Rope Work with Justin
Preparing Justin for a rider has been a fun and rewarding process. This gelding’s sweet disposition continues to shine through. He is a willing horse with a lot of try. The more we work him, the more we fall in love with his kind eyes. We hope to ride him in the near future, but we are letting him lead the way. He doesn’t have to prove anything to us. As an older restart with a troubled past,…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mina
I worked with Mina for all three groundwork sessions for the recent Joel Conner clinic. I was excited to get the chance to participate with her because I already know that working with her is going to help me grow in my horsemanship skills. Mina is a sweetheart, and she’s not exactly a high-energy mare. She’s so easy going that it can be difficult to get her to move her feet. We believe that…
New Video: Valor
Valor is coming along nicely. He is a big mover who will make someone a nice looking riding partner. As his training progresses, he is becoming responsive to the rider. This video is after working with Casey for 15 rides. We are accepting applications and he is available to meet potential adopters. Email adopt@safehorses.org with questions and fill out an application before it’s too late!…
Joel Conner Clinic Reports: Stella
In August, Stella and I had the good fortune to travel to Oregon to participate in Joel Conner’s horsemanship clinic at Northwood Farms. Though she hasn’t traveled off the SAFE property often, she was awesome. She loaded right into the last space on the trailer without a problem and handled herself safely for unloading. When we got out to the arena, she settled right in to work. Though she has a…
Pyrrah Making Strides
SAFE Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe is helping sharpen up some of Pyrrah’s groundwork. Phoebe worked with Pyrrah this week and here is what she had to say: It’s pretty clear that in Pyrrah’s past she was allowed to plow through her handler. During our work together we walked the arena and when I asked her to to stop she would move ahead despite my bumping the lead rope. I used a one rein stop…
Valor Meets a Potential Adopter
Kasey O has been considering the adoption of a SAFE horse! She came out to meet Valor, and was kind enough to share her impressions of him: About two weeks ago, I visited SAFE for a second time. The first time was to meet and ride Roscoe. This time was to meet Valor, and hopefully make a decision as to which of the two horses would make the perfect fit into our little family. I want to share my…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Valor
SAFE volunteer Casey worked with Valor during the clinic, and had this to say about working with him: I restarted Valor about a month ago and got to ride him in all three sessions of the Joel Conner clinic. He is such an easy horse to be around and a lot of fun to ride. He consistently moves up and down all three gaits off my seat and has started to pick up a soft feel. He is comfortable around…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cameo
SAFE volunteer Casey worked with Cameo during the groundwork portion of the clinic: I worked Cameo in the Joel Conner clinic for the first time since she returned to SAFE. The first day her feet were quite stuck and she had changing eyes issues, which resulted in some concerning behaviors, including striking out with her front feet. With Joel’s guidance, I was able to help her work through that…
New Video: Orion
Orion is finishing 90 days of training with Nick Donohue. He has come a long way from his intake and has turned out to be a wonderful riding partner. He is ready to start his new life! https://youtu.be/NeXaeeDjbo0
Checking in with Sage
Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe had this to say about her work with Sage and helping her get more comfortable and giving when asked to pick her hooves: Sage- a strong personality who has had things her way for quite a while. Roped her hinds again. Doesn’t take her as long to give. She doesn’t get as upset as she did the first time. My opinion — she needs a dominant leader, at least until she…
Teddi and the Importance of Groundwork
Teddi has been working on relaxing and gentling with Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe. We have seen wonderful changes in Teddi over the last few months as she develops more of a bond with Phoebe. We want to take a quick moment to acknowledge and thank Phoebe for her dedication and help with this sensitive mare. This work is truly at the heart of SAFE’s mission. Even after Teddi’s diagnosis of ring…
Amelia Makes Progress!
Glowing reports on Amelia’s progress from our Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe! We will be talking with Joel Conner during this week’s clinic about his thoughts on offering her as a very light riding horse or a kids lead line. She is a sweet girl and in the right home she will be a great family member. Here is what Phoebe had to report: Amelia — sweet, easy going but always checking to make sure…
Foster Update: Piper
Little miss Piper has grown this summer into such a nice little lady. She spends nearly all of her time living like a wild horse with our herd in the large pasture, but she shows off her manners every time we handle her. Some of her milestones include: standing politely for trims with only the mildest baby shenanigans (it’s pretty boring after all), yielding out of the human’s space during…
SAFE Alum Scooter is Available for Adoption
Breed: Arabian Color: Chestnut Age: 23 Sex: Gelding Height: 14.2hh Registered Name: Padron’s Secret If are looking for an easy going, loving, docile companion/light riding horse, check this guy out! Pistol (known as Scooter at SAFE) was adopted from SAFE in 2012 but his current owner feels that there is a better situation out there for him. He is low man in every social situation and really…
Video: Remy Learns Herd Dynamics
Remy is a 6yr old TB who was found on a property without any other horses so we are unsure how long its been since he’s had other horses as companions. He is currently in training and the two other horses in the video are personal horses of the trainers. Tapadero, the roan gelding, is the “peacemaker/good cop” of the herd. He allows Remy to approach him, he is not aggressive towards him and…
Guess the Foaling Date for Luna and Mina!
