SAFE Horses
SAFE News and Updates
A minute with Moonshine!
Moonshine enjoyed some time in the arena to stretch his legs and play. He took the opportunity to show off some of his fancy moves!
Jewel Comes Home To Safe Harbor
When I was told that Jewel would be moving back from foster, I was warned she had a history of being a bit of a stinker. I thought for a long time on how to prepare the barn for this little rebel and what ways I could set her up for a successful transition. We played a little musical stalls and left an open space between her and the other horses to ensure no kicking or broken fences to mend!…
Meet Dottie!
Dottie is a tall and beautiful Thoroughbred mare, who came to us via a pair of good samaritans who helped remove her from an abusive owner. She is reportedly a former broodmare who was approved by the Westphalian registry, but she’s had a difficult life and has fallen in and out of rescue situations for many years. Her guardian angels arranged transportation to SAFE in Woodinville, and we are in…
Bucky B Lucky day at the races
Emerald Downs invited members of SAFE to come down to the track today and set up a table. We asked and were granted permission to bring Sunny and Shasta along for the day as well. It was the mini’s first visit to a race track, but they decided to try their luck at handicapping the races and even printed up their Hot-To-Trot pick sheet to share with other racegoers. I ponied up $10 for them to…
“Where Are They Now” starring Bucky B Lucky
Emerald Downs “Where Are They Now?” — Bucky B Lucky
Moonshine video
Sweet Smellin’ Ginger!
What Arabian girl doesn’t love her hair products and pampering? Well until this matted tail little mare had met me, I’m not sure how she survived without spa treatments and pampering! As you may know from earlier reports, while Ginger’s previous owner allowed her to eat at much as her round body could take, her skin and grooming were neglected. If the mat in her tail, the size of a toy bat,…
The Constant Gentleman: Portland
If you have yet to meet this amazing gelding, I wanted to give you just a little taste of what it’s like to know this special horse. I lovingly call him my “boyfriend” because he embodies a strong, caring gentleman who would undoubtedly take long walks on the beach and read poetry to you near the fire. He is a real charmer! In turnout, Portland plays kindheartedly with Chance and knickers in a…
Checking in With Bridgit
Bridgit is an endearing youngster, her occasional moments of baby brain are quickly forgiven when she looks at you with her innocent charm. She spent the summer in the company of my older boss mare, learning how to be a respectful member of a herd. She was a very quick learner, and the two girls are now pretty well bonded. I have been working with Bridgit on learning the basics she will need to…
Healing thoughts for Summer…
Please think good thoughts for Summer…she went down in her pasture this morning and for a while it didn’t look like she was going to get back up. Thankfully she’s up on her feet again and our vet is on the way out to see her. We’ll have an update later today, meanwhile we are hoping and praying that she is okay! UPDATE: Summer has been seen by the vet and everything seems normal. She was a…
Moonshine is ready to graduate!
Moonshine has finished his training and will be coming back to SAFE Harbor Stables this Friday. His trainer, Andrea Lucianna, told us that there have only been three SAFE horses that she seriously wanted to keep for herself…Delilah, River…and…Moonshine. She said if he was just a little bigger, she’d find a way to work him into her program. Moonshine is a nice, nice horse with a sweet…
Introducing Terry Phelps, barn manager!
We have a new staff member to introduce to everyone…her name is Terry Phelps and she is working part time at SAFE Harbor Stables as our Barn Manager. The position of Barn Manager was previously held by our amazing trainer, Brittney Stewart, but as often happens with amazing trainers, Brittney’s own training business suddenly took off, making it necessary for her to cut back her position with…
Kai — Placed!
Kai has spent the past few months out on trial with a potential adopter…and we are delighted to announce that Debbie G of Bellevue WA has decided to go forward with the adoption. Kai resides at a beautiful farm on Bridle Trails State Park and Debbie takes him out on the trails nearly every day. Kai apparently loves trail riding and has been doing great with it. Debbie is also planning to do…
Fall Work Party!
Fall is on its way (if it hasn’t already arrived!) and it is time to make preparations for the return of the rain.Each fall, we offer an opportunity for SAFE supporters to participate in our Fall Work Party. The purpose of the Work Party is to make repairs, improvements and complete general maintenance that will allow us to operate efficiently during the winter. We can count on our dedicated…
Logan, run free
As we told you back in June, after months of rehabilitation and care, Logan did not seem to be fully recovering from the neglect he suffered at the hands of his previous owner. We made the decision to move him out to a foster home where he could enjoy the summer in a large, lovely pasture and watch him carefully for any signs of further decline. It would be a blessing if he stayed comfortable…
Sunny & Shasta at the SAFE Show
Photos by Bobbie Climer
Portland photos
These photos of Portland were taken by photographer Karen Wegehenkel at SAFE Harbor in July.
