Rella
2009 Miniature Horse Mare
Suitability: Companion
Registered Name: Liahona’s Dreamfred Rendition
Color: Chestnut
Markings: Star, Blue Eye (L)
Height: 38″
Weight: 270lbs
Adoption Fee: $300
Rella, along with her 3 other herd mates, arrived at SAFE in January of 2025 after they landed with a good Samaritan who brought them to our attention. These four little minis were living in squalor, and had pressing medical needs that would have certainly warranted animal control involvement had their previous owner not surrendered them.
On arrival, Rella’s hooves were so long they had started to curl up onto themselves. Initial radiographs revealed that she had some remodeling of her coffin bones as a result of this neglect. However, the vets believed she had a fighting chance still, and we had our farrier out to see her within days of her intake, beginning her rehab journey.
Rella is the shiest of the group, but is making progress towards coming out of her shell and allowing us to gain her trust. As Emery’s half sister, the two are bonded, and never far from each other’s side.
SweetHearts of the Rodeo is Underway!
The Heart of the Horse “SweetHearts of the Rodeo” campaign is underway! We’re going to raise $40,000 for the horses at SAFE in the most fun way possible!
Twenty one SAFE horses are competing to be named “Rodeo Queen”, “Rodeo King”, and “Rodeo Clown” for Heart of the Horse. Each horse has a Team. Help your favorite win by joining their team then get busy raising donations and awareness about SAFE and our lovely horses! It’s remarkably easy and you’ll earn points for your team by inviting friends to join!
The horses from each category who raise the most money will be crowned at a special coronation ceremony and everyone on the team will be invited to attend!
Step 1: Go to https://p2p.onecause.com/sweethearts/ and join your favorite horse’s team!
Step 2: Create a Facebook fundraiser that automatically connects to your horse’s Team. Go to “Manage My Page” and follow the instructions to create your Facebook fundraiser!
Step 3: The sky’s the limit! You can share your campaign and ask friends to support SAFE because of what it means to you. You can also ask them to join your horse’s Team. The more people who know about your personal fundraiser, the more people will support the SAFE horses.
Visit https://p2p.onecause.com/sweethearts/ to get started!!
Four Minis Arrive at SAFE
Part 1: Arrival
Right around the first of January, we got a call from a woman with a small boarding facility who had been contacted by a member of her community urgently looking for a place to keep four miniature horses. This good Samaritan had agreed to help, believing that she would be taking in a few horses for short-term holding.
But when she arrived where the horses had been living, she stopped short in the driveway. The place was in such poor condition (she used much stronger words to describe it) that she refused to drive onto the property, insisting that they load the horses up on the road.
As the horses were led out to the trailer, one by one, their conditions went from bad to worse.
First was the only boy of the group, a stallion. Smokey grey, with a flaxen mane and tail. He had big bald swaths on his face, patches of dry, hairless skin punctuated with the occasional scab. His hesitation in getting onto the trailer was so great that he leapt atop the back of the individual attempting to load him, an event that luckily did not result in any serious injuries.
Next came a white mare whose fluffy winter coat hid her ribby body, one the vets would later classify as a 2/9 on the body condition score chart. The tip of her white tail drug along the ground, as scraggly as the rest of her. As she walked to the trailer, the good Samaritan noticed how painful her steps appeared, as if she was walking on broken glass.
Then another mare came up to the trailer. She was the smallest of the group, and easily the sweetest, which makes her condition all the more shocking. Her left eye squinted and teared, but it was the right eye that drew your attention first. It sat, sunken and small in the socket, leaking foul smelling pus that had been there so long it had crusted down her cheek. She moved cautiously, but without a lot of distress or confusion. Her (relatively) sure-footedness spoke to just how long she had been living with this painful, vision-impairing condition.
Last came a red mare, who we would later learn was the small mare’s half sister, and bonded friend. To only look at her top half, you would see a nervous, disheveled little horse, same as the others. It wouldn’t be until you inspected her bottom half that you would see the shock of her neglect — hooves left so long they had begun to curl up in front. It appeared as though someone had taken a saw to them at one point, indicating horrifyingly, that they had once been even longer. But the majority of their immense length had remained, changing her gait and her physiology.
After bringing these animals to her place, our good Samaritan gave their owner an ultimatum: she either sign the horses over to her, or she was going to get animal control involved. Thankfully, there was not much of a fight, and once the horses were in her custody, she reached out to us.
We mobilized to get them to SAFE as soon as possible. Our first call was to Tacoma Equine to help us triage before we transported them. With horses in such bad shape, we always get a veterinarian to evaluate and determine what the most humane next step would be for each of them. Having this professional assessment of the condition helps us start their recovery as well as determine if any are in so much pain that transport would be unkind. Based on what we already knew, we were hopeful, but understood that we might not be able to bring all four back to SAFE with us.
Dr Valerie and her assistant did a phenomenal job in assessing the condition of all four horses, and getting them started on the treatments they so desperately needed. We also had Dr Valerie take blood samples for the three mares to check for Cushing’s on the older two, as well as a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to assess their overall health status. We also tested all three to ensure none were pregnant.
They vaccinated the stallion with tetanus, preparing him for the gelding he would be quickly scheduled for once at SAFE. The little guy was nervous, quivering and jumping even at their gentle, patient touches, and we knew that one of the main focuses for him would be helping him gain confidence and comfort around people.
The skinny mini mare needed to be placed on a refeeding program — a mere 7lbs of hay a day — to help her gain the weight that she was missing. An examination of her mouth revealed sharp points and a foul odor, which meant ahead of her dental, we would need to refeed her with mash or the ever so palatable (if not labor intensive, for those preparing) alfalfa chaff.
The small, vision impaired mare allowed all kinds of inspection of both her eyes, both of which were determined to have chronic uveitis. The vet was of the almost immediate opinion that the right eye was in need of enucleation, and if we could have taken it out then and there, we would have, based on the stench of the infection alone. The left eye she examined and stained, discovering ulceration, which she dispensed medicine for.
In addition to her eyes, her hooves were very short and tender. The plan is to improve her condition with dry-bedded stalls, turnout on soft footing (avoiding gravel or rock), and topical treatments such as venice turpentine to help harden the hooves and address any fungal infections. All very easy and manageable things that align with good horse care.
It was for our little red friend we worried the most. Hooves like hers don’t grow overnight, and the reality of what living with hooves like those does to a horse’s anatomy is at best, manageable, and at worst, unlivable. She was incredibly nervous, and required a very patient, quiet touch to allow us to sedate her for the radiographs we needed to understand what we were working with. Her small buddy accompanied her to where they had set up the x‑ray station, and stood patiently nearby as we peered under the hood.
The films revealed the depth of damage that walking on imbalanced, overgrown hooves for extended periods can do. The tips of her coffin bones were remodeling, and her hooves were severely unbalanced, with a long and deep abscess track in one of her hinds. Despite these findings, the vet was of the opinion that it might be possible to keep her and her friends comfortable with significant rehabilitation, and that all four horses were fit enough to join us back at SAFE.
They arrived at SAFE on a Thursday evening, and settled quickly into bedded stalls, pre-loaded with hay and fresh water for their arrival. The next day, we built out a run to our arena to give them turnout space quarantined away from the rest of our herd. A bonus was that the footing was soft, a consideration we wanted to make for our long hooved girl.
We gave the horses a few days to settle into their new spaces, but had booked vet and farrier appointments for days after their arrival. It would take time to rehabilitate these four horses, and we held those with more delicate conditions with cautious optimism about the viability of their futures, but one thing was certain: they were safe now.
Follow along for part two of the story, where we introduce the minis with their new SAFE names, and take you through the next steps of their care with us.
Rest Easy, Justin
Justin was euthanized yesterday due to colic. He had spent the day as usual with his buddy, Linus. Kim shared that when her husband, Kerry, went out to bring the boys in for the night, they were playful and full of life. Once Justin was back in his stall, however, he began pawing, and things escalated quickly. Dr. Viv from Mt. Vernon Veterinary Hospital arrived within the hour. The likely cause was a strangulating lipoma, a type of colic known for its sudden onset and severe pain. Given the circumstances, euthanasia was both timely and the kindest decision.
Kim and her family brought Justin home in May of 2019 after he had spent just over a year with SAFE. For nearly eight years, Justin knew nothing but love, care, and respect. This was a stark contrast to his earlier life, which had been marked by neglect and instability. He came from a deeply unhealthy situation involving a meth house, where the horses endured frightening and harmful interactions with humans.
Animal Control ultimately seized the horses in three separate actions. Justin was part of the second group. When he arrived at SAFE, Teddi and Roscoe immediately called out to their friend. Seeing them reunited—and hearing Teddi’s soft nickers—was a moment none of us will forget.
Despite his past, Justin had an incredible amount of try. Even after being mistreated, he was willing to trust and connect with people again. We were told concerning stories about his past handling, so we moved forward cautiously. In time, Justin showed us his true nature: a sensitive, kind-hearted gelding. We were grateful to be able to ride him and work with him, and even more grateful for the trust he placed in us.
Kim loves her horses fiercely, and Justin was no exception. She was deeply committed to giving him the very best life possible. One of their ongoing challenges was fecal water syndrome—an issue that even veterinarians struggle to fully resolve. Kim explored every option and, while flare-ups still occurred, she worked tirelessly to manage his comfort and prevent painful scalding. Anyone familiar with this condition knows the dedication it takes. That level of care is love, plain and simple.
SAFE could not have found a better home for Justin than with Kim and Kerry. They gave him a wonderful brother in Linus, a safe place to roam, and a life free from fear. These are the kinds of families we wish every horse could have. To the very end, Justin was treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, and the hardest decision was made to spare him further pain.
He will be deeply missed and always remembered. Rest easy, sweet Justin. Until we meet again. 💙
New Friends: Wednesday and Marigold
As Marigold settled into her new digs at SAFE, we kept a single line of panels up between her and Wednesday to let them get to know one another over a fenceline. There is always a bit of risk involved when introducing horses, and with Marigold’s small stature and recent weaning being factors, we wanted to play it safe. We had picked Wednesday to be her buddy knowing how she had acted around Alvaro – playing the role of stern, but fair, auntie with an adeptness that was beyond her four years.
When the time came to introduce (a rare, dry day, when they would be less prone to slipping and sliding around in the paddock if things got heated) we kept Wednesday on a line in the event we needed to correct any rough behavior.
We needn’t have worried a single moment.
When we first opened the panels between them, little Marigold was more interested in exploring the side of the paddock that had been closed off to her than socializing. Wednesday was intrigued, but mostly just content to hang out with her human handler. When Marigold did approach, it was with a bout of respectful clacking, acknowledging Wednesday as Large and Having Seniority. Neither attempted any funny business, and both quickly moved on from one another.
When we released them, there was more of the same. They both spent time exploring their expanded space, and then settled into a hay bag. At one point, Wednesday decided that she wanted to eat where Marigold was, and with the quiet, firm grace we had come to expect from her, politely told Marigold to ‘get lost.’ These corrections are essential for young horses like Marigold to learn proper social skills, and ensure her success in future herd settings. Not every horse is as kind and patient as Wednesday, and she’d do best to learn her cues now or risk some real faux pas later.
Since that day, the two have made an amicable pair, enjoying spending time in their backyard and palling around together. We’re grateful for mares like Wednesday who help us raise cool little fillies like Marigold.
Poppy is Adopted!
We are thrilled to announce that Poppy has been adopted!
Poppy was the last of our ‘Graham 27’ horses to find a home, leaving almost exactly three years since she first arrived at SAFE. Poppy came to us unstarted, with some challenging spots (her nickname of ‘PAW-ppy’ was apt) but thanks to the hard work, consistency, and commitment of our horsemanship team, this little mare blossomed into a solid partner.
At SAFE, we are all about transparent, informed, and un-rushed adoptions. We believe this is what facilitates successful, long-term (hopefully forever!) placement. So when Sarah came to meet Poppy, they got to know one another over several visits, with both Sarah’s friend and trainer KC, and our Casey, Poppy’s long-term rider, in attendance. During their visits, the group spent a great deal of time working together to ensure a smooth and informed transition, ensuring Sarah and KC had a clear understanding of where to pick up in Poppy’s training and how best to support her continued growth.