Do you think you can guess when Luna and Mina will have their foals? We’re going to have a fun contest to see who can guess the closest to the actual birth! We’ll give a you a clue to get you started. The two mares were both palpated and ultrasounded by equine repro specialist Dr Brandi Hollihan from Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital on April 26, 2018. Here’s what we learned at that exam: Luna was…
September Volunteer of the Month: Catherine Noyes
Kirkland resident Catherine Noyes has been named as Save a Forgotten Equine’s September Volunteer of the Month. She was selected for this honor because of her interest in every aspect of horse rescue. Catherine helps with the basics of cleaning up after the horses, feeding, watering, and she participates in every opportunity to learn about natural horsemanship which is practiced at SAFE. She’s…
2018 Q3 Impact Statement
New Horses Intake Date: July 11, 2018 Remy (owner surrender) Intake Date: August 8, 2018 Timmie (owner surrender) Birth Date: September 1, 2018 Pippi (born to rescued mare Asha) Placed Horses Ruach Euthanized Horses Raven (colic)
Luna’s Getting Closer!
Right on the heels of Pippi’s arrival, Luna is showing signs of getting closer to foaling. She’s right on track for the predicted foaling date of sometime in October. She has recently started having some mammary development, and she is producing some “milk.” It’s still in the early stages, but it’s a sign that we need to start preparing for another baby. Now that Pippi and Asha have vacated the…
Pippi Update
It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies when we look at our little Pippi! It seems like just yesterday she was a wobbly little bundle of legs, gangling awkwardly around the foaling stall. She appears to be growing before our eyes and is exploring her world like a big girl, imitating mom by trying to nibble hay and drink from the water trough. Pippi has blossomed into an outgoing little girl…
Remy: School is in Session
Remy is just beginning his work with Nick Donohue and thing are progressing well. He is a very intelligent, willing gelding. He is progressing a little every day and his kind personality is coming through. The biggest challenge for Remy has been that he was an isolated stallion until SAFE picked him up. Nick has been working to introduce him to other horses and feels that getting him out with…
WEG 2018, Tryon NC
What started as a vacation turned into a bit of a work holiday for three members of SAFE’s staff, who traveled to Tryon, North Carolina for the first week of the World Equestrian Games. This was a trip planned a year in advance and made possible by a personal friend who invited us along to share her WEG adventure. We were thrilled by this opportunity to experience a world-class equestrian event…
A New Beginning for Aiden
Aiden spent several wonderful years with the Henwood family, but sadly, changes in circumstances meant that Aiden needed to be rehomed. The Henwoods did a very responsible job of finding a new home for Aiden that would meet SAFE’s standards, and they found him another young person who would enjoy him and love him. Aiden now belongs to Maeve and the two of them have already formed a…
Happy Birthday Pippi!
Last night at 10:35pm, we welcomed a new life into the world. Asha gave birth to a lovely and long-legged chestnut Tobiano filly. The delivery was straight forward and uncomplicated, and mom and baby are both doing very well. Here are some photos taken today by Jessica Farren:
Pet Connection: A Harbor in the Storm
August Volunteer of the Month: Samantha McMaster
Arlington resident and high school student Samantha (Sam) McMaster has been named as Save a Forgotten Equine’s August Volunteer of the Month. Sam was selected for this honor because this summer, she’s been volunteering almost every day at our farm. She’s done everything from moving horses, to grooming and bathing horses, to feeding them, to cleaning stalls and pastures, to polishing silver on…
Seven Hours with Mason
The following is an article written by Elsa Sinclair, the San Juan Island native who pioneered Freedom Based Training™ in her movie Taming Wild. Elsa visited Safe Harbor last week to spend some time with Mason. Elsa has been working with several horses to explore the foundations of FBT, to discover how far Equestrian Art can be developed solely using body language. She writes about a few…
Raven Gets to Eat Grass!
To our delight, Raven is getting ever closer to being a “normal” horse. We have been getting her out on fresh grass little by little to see how her digestive system handles it, and she’s doing well on it. She’s off all medication and now the only additive we give her for digestive needs is a probiotic supplement. We continue to watch her closely for colic signs, but so far so good. She also…
Pippi’s First Day Outdoors
Pippi and Asha ventured outside for the first time today. Pippi seemed to love this new adventure, running circles around her mom and exploring the pasture. She’s such a little cutie pie, and so full of life! Photos by Jessica Farren
First Photos of Pippi
photos by Jessica Farren Photography