Moonshine’s first ride in the outdoor arena
Miah at the 2013 SAFE Show
Miah competed in Dressage at the 2013 SAFE show with her volunteer rider, Casey Anderson. They made a lovely pair! Photos taken by Bobbie Climer:
August Volunteer of the Month: Sheridan Jones!
Our August volunteer of the month is the fabulous Sheridan Jones! Sheridan has been a longtime SAFE supporter and has fostered many SAFE horses over the years. After showing SAFE horse Corona at the 2011 SAFE Benefit Horse Show, she fell in love with and adopted the talented gelding. Recently, Sheridan agreed to foster SAFE horse Strider for a couple of months of pasture time. We are very…
Lola’s Amazing Trail Riding Adventures
Turns out all the trail riding that Lola & Brittney have been doing lately was in preparation for a big adventure: a four-day trip to Cle Elum in Eastern Washington! DAY ONE: We meet up at SAFE Harbor Stables to pick up Lola. Her guests on this adventure are gigantic warmblood Odin, ridden by Darby Stewart, and gigantic OTTB Chance, ridden by SAFE ED Bonnie Hammond. Most little five year old…
Charmeon, rest in peace.
Our hearts are aching this morning as we say goodbye to an amazing mare, taken from us far, far too soon. Last night, adopted SAFE horse Charmeon was lost to colic. She fought so hard, and every effort was made to help her pull through, but in the end, her beloved friend and owner Helga had to let her go. We are heartbroken for Helga and her daughter Anna-Lynn who loved Charmeon so much and who…
Does it seem a little quiet around here?
That is because SAFE Executive Director (and website guru) Bonnie Hammond has been taking a well deserved vacation! Bonnie took her personal horse, Chance, on a camping/trail riding trip with SAFE Trainer Brittney Stewart and her husband Darby. Brittney is riding SAFE horse Lola to add some advanced trail riding experience to this talented mare’s resume. Reports are that all three riders and…
Lucky at the SAFE Benefit Horse Show!
Lucky came to the SAFE Horse Show with Helga Roberts and the team from Dutch Mills Farm. Upon his arrival, he found the show environment to be somewhat electrifying, but after about an hour of handwalking to give him the opportunity to look at all the activity, he calmed down enough for Helga to ride him. He did two dressage tests — one in the Indoor arena in front of judge Paige Ruehl, the…
Brandii’s Gift
A high school friend phoned SAFE adopter Kitti L to say that her 90 year old mother had a few things she wanted to do before she died. One was to sit on a horse and walk around; she had ridden as a child and young adult. This lady was a female pilot during WWII and awarded a medal by President Obama two years ago. She stepped off the mounting block onto Brandii with a little loving help. We…
Sunny & Shasta at Northwest Aerials
Sunny & Shasta paid a visit to the kids at Northwest Aerials yesterday. The visit was part of a package auctioned off at this year’s Heart of the Horse and won by Patti Gable, raising $500 for the SAFE horses in the process! Brittney and her friend Judie brought the two mini horses to Northwest Aerials and spent some time talking to two groups of kids, 30 from Cedar Springs camp and 25 from…
35th Annual Woodinville Parade & Basset Bash
Sunny & Shasta, along with SAFE Board members Victoria and Sharman, made an appearance at Woodinville’s 35th Annual Parade & Basset Bash last weekend. Shasta was totally in her element and when she figured out that Victoria was trying to guide her to the side to talk up SAFE and let the little kids, seniors, and people who had never pet a horse before, she starting taking her towards groups of…
Adventures in Trail Riding with Lola!
Lola got the opportunity to go out on not one but TWO trails rides this weekend! First she hit the trails at the Redmond Watershed with Brittney: Then she headed out to the watershed again on Saturday, but this time with Brittney’s husband Darby in the saddle. Darby is a volunteer rider for SAFE and is most often seen riding Sinatra in lessons with Brittney. This was Darby’s first ride on Lola.…
A dry lot for Shay & Marta
Shay was showing some increased signs of lameness last week, so she was seen by Dr Owens of Owens Equine. As we already know, Shay has clearly had laminitis in the past and has a 30-degree rotation in both front feet. Despite being carefully managed (which Dr. Owens said Eileen/SAFE was doing a good job), she may be showing signs of IR/metabolic syndrome. The vet report makes it clear that if…