Sarah was wonderful to work with — communicative, thoughtful, and responsive — and showed exactly the kind of feel and judgment we hope for when placing a mare as important as Poppy. We are confident she will be an excellent steward of Poppy’s future.
In addition, KC, Sarah’s trainer, has a long-standing and trusted relationship with SAFE. All of this gives us tremendous confidence in the support system surrounding Sarah and Poppy as they begin this next chapter together.
Poppy, now called Gracie, has landed in a beautiful, loving home. On day one of arrival, Gracie and Sarah got right to work, helping the little mare to settle in to her new environment, and immediately building upon the foundation they had begun on Sarah’s first visit to SAFE. We are so excited to continue following along with Gracie’s journey as she continues to grow, learn, and thrive in her new life!
Edward Back at SAFE
As part of our commitment to a lifetime of safety, we are here to support our alumni horses and their owners whenever needed.
It is with sadness and a very heavy heart that Edward’s adopter has asked us to welcome him back to SAFE. Shortly after adopting him, she experienced significant medical issues. Over the past several months, her focus has understandably needed to be on her health, and Edward has been cared for by her barn friends during that time.
More recently, she reached out to share more about everything she has been navigating personally and that she is currently unable to care for herself or Edward in the way she would want. After thoughtful discussion with staff, we feel that bringing Edward back to SAFE is the best option for his well-being and successful rehoming, while allowing his adopter to focus fully on her health.
Paige, who rode Edward prior to his adoption, will begin working with him over the next few weeks, gradually returning him to saddle and riding. Our hope is to find another wonderful adopter for Edward. This is especially bittersweet, as his adopter truly understood him, embraced all of his little quirks, and was a beautiful riding partner for him.
Edward is a kind, sensible horse who benefits from consistency and a thoughtful approach. As he continues to settle back into his routine, we’ll be assessing his progress and sharing more details about his training, suitability, and next steps in the adoption process. Edward is expected to be available to meet potential adopters in mid-February. If you’re interested in learning more about Edward or would like to schedule a visit once he’s ready, please submit an application now.
Thank you all for your understanding and support as we welcome Edward home. We will continue to support Edward’s training and focus on finding him his next loving home.
Alumni Update: Misty
Sarah is still taking riding lessons with Misty. Misty is also used as a lesson horse by two girls that ride her consistently. Misty is adored by everyone that comes in contact with her. She is such a wonderful horse and has a great temperament.
Sienna is Adopted!
We are thrilled to share that after 8 years at SAFE, our sweet Sienna has found a family to call her own!
Debbie and Peter reached out shortly after the heartbreaking loss of their beloved SAFE alum, Pomme. Despite their dedicated care, Cushing’s eventually took its toll, and they made the compassionate decision to let Pomme go. Her 39-year-old mini companion, Peanut, was feeling the loss of his friend, prompting a quick search for a new addition to the family.
When Debbie and Peter came to meet Sienna, they immediately fell in love with our big, gentle Snuffleupagus. Their farm is the perfect setup for a confident mare like Sienna — she has space to be herself while safely sharing her home with Peanut. She also enjoys daily turnout in a well-maintained pasture with minimal grass, ideal for her needs. Debbie and Peter are excited to give her the loving care she deserves in this next chapter of her life.
Sienna made herself right at home from day one, settling in alongside little Peanut with nary a kick or a squeal. She has since made other small friends, too!
It is hard to put into words the impact Sienna had on so many of us at SAFE, and consequently it is equally difficult to say how much it means to see Sienna land in such a caring, loving home. To put it as plainly as possible, we simply could not be happier for this sweet soul!
Congratulations, Sienna!
Alumni Update: Roscoe
Roscoe is doing great — happy, healthy, sound, and Kasey’s steady Eddie boy! Kasey absolutely adores Roscoe and treats him like the #1 he is! While Kasey was recovering from an injury, Roscoe lived a quiet life with the herd. Once she recovered, even after several months off, Roscoe was a wonderful boy taking care of Kasey on a nice, quiet ride in an arena.
Kasey sent this update and photos to us the end of December: “Went for a trail ride yesterday! My first real ride since August! Roscoe was the bestest boy!”
Meet Our New Board Members!
Please join us in welcoming two new members to the SAFE Board of Directors: Kaydee Johnston and Tiffany Stewart!! SAFE is so fortunate to have these amazing women step up to help at the Board level. They are delightful to work with, and they each have genuine passion for horses and for SAFE. Let’s introduce them:
Kaydee Johnston is a lifelong entrepreneur with a passion for horses and the equine community. Her career spans venture capital, product marketing, and global brand development. She was an early investor in Ariat International and later served as Vice President of Global Marketing for Brunswick Corporation, leading initiatives that strengthened some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands.
Today, Kaydee channels her experience into Pony Tail Sportswear — an innovative equestrian apparel brand she founded to empower riders with style, technology, and performance. When she isn’t managing her company, you’ll find her riding her cutting horse, Shakin Sugaree, tackling barn chores, or enjoying life in Walla Walla, Washington.
Kaydee is deeply committed to animal welfare and is honored to support nonprofits that promote the health, safety, and dignity of horses and animals in need. She is proud to serve on SAFE’s Board of Directors.
Tiffany Stewart is a lifelong animal lover whose passion for horses began in childhood at her grandparents’ farm and riding her pony, Bounce. In 2025, she deepened that passion by joining her daughter Capri in riding and horsemanship clinics with her horse, Juanita—an experience that strengthened her appreciation for the patience, trust, presence, and consistent care that help horses thrive.
Professionally, Tiffany is the founder and owner of a medical expert witness company she has led for nearly 20 years. She brings experience building strong teams, improving operations, and creating scalable systems that support sustainable growth. As a member of SAFE’s Board of Directors, Tiffany is honored to support SAFE’s mission and help the organization expand its impact.
Kaydee and Tiffany join current members Amanda Madorno (President), Lisa Pascualy (Co-Secretary), Leigh Jasper (Treasurer), Elaine Rose, Amy Quackenbush, and Bill Conquergood, our 2026 SAFE Board of Directors. Thank you to all of our BoD members for your hard working making SAFE a better, stronger organization!
Special thanks to Trish Markey who completed her Board service as President at the end of 2025. Trish did so much to make SAFE grow and prosper, and we are so grateful to her for her support and collaboration during her time at the helm. Thankfully, Trish has agreed to stay on as a member of SAFE’s Advisory Board, and we’re very luck to have her!
Finally, we’d like to thank Sheila Otter whose second Board term also came to an end in December. Sheila lent SAFE her creativity, connections, and positivity for the past four years as a valued member of the Board and she will be very missed!!
Alvaro is a Growing Guy
Horses play musical paddocks at SAFE on a regular basis (the one difference being that no one is ever left ‘out’) so it’s not uncommon to have the sensation of ‘you’re not where I left you’ when traversing the property. This sensation is compounded when we have doppelgangers around. It used to be that we only had one Big Bay Gelding around — that being Mateo — but now that number has doubled before our very eyes.
Alvaro arrived at SAFE very much in the ‘colt’ stage of his life — gangly and fuzzy, with a short little tail and a mohawk of a mane befitting his youth. But these days, it’s becoming harder to tell him and Mateo, all 15+ hands of him, apart. Alvaro is still a young buck, don’t get us wrong, but the horse that he is growing into is becoming more apparent by the day.
Alvaro on intake 2/28/2025
Alvaro is spending his days giving Venturo what-for, and acting as an animate chew toy for his younger companion. The two boys are a hoot and a half, and need nary an excuse to get up to antics of all kinds.
Welcoming Marigold Sunset
Earlier this year, SAFE became involved in one of the largest animal welfare cases of 2025. From this case, SAFE took in 11 horses, including two foals. One pregnant mare and her filly remained under close care elsewhere due to the mare’s fragile condition.
From the beginning, the older mare struggled. Despite increased feed, veterinary care, and attentive support, she was unable to gain or maintain weight. Her condition continued to decline, and her pasterns dropped so severely they were nearly touching the ground.
Meanwhile, her filly developed epiphysitis (also known as physitis), a painful inflammatory condition affecting the growth plates of young horses. This causes swollen, warm joints and lameness and is often linked to rapid growth and nutritional imbalance. The condition requires careful dietary management and close veterinary oversight.
Because the filly was receiving excessive nutrition through nursing while the mare remained dangerously thin, the veterinarian recommended immediate weaning so the filly’s diet could be strictly balanced. Despite all efforts, the mare’s condition continued to deteriorate. With a high risk that she could go down and be unable to stand again, the veterinary recommendation—and the kindest option—was humane euthanasia. These are decisions we know all too well, and we understand how quickly such situations can become catastrophic.
At just four months old, the filly was already quite independent. The veterinarian described her weaning as “the most uneventful” they had ever seen. The mare was peacefully euthanized, sparing her further suffering.
On Saturday, amid widespread flooding and road closures across Washington State, a group of SAFE volunteers braved difficult conditions to transport the filly safely to SAFE. She traveled alongside Wednesday, another mare from the original herd, in hopes that she will bond with her new “auntie” and find comfort as she begins this next chapter of her life.
She is the very last of the Valentine’s Day herd.
Our new filly arrives with a name that feels deeply fitting: Marigold Sunset.
In the Victorian language of flowers, marigolds symbolize grief and sorrow. They were often given during times of mourning, their bright colors believed to help ease pain and bring comfort.
It feels right that Marigold joins us now, in the midst of our deepest sadness losing our Paloma. She is a light during a dark time—a small but powerful reminder of hope, healing, and the quiet joy that carries us forward as we mend our broken hearts.
2025 Q4 Impact Statement
New Horses
none
Placed Horses
Po
Sienna
Euthanized Horses
Bandit Bay
Brandy Snap
Paloma
Theo Claus: A SAFE Christmas Story
It was Venturo and Alvaro who started the rumor.
“Did you know Theo is Santa Claus?”
To skeptical minds, the boys doubled down.
“It’s true, me ‘n Vinnie saw him with a red hat on.”
The story only gained embellishment from there, Alvaro taking point when it came to adding on additional details, Venturo nodding sagely in the background. Venturo was the one who’d once told Alvaro he could sell water to a fish, so really perhaps it was Vinnie who started this train down the tracks in the first place.
“We saw him chatting it up with some reindeer the other night — one of ‘em even had a glowing nose!”
“Have you ever noticed when he laughs it sounds an awful lot like ‘ho ho ho?’ Just saying..”
“He’s been asking us an awful lot whether or not we’ve been good this year. Seems kinda sus.”
But with enough telephoning of these ‘facts,’ even the most Grinchian residents began to believe, if just silently.
It was Maisy who was first to confront the horse in question.
“I’d like a bag of carrots. One of those big ones.”
Theo laughed. Now that she was thinking about it, it did sound a little like ‘ho ho ho.’
“You and me both.”
Maisy blinked at him, then gave a sly little smile.
“I see what you’re doing. Ok, whatever, just consider my request received.”
It happened again a few days later, Arionna calling him over to their shared fenceline.
“I have a message for you, from Poppy.”
“Oh?” Theo had always found Poppy rather cool, the way she stood up to mares twice her size. He flipped his mane, glancing over Arionna’s tall wither to see whether or not the little black mare in question was watching.
“Yeah, she told me to ask you for a new rainsheet? Maybe one that ‘doesn’t have these goofy little snowmen.” Arionna shrugged. “Her words. I think they’re kinda cute.”
“Me too,” Theo said, dreamily. “But wait, what am I supposed to do about it?”
Arionna snorted.
“Get her a new one, durh. As Santa, isn’t that kinda your job?”
“Santa? Why…”
But Theo remembered, not too many moons ago, when he stood before a copse of pines and posed in a hat that, now that you mentioned it, was very much a twin to Santa’s own. Perhaps there was some unknown agreement he had entered into by donning the hat, though he couldn’t recall signing anything. Still, it was bringing everyone’s recent behavior towards him into stark clarity. Maybe he was Santa.
