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Alumni Update: Jewel and Tilt (Korra)

Julie updated us on how both Jewel and Tilt, now Korra, are doing. Jewel is 13 now! She is doing well but still has issues with being saddled. I have been able to saddle her on and off but I just get about half a dozen rides on her before she freaks out again. Since…

Groundwork with Mateo

Since his gelding, Mateo has been waiting out some of his excess testosterone — or rather, we have been waiting for some of his studly behaviors to lose some of their potency. As a result, we have kept Mateo’s working sessions short and sweet, but this smart guy will…

Moshi is Adopted!

Tremendously exciting news: Moshi has been adopted! The match between Moshi and adopter Elle was about as perfect as it could be — they fit one another so well in so many ways, and when Elle told us she wanted to move forward, we couldn’t have been happier. Before her…

Mabel Under Saddle

Casey A recently put the first (at SAFE) rides on Mabel, and has been riding her since. Here’s what she has to say about how it’s going: “Mabel’s restart under saddle has been going quite smoothly. She is comfortable with a rider, though she does have some anxiety…

Alumni Update: Biscotti (Rowdy)

Biscotti/Rowdy looks great. The family recently moved to a larger property with more pasture space and a nice barn. He shares his pasture with a young mare and an older gentleman who both look well cared for. Nearby is a pig who roams the property and has made herself…

Nova’s Summer

Nova’s life at foster during the summertime is pretty sweet. Blue skies, western Washington winds, good friends, and a foster mom who meets this complex mare where she’s at each day. Life is easier some days for Nova than for others. Earlier this year when Bijou went…

Hi, Hayden!

Our newest intake, Hayden, may be new to SAFE, but her connection to us is about as old as she is. For the last three years, Hayden has been learning and growing and receiving phenomenal care at Care Fur Life, but before that, she was living in a stall alongside her…

Groundwork with Maisy

Not a whole lot will be expected of Maisy as she continues to grow, but she has begun her early forays into learning the ropes (literally) to set her up for success. Here she has her first experiences with the flag, the rope, and getting the hang of her hindquarters.…

Alvaro, Gelding!

A few months ago, we had a double feature gelding planned for both Mateo and Alvaro to make the switch on the same day, and while things do sometimes go as planned, this was not one of those times. Our vets were not confident they felt a second testicle on Alvaro,…

Frida and Paloma to Foster

Big enough to make the trip, last week Paloma shipped off to foster up in Arlington at the lovely Pacific Moon. Mom Frida was along for the ride too, of course, and will raise her filly out on lovely pasture. The pair join Wednesday and Venturo, and if everything goes…

Happy Birthday, Rojo!

Our sweet Rojo donkey recently snorted out the candles on his 16th birthday cake! This handsome fellow is living the good life in foster at Jackie’s Slacker Camp™ with his good friend Sparky and the rest of her marvelous menagerie. We will see both Rojo and Sparky…

Alumni Update: Willow

Willow is now 22 years old and enjoys ruling over 10 acres of pasture with her companion horse. She also supervises a company of sheep who help fertilize the 10 acres. She has a nice shelter to tuck in if she chooses and she gets blanketed when the winter gets too…

Venturo Growing Up

What’s black, white, and brown — err, we mean grey — all over? A four month old Venturo! Vinnie is proof that butterflies aren’t the only creatures capable of metamorphosis. It’s hard to believe that this little bay guy is now a not-so-little grey guy. From afar, it…

Alumni Update: Picasso (Justice)

SAFE alumni volunteer Manuela recently checked in with Picasso, now known as Justice. Justice appears to be living the good life at a fabulous farm. He gets to work and play every day with his human and also other horses. To keep Justice in top form, he is served a…

Thank You, Deloitte!

We feel incredibly lucky to have welcomed Deloitte back for the second time as a participant in their annual Impact Day on June 6th. Over the course of 6 hours, 19 participants worked on projects ranging from sanding and staining benches, washing or painting fences,…

Wren is Adopted!

