours of…
Buck Brannaman Clinic Report: Artie
Kirsten AL has been working with and riding Artie for the last several months, and back in June took him to the Buck Brannaman clinic in Ellensburg. Here’s what she has to say about the experience: “This guy! Artie recently participated in the Buck Brannaman Foundations Clinic in Ellensburg, WA and he did not fail to impress. Calm. Cool. Collected. What a champ! From loading at SAFE, to walking…
Alumni Update: Roscoe
Adopter Kasey recently shared her feelings and some photos of Roscoe: Roscoe!!! He’s worth his weight three times over in gold!!! My boys love him, my hubby loves him, I love him so much.
Heart of the Horse 2024
Take a peek inside the fun and excitement that was this year’s Heart of the Horse. It took six months of preparation to turn this five hour event into a spectacular celebrations of rescued horses. All of our expectations were exceeded, and when the dust settled, we’d netted more than $580k for the horses at SAFE and the ones yet to come. Thank you to our vibrant, generous, and fun loving…
Hoof Handling Progression with Winter
The journey of 1,000 instances of picking your hooves up for the farrier begins with a single lift. There was a time in Winter’s life when she had seen the farrier for hoof care, but it had been a number of years, so high on the priority list for her was getting those hooves tended to. Luckily for us, Winter is a supremely intelligent lady, and after overcoming her initial hesitations, was…
Alumni Update: Addie
Adopter Nicole reports they have been having a great time with Addie. Addie really enjoys trails, little girls and obstacles.
Sparky and Rojo in our Heart
Our mini donkeys, Sparky and Rojo, live the good life fostering at our friend and volunteer Jackie’s place alongside her menagerie, but they are still on the payroll here at SAFE as our ambassadors (alongside Sunny and Shasta, of course). As honored guests at our recent Heart of the Horse, these two littles made the trek over for a long weekend at SAFE. Seasoned pros at this point, they hop…
Alumni Update: Pippi
Casey Holcomb, Pippi’s adopter, recently sent this update and photos: Here are some pics of Pippi with my daughter Taryn, along with Keeva, who will be retiring soon! Pippi and Keeva love each other and Taryn is excited to keep training with Pippi.
August Volunteer of the Month: Ann Daigle
Congratulations to our August Volunteer of the Month, Ann Daigle! Ann is not only kind and caring but also possesses unmatched grit and determination. She began volunteering with us during the cold, dark, wet, and muddy winter months back in January 2022. Two and a half years later, she’s still going strong and making a tremendous difference in the lives of our horses. Ann is a vibrant member of…
Cleo and Deja on Grass
There are many aspects of horse rescue that are rewarding, but one of the best feelings has to be seeing a horse, who you know was previously underfed, now turned out on grass looking happy (and perhaps even a bit on the fat side!) Cleopatra and Deja Vu are two such horses. We know they came from a situation of neglect and starvation, so to see them frolic and feast out in the field is an…
Alumni Update: Jasper
Alumni volunteer Lisa G recently visited with Jasper and his adopter. Jasper is absolutely thriving in the Olympic Peninsula farm life. This happy and healthy fellow gets to spend his days turned out with a TRULY mixed herd; his 2 mare pals, Poppy and Sodee, 4 alpacas, and 2 goats with 4 donkeys and a couple more horses within neighing distance… topped of with a sprinkling of chickens, ducks,…
Haltering Progression with Winter
Winter had lived for a number of years out on pasture without being caught. She remained curious of humans, but wary of their intentions, especially when it came to anyone handling her in a way that wasn’t on her terms. We were able to get a breakaway halter on Winter before she exited the trailer at SAFE, but it was clear that it would take patience and time before she was ready to let just…
Alumni Update: Nyx and Echo
Update from Lindsay Henderson, Nyx’s adopter: The last few days we took a couple SAFE alumni (Nyx and Echo) out on a group camp out at Silver Falls. They were both rockstars! Echo and Addison Cory bravely led the way much of the time. So cool to be a part of and to witness these horses thriving!
Jupiter’s Back
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The good news is that at a recent lameness check back in early June, Jupiter was the soundest he’s ever been. Putting him on Equioxx, tacking on some front shoes, and legging him up has proven to be a tried and true regime for improving his soundness. The “bad news” is that at…
Alumni Update: Coco, Minnie and Teddi
Coco, Minnie, and Teddi are happy as can be out on the beautiful Key Peninsula. They have graduated to shared/open shelter (so they each have individual stalls, but the doors are left open so they can all meander in and out together), as they get on wonderfully as a herd. Teddi is clearly the gentle but firm matriarch, with spunky little Coco trying her best to be second in command! They have…