Arionna cut off his holiday spiral.
“And I guess if you’re taking requests, I’d like one of those big nets filled with alfalfa. Actually, scratch the net — just the alfalfa will do.”
Over the next few weeks, the wishlist only grew. Messages passed down the aisle, asks for carrots and stud muffins and extra portions of grain.
Even the cats got in on it.
“We want a tunnel so we can go out any time, day or night,” the fluffy one (Huey?) told Theo one afternoon as he slinked by his stall.
“It would be really great to have a way out at night,” said another little black and white shadow, casually licking a paw.
The third was not completely up to speed on the synchronized messaging.
“Extra blankets, and double dinner.”
On the Monday before Christmas, everyone’s stockings were hung, and Theo had a to-be-filled order for every last one of them. For those more abstract wishes, (“A good feel from everyone I interact with”) or ones beyond the scope of his control (“Snow!!!”) Theo figured a couple of carrots wouldn’t be a totally unwelcome substitute.
On Christmas Eve, everyone made a point of tucking in early. Even the youngsters were more subdued than on other nights, perhaps having been warned by their elders that no presents come to those who stay awake. A rather smart tactic for ensuring a good night’s sleep, Theo thought.
But there would be no sleep for the golden gelding himself. Once the chorus of ‘goodnights’ had rung through the property, Theo wasted no time in filling his makeshift sleigh (those hay carts do come in handy!) and beginning the arduous task of present distribution.
Theo was the busiest he had ever been. If one thought arena work was challenging, one should try wrangling cartfuls of carrots, or dragging a bale of alfalfa down the aisle, all without being seen. Half-way through his list, Theo stopped to catch his breath, taking a moment to speculate that the reindeer must help. And they must not be shod, either, for several times he thought himself almost caught out, this jingle horse failing to pick up his feet. After hearing him clip and clop down the aisle, Maisy had suppressed a giggle she’d managed to artfully turn into a snore as Theo dumped carrots into her stocking. Sure, they all thought it was him anyway, but why try purposefully to ruin the magic?
As the Christmas sun rose, Theo paused a moment to admire his work — stockings fit to bursting with treats and hay and blankets, not to mention all the well wishes he’d filled them with too. And with the satisfaction of a job well done, Theo tip-toed back to his stall where he promptly fell fast asleep.
The exhaustion from his nighttime endeavors meant that Theo missed the excited squeals of realization when his neighbors awoke to find their wishes fulfilled, and all of the hullabaloo that came afterwards.
He missed Trinket and Mabel’s carrot eating competition (for two small mares, they could sure put them back). He missed Vinnie bonking Alvaro on the head with their new Jollyball, and Arionna taking a bite so big out of her alfalfa that it took her almost a full two minutes to chew. He even missed Poppy modeling her new, plain blanket, which everyone privately agreed was not nearly as cute as her previous, but which made the mare in question very happy.
What he did not miss were the whispered ‘thank yous’ from each and every one of them — yes, even the cats, for whom he’d managed to fashion little toys out of baling twine — for these messages came through, even in his dreams.
When he did finally awaken, some time later and to a much more subdued barn, it was with a full heart and sense of immense accomplishment. And also, much to his surprise, to a stuffed stocking of his own.
“That was nice of you guys,” Theo said, but the horses looked bewildered.
“We’d love to take credit for that,” Owen said, munching on a stud muffin, “But that wasn’t us.”
“We, uh, meant to do something,” Alvaro said, having regained control of the Jollyball for the moment, wielding it like a club. “But we ran out of time.”
Inside his stocking, tucked between the most perfect looking carrots Theo had ever seen, was a note, scrawled in glittery black ink.
Dear Theo,
Thank you for giving me the night off. You did a tremendous job filling my shoes! If you’re open to it, perhaps we can talk about expanding your route next year — I know there are a few barns in the area who would love to have a visit from Theo Claus.
Very Merry Christmas to you,
SC
Ps., You were right. The reindeer do help.
“Merry Christmas,” said Theo, taking a bite out of a carrot. “But I think I’ll stick to being a horse.”
Supporting Frida
After the incredibly tough decision to let Paloma go, our hearts and efforts immediately turned toward Frida. We were faced with the difficult task of separating her from the filly she had so lovingly cared for and raised. Those of you who have been with SAFE through past weanings know how strong the bond is between a mare and her foal. Around 6 to 8 months, we typically start to see mares naturally pushing their foals to be more independent. In the wild, a mare would likely already be pregnant again and preparing for her next foal, while last year’s baby begins integrating into the herd.
At SAFE, we usually take several days to wean, slowly creating space, helping foals bond with similarly aged companions, and pairing them with one or more steady older horses for guidance and comfort. But in this case, time was limited. Our vets shared that it can take several hours for a mare to fully process her foal’s passing, and that she will choose when she’s ready to walk away.
At first, Frida seemed fairly settled. She stood near Paloma for a bit, but when haltered she was able to walk away calmly. Over the next few hours, we gently alternated between giving her time with Paloma and settling her into her stall. Four hours after the vet had left, we tried again to bring her in, but she became anxious and began calling for her filly. With the evening approaching, we made the compassionate decision to allow Frida to stay overnight with Paloma in the arena, and to try separation again in the morning.
Throughout the night we watched her on our cameras. It was heartbreaking but also profoundly moving. She behaved exactly as a devoted mother would, standing guard, watching over Paloma’s body, stepping away to nibble hay or get a drink. Early in the morning, she even laid down next to her foal, just as they had done countless times before. Frida was a wonderful mom, and she raised a kind, smart, and gentle filly, such a testament to the remarkable mare she is.
In the morning, we walked Frida over to greet Arionna in the stall directly across from hers. As you may remember, they arrived together in February as a bonded pair, and having Arionna nearby has been a tremendous comfort for Frida. We then settled Frida back in her stall and, over the next hour, continued giving her brief visits with Paloma.
Eventually, she was ready to walk with Arionna to the outdoor arena. Frida was put in the round pen while Arionna was free to move around her on the outside. Arionna was incredibly sweet, soft, patient, and steady, offering exactly the kind of comfort only a herd mate can give. After they spent some time reconnecting, we moved them to the paddock they had shared when they first arrived at SAFE.
Frida ate a bit but soon grew anxious and started to run a bit too much. We walked her and Arionna back to check on Paloma one last time. Frida approached, sniffed her, and then willingly turned back toward Arionna. We stayed in the area for some time and Frida did not ask to return again to Paloma.
When brought back to the paddock, she settled far more easily. She paced and called occasionally, but throughout the day and through the night on the cameras, she remained relatively calm. By the next morning, she had settled even more. We breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the weaning had gone as smoothly as we could have hoped under such difficult circumstances. Frida continues to eat and drink well, and she has Arionna right beside her for constant comfort. We’ll keep a very close eye on her as her milk dries up, checking her twice a day and cold-hosing her udders if she becomes uncomfortable.
Watching her move through this loss has been incredibly hard for our staff and volunteers. Yet Frida showed us such grace. As painful as this has been for all of us, she is coming through it, strong, resilient, and surrounded by care. This young mare has endured so much in her short life, but she is safe now. She will always have responsible, loving people looking after her, just as she looked after Paloma.
Here is a short video of Frida and Arionna:
A Devastating Loss
It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of our dear 6.5‑month-old filly, Paloma. After seven weeks of veterinary care, bodywork, and being surrounded by love and every healing intention, her body told us it was time to let her go. This has been an immeasurable loss for our SAFE community, and we have taken some time to privately grieve this devastating loss before making this news public.
In late October, at the Arlington foster home where Paloma and Frida spent their days in a large grassy field, her caretakers noticed that the filly seemed off in her left hind leg. Immediately, Dr. White from Mount Vernon Equine was called to examine her and take x‑rays, but they revealed nothing of significance. Paloma was rested, but after two weeks with no improvement, we brought her and her dam, Frida, back home to Redmond. Dr. Lewis took additional x‑rays, and hauled the pair up to Rainland Farm Equine Clinic to take larger images of her hips, which were sent to radiologists. Again, nothing of significance was noted. Both Dr. Lewis and Dr. Renner performed pelvic ultrasounds on her as well. She was thoroughly examined from top to bottom, yet no abnormalities were found. Dr. Lewis consulted with colleagues locally, at WSU, and even as far away as Kentucky. Despite every effort, we had no answers and little to go on, and although we all hoped to see signs of improvement…her lameness was not getting better.
What we do know: if it had been something fixable, we would have seen improvement in seven weeks. Pain medications did nothing. If she had been a full-sized horse, she would likely have foundered on her other hind limb, but her small size (400 lbs) spared her from that. In her final week, she struggled to get up, relying mostly on her front end to hoist herself up. By her last days, she was non-weight-bearing, and on the final morning, her heart rate and breathing were elevated, showing visible pain.
There are no words to make this hurt any less. All of our hopes and dreams for the life she could have had are lying at our feet in a pool of tears. What is clear is that whatever happened, whether physical, genetic, or an accident in the field, it was catastrophic, and there was nothing we could have done to save her.
We take some solace in knowing that because Frida was rescued from her neglect situation last February, the entire saga of Paloma’s life played out under our watchful eyes. Had Frida not been rescued, and had she survived giving birth in that horrible place, her filly might have suffered a harder, painful death.
Not all horses have happy endings, and it is our responsibility as their advocates to be present for the hard work, the days that aren’t perfect Instagram moments, but real life. The responsibility of making difficult decisions for the ones we love is never easy, but it is our job.
Rather than trying to capture everything in words, we’ve shared a short video message from Bonnie and Terry, explaining the changes we began seeing, most notably Paloma’s declining ability to bear weight. There is no pressure to watch if it feels too difficult.
Paloma passed peacefully, without pain, and surrounded by love. She was gentle and sweet to the very end, just as she was throughout her short life.
Frida has been closely and carefully supported during this time, and we will share a separate update on her ongoing care soon.
Paloma was always treated with the utmost respect. Her loss hits deep into our hearts and she will always be a cherished and unforgettable member of the SAFE herd. Thank you for holding Paloma in your hearts with us.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” Helen Keller
Alumni Update: Karma
This is what Karma had to say when one of the Alumni Team volunteers visited.
I am Karma and if I may say so myself, I am a real sweetheart. It is so easy to be sweet though, in my final home here in Graham. My meal service arrives 5 times a day consisting of yummy pellets in addition to hay. I need pellets because I have unusual teeth, and I can’t chew the hay very well. I thought maybe Invisalign braces might be an option, but the personal physician at Tahoma Veterinary said, Naaaayyy. (Get it, lol)
In addition to my dining pleasure, I go on long, slow strolls throughout the day with an occasional spa visit that includes thorough brushing followed by a roll in the dirt. Very soothing! My best friend is Ramses. He is a big, brown, oh-so-good-looking guy who makes sure I am taken care of. I have a bit of a challenge with my left knee, but Mom keeps my hooves well-trimmed, and I get Equioxx to offset discomfort. I am doing quite well and, although I don’t offer Uber service any longer because of my knee, I am providing security while Mom and Ramses take a leisurely ride.
Bridget Back at SAFE
Changes in her family circumstances necessitated Bridget’s return to SAFE, where we would be able to best support her in the search for a new home. Quickly, Bridget cemented herself as a volunteer favorite. With her sweet disposition and welcoming nickers, it isn’t hard to see why.
Since she’d had quite a bit of time off from work, Bridget joined in our walking program to get back in shape. Her volunteer walkers spend time looping the property, taking her over walk poles, and scaling the hill that is our driveway. It’s no K2, but it’s a workout!
Bridget arrived with some breathing trouble, and has required nebulizer treatments, which she has been an absolute saint for. More often than not, she will begin to doze off with the nebulizer on her face. She has been doing very well, and we hope to wean her off of the nebulizer over the next several weeks.
Bridget is simply a darling, and endears herself to everyone she meets. And while she loves people and horses, she has a special affinity for minis — both mini donkeys and horses catch her eye more than the rest. Regardless of the companionship Bridget will find in her new home, what is guaranteed is that she is going to make a wonderful friend to her next family.
Artie is Adopted!