We are delighted to announce that Wren has been adopted! Jake and his fiance came out to meet some horses, and fell in love with Wren. For the last month or so, Wren, now called Sage, has been settling into her new home, and is now officially a permanent member of…

Alumni Update: Darla

We recently caught up with Darla and her adopter, Monne. Monne is trail riding with Darla and works her in the round pen beforehand. Monne said, “With Darla, we are always working on confidence. She is such a smart girl, she even puts herself back in the sacrifice…

Rest Easy, Trixie

Every moment spent with a horse is precious. We never know how much time we’ll have with them, and we always hope the good days outnumber the hard ones. We are deeply grateful to Christina, Rae’s adopter, who stepped up and welcomed Trixie into her home as an official…

Alumni Update: Arrow

Alumni volunteer Manuela L recently paid a visit to Arrow and his adopter, Penni. This is what she had to share with us. Arrow’s visit was a pleasure. The property is beautiful all around and very peaceful for people and, more importantly, for Arrow and his pony…

Groundwork with Eda

Eda is one smart cookie! This mare, while hesitant to be handled at first, has really settled into the routines and rhythms of life around SAFE. She picked up on the groundwork quickly, and while she did initially show some frustrations, it didn’t take her long to…

Thank You, Equity Residential!

We want to give a massive shout out to Equity Residential who came out for a work party at the end of May. These folks blew our minds with their enthusiasm, sense of community, thoroughness, and sheer joy at getting to work around the horses. They came ready to…

Listening Closely to Our Older Mares — Brandy & Bandit

Over the last six months, Brandy and Bandit have been giving us some signs that things are changing for them. Once a star of the grooming program, Brandy was always game for a good brushing session. From time to time she would clearly communicate that her quarter was…

Alumni Update: Rhythm

Here is a recent update from Hillary: These days, Rhythm spends most of his days enjoying retirement with his old pal Jimmy. We do however enjoy good grooming sessions and the occasional lunging session or bareback ride around the pasture. Back in our good ole days,…

Mahina’s First Saddling

In the year she has been with us, Mahina has experienced a lot of firsts: first bath, first dental, first farrier appointment. After many hours of groundwork, Mahina was ready for another first: wearing a saddle. The first time being cinched up was momentarily…

Alumni Update: Billy

Billy is doing well. He lives in a side-by-side paddock next to Anne’s mare, Vinnie. They have a brother/sister relationship and can intermittently irk each other, but they also lick and nuzzle each other through the fence. Billy gets to have a peaceful life without…

Alumni Update: Montana

Montana is enjoying life on a beautiful property with his adopters Alycia, Rebecca and their son. He hangs out with four other horses and a few ducks.

Inky’s Intro to Sunny

Inky had been living alone for some time before he got to SAFE, so we really had no indication of how he would be with other horses. Due to the fact that he was to be adopted out as a companion horse, it was important for us to be able to see his interactions in order…

May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cleopatra

Lise A worked alongside Cleopatra in the May Joel Conner Clinic and has the following to say about her experience: “I had the good fortune to work with Cleo in the ground work portion of the most recent clinic in May with Joel Conner. I had only worked her a few times…

Ciara and Inula are Adopted!

We are jumping for joy to announce that Ciara and Inula have been adopted, together! These two came to us in 2023 as part of a 7 horse seizure out of Gig Harbor. During their time at SAFE, they both told us they would be better suited for the companion lifestyle:…

Trailer Practice with Mirana

Aside from the usual suspects of loading and unloading and taking short trips, one of the other ways we help get our horses accustomed to and comfortable with spending time in the trailer is by getting them reservations at Cafe Tie-In. The location is typically our…

Alumni Update: Oscar

Oscar is companion to Nic, a 17-year-old quarter horse. Vickie has had Nic since July 2024. She rides Nic western dressage style riding. Both Oscar and Nic obviously adore her (and vice versa). The two horses get along well, with Oscar being the “boss.” They live on a…

