SAFE Horses
SAFE News and Updates
The latest on Ruger
SAFE volunteers have been working hard to get Ruger through his rehabilitation. His weight has been holding steady for a while now and he seems to be doing well on a maintenance feeding of ten pounds of senior feed per day, broken into three meals. He is out on pasture for half the day and grazes a bit, but due to the condition of his teeth, he does not get (nor will he ever get) the amount of…
Bridgit finds a home!
All the horses that pass through the gates of Safe Harbor are special and placing them into wonderful new homes is the best part of our work. SAFE is happy to announce that Bridgit’s new family has been found and she is adopted! Bridgit’s sweet and gentle disposition was exactly what Kristina and her family needed. The family was looking for what we call a “unicorn,” one that is good for the…
Training and Clinic Update: Mason
Ian took Mason into our last clinic with Joel Conner. Here is what he had to say about the experience: Mason – Joel Conner Clinic – Groundwork – Day 1 – 6/10 Mason and I have slowly been building trust together since he first appeared at SAFE with both sides “mysteriously” scarred and deep fear that would surface if I held a rake or broom near his right side. Lori has done an amazing job slowly…
Health Update: Stormy
Here is a medical update from Melinda our Herd Health Manager about Stormy: A few months ago, we still believed that Stormy’s right eye maintained some ability to sense light and shadows. We continued to administer medication to manage the uveitis and save that eye in hopes that it was still helpful to her. Unfortunately, her condition worsened. Her eye was no longer responding to medical…
Lacey Plays Soccer!
2017 Q2 Impact Statement
New Horses Intake Date: April 5, 2017 Nora (returned to SAFE by adopter) Intake Date: April 20, 2017 Ruger (Snohomish County Animal Control) Harley (Snohomish County Animal Control) Intake Date: June 30, 2017 Tasara (owner surrender) Placed Horses Ruckus Rico Bridgit Dyna Emmy Gracie King Harley Deceased Horses Annie (died due to extreme neglect)
Summer is coming soon!
Cameo at Work and Play
Video by SAFE volunteer Kino M.
Nora moves to Safe Harbor
Sweet Nora arrived at Safe Harbor Stables today after her foster home needed to lower the workload at home. Nora jumped right into the trailer without trouble to make the trip to Redmond. For her daily turnout routine, and because Nora does not like to be alone, she was introduced to a small herd of horses: Vida, Rosie, and Prince. She was respectful of Vida, the herd leader, and cautiously…
Clinic & Photo Update: Harley
Volunteer rider Erika worked with Harley in the Joel Conner clinic last weekend. Here is what she had to say about working with her: This was my first time working with Harley. She is a very nice horse, who has obviously been through a lot of training in her life. She picks up a soft feel very quickly, and she responds well to minimal pressure with legs and seat. She moves very smoothly and…
Rico Finds a Home
We are thrilled to announce that Rico has found a home! After a successful 30 day trial, this handsome boy has settled into his new home and is already part of the family. Barbara came to SAFE looking for a companion for her horse, Fiona. She was lonely after losing her pasture mate and Barbara knew she needed a friend. When she came out to meet some of the SAFE horses available for adoption, we…
Lacey is All Grown Up
An update from Terry who has been working with Lacey: We have been working hard in the arena over the last few weeks and Lacey is improving every day! She has been doing a lot better with things touching her hind end. While she still might squeal and kick out from time to time, it has improved a great deal. I can now get the rope tossed over most of the time without a reaction. She is good about…
King, the Beautiful Riding Horse
King returned from training with Joel Conner recently, and we are so impressed with this black beauty! He’s being ridden on a regular basis by volunteer rider Jolene and doing wonderfully, even on the trails next door. He’s become so gentle and willing. King is ready to move on to a new home, and we don’t expect him to stay around too long, so if you’re interested in this horse, submit an…
Trail horses available for adoption!
Here at SAFE, we are enjoying the wonderful sunshine by exploring the trails at Farrel-McWhirter Park next door. The horses love to get outside and get a break from arena work. Last week, both King and Stevie went out for their first trail rides and did perfect! We had a nice steady group to help them along, with Anderson in the lead and Cameo bringing up the rear. You can bet we’ll be enjoying…
Spring Photos with Jewel
Happy Birthday, Phoenix!