We have a very exciting announcement to make: Artie Shaw has been adopted! We’ve all loved Artie for so long, holding our breath as he transformed into the sweet, willing gelding he is today. To say “hours of work” went into him is a serious understatement—his journey has been one of patience, persistence, and so much care from the SAFE community.
Jennifer first met Artie back in summer of this year. She came out to ride him a couple of times at SAFE, and we took a deep dive into “what was under the hood,” so to speak. We showed her the areas where Artie still needs thoughtful support, and she quickly picked up on how to help him work through his braces by moving his feet. Time and again, she could feel how he softened and relaxed once he got the right support—a beautiful thing to witness.
When adoption day came, Artie took the four-hour trip to San Juan Island — his new home. He was a complete star—quiet, steady, and even calm on the ferry ride.
Over the next two days, Artie became acclimated to his new surroundings with our support, having a few rides and groundwork sessions on his new turf, and making introductions with his four legged family. He got to meet his new “little big brother” Bowie. True to his gentle nature, Artie showed right away that he wasn’t a threat—just happy to graze alongside him. Bowie, for his part, was wonderfully thoughtful, keeping an eye on his three minis from the fence line while also welcoming Artie into the fold.
Over the next week, Jen worked with Artie daily—riding him, building trust, and carefully introducing him to Bowie and the minis. Watching the herd dynamic develop has been fascinating. It’s clear we couldn’t have chosen a better horse than Artie for this unique family—he’s truly one of a kind.
Jen has been dedicated, thoughtful, and hardworking, exactly the kind of partner Artie needs. This is a lovely family, and we feel so lucky they’ve welcomed our special gelding into their home. Congratulations, Artie!
Alumni Update: Heidi
Heidi’s adopter, Kristina, posted an update on October 10th:
December Volunteer of the Month: Amy Delachica
Congratulations to our December Volunteer of the Month, Amy Delachica!
At SAFE, our volunteers are truly the heart of our community. We can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! This month we are celebrating Amy Delachica. Amy has shown incredible dedication to our sweet horses here at SAFE. Amy is wonderful to work with! She is smart, thoughtful and reliable. Her love of horses is evident and shines through in her work. Over the last 4+ years, she has held many different roles at SAFE: Shift Lead, Grooming Team, Herd Health, Night Check, Barn Assist and others! Amy is someone we can always count on to do the right thing for the horses. She is absolutely wonderful to work alongside. Thank you Amy for all that you do. Learn more about Amy below:
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
I do not currently own a horse but I am leasing a Walking Horse stabled in Hollywood Hills area. He is a sweety!
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
Being able to be outdoors with the horses and working with the other great volunteers. SAFE is a well oiled machine compared to many other rescues and the people who work and volunteer here are top notch! So excited for the big move!
Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?
Oh Gosh! That is tough! I really love Hayden because she is so sweet and smart. Arionna and Mahina are also favorites because of their spunk and spirit; they are also pretty sweet and beautiful!
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
I am usually working with Companion Animals or hiking, climbing and adventuring with my family. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, but I was a Science teacher and Environmental Lab Manager before twins, then I decided to be a Stay at Home Mom.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?
For Sure! My husband, Sebastian, has always been super supportive of my spending time at SAFE, as well as donating to its cause of rescuing these horses and ponies in need. My kids have also helped occasionally with Night Check and love driving Elmo and saying hi to the horses. Our son, Ben, also supports me. Recently, Ben had the unfortunate luck to come out to help us at SAFE on a freezing night. He then dropped the rubber hammer for breaking ice straight into the trough! It was so cold but we still had a great time all being together.
Alumni Update: Freya
Freya’s Report (from her perspective and that’s the only way per Freya)
Greetings my dear SAFE subjects,
I know it has been a while, but I simply have had too full of a schedule to write. In addition, my hoof typewriter broke, and my servant has claimed she has no time to take down my words. So here we are.
I have been enjoying the summer tremendously. The sand pit with the expensive golf course sand, finally has been distributed to my liking. I had to roll in it at least once a day all summer just to get it right.
Then there is the daily facial and body scrub. My servant was embarrassed by how my fur looked after last winter. That’s HER FAULT, mind you. However, she made it right in the last few months. I also got a daily rinse down when it was very hot. Especially when my personal pool (overflow pond) dried out.
Hooves are okay. I like my farrier as he is very patient with me since I have difficulty standing on three legs.
I do want to share my servant’s outrageous recent decision making. She fixed it since then, but I had to really show her who reigns supreme. And that would be ME!
You all remember the recent stormy nasty weather awhile back. Some lady called my mom and asked her if she could board her horse with us since he had no shelter at his current location and was not being fed properly. Of course, mom, the sap she is, ahem, I mean the kindhearted lady, said yes. They agreed to a boarding fee of $150 (ridiculous, right?) Mom said it would pay for my lab work (which I don’t want or need).
So, he showed up, nice enough looking guy (not a real guy if you know what I mean, hee, hee, hee). He got to stay in the front paddock with MY sandbox (Problem 1). Then, he had the audacity to start flirting with Mocha (Problem 2). He first tried with me, but I immediately shut that down by reaching over the fence trying to bite him.
A couple of days went by, and I noticed how he was simply a donkey (a**) with my mom. He crapped all over his shelter and the worst was, he was nasty when she brought in the hay. So, I wanted to teach him the rules, and I used my strong butt to break the gate and get over there. And off we went, I tried to bite him, he ran, Mocha ran, Mom ran (well, hobbled), and it went like that all over the whole area for several minutes. Mom even used her Army language (OMG), but I did get a smidgen concerned when he nearly ran her over and I decided to stop chasing him. Finally, he was back in his paddock, and I was in mine.
Mom tried everything to make him behave when it came to feeding time. The rope, the whip (although she only smacked him once when he shoved her to the ground to get to the wheelbarrow. Nothing worked, and his owner didn’t pay the boarding fee as promised. When he started biting her, she had enough and I finally got my sandbox back. Obviously, if she had consulted her Goddess (me), or called my loyal subjects at SAFE, we all could have protected her. I think she learned her lesson.
That’s all I have to report today. I do think of you all often and I wish I could personally visit the new facility.
Love and blessings to you all, especially my friend Bob!
Sometimes the Saddest Stories Can’t Be Told
In 2016, SAFE was contacted about taking in a young pregnant mare. The mare had a large sarcoid on her face near her mouth that likely needed to be removed. She was one of 7 horses that had belonged to an elderly couple, and when the man passed away, ownership of the horses was transferred to his granddaughter. The horses were running together in a herd that included a stallion who had since been gelded. The granddaughter intended to find homes for the remainder of the horses. She seemed to think that she could afford to care for six of the horses, but caring for the mare, pregnant and probably in need of surgery to remove the sarcoid, was beyond her means.
At the time that this request came in, SAFE was full and already turning down other intake requests, so opting to take this mare was not a clear-cut or easy decision for us to make because we were already committed to helping the horses we had.
As is often the case, the background story began to change. The person who had contacted us was not the granddaughter, but a friend of hers. The grandparents has had 13 horses, but they had taken the seven in the worst condition, including the mare and the stallion. Ownership of the mare had been signed over to the person who contacted us, but she considered herself a rescuer, and expressed reluctance to sign SAFE’s surrender agreement due to its provision forbidding her to own or acquire any more horses. Things were getting messy. And as concerned as we were about the mare, we were equally concerned about the rest of the horses.
A blood test had shown that the mare was pregnant, but no one knew how far along she was. We were able to contact the veterinarian who performed the blood test, and she provided more information about the mare. She was underweight for being pregnant but seemed to eating without difficulties, despite the fact that the sarcoid was in her mouth and beginning to wrap around her teeth. She hadn’t been able to do a thorough examination since the mare couldn’t be sedated. It would need further examination and was likely to require much more treatment than a normal sarcoid. This could include biopsies, radiographs of the head, radiation, and reconstructive surgery necessary to close the holes left in the mare’s face. She had no history of vaccination, worming, dental, or farrier care, and the pregnancy complicated things greatly . The question became: could she survive long enough to have her foal? Should she be made to go on in such poor shape?
When we were allowed to visit the mare and see her in person, what we saw was appalling. She was emaciated, pregnant, and standing in a field of solid mud and filth. She had no shelter and no blanket. She had lice and ticks eating her alive. And the sarcoid was far worse than it appeared in the photos we’d been shown. We picked her up and took her straight to Pilchuck Vet Hospital.
Settling into her isolation stall, the mare appeared relatively calm and comfortable. She was able to eat, drink, and poop. But her udder seemed to be getting bigger. Pretty soon it was clear that she was bagging up and waxing, all signs of an imminent birth. An ultrasound was performed and the vet was able to rule out a placental infection. But after examining the fetus and measuring the size of its eye, our vet determined that the foal was approximately 280–300 days old. The normal gestation period for an equine is 335–360 days, with 340 days being the average. A foal born before 320 days would not be viable.
The bagging up probably indicated that the mare’s body was trying to abort. The level of amniotic fluid present in her womb was very low. And the foal had a low heart rate. In short, nothing was going right, and it was looking less and less likely that the mare was going to have a viable baby, much less a healthy one. We felt it would be wrong to allow her to go through the birthing process, only to deliver a dead or dying foal. As difficult as this decision was, the kindest choice was to let her go right away.
The small consolation is that the mare spent her last few days in a warm, dry stall with plenty to eat and people taking care of her around the clock. It was something to be grateful for. Still, this situation was one of the most traumatizing we’d gone through…and because of our commitment to respect the privacy of the owners of this horse, we couldn’t share this story with our supporters until now. We did report what happened to Animal Control and request a wellness check on the rest of the horses. Beyond that, there was nothing more that we could do. We remember this sweet, docile mare, honor her struggle, and give thanks that we could bring her peace and end her suffering. Rest in peace, dear lady.
Mirana is adopted!
When Cal’s owner needed urgent help finding him a new home, SAFE stepped in to assist. The perfect home quickly emerged: lush green fields, a picture-perfect red barn, and a wonderful family ready to welcome Cal as their new horse. There was just one catch—they needed a second horse to keep him company.
Enter Mirana.
We brought Cal to SAFE to introduce him to a few of our companion horses ready for adoption. Think speed dating, but for horses. Mirana was first up, and it was instantly clear we didn’t need to look any further. Cal and Mirana bonded immediately. On Mirana’s side, at least, that was no surprise. While Mirana has come a long way at SAFE—learning to respect and take comfort from her human handlers—she still falls hard for a new four-legged friend. But this pairing was built on mutual admiration. Cal was every bit as enamored with Mirana as she was with him. And Cal’s presence calmed Mirana, too.
After several weeks together at SAFE, Cal and Mirana built a routine and formed a lasting partnership. Then off they went to Cal’s new home. Although Mirana has sometimes been reluctant to trailer, she hopped right in this time. Riding with her buddy kept her calm.
Their new family, Shirley and Judd, are over the moon with the pair. The space is so roomy it even makes big boy Cal look tiny.
Best of all, there’s a custom wall between the stalls so Mirana and Cal never have to be apart. They’re only brought in as needed, but that first night it was just what Mirana needed. The deer outside were a bit too much, and she quickly relaxed once she could see Cal right next door. The fact that they built that wall especially for her, after our suggestion, says it all about the kind, attentive, and caring owners they are.
We’re so glad Shirley and Judd stepped in to give both these horses a wonderful forever home.
Mirana in her custom-built stall
Mirana and Cal enjoy turnout together
Mirana and Cal graze together near their barn
Alumni Update: Tasara
Sherri and Tasara are doing very well together. Tasara is as content and happy as can be and gets lots of attention throughout the day. She loves her large barn area that she can go in and out at will into her very large open paddock. Tasara shares the barn with four friendly but bossy chickens who nest and keep her company day and night if they are not out free ranging. There is also a barn cat that snuggles with her too. Quite a little crew of critters!
Sherri loves to spend time grooming Tasara and taking her for daily walks. They often go down to the river in back of her property and sometimes just sit and spend time there. The funny thing is, on some occasions, Sherri will be leading Tasara down the path to the river and the dog, the cat AND a couple of the chickens will follow.
