SAFE Horses
SAFE News and Updates
Misty Update
Here’s a great update on Misty from her foster mom Lisa: Misty is doing just great. She continues to progress in her Dressage work, becoming more balanced, with a longer stride and more stretch over her topline. We had a lesson with Cindy Akdeniz last Friday and gained more knowledge and tools to keep this athletic and smart mare moving in the right direction. Her lateral work is coming along…
Strider photos
These photos of Strider were taken by SAFE volunteer Kyrany, who we thank most sincerely for letting us use them!
Lucky and Kat Go on a Trail Ride
Lucky and Kat enjoyed a trail ride today at the Redmond Watershed. Lucky might not have been out on the trails before, but he handled the 2 hour ride like a pro. Brittney shot this video while riding him on a completely loose rein. Lucky and Kat crossed at least 6 different bridges and took turns leading the way. Lucky was a good boy who did not balk at one bridge, but did look at a few fallen…
Chance moves to SAFE Harbor
Chance has arrived at SAFE Harbor Stables where he will be starting back into work with trainer Brittney Stewart. Chance has done a lot of under saddle work in the past, mostly on trails, but he’s been living a life of leisure since his return to SAFE last fall. But now he’ll get a chance to show what he can do as a riding horse. We hope to have video to share with you once he gets back into…
Strider update
Strider’s legs are looking better these days, thanks to Brittney’s hard work of daily wrapping and scrubbing and rinsing. Strider stands patiently for her while she works on him, even when it hurts. Afterwards he gets his turn in the pasture, but he’ll always stop eating to come over to say hello.
Cameo’s Accomplishments
In the spirit of celebrating the little things in life, we have a couple of big accomplishments to share with you. Last week, Miss Cameo braved the scary (and admittedly tricky!) little ramp that horses have to walk up and down when leaving and entering the main barn at SAFE Harbor. Brittney worked patiently with her until she was able to do it calmly and safely. This was a very big deal for…
Sasha Video
Here is a video made by Sasha’s owner showing her being lunged and ridden:
A Home for Logan?
We’ve been caring for Logan for several months now, and we’ve come to the sad conclusion that this sweet horse has suffered some lingering and likely permanent ill effects from the abuse and neglect he faced in his previous life. Before being seized by Pierce County Animal Control, Logan and his friends were confined for long periods of time in filthy stalls piled high with manure. As a result,…
Strider Update
Strider always enjoys himself on SAFE Open House days, and this past weekend was no exception. He likes meeting new people and listening to them rave about how big he is and how handsome. We’re happy to report that his cellulitus has gone away, but he’s still battling proud flesh and pressure sores. He’s also having another flare up of a problem that we’ve seen on and off for almost a year now…
Moonshine Update — heading to training soon!
Moonshine continues to be sweet with just a little sass. He is easy to catch and handle. He is 3 now, and will be heading off to our trainer’s soon to learn what it means to have a job. He has enjoyed his time with his foster mom, Jackie who says that she’s going to miss him!
Bridgit Update!
Bridgit has made great progress with her foster mom, Jackie. She is nearing healthy weight and her coat looks so much better than in December. She is calm, curious and very friendly. She immediately comes right up to you in a big pasture looking for loves and scratches. She gets along well with other horses, but exhibits a little dominance when she chooses to. She currently stands a little butt…
Adorable Miss Skye
Skye and Cameo — First time on pasture
Skye and Cameo came from an unusual neglect situation in which 39 horses were confined in stalls and not allowed outdoors. Here is a video of Skye and Cameo going out on pasture for the first time at SAFE Harbor. It’s entirely possible that this is something neither have ever experienced. They certainly were very happy to try it out!
Bucky B Lucky Videos
Skye and Cameo — Blankets!!
Congratulations to SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart for successfully blanketing Cameo and Skye for the the first time today! Yes, warmer weather is right around the corner, but we take these little triumphs when they come. Good girls!!
