Alumni Update: Tasara
Tasara and wonderful adopter Sherri are both glad to see that the weather is getting warmer and less wet! Training and exercise are definitely on the calendar to start getting Tasara back into her slim and trim. From the pictures, you can see that both Sherri and…
Alumni Update: Rhythm
Here are some photos of Rhythm sent to us by Jimmy, taken in May. Very handsome horse who is doing well and by the look on his face is very happy and curious!
Jacob and Edward, BFF
Although they took their names from the rival love interest’s in Stephanie Meyer’s ‘Twilight,’ our equine Jacob and Edward could not be any closer to the definition of two peas in a pod. If they are together, they appear as one creature, joined at the hip (or cheek)!…
Cosmo is in search of a new home
Theo (Cosmo) is a SAFE alumni riding horse, in search of a new home! He is a super gentle, kind boy, who loves trail rides & has a lot of experience with children. He is a 19-year-old, 15.1hh Bay QH. Theo has quite the background! He was shown in 4H & did well…
Jewel’s Last Ride at SAFE
Since Julie adopted Jewel in November 2017, the two have participated in every Joel Connor Clinic. That’s most likely about 20 clinics! But now it is time for Julie and Jewel’s next adventure in life as they move out of state. It was a bittersweet ending to the clinic…
Tanis’ First Joel Conner Clinic
Tanis participated in her first clinic last weekend and made some huge changes! She has an ingrained reaction to pull back, so our focus was moving forward freely. The extra challenges presented by the clinic (other people waving flags, big open space with lots of…
Alumni Update: Luna
Beautiful Luna is now living in Northern California with her new person, Reegan. They both are settling in together very well with one another and working hard, preparing for an upcoming dressage clinic. Reegan and her mom, Doreen absolutely love her so much! She is…
Joel Conner Clinic: Echo
Echo has gotten right back into the swing of things! After a couple initial restarting rides, Echo is now riding just like she was before she left. She participated in both the groundwork and the riding class in the recent Joel Conner clinic and did phenomenally! We…
The SAFE 2021 Annual Report is now available!
The 2021 SAFE Annual Report has finally been completed! In each of the last 10 years, SAFE has released an annual report to recognize our donors, share success stories, review our financials, and provide an overview of some of the year’s accomplishments and…
Alumni Update: Bubbles
Bubbles, now named Bella, is doing awesome! She absolutely loves trail riding and really enjoys hanging out and horsing around with her brother rescues, Thunder and Jax. Bella recently got a gold star on her annual vet exam! [gallery columns=“2” size=“large”…
Training Update: Otto on the Fence
As part of a well-rounded education, our horses are put through paces that include more than just learning to wear a saddle. A class they must take and pass is learning to bump up to the rail. This serves several purposes, including but not limited to: learning to…
Alumni Update: Teddi, Coco and Minnie
Pure cuteness of “Aunt” Teddi, Coco and Minnie! Such a wonderful success story! “All is well in Lakebay!! The weather is warming up and I imagine that feels good for them after all the rain!! They sure love being out in the pasture on the weekends!! The Littles are…
Artie’s Second Chapter
When a horse leaves SAFE for its new home, we hope that there is a ‘forever’ tacked in front, but this is not always the case. But our commitment to a SAFE horse is lifelong, and when Artie needed to return to us, we welcomed him back with open arms. Artie had…
Ezra Gone Too Soon
I am very, very sorry to have to tell you that we lost Ezra last Saturday. All seemed fine earlier when the breakfast mule came around, but about 30–40 minutes later, he was rolling on the ground, in major distress. A volunteer alerted our Barn Staff, Trudy, who…
Alumni Update: Topper
Such an amazing friendship! Topper loves his home and family, especially his best friend in the picture.