Alumni Update: Mac
Here is an update from Mac’s adopter Jerre from late this summer:
Our biggest success has been a deep dive into positive reinforcement and collaborative care. I give Mac the option to refuse any contact, haltering, fly mask, etc., while encouraging participation with click and treat. This has opened him up to interacting with me and now, rather than being politely coerced into handling, he seeks contact and participates. He is starting to generalize behaviors, which is so fun to see. Carrots are still his favorite treat.
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Barb
Annika rode Barb in the October Joel clinic, and has the following to say about their experience together:
“Participating in the October Joel Conner clinic with Barb was a lesson in presence, patience, and partnership. Barb is a small horse with a big personality—she’s not shy about expressing her preferences, especially when she disagrees. From the start, it was clear she had opinions, and I had to earn her agreement one ask at a time.
She’s a “more go than whoa” kind of mare, and early in the clinic, she found standing still during lecture portions to be a questionable use of her time. But by day three, she reliably held a standstill whenever asked, even across the full three-hour class. (To be clear: we weren’t standing for three hours straight—just whenever I asked her to pause, she did. Every time. That’s progress.)
We worked extensively on hindquarters yields, transitions to front quarters, and refining my seat, leg, and hand position. Barb helped me feel the nuance in timing and weight shifts. She responded to subtle changes in my posture, and when I got it right, she filled in with softness and precision. On the final day, I focused on timing my ask to the exact moment her foot left the ground. It stretched my focus and coordination, but Barb met me there—lighter, quicker, and more responsive with each try.
In the round pen, she moved fluidly through walk, trot, and canter, all on a loose rein, guided by my seat. We explored soft feel at walk and trot, and even began experimenting with side pass and leg yield. She’s still working through some habits—drifting toward comfort zones, accelerating when another horse leaves, and occasionally trying to manage the herd herself. But beneath that assertiveness is a horse who wants to connect and understand.
Barb is smart, sensitive, and full of life. She challenged me to be more precise, more present, and more honest in my communication. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn with her.”
Brandit Forever
We have been struggling with Brandy and Bandit’s quality of life for some time now. Over the past two years, both mares have faced challenges that have required us to closely monitor their comfort and happiness.
At the beginning of November, Brandy’s condition declined further. She developed persistent loose stool, and despite our efforts to help her feel better, she no longer seemed physically comfortable or content. She was not thriving, and her eyes were telling us she was tired.
Brandy and Bandit’s personalities had also changed over time. The two could no longer be turned out together — Brandy became aggressive toward Bandit — and yet they remained extremely herd-bound, which made it distressing and unsafe when they were apart. Bandit had also withdrawn from people, often showing that she preferred not to be touched or approached.
We knew the day would eventually come to give these girls a peaceful end, and had hoped to make the decision before the cold weather set in. After discussion with our veterinarians, we decided that now was time to let the girls go, together.
The decision to let them go as a pair was both heartbreaking and merciful. Brandy had always been the leader, and while Bandit might have been able to go on a bit longer, she would not have coped without her friend. Their bond was as strong as it had been since the day they arrived at SAFE, and it felt right to allow them to cross over together, peacefully and without fear.
The mares left us on a beautiful afternoon, with the sun on their backs and grass in their bellies. We are so thankful for the wonderful, kind volunteers who visited over the past week to shower them with love and spend extra time by their sides.
We are so fortunate to have such caring volunteers who give so much of themselves to these horses. It was a hard day, but not a bad one. We truly believe the mares haven’t had a bad day since coming to SAFE. The day we let them go was about protecting them from the fear and suffering that can come when we wait too long. That, to us, is the truest act of love we can give.
BRANDIT FOREVER — Never to be forgotten.
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Brownie
Lexee N, who has been working and riding Brownie, brought him into the October Joel Conner clinic for his first riding clinic. Here’s her report on how it went:
“Oh Mr. Brownie! This guy has come so far in such a short time and impresses me every day. This clinic was our 20th, 21st and 22nd rides (yes this horse only has 22 rides here at SAFE and likely in his whole lifetime) and he did absolutely wonderful.
Between the literal wind storm, falling branches, horrendous rain, and power outage, this horse rode like a dream in clinic. He is an absolute pleasure where I can walk around on completely loose rein through this all and he’s practically half asleep.
Brownie and I worked on cleaning up our life, hindquarters and even started the basics of a soft feel and front quarters. Over the next few weeks I’m excited to start getting him softer laterally and vertically, and get new riders on him in preparation for adoption. Keep your eyes ready for when this guys adoption goes live, he won’t be here long!”
Alumni Update: Pippi
Pippi and her 14-year-old human, Taryn, are doing well and take riding and jumping lessons together. They did their first horse trials in August and competed in their first novice schooling event in October.
Mahina’s First Rides
With her long neck and big doe eyes, we have lovingly nicknamed Mahina ‘Littlefoot,’ and at the end of October, our dearest Littlefoot achieved a great big milestone: her first rides.
It has been a real pleasure helping this mare develop — first in her trust of humans, then in her skill set as she worked her way into the riding horse category. Helping her achieve balance and find confidence in areas like changing eyes and distributing her weight over her hind has been transformative for not only her, but for the people who have worked with her.
Yay, Mahina!
Halter Starting Venturo
The covered round pen has been witness to a tremendous amount of halter startings. This process varies in ease, but as a default always poses some degree of challenge. The Tivas and the Arties and the Esmes — uncertain and nervous and braced. It takes time, hours upon hours, to bring them to an understanding of what it means to give to pressure, that something as seemingly innocuous as a pet on the forehead doesn’t mean their imminent demise, that they can trust in people. And while these transformations do occur, again and again, and while it does not lose that shimmer of miraculousness each time we successfully halter start a horse, there is a sadness there too, because it doesn’t have to be like this.
I, Lily, write this now, and am coming to you in the rare first person to share my recent revelation. Over the years I have been at SAFE, I have watched many horses get halter started in our round pen, but I don’t know if I have ever been as moved as I was recently, watching Terry put a halter on Venturo for the first time. The reason is simply because of how boring it was to witness. Venturo didn’t care about the flag, or the rope. He grasped the concept of moving his hind away and giving to pressure. He doesn’t flinch away at being touched, or having his hooves handled. He is a perfect example of how easy it can be, which is a sharp contrast to how difficult it has so often been.
We are so grateful for the opportunity that having Venturo here has afforded us. It is a true gift to get the chance to watch Vinnie as he grows and help him have the best possible start in this life.
Alumni Update: Bliss
Bliss has some new friends!
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mateo
Lexee N has been working with Mateo and preparing him for his first rides, which he received at the October Joel Conner clinic. Here is what she has to say about the experience:
“As much as I love this big oaf, he has a lot of trouble. And his first rides showed us he has some issues moving forward with an inclination to rear. Perhaps taught to as a trick.
With this knowledge we will be taking more time to excavate the issues so that the rides continue to go smoothly. While we had 3 great rides at clinic with Joel, that progressed positively each day, we want to give Mateo more tools to reach for instead of the rear button.
We will continue to work through winter with tons of ground work, and also strengthening him so he can carry himself with more balance. He tends to hit his feet on each other seemingly unclear where his feet are at times. Getting him more comfortable with his balance should also help him for the next rides in spring.”
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Maisy
Casey A has been working with Maisy, preparing her for her first saddling. Here is what she has to say:
“Maisy continues to show her fun, spunky personality and a good mind for learning. She handled her first saddling with confidence, showing a lot of try. Over the next couple of months, we’ll introduce her to a rider through a few short, easy sessions, focusing on helping her move out softly and comfortably under saddle. After that, Maisy will have the winter off to mature before we pick things up again in the spring. So far, she has everything we like to see in a young horse.”
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Hayden
Cameron B worked alongside Hayden in the groundwork portion of October’s Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say:
“This was my first time working with Hayden in a clinic setting, though I’d had a brief opportunity to handle her beforehand.
Hayden, the daughter of Tiva, came to SAFE after spending her early years with Care Fur Life in Auburn, where she was lightly started under saddle. Despite this experience, much of her confidence had to be rebuilt. When I began working with her, Hayden carried a fair amount of brace, particularly through her hindquarters and in her poll. Showing or reflecting the self preservation she’s been slowly learning to let go of.
Throughout the clinic, we focused primarily on helping Hayden find more softness through her body, especially by engaging her hindquarters. The goal was not simply movement but genuine release, and staying with her until she could truly let down and carry herself without tension or brace. I paid close attention to her vertical flexion, watching for the moment when she would lower her nose, bend and release the off eye. Her ear placement became another key indicator of where her mind and weight was, helping me gauge when she was weighted properly onto the hind end and she was ready to move in any one direction with balance and confidence.
Joel emphasized the importance of staying in until the release was real and of developing Hayden’s bandwidth, being able to start slow, build energy, and adjust through all the stages in between.
Over the course of the three days, I could feel her begin to understand and respond within that spectrum rather than defaulting to tension or flight. She also began showing moments of genuine softness in her movements hind and front quarters, finding more consistent balance throughout her body.
By the end of the clinic, the change in Hayden was remarkable. Her vertical flexion had improved to the point where her head seemed an extension of her entire body, precisely the integration Joel had asked us to look for. It was a powerful moment to witness and to feel beneath the line, seeing how a horse once guarded could move with fluidity and presence.
Terry also worked Hayden under saddle during one-on-one time with Joel and her, and she also observed some similar progress, evidence that the changes we found on the ground were translating into the saddle as well.
Hayden still has much to work through, but this clinic marked a turning point in her willingness to release and connect. She showed me that when I truly stay in until the brace is gone, she will meet me with trust and try.
Thank you Hayden.”
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mabel
Candi K has the following reflections about her recent time spent with Mabel:
“This past weekend, I had the joy of partnering with sweet Mabel during the Joel Conner Clinic in the Groundwork class. From the moment she greeted me each morning with a soft nicker, I knew I was in for something special. Mabel is the kind of mare who is calm, kind and always wanting to connect.
Because she has limited vision in her left eye, one of our main goals was to help her feel more comfortable changing eyes and staying balanced in her movement and confidence. We spent time bending while standing still, asking her to engage her hindquarters and rewarding every try with timely releases. By day three, she was beginning to reach toward me literally and figuratively as my hand moved toward the lead line. That subtle “try” felt like a little victory each time.
We also explored bringing life up and down through feel alone. Mabel could walk a unified circle at a snail’s pace, then transition to a light trot just by a lift in my energy and come right back down again with ease. It was a dance of intention and feel. She picked up the rhythm beautifully.
Backing was another area we refined. At first, she was a bit sticky, but with gentle persistence using both the lead line and light asks under the chin she started to respond to the softest feel. Each day, her try grew stronger with quicker, smoother steps.
Through it all, Mabel stayed steady, forgiving, and present. You could say she was my “Steady Eddy”. She gave me grace when my timing was off and rewarded the right moments with licks, chews and soft eyes. She’s a true partner in learning: patient, willing and full of heart.
Mabel has so much to offer. With continued time in the horsemanship program, she’s going to shine bright—a gem in the making, ready to build a lasting partnership with someone who wants to grow right alongside her.”
Alumni Update: Sugar (Ko)
Ko spent several months earlier this year with Cynthia’s mom and extended family, which he enjoyed, and he even participated in a family member’s wedding! He’s has been back home for a while and enjoys doing a bit of natural horsemanship, taking hand walks with Cynthia around their property and hanging out with his quarter horse companion.
Eda’s a Riding Horse!
Eda is wise beyond her four years. This sweet mare received her start under saddle just a few short months ago, and is already showing us what a cool, level-headed partner she is going to make someone in the not too distant future. Here you can see a bit of her natural temperament in her first ride outside the round pen.
Alumni Update: Ariel
Recent photo of Ariel and her buddy
November Volunteer of the Month: Heather Moore
Congratulations to our November Volunteer of the Month, Heather Moore!
