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!
