Kim Young with her horse Ebony; Sage Young with her pony Nike

SAFE’s October Volunteer of the Month is a wonderful mother/daughter team. Kim Young and her daughter Sage have been Farm Chore volunteers for nearly two years. They are dedicated, reliable and hardworking. Sage is currently our youngest regular volunteer; her level of skill and maturity inspired us to accept her into our volunteer program. In addition to helping out at SAFE Harbor Stables, Kim is a tireless supporter of SAFE…spreading the word about our events and fundraisers and promoting our adoptable horses. Sage has helped out by riding smaller horses so we can get pictures and video of them for marketing. We appreciate Kim and Sage and their contributions to our work. Please join me in saying Thank You and Congratulations to our October Volunteers of the Month, Kim and Sage Young.

Here is a little more about them in their own words…

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Sage: I am 10 years old. I have a pony named, Nike. My favorite place to ride is at the beach. Last month when we went to the beach, Nike swam while I was on his back. I prefer to ride bareback. I feel like I can ride better that way. I love gymnastics too! When I grow up I want to have a horse rescue and be a competitive gymnast.

Kim: I stay busy homeschooling the kids and running them to/from their activities. My kids attend classes outside the home too. Also, I enjoy gardening and have taken several landscape design classes. My daughter and I take lessons with our horses. We love to learn about and practice centered riding and natural horsemanship. This past summer, I participated in a Buck Brannaman clinic. As a family, we enjoy spending time outside on our property with our horses and other animals.

What made you decide to volunteer with SAFE?

Sage: I wanted to help horses in need and help them be happy.

Kim: The first story I read on the SAFE website was about Whisper. Her story really touched me. She had such a will to live. That little filly had been through so much and with the collaborative effort of so many people, survived. All of the horses that come to SAFE have their own stories. Horses are amazing animals. They depend on us. Even when their owners have let them down, many choose to trust again. SAFE provides hope for many horses, that otherwise, may not have a chance. We have always wanted to do something to help horses in need. Volunteering at SAFE seemed the perfect way to do that.

Who is your favorite SAFE horse?

Sage: My favorites at SAFE are the minis, Shasta and Sunny D! I think they are adorable and I like their little ‘tudes!

Kim: I like all of the horses. They are all so special and unique. Although, my favorite is Khianna. She is a sweet, sensitive little mare. I really felt a connection with her and enjoyed the time we spent together. It was beautiful to see her come out of her shell and reach out…

Sage Young with Nike at the SAFE Benefit Horse Show

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your experience with SAFE?

We really enjoyed bringing the minis to the “Heart of the Horse” event this past year. They made the cutest greeters! Sage also had lots of fun showing her pony, Nike at the SAFE benefit show. It was awesome to see so many volunteers helping out. Everyone did a fantastic job! It was such a well run show. We highly recommend the SAFE benefit show. It’s great fun and benefits a great cause!