At SAFE, our volunteers are truly the heart of our community. We can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! This month we are celebrating Heather Moore. Heather has shown incredible dedication to our sweet horses here at SAFE. Heather’s presence at the barn can definitely be felt! She is a seasoned leader and knows how to support humans and horses alike. It’s clear she has a diverse background in horse experience and is able to share that with her team in meaningful ways. Instantly welcoming and helpful, she has weathered many seasons (over 3.5 years!) here at SAFE and helped many volunteers to learn and grow in their roles. Heather is able to strike a wonderful balance between project management and the intuitive side of working with the horses. It’s like a dance and it has been fun to watch! Thank you Heather for all that you do. Learn more about Heather below:
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
I have loved horses since I knew what a horse was! I just got a horse this July. Her name is Harlee and she’s an 18 year old paint/quarter horse mix. She is bomb proof on trails and I adore her!! I had my first horse in high school but had to sell her when I went to college. I promised myself I would get another horse someday and I finally made it happen 40 years later!
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
Helping all of these horses to live their best lives and working with this amazing group of volunteers!
Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?
They are all my favorites but Nova holds a special place in my heart. I dreamed of having a dark bay named Snicker when I was growing up and the first time I saw Nova I was like ‘there’s Snicker’! I also like a lady that has a little sass and spice.
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
I work full time at a global professional services firm called Accenture serving several of our healthcare clients. When I’m not doing that or volunteering at SAFE I love being outdoors where I live in Snoqualmie riding Harlee, walking my dog, or exploring the river trails with my husband.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?
My husband Rich and my two boys Josh & Jake have always been very encouraging to me.
Versatile Barb
Barb is fun, and Barb has fun. Barb says ‘no problemo’ to flags and ‘sure, why not’ to popping over a cavaletti. Barb has a great deal of sass and appreciates those who can take a joke, but when you laugh along with her, she is a willing and cool little partner.
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Ranger
Lise A worked alongside Ranger in the October Joel Conner clinic. While he has made lots of great progress in this style of groundwork, he still has some insecurities surrounding fly spray. Over the course of the three days, Lise worked a lot on helping Ranger grow more comfortable being spritzed. Here is a poem she wrote about the experience:
“Ranger was certain of danger each day,
When the fly bottle made that repeated spirited and annoying spray
But over time with the hind and front quarter line
The bottle became not exactly a friend,
but for Ranger at least not a forgone end.”
-
- Big yawns!
Maisy in the Round Pen
We’re keeping things easy breezy with our miss Maisy, as she is still a growing girl. She comes in for groundwork sessions a few times a week where she gets her wiggles out and learns a bit more about giving to pressure and what a halter means.
Here’s a recent video of Maisy taking a turn around the round pen.
Alumni Update: Piper
Talia has been working a lot so hasn’t ridden much lately. Piper enjoys being with her pasture mate, Nova.
Mateo Makes a Choice
We tried the ‘choose a paper’ challenge with Mateo recently. In the end, turns out you can have your cake and eat it too!
Mateo has been doing great, making good choices as he grows in his skills on the ground. He is well on his way to becoming a riding horse, and we hope to make that a reality in the near future.
Bandit’s Recent Trim
Bandit was on her best behavior for her farrier appointment last week, and was a bit cheeky as well!
For a long while, Bandit was very guarded about having her hind legs handled. She has evidence of an old injury, and perhaps because of this, she would often react with a kick at the very idea of being asked to pick up her hoof. But these days, Bandit plays a very different tune. She has been a star for her farrier appointments for the last long while, and while she still occasionally asks questions, they are much less dramatic and violent than before.
Also, Bandit has to have one of the longest tongues we’ve ever seen!
Arionna Under Saddle
Harissa is a Riding Horse!
Following months of preparation, we can officially say that Harissa is a riding horse!
When we first met Harissa, we weren’t convinced she wouldn’t go for the jugular. She had a poor understanding of pressure, and could be quite dangerous to be around. We had moments of questioning if she would ‘make it.’ But, as we’ve learned, sometimes good things take time. This mare has made quite the 180 since she first arrived at SAFE, and thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication, is now going under saddle.
She recently received her first rides with our good friend Dani, and over the course of several days, made great forward progress — literally! At first she needed a little encouragement to move out with the help of a friend with a flag on the ground, but each day as she gained understanding of her rider’s seat and legs, she required less and less assistance from the person on the ground. She is an intelligent horse with a lot of try, and it has been tremendously special to witness her transformation.
Following her first rides, Harissa went off to training with Dani for 30 days. We are excited to continue working with this cool mare and see her become the horse we hoped she could be!
Alumni Update: Zuri
Laura posted an update on Zuri October 9th:
For all of you who know and cared for Zuri, just a sweet update. It always takes some time to get to know your four-legged friends. Zuri is such a strong independent character and at first, she wasn’t very attentive to Titian who needs to be needed. Yesterday while he was getting a massage and other therapy she was so sweet to him coming with a nicker and a kiss to check on him every few minutes. We have nothing but love for her. So, know she is healthy and happy here and Titian and I look forward to many years (hopefully) with her.
Alumni Update: Moshi (Moxie)
Elle provided a three-month update August 18th on Moshi, now Moxie:
Fabulous Frida
While her filly gets a lot of (well deserved) screen time, we have to pay homage to Frida herself. As we round the corner on 6 months of Paloma, let’s take a moment to shout out the mare who gave us that little life.
Frida is a strong personality, a fact we picked up on from the moment we met. She was skeptical about being haltered at first, and was particular about where she was ok with being brushed. She is very clear in her communications: I would like more scratches, please, and here’s where I’d like them. Don’t think about touching my leg, miss farrier, without a negotiation process first.
And while her stature and presence can at times be intimidating, Frida has also shown herself to be most understanding and reasonable. In those crucial first few hours following Paloma’s birth when we had to play nursemaid, Frida allowed us to not only be around her filly, but to handle her and her udder without really any complaint. We worried in sending her to a foster location with a big field that she might be difficult to catch up, but call her and she comes. We haven’t gotten to know her in a working capacity yet, as her full-time job has been first growing, and then attending to her filly, but it’s abundantly clear that Frida is a very special sort.
Nova and Friends
Nova is still enjoying life over in Ellensburg, and we are continually grateful that her foster, Blair, continues to have both physical and emotional space for Nova to be the special mare she is.
Here is an update from Blair: “R & B Ranch is happy to share that Nova has been continuously making big personality changes and has settled nicely into the mare herd with Bijou & Roulette!
She chooses human interactions and loves a good scratch, at her discretion. I’ve found the best way to connect with her is to share in her inquisitive nature with me and then leave at my discretion.”
Blair has given the green light for Nova to remain at her place through the winter, which means we will see the return of ‘Snowva’ without a doubt!
Pepper is Adopted!
Our fun, feisty, and fabulous Pepper has been adopted! After a brief return to SAFE, where she received a tune-up under saddle, Pepper was ready to meet adopters once more. When Liz met Pepper, she could feel it was a match, and told us that she felt very lucky to be chosen as Pepper’s person. Well, we feel pretty lucky too, seeing what a full and wonderful life Pepper is living in Liz’s home. Pepper is buddied up with the lovely Rayna, Liz’s other horse, and when she’s not kicking up her heels alongside her four-legged companion, she’s helping Liz’s young family and students discover the joy of riding. She has become quite the all-star teacher! Pepper has grown to have many admirers, big and little, and as one of the children in Liz’s neighborhood said on the day Pepper arrived: “Oh Lizzie, she is just perfect!”
We are overjoyed that Pepper has found such a loving home, and are so very happy for Pepper and her new family! Congratulations, Pep!
Brownie Out and About
Brownie lives up to his name — he is a sweet guy. His progress under saddle has been smooth and steady, a relatively quick upward trajectory.
Here you can see his first ride outside of the arena, his 5th ride overall. This dude is going places, sometimes at a lope!
Alumni Update: Mesquite
Mesquite’s adopter Cory recently shared some thoughts on their relationship:
Mesquite is ALL ARAB! A hot, opinionated, so extremely soft, Velcro, one-person horse. I love him more than anyone can know. I met and adopted him from SAFE as my friend when he was 11. Horribly starved and proud cut. This year he turns 20. We have a great bond, that he tests every day! And I respect him for that. We have done so much arena work and been down so many trails in our years together! I truly honor this horse for all he has been through yet is so willing to please and is so loving. I often question if my soul is made of such metal.
Alumni Update: Remy
A SAFE Alumni volunteer recently visited with Remy and his adopter Jessica.
Remy has been doing well. He and Soldier are companions together in hilly acreage, stalled briefly for grain; otherwise, live outside all summer. Stall will be available as needed when weather changes. Jessica mentioned that Remy has taught Soldier to play with him. Recall, if you will, that Remy and Owen were great playmates! Remy’s a real snuggle bug but has NO sense of personal space. Since both Remy and Soldier are retired, Jessica takes a book and chair into the pasture to spend time with them.
Sienna Under the Rainbow
October Volunteer of the Month: Liz Olver
Congratulations to our October Volunteer of the Month, Liz Olver!
SAFE can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! Liz has shown incredible dedication in a variety of areas here at SAFE. In addition to her Tuesday crew, she volunteers for many events, grooming, leaf raking, gift wrapping — just to name a few. Liz does so much and is amazing at all of it! Having been at SAFE for just over 18 months, Liz was a quick learner and soon found many horse friends. She seems to know inherently what the horses are thinking and feeling. At SAFE, Liz has shown incredible dedication and thoughtfulness. She is always learning, asking good questions, puting the horses first and always finding new ways to contribute! We feel incredibly lucky to have Liz here on our team. Thank you Liz for all your hard work. Learn more about Liz below:
“As I brush Sienna, her eyes get soft and her lips quiver and she is in her Zen zone. Then she’ll whip her tail around and I know she is dreaming of being the boss mare of a wild mustang herd and I’m right there with her!”
- Liz
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
When I was a kid my uncle in Texas had a cow pony for his small herd of cattle. It was a very sweet horse, and we were taught how to feed it corn without losing our fingers! My own family however moved around a lot when I was a kid. My dad was in the Air Force and then my step dad was in the Army, so we moved about every 2–3 years. Moving around so much made it impractical to have a horse. But my mom would take us trail riding if there was one available near us. And me and my sisters continued trail riding as we got older. More recently, I have a 12-year-old niece who has visited several SAFE open houses and was really wanting to ride. About a month ago I took her to Equine Escapes for her first ride, and she loved it!!
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
I feel like I’m accomplishing something important with a lot of nice people and lovely horses.
Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?
I have several favorites: gentle Brandy, feisty Veronica, and funny Theo. But I get to groom Sienna, so she is my number one favorite. When I enter her paddock for grooming, she will head for the sunniest spot. As I brush, her eyes get soft and her lips quiver and she is in her Zen zone. Then she’ll whip her tail around and I know she is dreaming of being the boss mare of a wild mustang herd and I’m right there with her.
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
I volunteer at Woodland Park Zoo as a zoo ambassador (I tell people where the bathroom is and why the penguins don’t have ice in their water). I go birding with friends, or the Pilchuck Audubon or The Mountaineers Naturalist group and I also garden.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work?
My family is very supportive. Several of my nieces and their daughters have visited SAFE open houses. One niece helped with the Christmas gift wrap and a grandniece and her boyfriend helped with weed eating. They all also get to hear me go on and on about the horses at SAFE.
Mabel on the Move
Mabel went on her first walk outside the arena walls the other day, accompanied by Poppy, who was more than happy to show her around. Mabel has limited vision in her left eye, but you’d never know with how confidently she handles new experiences such as this. Mabel is well on her way to making someone a nice little riding partner!
2025 Q3 Impact Statement
New Horses
Intake Date: September 16, 2025
Po (owner surrender)
Bridget (return to SAFE)
Placed Horses
Tulip
Zuri
Artie Shaw
Mirana
Alumni Update: Stella
Stella spends the school year at Carrol College engaged in equine emotional therapy and horsemanship. Bethany does endurance rides with her in the spring. Stella’s nickname at the college is the “Sports Car”, with all the bells and whistles. And she lets the rider know if the wrong button has been pushed.
Mornings at SAFE
What makes a morning at SAFE? In the early hours before our volunteers arrive, our barn staff get all the horses fed and ready to start their days! Check out a sample of what a typical morning looks like below.
