Nova’s Hoof Trim
One of the first warning signs that something was different about Nova back before her spay was her sudden inability to have her hooves trimmed. She had been seeing the farrier every 6 weeks for years, but one day she could not handle the touch of a familiar hand on her hind leg — anywhere behind her withers, really. Even the lightest of touches would cause her to squeal and kick and become…
Alumni Update: Opal (Bella)
At 18 years old, Bella (formerly Opal) is beginning to show her age with a few health issues, but overall, she is healthy and well cared for by Lys. The two like to go on trail rides and Bella enjoys hanging out with her paddock mate, a Friesian mare.
Week in Review: September 23 — 27
A lot goes on at SAFE each week, and not all of it is reported on in depth. But in an effort to give you a glimpse into what a typical week looks like, we are compiling just a few of the moments into a weekly summary video. Check out last week’s below:
Welcoming Oreo, Ranger, and Mabel!
SAFE welcomed three new faces this week, and what cute faces they are! Hailing from Pierce County, these escape artists came under Animal Control’s notice because they kept breaking out and getting loose. After multiple instances of this with no preventative measures being put in place, they were seized. A long, drawn-out case meant that these guys have been waiting in the wings for quite a…
Mahina Making Progress
As the days grow shorter, so does the list of Mahina’s ‘firsts’ here at SAFE. First time walking through the barn aisle, check. First time having her teeth floated, check. First (and second!) trims by the farrier, check and check. She has really shown herself to be a very reasonable girl in the face of new experiences, and we are loving time spent with this cool mare. Here’s a brief compilation…
Barbie Dream Horse
Barbie’s Dream Horse was named Prancer, and technically she was cremello. But it’s hard not to look at these beautiful pictures of Winter and not conjure up images of the toy you’d bring to show and tell. If one thing is true about Winter, it’s that she is calorically dense eye candy. Winter is seeing big changes here at SAFE too.…
Alumni Update: Mesquite
Mesquite shares a fence line, as well as turnout, with an Arab/QH cross. Mesquite gets four carefully measured feedings around the clock to maintain good gut health. He’s experienced a number of colic issues and this procedure is keeping colic at bay. Both Cory and Melissa trail ride out of the property, sometimes daily. They are building a covered arena so they can ride more when the weather is…
Adopt Edward!
Edward is more than ready to meet people who are ready to meet him. Could that be you?
WASART Presentation
As part of on-going educational opportunities for our SAFE volunteers and community, we have been offering presentations by various individuals and organizations throughout the year. Recently, we were pleased to have the Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART) join us. WASART is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that helps companion animals and livestock out of immediate…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bijou
Carrie S worked alongside Bijou in the August Joel Conner Clinic, and said the following about the nine hours they spent together over the course of the weekend: “I had the privilege of working with Bijou for the first half of the August Joel Conner clinic. It was my first clinic with her and have only worked with her a handful of times prior. This mare!!! When you talk with someone who has…
Ain’t No Bugs on Me
Yesterday may have been Friday the 13th, but the creepy crawlies are still out. That’s right, it’s botfly season. These pests have it really figured out — they lay their eggs on the legs and sides of horses, places where they are likely to be ingested by the pass of a nose or a tongue as a horse itches. Then, the eggs have a nice warm place to incubate in the GI tract. By the time they exit the…
Zuri’s Before and After
Transformations are par for the course here at SAFE, but as they often happen so incrementally, it can be challenging to remember the ‘before.’ When Zuri was first seized by Animal Control back in March of this year, she was about as low on the body condition score chart as a horse can be. She had several health issues crop up following her intake, likely caused at least in part to deferred…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Carrie S worked alongside Sienna in the August Joel Conner Clinic, and had the following reflections about her experience with this beautiful mare: “I had the privilege of working with Sienna in the August Joel Conner clinic. This kind and sensitive mare has made lovely progress in getting more life and responsiveness in some areas but has held out in other areas. These being the areas where I…
Alumni Update: Violet
Violet’s adopter, Lexee shared this update with us: On a beautiful August Sunday I took Violet on her first longer trail ride and man was she awesome! Lots of hills, walkers, dogs and bikes and she took them all in great stride. She even let some young kids pet her — which for Violet is a big deal. I’m really proud of this mare. One of the reasons I really wanted to adopt Violet was because of…
Trixie at Foster
It isn’t very often that we send horses out to foster, but every so often a circumstance will arise where it makes sense. When Rae’s adopter reached out about needing a companion for Rae, we were happy to find a match. At sleepaway camp (aka foster), alumna Rae is keeping her new chestnut friend very busy! The two of them have become inseparable, whether Trixie likes it or not. Despite having…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Barb
“Working On The Volume Dial” by Candi K “The August Joel Conner Clinic brought another opportunity for Barb and I to work on our connection and skills in the world of horsemanship. We enjoyed being in the outdoor arena where there were a lot of horses and plenty of other distractions to add to the mix. She was calm and stood patiently with me as we listened to Joel instruct. Barb and I are…
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.