April Volunteer of the Month: Sara Eggers
SAFE’s Volunteer of the Month for April is the dedicated Sara Eggers! Sara joined our volunteer program in the summer of 2012. Her enthusiasm, reliability, and friendly smile have made her a favorite at SAFE Harbor Stables. She can be found doing farm chores on Tuesdays, feeding dinner on Fridays, and grooming for SAFE Trainer Brittney one day a week as well. Recently, Sara took on the added…
Kai training update
SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart has this to say about Kai after riding him today: “If I was in the market for an event horse, I’d adopt him. He really tries. I didn’t even lunge him today and he was a SUPER good boy. I sat on him like a couch while I gave one of the volunteers a lesson on Kat. I was showing her how to do a turn on the forehand and leg-yield, using Kai as a willing model. I wasn’t…
Jewel Vet Visit
Report from trainer Brittney Stewart on her visit with Jewel today: Jewel was fine to handle. I did have a sharp growl at her when I went to halter her and I thought she was thinking of showing me her hindquarters. She submitted to haltering and was good about the exam. A little squirrelly unsure, but Dr Megan McCracken got done what was needed. She said she is sound and we can start training…
First pasture turnout of the spring!
Chance demonstrates that multitasking means bucking and farting, while his friend Summer demonstrates her version of multitasking…laying down and eating.
Buckwheat — Rest in peace
We lost a dear old horse last night. Buckwheat, who came to SAFE back in 2007, had another episode of colic and was humanely euthanized. We don’t know exactly how old he was, but he was well into his 30s. He will be missed very much by his foster family and everyone who loved him. He was a very special horse who had a profound effect on everyone who cared for him. Our gratitude and thanks to the…
Maggie videos
Brittney has been asking Maggie and her volunteer rider to do a lot of transitions in the warm-up to get her focused. She is getting better and better!
River video
What a difference a couple of weeks makes! Wowza! Andrea reports that River was super on a recent trail ride and is better (and happier!) in the outdoor arena than the indoor. Take a look:
Assessing Bucky B Lucky
Bucky B Lucky was returned to SAFE nearly two months ago. His previous adopter had many ups and downs with him, but in the end, returned him to us citing behavioral problems including rearing under saddle and striking on the ground. From the information we were able to gather about his time as an adopted horse, it seemed that for the most part, he was well behaved while in steady training and…
Kai Update and Video
SAFE Trainer Brittney Stewart has had the opportunity to work with Kai a few times now, and she’s pretty pleased with what she’s seen from him. He’s very green, of course, but unlike many of the off-the-track thoroughbreds she’s ridden, she finds that Kai listens to her seat and outside aids, so he obviously got a good education from his first trainer, Cam Reeves. Cam was also successful in…
Strider Update
Strider has apparently had issues with pressure sores on his fetlocks long before coming to SAFE, and no matter how deeply bedded his stall, the small sores persisted. Recently he’s developed some proud flesh at the site of one of the sores on his hind leg, and so Brittney has been making a valiant effort to treat the problem. This involves a daily routine of unwrapping his bandages from the day…
From the Horse’s Mouth: Chip Update
If you follow Honeycutt’s blog, you know that he shares a lot of secrets about horses and their interactions. Today’s update on Chip comes straight from the horse’s mouth… Today I am thinking a lot about friends. I have two good friends who are Jay and Chance. Jay has been my friend for many, many years, and Chance is a newer friend of mine. When you see us you will know that we are friends…
An important part of the process
Rehabbing a horse is a labor of love, and watching the amazing transformation that each of our horses goes through is the reward for a lot of hard work! There is so much that has to be accomplished before a rescued horse is ready for adoption, and so many people who play a role in turning that horse into a “good equine citizen” who will have a home for life. Today as I watched Chip getting his…
Brandii Bask — Adopted!
We are just delighted to have another adoption to announce this week! First we bid a happy bon voyage to our dear Charmeon, and now we get to do it again for Miss Brandii Bask! Congratulations to the one and only Kitti Lile who opened a place in her heart and her home for Brandii as a foster mom but decided to make her a permanent addition to the family! Tie her up with a bow because Brandii…
Two new additions to the SAFE Board of Directors
Since its inception in late 2005, SAFE has been an organization that has grown and evolved a lot over the years. SAFE’s Board of Directors is a dedicated group of people who volunteer their time and talent to oversee the day-to-day operation of the rescue as well as its long-term vision. As the organization grows, its management team must also grow. We are delighted to introduce the two newest…
Goodbye Beth, and good luck!
With today’s announcement of the two new members to the SAFE Board of Directors, we must finally come to terms with the departure of a treasured member of our group, Beth Amberg. Beth broke our hearts last year when she announced that she and her family would be moving to Thornton, Colorado where her husband had just landed a terrific new job. Moving to Colorado meant the end of Beth’s tenure on…
