Joel Conner Clinic Report: Darla
Kaya M, who has been working with Darla for a while now, brought this lovely white mare into the riding portion of Joel Conner’s clinic recently. Here is what she had to say about their time spent together in the arena: “I literally can’t say enough good things about…
Time with Tanis
Meghan N has been working with Tanis over the last several months, participating in two Joel Conner clinics alongside her, and has the following to say about this sweet mare: “Tanis is a big hearted mare with a whole lotta try! She has been busy since coming to SAFE…
Goodbye, dear Cameron
We lost our dear Cameron today. We noticed he was not walking steadily, and was unweighting his left hind and dropping his right hind pastern. He had bounding pulses in both hind legs and his heart rate was at 70 bpm. When Dr Renner arrived, it had increased to 80s…
Bijou, Companion Horse
After her intake quarantine was over, we began to get to know Bijou. With her sweet eyes and gentle personality, we were excited to learn a bit more about her. It is not uncommon that horses come to us without a history to speak of, and we must rely solely on…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Declan
Kaya M has been working with Declan, and had the opportunity to take him in the groundwork section of the clinic this past week. Though he is a new arrival here at SAFE, he is gentle enough that he is able to get right to work in our program! Here’s what Kaya had to…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cramer
Has there ever been a sweeter horse? Ok, I’m biased. But I think, objectively, that if there were a spectrum of sweetness, he’d definitely fall in the top percentile of the bell curve. There is just something about him, a gentleness, radiating outward. He has a…
Chip and Dale Find a Permanent Home
Chip and Dale found a permanent home helping teens and adults with early recovery from screen addictions! The two boys will be permanent fosters at reSTART, who will cover the expenses for their care, in return the two just get to be horses and enjoy the easy life.…
Alumni Post: Bean
Bean and her two four legged friends are lucky enough to have 2 acres to graze, run around, and kick up their heels. Bean is the queen of the herd, and her friend, Midas, has two bites on his butt, reminding him of his place. Michelle (Bean’s adopter) said the…
Hay for Our Herd
Hay prices in Washington have DOUBLED since March 2022. But for this year’s Fall Into Winter Hay Drive, we have a generous group of donors who have pledged to match EVERY DONATION YOU MAKE (up to $35,000) Can you help us reach our goal by the end of November?? Every…
Alumni Update: Ruby
Ruby enjoys her life on 17 acres of pasture and forest. About a year ago she lost her best gelding friend. To help her cope with the loss two young mares how lost their mother came to live with Ruby. She is now a fantastic mom who is quite strict with their behavior…
Limelight Pet Project: King Domino Seeks a Castle
Domino, our regal old gelding, was featured recently on the Limelight Pet Project. As always, they do a wonderful job of showcasing our herd, through their interviews and photo sessions. Here is what they had to say about our sweet guy, Domino: “Meet Domino. He is a…
Artie is a Riding Horse
Well, it’s official: our sweet, handsome little Artie is a riding horse, and we couldn’t be more proud of him. Lexee N has been working with Artie for the last few months, and has been a huge part of this guy’s transformation. She calls him “Artie the wonder…
Meet Declan!
It has been a busy start to the fall (more like Winter, with this change in weather) here at SAFE – our phenomenal Outreach team is working hard behind the scenes on rescuing a vast number of horses from dire situations, and we have welcomed, and are preparing to…
Beva and Aspen Thrive and Survive
Beva and Aspen were owned by an elderly woman who collapsed in her home and was hospitalized in early October, leaving the horses to be cared for by a neighbor. Animal Control was called out about the horses’ condition, but found hay, water, and shelter on the…
Alumni Update: Mina
A note from Mina’s adopter, Elissa” “We are happy to report that Mina continues to thrive — and we continue to be completely smitten with her, of course. She is enjoying an easygoing life that suits her easygoing attitude. She spends each day with her older ‘brother,’…
Alumni Update: Pippi, Aries, Checkers and Breve
All 4 horses were adopted together and are living together on a lovely farm up in Skagit County. According to our volunteer that visited them, they are impeccably cared for, in great health, and are living in ‘horse heaven.’ [gallery columns=“2” size=“large”…
Joel Conner Clinic in November
Interested in expanding your horsemanship knowledge? Do you wonder what goes into preparing our horses for adoption? Join us, Friday November 11th — Sunday, November 13th for our quarterly horsemanship clinic with Joel Connor. Schedule: — Groundwork 8AM-11AM — Riding…
Camille and Sebastian, peas in a pod
Camille and Sebastian could be styled as storybook characters in the furry flesh. Two older horses, brought together by virtue of poor circumstance, united under shared healing. She, an ex-carriage horse, standing at a cool 18 hands, a true gentle giant. He, whose…
Jacob is ready for adoption!