Super cute photos from Phoenix and his family Lauren and Bryan. They celebrated Phoenix’s 9th birthday this past weekend and told Phoenix that he is going to be a big brother this fall when Lauren and Bryan welcome their little cowboy into the family. So great to have wonderful updates about this special boy. He has a great life and an all-star adoptive family! Thank you Lauren and Bryan for all…
Photo Update: Cameo
Training Update: Harley
We have seen a great transformation in Harley over the weeks she has been with SAFE. She is up to a good weight, her rain rot is cleared up, her hooves are trimmed, and she is sound. Since we don’t have a lot of information about what she had done in the past, we asked Joel Conner to help us assess her as a riding horse. We took her over to his place in Ellensburg last Monday. She did AMAZING!…
Training Update: Jessel
Jessel just turned 3 and she is doing great! We have taken things slow but the training Joel has done with her is really showing. We got to visit with her in Ellensburg and Joel started adding some weight to the end of him rope for her to feel. She did amazing for her first time and had no problem getting used to the feel of the weight of the log. Here are some photos of our visit with her:…
Sierra Begins Training
FINALLY!! This pretty little mare is off to get started with Joel. Since we moved to the new facility, I have preparing Sierra for her start. She did really well transporting over to Ellensburg to Joel’s facility and settled quickly. It was great to watch the first work with Joel and to see how well she accepted a rider. Here are a few photos of Joel working with Sierra — you can see how great…
Jewel’s Western Dressage Test
Jewel Western Dressage test Hollywood Hills Saddle Club Ride and Review:
Cameo’s Horse Show Debut
What a superstar Cameo was for her first show! She looked great and continues to amaze us this year. Lindsay is doing great with her training and not only got Cameo comfortable with the trailer but also has taken her on a few trail rides! Cameo is ready to meet prospective adopters! Are you ready to take her home?
Show Update: Cameo & Jewel
This past weekend Cameo and Jewel went to their first show of the season at the ride and review at Hollywood Hills Saddle Club. It was Cameo’s first show and she did amazing! Her volunteer rider Lindsay has been working on her trailer skills and our little frightened Arabian mare did a fabulous job. She has really grown up! The ride and review was a great start to the show year. They were able…
May Volunteer of the Month: Michelle Stokke
For tirelessly volunteering on multiple chore shifts at the barn and for the many unsolicited hours she contributes, SAFE has chosen Seattle native Michelle Stokke as May’s Volunteer of the Month. Michelle’s lifelong love of horses started with a pony ride at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. “It is actually my first true memory,” she says. “The leather saddle, pungent scent of pony, the soft fur,…
Their 80th Ride
Cory, who adopted Mesquite, sent us this photo of their 80th ride together!
Everybody Loves Ruger
We’ve had a lot of people reach out to us over the last few days about Ruger, who many of know as Parnelli. At the moment, Ruger is not available for adoption. He’s only been with us for few weeks, and he is still recovering from the neglect he suffered. When Ruger is ready for adoption, we will be looking for someone who can provide a home where he will be taken care of for the rest of his…
Stevie Under Saddle
Stevie did very well while in training with Joel Conner. He accepted a rider well and there were no issues. Joel said that Stevie was the most well prepared horse that SAFE has ever sent him. Thanks to all the hard work Casey put into him, this phase of his training was easy. Stevie returned to Safe Harbor and Casey has been working with him 4–5 times a week. She rode him at the Joel Conner…
Rosie at Liberty
A report from Rosie’s volunteer trainer: Rosie continues to make big strides each week. She now will come to the fence when she sees me coming instead of walking the other way, which is a huge change. We have built a trust relationship and she is more relaxed when we return to pasture because she knows that I won’t let the other horses pick on her while I am there. I’ve gotten comments from…
Raven’s Improvement
Raven is looking more and more like the beautiful Thoroughbred filly she was born to be! Her transformation has been slow but she has put on weight and the scars from her neglect are fading. It is amazing to watch the rain rot and starvation coat fall away and this young athletic beauty emerge. SAFE Barn Manager Lindsay has put a lot of time into grooming and loving on Raven. She has been on top…
Ruckus’ New Home
We received this great adoption check in report on Ruckus and wanted to share it with you. What cute pictures too! “Ruckus got a fly sheet and a matching rain sheet with Aurie. He is pretty proud of his new wardrobe. They are totally best friends for life they make the best pair. And Aurie is so good with him and gentle with him when they play together. Rucky is keeping him active! We got him…