Alumni Update: Tilt (Korra)
Julie shared a milestone for Korra on August 18th:
Another milestone for little Korra. We hauled out to new trails to ride with our farrier and her partner. Korra is TINY compared to the other horses on the ride so we did a whole lotta trotting to keep up. She was a little worked up at the beginning of the ride and there were lots of bikes that were a challenge at first. As the ride went on she settled in. Every time she saw bikes near or far, she whinnied. Silly girl.
Jacob at Foster — Again!
After a brief reappearance at SAFE, Jacob was off to foster again, showing what an adaptable (and still adoptable) guy he can be!
While not without his quirks, Jacob makes a good companion to have around. He is not particularly herd bound, and has a goofy personality. He is currently buddied up to a gelding named Ice, who otherwise would have been left alone when his previous friend moved away. Way to step up to the plate, Jake!
We hold our fosters to a high standard, and thus Jacob is receiving the very best of care during his stay away. Despite his status as a temporary resident, he is made to feel like one of the family with Ice and his human family.
Venturo and Alvaro, New Friends!
Do you remember the feeling of being a kid and getting to hang out with your older cousins around the holidays, or being allowed to tag along with your older sibling? How cool you felt, how much fun you had? We have to imagine that’s how Venturo is feeling this week meeting Alvaro — his very first friend.
Wednesday is getting a much deserved break from being her colt’s only playmate, but rest assured she’s never too far in case the two whippersnappers get out of hand. It’s been great for Alvaro too, who has been keeping things very much in check around his new young friend, and respecting Wednesday’s ground rules for their playdates.
Venturo is on his way to be weaned, and having a buddy to help with the transition will make the process easier. Just a few days into Venturo and Alvaro’s budding friendship and we can almost hear Vinnie saying “see ya later mom, I’m going to play with my friends!” Fine by her.
Alumni Update: Orion
An update from Roxanne from August 1st:
I wanted to share some photos of Orion being the best boy at Rebecca Farm in Montana this year. He finished 8th in a pretty zesty competitive division, with no jump or time faults for the weekend!
Zuri is Adopted!
As an older mare with particular needs, we weren’t convinced that Zuri wouldn’t live out her days at SAFE. So we are even more over the moon (over Neptune, if you will) to announce Zuri’s adoption!
Her adopter Laura came looking for a companion for her older gelding, and knows all about the higher needs of older horses. Nothing about Zuri’s care — her need for a deeply bedded stall, her specific mash requirements, her Cushing’s status — was a dealbreaker. When the day came, Zuri hopped right in the trailer and quickly established her place at Laura’s as big mare on campus.
With lots of care and attention (and some menu variation) from her new loving owner, Zuri settled into her new digs and routine, and now officially has a forever home alongside her handsome brother, Titian. Congratulations, Zuri!
Brownie’s Third Ride
After receiving his first ride during the August Joel Conner clinic, Brownie moved at a pretty quick clip on his way to being a full blown riding horse. He’s still very green, but a pretty steady eddy so far!
Alumni Update: Jill
Here are a couple of recent photos of Jill. She is living a good life with adopter Anna.
Alumni Update: Tabitha (Willa)
Willa now has a retired polo pony as a buddy/pasture mate. They are very comfortable together. Willa loves trail riding and has a big “Go” button.
Poppy’s Summer Activities
Poppy has been taking full advantage of the nice summer weather this year, going for walks outside, cooling off (with the help of a little helper), and even stopping to smell the flowers. This little mare is sure going to be a nice partner for someone!
Thank You, Thornton Place!
Last week, we hosted a hardworking team of 6 individuals from Thornton Place Apartments for a work party. This team came ready to complete projects, and went above and beyond to help get some necessary work done around the barn. They weatherproofed our wooden shelters, cut back a good chunk of the ever-creeping blackberry vines, and took care of a substantial amount of weed whacking. If that wasn’t enough, at the very end of their scheduled time, we had a big ask — moving mats to help cushion the hooves of a horse who’d come up footsore. Despite the heat and the fact that it was the end of their day, they stayed to help, and made quick work of a normally arduous task. This group really put the ‘party’ in work party, and were a pleasure to work alongside.
Thank you, Thornton Place volunteers for your time and your willingness to help our horses!
Trailer Loading Artie
Artie Shaw has overcome many hurdles during his time at SAFE, but perhaps one of the most challenging items for him has been trailer loading — particularly with standing in a trailer with a divider. He could ride stock just fine, but to have a divider shut on him, or to even stand in the first section of a trailer, made him very nervous. But after some concentrated hours working at it incrementally, Artie was able to not only be shut in to a trailer that once struck fear, but to take a calm little practice ride around. Check it out!
Tulip is Adopted!
Happy news — Tulip has been adopted! There is so much to love about Tulip, from her kind and easy-going demeanor to her copper-penny coat, and her to-be adopter felt the same way. She came out to meet Tulip several times, and spent lots of time learning about her. We require a visit for an adoption, of course, but love when people take their time to ensure it’s a match!
Another way we try our best to guarantee a successful forever home for our horses is by sending them out on an adoption trial. As occasionally happens, Tulip took a moment to settle into her new life and environment. For this exact reason, it is our official policy when adopting horses out to offer a 30-day trial period to ensure that both horse and human have time to acclimate to their new routines and spend time getting to know one another in a different environment. If at any point during that trial it’s determined to not be a good fit, the horse can return to SAFE. This time period helps to alleviate some of the stress of taking a new family member home, and was exactly what the doctor ordered for Tulip. At the end of the (30) day, Tulip’s adopter and her pasture mate had fully integrated into a happy herd.
Tulip, now known as Tori, is living her best life in happy retirement to another mare, and receiving the best care and attention a girl could ask for with her new human. Congratulations, Tulip! We are so happy for you!
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Esme
Cameron B worked alongside in the groundwork portion of the August Joel Conner clinic, and had the following to say about their time together:
“Esme and I came together for our first clinic as a pair this August, and the experience offered both challenges and exciting progress. She carries a high sense of self preservation, especially around her hindquarters, where she can brace, kick out, or even buck if she feels too much pressure. Esme is a horse who benefits from clear direction and needs to learn to meet the energy being asked of her, rather than deciding how much she wants to give on her own.
Over the course of the three days, our work focused on softening those braces and preparing her to be ridden again. With Esme, progress came in quiet, almost imperceptible steps, the subtle moments when she tried, and I was able to answer with a timely release. Each of those moments reinforced the importance of recognizing the small changes and making sure she understood she was on the right track.
Esme is teaching me to refine my timing and presence, to offer her a consistent good deal, and to be clear in how much energy I’m asking her to bring forward. She reminds me that trust is not built through softness alone, but through expectation, fairness, and clarity about my ask.
I see a bright future for Esme. With continued guidance and work, she will transform her self preservation into confidence and curiosity. I can easily imagine her out on the trail again, steady and adventurous, becoming not only a willing partner under saddle but also a source of joy for the person fortunate enough to call her theirs.”
September Volunteer of the Month: Cameron Boldin
Congratulations to our September Volunteer of the Month, Cameron Boldin! Cameron joined the SAFE community in August 2024 bringing with him a wildly varied volunteer history! Prior to SAFE, he volunteered as a horticulturist assistant at the Point Defiance Zoo from 2017–2018, contributing to the development of the new aquarium’s gardens. From 2007 to 2015, Cameron served as a river guide from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) and Grand Canyon Youth (GCY), guiding scientist and researchers down the Colorado River and its tributaries. At SAFE, Cameron has shown incredible dedication and attention to detail. He is always learning and always finding new ways to contribute! He has approached every job with such care and has an innate ability to deeply connect with the horses and with nature. We feel incredibly lucky to have Cameron on our team and are grateful to his lifelong dedication to making a positive impact through hands-on work and community involvement. Learn more about Cameron below:
“The horses challenge me to refine my communication and patience. I look forward to every day I’m at the barn.”
- Cameron
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?I was introduced to horses early on in life through many family friends and neighbors. I learned the value of patience and trust while riding through the mountain trails, all with little to no real training. Those early experiences stayed with me, and though I don’t currently have my own horse, being at SAFE has given me the opportunity to reconnect with that passion in a very meaningful way.What do you like most about volunteering?What I love most is the sense of purpose and connection — both with the horses and with the incredible team of people who care for them. Every shift is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and be a part of helping these horses find new beginnings, love and support.Do you have a favorite horse? If so why?It’s hard to choose, but Sienna has a very special place in my heart. She challenges me to refine my communication and patience, and being able to work with her in a couple of clinics will forever be a highlight in my life. She and I have a very special bond and I look forward to seeing her every day I’m at the barn.What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?Outside of SAFE, I spend much of my time working on business projects, developing ideas for future ventures. I also enjoy being outdoors, whether hiking or paddle boarding, gardening or grilling, I simply love to spend time in nature.Do you have family or special people…My family and close friends have been very supportive of my involvement at SAFE, encouraging me to pursue this work that beings me so much fulfillment.
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mahina
Dye “the last unicorn” black, and you have Mahina, with her long elegant legs and big doe eyes. I (Lily) had the opportunity to bring Mahina into the groundwork portion of the August Joel Conner clinic, and over the course of our three days together became even more certain that, like the last unicorn, Mahina sure is special.
My focus throughout the weekend was helping Mahina to let down. Her high headset and telescopic neck may be trademarks of her breed, but are not in any way permanent physical traits. When she is relaxed and carrying herself with more balance, that long line of neck planes out, and from a distance you’d be hard pressed to tell her apart from any ole quarter horse. Currently, Mahina’s primary way of distributing her weight is over her front end, with her head acting as a kind of cantilever. As we worked her hindquarters, Mahina began to step up under herself, and her neck started to drop. During periods of rest, she would experiment with dropping her head down, and standing with her hind beneath her.
Though she allows us to halter her with little hesitation these days, remnants of her head-shy past are evident in her groundwork. A flag up by her poll elicits an evasion response, that high neck whipping around. As a flag in her blindspot represents a rider some day, it is important to help Mahina work through this spot, learning that she can move her feet away from what is bothering her. Her understanding of the flag or tarp as something that is not a threat will not happen overnight, but with each session I hope to grant her a bit more comprehension of what it doesn’t mean — as well as what it does.
Working with Mahina on re-balancing herself and becoming more comfortable with outside stimuli helps to better prepare her for her future as a riding horse. It was a real pleasure to get the chance to help this beautiful mare find a bit more confidence in herself through balancing her movement, and I am, as always, grateful for the opportunities to work alongside the horses of SAFE under the tutelage of Joel Conner.
Mateo’s First Saddling
From stallion to gelding, from unsaddled to saddled, this year has brought big changes for Mateo. This handsome fella has made big strides (no pun intended) when it comes to being able to act appropriately around other horses, which has made spending time with him in the bustling arena productive and pleasant. His journey through the groundwork Red Book has been overall quite smooth, and subsequently resulted in a first saddling that was more of the same. He is definitely a fancy, playful mover when he’s feeling his oats, but he shows decorum, too, when asked. It’s been fun watching this ex-stud’s progress, and we look forward to having him going under saddle soon.
SAFE Has Big News to Share!
The property SAFE currently operates from has been leased by us for about the last 9 years. It’s been a great home, but there are a lot of risks involved in leasing, especially for a nonprofit caring for horses. Stability is vital. Which is why we are so proud to finally announce that SAFE has purchased Cedar Meadow Farm in Echo Lake as a permanent home for our organization.
It’s been our dream for a long, long time that SAFE would own its own home one day. Years of hard work have gone into making that dream a reality. We’ve looked at a lot of places over the years but when we saw Cedar Meadow Farm, our immediate reaction was: this is the perfect home for SAFE! 26 stalls with runs, super-safe Centaur fencing, all weather paddocks, automatic waterers, great arena footing…it’s a perfect fit. The beauty of this place, and the overwhelming peace and quiet you feel surrounded by the trees and the grass…it’s magical. It’s just 20–25 minutes from our current location so it’s really close, which means we can bring a lot of our current volunteers over with us.
How does a non-profit purchase a property like this?
