Listening Closely to Our Older Mares — Brandy & Bandit
Over the last six months, Brandy and Bandit have been giving us some signs that things are changing for them. Once a star of the grooming program, Brandy was always game for a good brushing session. From time to time she would clearly communicate that her quarter was…
Alumni Update: Rhythm
Here is a recent update from Hillary: These days, Rhythm spends most of his days enjoying retirement with his old pal Jimmy. We do however enjoy good grooming sessions and the occasional lunging session or bareback ride around the pasture. Back in our good ole days,…
Mahina’s First Saddling
In the year she has been with us, Mahina has experienced a lot of firsts: first bath, first dental, first farrier appointment. After many hours of groundwork, Mahina was ready for another first: wearing a saddle. The first time being cinched up was momentarily…
June Volunteer of the Month: Eric Whittle
Congratulations to our June Volunteer of the Month, Eric Whittle! Since joining SAFE in February 2024, Eric has been a bright and dependable presence on both our Monday AM and Wednesday PM chore teams. Always arriving prepared and with a smile, Eric brings positivity…
Alumni Update: Billy
Billy is doing well. He lives in a side-by-side paddock next to Anne’s mare, Vinnie. They have a brother/sister relationship and can intermittently irk each other, but they also lick and nuzzle each other through the fence. Billy gets to have a peaceful life without…
Alumni Update: Montana
Montana is enjoying life on a beautiful property with his adopters Alycia, Rebecca and their son. He hangs out with four other horses and a few ducks.
Inky’s Intro to Sunny
Inky had been living alone for some time before he got to SAFE, so we really had no indication of how he would be with other horses. Due to the fact that he was to be adopted out as a companion horse, it was important for us to be able to see his interactions in order…
May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cleopatra
Lise A worked alongside Cleopatra in the May Joel Conner Clinic and has the following to say about her experience: “I had the good fortune to work with Cleo in the ground work portion of the most recent clinic in May with Joel Conner. I had only worked her a few times…
Alumni Update: Henry (James)
One of our SAFE Alumni Team volunteers recently checked in on Henry (James) and his adopter, Marion: James is so lucky to have Marion as his owner. She absolutely loves him and dotes on him. She boards him at a hunter/jumper barn and the trainers seem to be very good…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Ranger
Carrie S has been working alongside Ranger on the ground, and recently brought him into the groundwork portion of the August Joel Conner horsemanship clinic. Here’s what she has to say about this special, spotted guy: “Ranger participated in his third Joel Conner…
Growing Paloma
To make a Paloma cocktail, you combine tequila, grapefruit, and lime. Our little Paloma’s ingredients would look a bit different: a good deal of curiosity mixed with a generous pour of joy de vivre, topped with a strong sense of self, and garnished with a dash of…
Brownie — Getting a Change
A well-timed release. A horse’s natural capacity and ability for change. These are some ingredients in the formula for some pretty amazing — and sometimes quite speedy — transformations. Brownie provides us with a very clear example of this. His first…
Honoring Officer Brian Boman: 2025 Heart of the Horse Award Recipient
At SAFE, we are fortunate to work alongside individuals whose compassion, dedication, and bravery truly change lives—both human and animal. Among these remarkable individuals is Officer Brian Boman, one of our most cherished partners and the recipient of this year’s…
Alumni Update: Nyx
Nyx is enjoying life with his adopter Lindsay and his Haflinger buddy named Squish. He and Squish get along very well.
