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…
Prince in Bloom
Spring has sprung at Safe Harbor Stables and there are flowers galore. Jessica Farren came out to photograph a few horses for us and couldn’t resist the beautiful dogwood backdrop for our stunning black Morgan Prince. He is just so photogenic! Hope you enjoy!
A Visit with Finn and Banjo
Jessica paid a visit to Finn and Banjo at their foster home. Here’s what she had to say about it: As anyone at SAFE knows I jump at the chance to spend time with Finn, so I was very happy to finally get the opportunity to pay him a visit. Yes, while there I had to get my quota of Finn cuddles and kisses. Finn and Banjo looked amazing. They are both incredibly sweet and quite handsome too! Carrie…
Cow Horse Anderson?
OK OK… so maybe there aren’t any rodeos in our near future but let me tell you this boy was SO BRAVE and well behaved working with cows for the first time. The truth is… I was more scared of getting run over by one of them than Anderson! The only time he really got concerned was when they first came into the arena. After that, he was interested but remained with me and listened to my…
Photo Update: Aubrey
Jessica Farren was able to visit Aubrey at her foster home with Jackie. She got some lovely photos to share with us. Aubrey is doing very well in her pasture with Annabelle. They are very good pals and she is relaxed and content with life. Can’t wait to see her all shed out this summer. She is such a sweet mare to be around!
Photo Update: Annabelle
Spring is in the air and Annabelle is looking great at her foster home with Aubrey. Jessica Farren took some great shots of our girl when she visited her foster mom Jackie a few weeks ago. Annabelle did very well through the winter and continues to be a sweet mare with a ton of personality and charm. She moving great and enjoying the space in her pasture while she awaits an adopter to take her…
Rehab Update: Harley
It has been a few weeks since Harley and Ruger were dropped off by Animal Control. Both are doing very well settling in and getting healthier every day. Harley is very sweet and calm. Herd Health Manager Melinda has taken her on as a special project. Melinda has been getting to know Harley and nothing but good things to say about this mare. We don’t have much history on her so we are taking…
Training Update: Jessel
While in Ellensburg this past week, I visited with Jessel who is in training with Joel Conner. She has really grown up in the last few months and we are excited to see how she develops over the summer. Jessel has come a long way and Joel’s patient work with her is really paying off. When I went out to the pasture to catch her, she came right up to the gate. She was very sweet and happy to have…
Training Update: King
I had the chance to visit and ride King at Joel Conner’s where he is getting started under saddle. King has become a very handsome boy with a very shiny black coat and a sweet personality. He is kind and gentle on the ground, easy to groom and saddle. He still needs more work with the flag and to relaxed with new things or objects. He had an “honest spook” when I was riding and he just jumped to…
Nora Rejoins the SAFE Herd
We always hope that we have placed our horses in forever homes…but from time to time, things don’t work out that way. Nora was with her loving adoptive family for almost three years when we got the call that their life situation was changing and they could no longer keep their horses. Saddened to hear that she was again needing to find placement SAFE stepped in to help run ads to find her a…
A Beautiful Friendship: Dottie & Diana
Our wonderful volunteer Diana sent us an email about Dottie. Anyone who has met Dottie will tell you that Diana has described her to a tee. We are very lucky to have a lovely friend to visit with Dottie in her foster home and these great photos by Jessica to share with you. Here is what Diana wrote about Dottie: Dottie is a true friend. That is the best way I can sum her up. It sounds so simple,…
Photo Update: Ben
Harley and Ruger Intake Photos
Harley and Ruger were seized from their owner in mid January 2017 by Snohomish County Animal Control. Both horses were emaciated, suffering from rain rot, with overgrown hooves. They were both found standing in deep mud and manure on their owner’s property and appeared to have been abandoned. They remained in county custody for several months while their court case began, and were signed over to…
Video: Jewel Under Saddle
Cameo is Back!
Sound, gorgeous, and almost cheerful!
April Volunteer of the Month: Candi Kintzley
Mini wrangler, facilities helper, auction procurer and general all-around energetic assistant, describe SAFE’s April Volunteer of the Month Candi Kintzley. Candi lives in North Bend with her husband Kerry, a sergeant with the Washington State Patrol, and their four dogs. The couple have identical 21-year-old twin sons. “I have always had a love for horses since the first time my aunt Jackie put…
Annabelle & Aubrey: The Best of Friends
You never know when you introduce horses to each other how exactly they will get along and there is always a risk it might not work as well as you had hoped. I have to say whatever told me to try Annabelle and Aubrey together was right on! These two are inseparable and have become the best of friends. Jessica Farren was able to catch some incredibly beautiful photos of the two mares. You can see…
Photo Update: Sierra
Happy Help A Horse Day!
April 26 is officially ASPCA Help a Horse Day! SAFE officially celebrated last Sunday with a huge Open House Celebration at our new home in Redmond. Huge thanks to the over 400 people who joined us on Sunday for the End Hunger Games at SAFE. Our volunteer team walked guests through 13 Districts where they learned about each step in the horse rescue process – from rescue and rehabilitation,…
Training Update: Dyna
For the past few months, we have been slowly getting Dyna into riding shape. SAFE volunteer Jane has been doing groundwork and trot poles help her gain some stamina and balance without having to carry a rider. Three weeks ago, I started riding her and slowly have increased the amount of time and work asked of her. She has remained sound and happy with the work. In the beginning, Dyna was a bit…
MyNorthwest: Redmond Rescue Organization Fighting to Save Equestrian Lives
Redmond Rescue Organization Fighting to Save Equestrian Lives Originally published April 21, 2017 By Kim Shepard, Redmond Reporter Click here to view story on the My Northwest website When local animal rescue agencies find puppy mills it can fill up most of a shelter. But when the animals being rescued weigh thousands of pounds, it’s what you might call a horse of a different color. Bonnie…
Another Perspective on Bridgit
Here is a letter from Ian about his time getting to know Bridgit and working with her in the Joel Conner clinic. Ian is a wonderful horseman and a absolute joy to have volunteering at SAFE. I am very happy that he enjoys working with this very sweet mare! Hi Terry, I really want to thank you for getting the two of us to be ‘friends.’ Every session with her is a great experience, and the clinic…
Something new for Rosie
At SAFE, we realize that our horses have many different gifts to share. As we learn about who they are and what they are capable of, we find that their future may not be as a “riding” horse. Dear Rosie has had a lot of miles on her in the past and from what we can tell they were not always very pleasant. There is a lot of fear around saddling and riding and we have decided to take it easy with…
Ben: Training Update
Here is a wonderful training update from Lisa, Ben’s volunteer rider: Ben continues to amaze! When I broke my wrist in December and was forced to take a 3‑month hiatus from his training, volunteer rider Jolene took over, continuing his groundwork, re-introducing lunging, and teaching him to stretch while in movement, which helps him connect comfort and relaxation to movement and work, instead…
