Cameo

description: 2009 bay Arabian mare
type of rescue: seizure
intake date: 12/20/2012
adoption date: 3/1/2020
length of time with SAFE: 7 years, 2 months

Adopted by Janelle!

Cameo’s Story

Cameo is one of 39 horses seized by Pierce County Animal Control after they were discovered living in filthy, deplorable conditions, trapped in stalls and paddocks piled high with their own waste, in barns with no light and no ventilation. The horses were in large part unhandled and they suffered from a lack of vet and farrier care. Because she did not receive proper handling and training, Cameo was quite wild and difficult to handle when she arrived at SAFE. But with kind and patient handling, she learned to trust us. She made slow but steady progress working with trainer Brittney Stewart and learned to be safely caught, haltered, led, and groomed. Brittney introduced her to the bridle and bit, and in early September, she left for training with Andrea Lucianna. Going to training was initially a difficult experience for Cameo, but Andrea worked with her very slowly and carefully, and gained her trust and acceptance. Thanks to a grant from the ASPCA Equine Fund, we were able to keep Cameo in training for more than 6 months, giving her the time that she needed. When she graduated from training in April 2014, she was going nicely at all three gaits.

Cameo was adopted in 2017 and headed off to become a dressage horse with her new owner. Unfortunately, she became lame. Her adopter was unable to find a new placement for Cameo, and she was returned to SAFE.

Upon returning, we evaluated Cameo’s soundness and started her back in our groundwork and under saddle program. 

Cameo Today

Cameo is a pleasure to work with but she isn’t easy; she is very sensitive and can teach her handler a lot about correct pressure and release. That’s why we were so excited to find her perfect trail riding partner in Janelle in March 2020. We wish them the best!

Cameo: Sister Moonbeam just wants to dance

I had the chance to chat with trainer Laura McCorkle who’s done a lot of work with Cameo over the past months and has seen the slow but steady transformation that this lovely mare has gone through. Laura laughs when she talks about Cameo’s “ice princess” demeanor,…

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Training Update: Cameo

Cameo has officially grown up!! She went on her first real trail ride and did very well! She had a few jumps here and there but overall it was manageable and she came home a bit more mature then when she left. Couldn’t be more pleased with how grown up she is acting…

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March training update: Cameo

Cameo has improved so much over the past several months. She’s become very steady under saddle and seems so much more mature. She is lovely to handle and work with now that she has lost that flighty edge. She has really settled into the ground work and being ridden on…

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Training Update: Cameo

Cameo gets the right lead canter!! The new shoes are wonderful and the small changes that have been started are making a ton of difference in her ability to carry a rider. We have also noticed that the build up on her left shoulder from the right club foot has started…

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New shoes for Cameo

We have been working with farrier Jake Cowden to help Cameo’s club foot by adding shoes. We’ve been making very slow and subtle changes to her hooves, but already we are seeing signs of improvement. She is striding better in the front with lots more toe flip instead…

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