Blazing New Trails
One of our Volunteer Riders had this to say about Veronica: You could say Ms. Veronica is “Walking on Sunshine” as a whole new world has opened up to her beyond the main gate of SAFE Harbor Stables. Just a few weeks ago Veronica and I prepared to make a trek to the…
Alumni Update: Khianna (AKA Kiki)
Khianna (AKA Kiki) has been spending her time hanging with her horse friends and new companions, miniature goats! They are quite amused by the goats bouncing off the barn walls! Kiki’s adopter, Stanalee, reports that Kiki has had a lot of sarcoids (non-cancerous…
A Great Horse is Gone
It’s with a lot of sadness that we share that one of the great SAFE horses is gone. Earlier this week, after a severe colic, Bucky B Lucky was humanely euthanized. To his wonderful adopter Ruth, our deepest sympathy to you, and our most sincere thanks for the life…
Frosting: Duckling Turned Swan
Take a look at our little “ugly duckling’s” transformation into a swan this spring! What a difference good food and care has made! She is turning into a gorgeous young mare — it’s almost hard to believe she’s the same horse as she was when she arrived! [gallery…
Working with Cramer
Lexee N, who has been spending time working with Cramer, had the following to say about her time with him: Cramer is such a Handsome Man & is Making Progress! How can you not fall in love with that face? Cramer is a very sweet gentle giant and working with him…
Welcome Ezra and Sparky!
Two new equines arrived at SAFE last week, both from Animal Control seizures. Welcome Ezra and Sparky! Ezra is a very handsome grey 20 year old Arabian gelding. He can be haltered and led but has never been ridden. Ezra is a sweet guy who enjoys the finer things in…
Rest In Peace: SAFE Alum Banner
It is with sad hearts that we report the passing of SAFE Alumni, Banner. Banner was a 24-year-old gelding who came to SAFE with another sweet boy, Buddy, who passed in September 2020, with Banner by his side. On April 30th, his loving and caring adopter Casey, found…
Artie and Ruckus Return
Due to sudden life changes, Artie and Ruckus’ owner needed SAFE’s assistance in rehoming them. We commit a lifetime of safety to each and every horse who passes through our care and we picked them up this week. Artie had many fans before leaving SAFE last summer, so…
Otto Under Saddle
This month was the first time Otto saw a saddle (or rather, the first time he wore one – technically he’d probably seen one before then). First saddlings are always interesting. We do our best to prepare the horse before we cinch them up for the first time. Touching…
Rest in Peace: SAFE Alumni Farley
The SAFE family is saddened to report that SAFE alumni Farley, passed away yesterday. He had been struggling to get to his feet after napping in the sunshine and when assisted, wasn’t able to stand. Dr. Schroeder from Northwest Equine was able to come out and with…
Three’s Company Forever
Teddi, Minnie and Coco are adopted together! When the volunteers and staff heard the murmurings of a possibility that Auntie Teddi and her two littles might get adopted together, smiles and glee spread through the barn. The three friends have been adopted together to…
Alumni Update: Razin (Now Logan)
Razin, now Logan, recently had a dental check-up which revealed that he is actually younger than we thought! Wouldn’t we all want that kind of news?! It was determined that he appears to be closer to 2 years old than 5. He has been doing regular ground work with his…
Riding Horse Edward
This past week, Eddie had his first few rides — uneventful, just the way we like them. It took him a bit of time to give to the bend Joel was asking him for, but with the patience and great releases of a well-practiced teacher, he got there. He was also uncertain…
GiveBIG is May 3–4th!
Today kicks off GiveBIG!! This year, SAFE invites you to help your favorite Western Washington horse rescue raise needed funds to help unforgettable horses. Donate here. Our theme for GiveBIG 2022 is “Let’s Not Forget.” Horses don’t end up at rescues because they’re…
Esme Loves to be Groomed
One of our horsemanship volunteers, Sue, had this to say about Esme. “Esme has come a long way from the wary mare who was hard to catch, and careful who came close. She spent some time in the rehab paddock next to Pepper, and was always very curious when I groomed…
Otto’s Origins
Otto arrived at SAFE the very definition of a ragamuffin, with a scruffy, mud-caked winter coat draped atop his thin frame. We looked forward to seeing what health would do for Otto. It brought out his personality, for starters. Even when on the mend from his tooth…
Alumni Update: Atticus
Atticus’s adopter Bernice says that he is doing very well at the age of 32. Despite his age and mild arthritis in his hind, he still acts like a young 22-year-old. He is currently shedding out as seen on his face, getting ready for some summer fun!