Our sweet Jacob is ready to meet his human! He is a primarily easy-going guy who would thrive in a home with an intermediate rider who is looking to ride frequently – because he is still green and learning boundaries, he will do best in a home where he is in regular…
Dolly is Adopted!
Angela met Dolly only two weeks after her arrival at SAFE and immediately fell in love with her kind disposition. Dolly, now named Rose, remained in our care while we continued to brush up on her horsemanship skills. In September, Angela attended the groundwork clinic…
Alumni update: Gracie and Emmy
We are happy to hear Gracie and Emmy are living happy, healthy lives together with their adopters, who love them very much! Here is a photo they recently sent us.
Darling Darla
Darla has been sound since August, and in regular work with Kaya since then. She has certainly come a long way from the nervous mare we met at the end of last summer, and while she is still quite sensitive about things, she grows a bit more comfortable in her skin…
Approaching Montana
Montana is NOT a baby. You wouldn’t think he was, looking at him, but there’s something about a sensitive guy like Montana that makes it so people’s first inclination is to handle him with kid gloves. There’s a hesitation when they go to pet him, and it’s…
Alumni Update: CJ and Rosie
CJ and Rosie were adopted together and still remain the best of friends today! Their other friends/roomates include chickens, turkeys, goats and ducks. Eric, their adopter, loves being able to look out his window and see them in their pasture.
Alumni Update: Sampson
Sampson is living the good life in Scottsdale, AZ. He is boarded at a facility with a horse swimming pool! Sampson was a competitive show jumper, but is now retired from jumping and is doing working on dressage. Sampson’s adopter loves him very much and said will…
Otto, ready to meet you!
Otto has been put through his paces, and is ready to start meeting potential adopters! First saddled May of 2022, he has proven to be very level-headed — just shy of six months under saddle, Otto has proven that he is ready for his next adventure. Though it is still…
Veronica Under Saddle
Veronica is a riding horse! There is a spectrum here, of course. Veronica’s first rides would have been more suited to a rodeo setting – she would have made a fine saddle bronc, don’t let her size fool you. And while she’s still quite some time away from being…
We’re Headed to Buck Brannaman!
Are you interested in seeing a few of our riding horses in action?! How about seeing their skills (and our horsemanship skills) expand under the tutelage of the legendary Buck Brannaman?! Well now is your chance, this weekend October 21–23rd in Spanaway at the Tacoma…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bijou
Kirsten L. worked with Bijou in the September Joel clinic, and had the following to say about her experience: “With a fitting name of French origins, Bijou means a rare gem and that is certainly the case for this 20 year old mare indeed. She shines both in…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Valentine
Lise A. worked with Valentine in the September Joel clinic, and had the following to say about her experience: “I had a great time doing ground work for three mornings with Valentine at the most recent clinic with Joel. Valentine has a lot of try and makes an effort…
Cow Horse (in training) — Jacob
In addition to gaining miles under saddle, Jacob is learning some other fun things — like how relaxing it can be to be roped off of. Kaya and Jacob like to end their rides by throwing the rope a few times, which is a great exercise for Jacob to learn to be okay with…
September Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cramer
A letter to Cramer, following our time spent together at the September Joel Conner clinic: Dearest boy, how far you’ve come! Earlier this week, I came across your intake photos, and whoever was peering over my shoulder gasped – “That’s Cramer?” We met in the…
Pomme is adopted!