Alumni Update: George

Alumni volunteer Candi recently checked in with George and his adopters, Ana and Clint. Candi writes: George is living the good life! He is absolutely thriving in his forever home with Dr. Ana Kidder and her husband Clint! Whether he’s strolling the country lanes with…

Come Dance with Artie

Candi K on Artie S: “Looking for the perfect dance partner? What if he’s more than just smooth moves—what if he’s kind, willing, and eager to grow alongside you? Meet Artie Shaw, a true gentleman with a golden heart and a remarkable ability to connect with his rider.…

May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna

Cameron B worked with Sienna in the May Joel Conner clinic, and wrote the following about the experience: “Working with Sienna during our second Joel Conner Groundwork Clinic was both rewarding and eye-opening. As a natural herd leader, Sienna brings a confident,…

Alumni Update: Breve

Breve is enjoying life on a beautiful, peaceful property and is well taken care of by Lola who has created an atmosphere of community around ponies and horses. Breve has now been started in saddle and is good with kids. The kids still have to be led by their parents…

Alumni Update: Skye

Corrine and Skye are doing fine. Skye enjoys relaxing in the pasture with her horse and pony pasture mates and one goat. Skye hates being in the barn shut in a stall but because the winter weather was so nasty at times, it was necessary. Most of the time she has…

Tulip Feeling her Oats

Down the road at her foster home, Tulip has been doing exceptionally well. This beautiful chestnut mare is a far cry from the thin horse seized by Animal Control earlier this year. She is looking appropriately round these days, and clearly feeling great! When she is…

Alumni Update: Zoe

Zoe continues to do well with her adoptive family. They enjoy going on trail rides together, with Erik being the only one to ride Zoe.

Alumni Update: Champagne

Champagne is a companion for a retired TB mare whom he shares a paddock with during the day. He is very happy with his mare and loves being by her side.

A Day in the Life with Zuri

7:45 AM — Rise and shine! I greet the day, and my neighbor Veronica. The weather has changed towards the drier, but sleeping outside is not my cup of sweet water — I much prefer to luxuriate in a plush stall. So you’ll find me inside in the mornings, waiting patiently…

A Lifetime of Safety Means Being There for Our Alumni—Always

Miss Pepper recently returned to SAFE after a routine alumni check revealed she was no longer being ridden regularly. She was living in a paddock with two other mares, receiving good care, consistent feeding, and companionship from both horses and humans. Overall, she…

Alumni Update: Kelly

We recently received an update on Kelly from Dr. Heather and Laura: Kelly came to Steven’s animal sanctuary in 2023, when she needed a retirement home. She was a SAFE favorite for her gentle spirit, but she was older and struggled with lameness and some hoof and skin…

May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Deja Vu

Meghan N worked alongside Deja Vu in the May Joel Conner groundwork Clinic, and has the following to say about her experience: “Over the past three days, Deja and I had the opportunity to learn and grow together during the Joel Conner Clinic. This mare is incredibly…

Is Alvaro the Next Lionel Messi?

Alvaro has been brushing up on his soccer skills since he learned the World Cup is coming to Seattle next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQujeYRByuE&feature=youtu.be

Nadia: “More than just a horse…”

Nadia’s backstory as a rescue horse is harrowing, and it’s pretty fair to say that it’s lucky she made it to SAFE alive. She was part of a huge Animal Control seizure back in 2010 involving 18 equines and 55 canines, who were discovered living in filthy conditions. At…

Poppy in May

Casey A has been working and riding Poppy since her earliest days under saddle, and has helped her grow into a confident and level-headed partner. At the most recent Joe Conner clinic, Casey took her out for a little spin in the outdoor arena amongst the groundwork…

May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Ranger

Lexee N has been (re)starting Ranger under saddle, and says the following about their experience together at the recent Joel Conner Clinic: “The more we ride Ranger, the more we learn about his history. This clinic has brought us to a pretty strong opinion that Ranger…