Trail Horse Nyx
Nyx’s had his first trail ride with volunteer rider Lexee N! Here’s what she had to say about their experience: On this Sunny Thursday (4/7/22) Nyx and 4 other SAFE horses went on a trail ride/walk. Nyx has gone on a couple of trail walks before but today was his…
Working With Domino
Sara H, who has spent some time with Domino recently, had the following to say about their time together: I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Domino for three days during the last Joel Conner Clinic in November 2021. It was clear this distinguished gentleman…
Darla Gets to Work
Kaya has the following to say about her time spent recently with Darla: After struggling with her hoof injury for the last several months, Darla is sound and ready to get back to work! It seems she has used the time off to think about what she was working on before…
Veronica Melts Candi
A sweet note and reminder how special horses are in our lives. Candi recently had this to say about her relationship with Veronica: “It has been two weeks since I have been able to be with Veronica. Today she ran to me when she saw me at the gate of her turn out.…
Tilt and Valentine Looking for a New Home
Tilt and Valentine are looking for a new home in a hurry! They are SAFE alumni and their adopter regretfully must rehome them, hopefully together. Please share if you know someone looking for two very sweet pasture pals! Tilt is a bay 5‑year-old 14hh Yakima…
Update: Daisy at Foster
From Daisy’s loving foster mom Shellie: “Daisy is doing wonderfully! She had a hoof trim on April 1, which went very well, not sore afterward, no boots needed! She’s shedding like a mad-woman with a beautiful caramel coat now starting to peak out on her shoulders.…
Welcome, Bliss!
Introducing SAFE’s newest addition: Bliss! Bliss came to us from Port Orchard after a member of her owner’s family dispersed a group of 20 horses from his property in Sequim. There was a question as to whether or not Bliss was pregnant (she is not), and though he’d…
Milestones for Jacob
People may not realize all the little things our horses need to learn before they can be considered ready for adoption. Some come in with little to no domestic life skills while others have troubles due to frustration and misunderstanding that humans created. These…
Darla, ex-Unicorn
Oh Darla! Our little accident prone darling. When making a round after their morning chore shift, two of our eagle-eyed volunteers spotted Darla’s pretty white head with an alarming stroke of red on it. Upon further inspection, it was revealed that miss Darla had…
Cramer’s Progress
Cramer’s trouble is that he was improperly halter started in the past or never was taught to come with the handler. He was likely pulled on in an attempt to lead. Evidence of this is in his confusion and “stuck feet” especially when outside energy is raised. You can…
Mouthy Man Cam
Careful observation is always a good thing! A few folks grooming and walking Cameron have noticed him doing some funny things with his face. He would push his lips at the gate with his blanket on it and even at their hand when they were near his face. He would also…
Meet Gabby!
Seventeen years ago, we named this rescue Save a Forgotten Equine, and in all that time, we have only rescued equines of the Equus Caballus variety. Recently however, we took in our very first longear — a lovely bay molly mule named Gabby. Gabby is very shy, having…
Wonderful Pepper
Here are some things we love about Pepper: Her playfulness — she and current herdmate Veronica spend the afternoon chasing each other around the paddock, bucking and biting and having a grand ole time in the way horses do. The way she gives herself a water bucket…
George, all healed up
Though the rehab process can be a slow one, having a horse come out the other side of it good as new is time very well spent. George was very ready to get back into the swing of things – one thing that stall rest does for a horse, a young horse especially, is imbue…
Training Update: Tanis
Tanis has turned out to be a sweetheart of a horse! We were a little worried when we got her that she may be pushy or even possibly aggressive since she seemed very treat focused, but so far she hasn’t tried to bite at all and seems content to receive pets and…
A Walk in the Park
Spring is just around the corner, and although some days, when the ground is frosty and the rain won’t stop, it certainly doesn’t feel that way, there are days (becoming less rare) when it feels almost something like June. Here at SAFE, we take full advantage of days…
More Work with Tiva
In the video below, Tiva continues to learn to free her movement through changing eyes, and get used to people being on all sides of her, including in her blind spots. We work on helping her relax as she moves around the round pen, letting her know that she doesn’t…
Rest in Peace, Sweet Nico
On the day we picked up Tanis, we really only intended to rescue one horse. But she had a friend by her side that needed even more help than she did. Often when you make the decision to intake a horse, you can’t predict what type of assistance you’ll be providing, or…