Congratulations to Pomme and her new family! This adoption may be the quickest turn around in the history of SAFE horses, but when it’s right, it’s right! Debbie and Peter recently had lost their Quarter Horse mare due to colic which left their sweet 28 year old,…
Loadin’ & Tyin’
In preparation for an off-site clinic (and just in general for adoption), Edward spent some time practicing trailer loading and standing tied recently. These are important skills for any horse to learn, ones that set them up for success in their future home (a home…
Barb, Out of the Woods
Have you seen Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window?’ Poor Jimmy Stewart, laid up in his apartment with a broken leg, unraveling a murder via a pair of binoculars. In the horse-remake, Barb might play Mr. Stewart (the jury is still out on Grace Kelley’s stand-in) given that…
Gabby Picks Up Her Hind Feet
Gabby, SAFE’s first mule intake, has been in foster at Trisha’s home since March. Although she has never been to SAFE’s property, she is in excellent hands, and we so enjoy Trisha’s updates on her progress and training. She is doing an excellent job with her! Here is…
Camille, walking into our hearts
For some time now, our herd at SAFE has been comprised of horses on the smaller side. Horses, and technically ponies. But it’s undeniable that there’s something about a big horse that really appeals to people. So when Camille showed up at SAFE, we were undeniably…
Jill is Adopted!
We are excited to announce our little Jill is adopted!! Last month, she headed home with Anna, after spending a couple days riding with Joel at SAFE. Once at her new home, Anna sent us a picture of Jill enjoying a giant bite of grass and it’s those moments that make…
Sebastian Making Gains
Sebastian arrived at SAFE a little over a month ago, and already looks like a different horse. He has put on a substantial amount of weight, and while he still has a bit to gain to obtain optimal rotundness, he is certainly looking more like a horse should. His early…
Asha’s New Career
Asha has settled in very nicely to her new career as a therapist at Raven Rock Ranch. After life started throwing her wonderful adopter many curve balls, a door opened for Asha, now called Ria, to join the amazing work being done at Raven Rock. We are appreciate their…
Open House this Weekend!
Join us this Saturday, September 24th, from noon-3PM for an afternoon of touring our beautiful property while hearing true tales of our horses’ journeys. Learn about our volunteer program and the many other ways you can support rescue horses. Shop our Tack Sale and…
Giddy Up, Esme!
Following in the footsteps of her two “older brothers,” Edward and Jacob, the horses she came in with, Esme has been started under saddle. This sweet little mare made it clear early on that she was going to take a bit more time, but that has never been an issue. After…
Horsemanship Clinic with Joel Conner
Interested in expanding your horsemanship knowledge? Do you wonder what goes into preparing our horses for adoption? Join us this weekend, September 16–18th for our quarterly horsemanship clinic with Joel Connor. Schedule: — Groundwork 8AM-11AM — Riding 11:30–2:30PM -…
Pepper in the Arena
More arena work with Pepper, this time showing some soft feel work and backing circles.
Meet Camille!
Welcome Camille to the SAFE family! Camille is a 20 yr old 18 hand, 1600 lb Percheron mare. Like many of our new intakes she comes to us with a very sad history. Her previous owner was literally working her to death as a carriage horse when Pierce County Animal…
Unsticking Sienna
To work with a horse is to embark on an archaeological mission of sorts, uncovering within both the horse (and yourself!) hidden spots of trouble. Sometimes such spots are obvious — a horse who is worried about the flag flapping, or rope around their feet, or a…
Training Update: Pepper
Pepper was saddled for the first time last June, and has come a tremendously long way since then. These days, she’s riding in the big arena more often than not, and is learning how to carry herself with more balance and straightness. It’s hard to imagine this little…
Curious About George?
George is more than ready to find his forever home! He is a 4‑year-old Yakima Reservation gelding with a personality that much exceeds his 13.3 hands. Started at the end of 2020, George is going phenomenally under saddle – walk trot lope – with the potential to go…
All Grown Up
There is one certainty in this life — time will pass. Sometimes like molasses (often when we are in less than pleasant situations, reclined in the dentist’s chair, or when waiting on an important phone call — the seconds slug along) but more often than not it seems…
Alumni Update: Shortbread and Whisky
We recently got an update on these two cute buttons! Whisky and Shortbread are lucky to enjoy grass time and Sherry says they sometimes get the zoomies and it’s fun to watch them run and roll around. She said “They are both so sweet and a joy of her life.” [gallery…