A non-profit with solid and transparent financials, a proven track record, and a plan for long term sustainability can apply for a commercial real estate loan to purchase property that supports its mission. Getting approved isn’t easy. Lenders want to see healthy cash flow, emergency reserves, and a repayment plan. You also have to provide evidence of successful programs, community engagement, and donor support to demonstrate your ability to manage resources effectively. For the past 20 years, SAFE has done everything necessary to build a strong, healthy organization that can successfully undergo intense scrutiny. We’ve done this to prove our worth to our donors, to achieve accreditation, and to prepare to one day apply for a mortgage and purchase a permanent home. It hasn’t been easy, but it sure was worth it!
SAFE celebrates 20 years this year, and we are so proud to be starting our next 20 years with a home of our own. No more landlords, no more worrying about losing our home out from under us, none of the instability and uncertainty that comes with leasing a place for 30 horses. SAFE is all about sustainability, and this purchase will ensure that we’re going to be here helping horses for many years to come.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR NEW HOME!
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 and give her good advice. Marion does her own self-care and some other work around the barn.
Marion has done an amazing job with James. She slowly developed him, worked with a trainer and vet and now has a wonderful horse to ride. She gradually got him stronger and built up his muscles by first lunging and going over trotting poles. He now has the strength to be ridden and she can take lessons on him. They mostly do flat work and some ground poles. She has done some Western as well and she says he is an ‘all around’ horse. He is fun to ride and is great around kids. He is not nearly as spooky as he used to be. Marion and James love each other and there is a mutual trust. Marion says James is very sassy and calls him ‘Sassafrass’. She says ‘she loves him so much and he is the best thing in the whole world’.
Marion was able to do some online research and found that James is a registered purebred Arabian named OK W Troubadour. When he was born he had OCD surgery on his left stifle. He was at a show barn for 9 years. He was used as a kid lesson horse. Somewhere he got sold to a situation where he was not taken care of and then came to SAFE.
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 clinic in August. In horsemanship clinics we spend lots of time asking the horses to move their bodies in all sorts of directions. Horses that know they can move freely are typically much safer to be around. If something spooks them and the only way they think they can move their body is exactly the place where you are standing, well that could mean you get knocked to the ground. I can tell you that Ranger now has so much more range in where he thinks he can move. A few days before the clinic, when I was taking Ranger out of the grass paddock, one of the hotwire strings got tangled around his back leg and gave him a surprising jolt. Because of his training, instead of escaping the surprise scary thing by running over the top of me, he moved backward away from me and then jumped is hind end away from the hot wire. One hop back, one hop of the hindquarters sideways, and then stood still looking to me for direction. This horse!! He managed his prey instincts and trusted his human to sort things out.
Ranger was worked in the groundwork portion of the clinic. The more balanced he becomes on the ground, the more balanced he will be as a riding horse. He’s heavy on his front end, which makes it harder for him to pivot on his hindquarters. He also has a tendency to lean into a bend, dropping his inside shoulder. And sometimes tripping because of that. Much of the clinic was focused on being able to move freely backward, followed by moving his front quarters, while carrying a saddle. We will continue with this part of his education as he gains confidence in his own body and balance. Ranger is a really cool guy to work with. He has tons of try and is really steady around other horses and can keep his head in the midst of 15 horses all working through their triggers in a tight space.”
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 sass. Paloma is coming up on four months old, and growing bigger and more beautiful by the day. Our visits with her are always a treat, and we are thankful that we are able to document her growth through the lens of our talented friend Candi K.
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 experience with leading by a front foot displayed a lack of understanding, a poor relationship with pressure. When asked to give, he struck and pulled away instead. But he did not end on that note, a fact that is evidenced by seeing where he started the next day, with Brownie much more willing and comprehending of what was being asked. A steep rate of change, indeed!
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 Heart of the Horse award.
A Career Devoted to Animal Welfare
Officer Boman has served as an Animal Control Officer for more than 23 years. For the past 19 years, he has led the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department as the Animal Control Supervisor. His qualifications are extensive: he is a certified Animal Cruelty Investigator and holds national certification as an Equine Abuse Investigator. But beyond the titles and credentials, what truly sets Officer Boman apart is his unwavering commitment to protecting animals and seeking justice on their behalf.
A Vital Partnership in Rescue and Recovery
For the last 14 years, Officer Boman and the team at Pierce County Animal Control have worked closely with SAFE on numerous high-profile cases involving equine cruelty and neglect. Often, before a horse ever arrives at our barn to begin its recovery journey, it is Officer Boman and his team who have stepped in—sometimes in heartbreaking, even dangerous circumstances—to remove animals from harm.
They are the first responders. The ones who intervene. The ones who save lives.
One such life is Sparky, the mini donkey many of you met at our event this evening. Sparky is just one example of the many animals whose lives have been transformed thanks to Officer Boman’s efforts.
A Relationship Built on Trust
The relationship between Officer Boman and SAFE is one built on mutual trust and respect. When a horse is in need, Officer Boman knows he can call SAFE—and he knows the answer will be “yes.” Thanks to the support of our community, we are able to say “yes” every time he reaches out, ensuring that no horse is left without help or hope.
A Well-Deserved Honor
Officer Brian Boman is, without question, a hero. His courage, integrity, and tireless advocacy for animals have made an immeasurable impact in our region. We are proud to honor him—not only for the incredible work he does, but for the compassion and heart he brings to every animal he helps rescue.
We are proud to recognize Officer Brian Boman as our 2025 Heart of the Horse honoree, and thank him for his extraordinary service to animals in need.
Alumni Update: Nyx
Nyx is enjoying life with his adopter Lindsay and his Haflinger buddy named Squish. He and Squish get along very well.
Arionna’s First Saddling
Volunteer Appreciation Party 2025
cleaned per day at SAFE Harbor Stables.
Alumni Update: Nyx
Lindsay provided an update on August 19th:
Just dropping in to say hi from me and Nyx! We just got home from a fun time at sheep springs horse camp. Nyx has a rough time with flies in the summer (and this summer has been a doozy for flies around our neck of the woods!) so we’ve been at war with them for the last couple of months. It was nice to get out to a new place and stretch our legs to see some beautiful country. And thanks to Kaya Mead for the most beautiful new mecate!! They are stunning on Nyx.
Arionna’s First Rides
This big, beautiful mare had her first rides this week, and did very well! She’d had several months of preparation, and all that groundwork set her up for success. Because she leans more on the ‘duller’ side of things, the focus for her rides was free forward movement, and keeping things nice and easy. No first rides here are very long and involved anyway, but it’s important to us with horses like Arionna to make sure to reward movement, and to build incrementally on that good energy.
This mare has a sweet personality and is a lovely mover. Already a nice horse, she is going to be something truly special once she gets a bit more time and experience under her belt!
Alumni Update: Blanche (Joule)
We recently received an update from Blanche’s (Joule’s) adopter, Elissa:
Joule’s first year with us has been an absolute joy. She settled right in with our older gelding, her youth complementing his wisdom nicely. Both horses are friendly with our four little goats as well. Joule’s wonderful level-headedness and exceptional foundation built during her time at SAFE prepared her to approach new situations with openness and curiosity. Though this year has unfolded in a different way than expected — riding and groundwork has had to be put on hold as I recover from a non-horse-related knee injury — we hope to be back on track soon. In the meantime, Joule gets plenty of time each day to play, run, socialize, and relax in our field, surrounded by more horses (and even several cows). Warm regards from us all!
Alumni Update: Pearl
Pearl continues to do well with Diana and likes her boarding stable. Diana has lots of support from other horse owners and Pearl loves having a herd. The Pinto in the photos is Bear, her best bud. Pearl seems relaxed, happy, and healthy. Diana and Adam just had their first baby. They do not have as much time as they used to but when they do, they go for walks, do obstacles, groom, and just hang out,
A Lovely Wednesday
Remembering Thelma
Barb is one of our long time volunteers and is most known around the barn for her care of our barn cats, Thelma included. Barb took care of Thelma in the fullest sense of the word. She fed and watered her, yes, but not before first troubleshooting the types of food she most enjoyed (fish broth, yes, but NO to fish-flavored food). During the cold months, she provided Thelma with a supply-chain altering number of hand warmers to help keep her toasty, and in the hot seasons set her up with a cooling mat and fly traps to keep the bugs down. Twice a day, every day, Barb was there to check on Thelma. In her back corner of the loft, this little cat was treated like a queen. Slowly, Thelma began to come out of her shell (or cat cave), and let Barb get closer and closer to her until she would tentatively allow for a pet — on her terms, of course.
The Importance of Circles — Joel Conner
Joel Conner is back at SAFE this weekend for another three day clinic.
Riding Class 2:00 pm‑5:00 pm
Auditing is $30 cash per day. (Free for SAFE volunteers and adopters!) Bring a comfy chair, lunch, snacks, beverage and enjoy the clinic!
Alumni Update: Bliss and Evie
Bliss and Evie continue doing well, although they are no longer turned out together because Evie tried to kick Bliss. Bliss now has a one-year-old pony as a pasture mate who gets along well with her. Evie is great with kids and enjoys trail riding.
Brownie’s Glow Up
What a difference 6 months makes! Brownie came to SAFE in decent enough shape — not particularly underweight (unlike his herdmate Clarissa, who was incredibly thin), but when you look at the horse who arrived and the horse who is here today, you would not be wrong to do a bit of a double take. Brownie has muscled up, filled out, and is a shining example of what proper care does to a horse’s body — literally, look at that sheen!
This guy is wearing a saddle and making strides to becoming a riding horse. What exactly that looks like, we’re not sure yet, but will be revealed soon enough.
Beck Wren, Executive Assistant
As assistant to SAFE Executive Director Bonnie Hammond, Beck Wren wrangles calendars, processes your generous donations, crafts updates for members of the SAFEkeepers Club, and strives to keep his inveterate love of puns in check. Beck started at SAFE as a chore shift volunteer in 2017, and he continues to volunteer as a weekend barn assist. Although he enjoys the thrill of three-day eventing, Beck has recently been reminded that he doesn’t bounce as well as he did in his twenties; his jumping days may be behind him. Outside the barn, Beck is an avid distance cyclist and volunteers his time with several local arts organizations.
Bob May, Barn Staff
Bob May started volunteering at SAFE in 2021. In 2024, he joined Barn Staff, supporting volunteer chore teams, caring for the horses, and helping maintain the facilities. Growing up in suburban Detroit, his favorite place was “the Farm” in southwest Michigan belonging to family friends, where he first discovered a love of horses. That early experience, combined with more recent inspiration from his sister and her horses, led to him discover SAFE and re-discover his “inner cowboy.” Building on a career in naturopathic medicine and alternative healthcare, he sees the horse-human connection as filled with potential health benefits—and personally finds the work deeply satisfying. Always curious by nature, Bob enjoys continually learning about equine behavior and care and sharing his experience with volunteers and the public.
Sparky and Rojo, Heart at Work
Sparky and Rojo, our two miniature donkey ambassadors, recently returned to SAFE to be able to greet guests at our 2025 Heart of the Horse. These two sweethearts have been dipping their (tiny, adorable) hooves in the water of attending more events, and what better event to trot them out at than Heart. They did phenomenally well, as could be expected, for who doesn’t want to pet a soft donkey nose? The boys are social, especially Sparky, and will go out of their way to come and make a new friend. But they, too, need a bit of R&R from time to time. After Heart, they spent the majority of their time (when not getting loved on by the volunteers, that is) napping in the sun.
Alumni Update: Coco, Minnie and Teddi
Coco, Minnie and Teddi continue to do very well together. While at SAFE, Teddi served as a wonderful aunt, watching over and teaching first Minnie and then Coco herd dynamics. Teddi has extended her motherly instincts to the bovine species. Marti told us Teddi was very protective of Velvet when she gave birth to Corduroy. She shooed the littles away, and watched over Velvet and baby with her quiet, but always at the ready, nature.
Marti also said, “We now have a sweet doe who spends a lot of time in our far pasture, close to the girls — a lot of friendship and girl power going on at our little farm.”
Rella’s Friends:
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Click here to sponsor Rella!
