Aries meets Buck Brannaman
Our volunteer rider, Candi, rode Aries in the Buck Brannaman Clinic in Ellensburg in June and here’s what Candi had to say. “In July, the SAFE horsemanship team had the opportunity to attend the Buck Brannaman clinic in Ellensburg. In preparation for the clinic, I…
George at Buck Brannaman
George had his first trip off the SAFE property since his rescue in 2019, as one of five SAFE horses who traveled to Ellensburg for the Buck Brannaman clinic in early July. Buck’s Foundations class is a great experience for a young horse like George, and we’re…
Video Update: George
Check out this training video update of Joel Connor working with George. The video was taken during our Joel Connor Clinic in June 2021.
New Horse: Echo
Echo was dropped off by Animal Control a few weeks ago. When she first arrived, she was very unsure of being caught. What will these humans ask of me!? she seemed to say. Once haltered, the staff started loving on her, brushing and giving her scratches. She quickly…
Video Update: Kayla
Kayla is ready to find her perfect match. We are looking for an intermediate rider who can support her as she continues to develop her riding skills. Please check out our most recent video of Terry riding her.
Shy Boy Quincy
Quincy’s current challenge is finding trust in people. Three months ago, Quincy didn’t like to be touched, but with patient work, his eyes have softened and now he even leans into being petted. He has received farrier care twice and was great for the farrier. We have…
Love at First Sight
Ajax has found the perfect home! Nancy and Gary came to SAFE looking for a companion horse for their mare, Cheyenne. Her buddy had just passed away and left her very depressed. Nancy and Gary were quickly smitten with Ajax. Ajax came to us in April in rough shape with…
Training Update: Jasper
Sue had the opportunity to work with Jasper in the last Joel Connor Clinic in June. Here’s what she had to say: “I was fortunate to spend one day of the June 2021 Joel Conner clinic working with Jasper. I had been working with him on my own for several weeks, but was…
Training Update: Aries
Sue had the pleasure of riding Aries in our last Joel Connor Clinic in June. Here’s what she had to say: “I was given the unexpected opportunity to work with Aries for two days of the June 2021 Joel Conner clinic. This was my first chance to work with her, and also my…
Our Dear Abby
On a rainy Friday in June, our newest addition to the herd, Abby, arrived at SAFE. Abby is a sweet, easy going mare with wispy mane and kind eyes. Sadly, her owner passed away in a car accident and Pierce County Animal Control took her in when no other family members…
Domo Arigato
Arigato, Ari for short, arrived on a busy Wednesday last week with matted hair, muddy and in desperate need of a hoof trim. Ari is a 4 year old, BLM Mustang from a herd in Salt River, Wyoming. Her previous owners got her from the Adoption Incentive Program in…
Two Months Old!
And she is such a big girl now! Coco spends all day outside in the pasture with her mama, and she is not at all afraid to take off by herself, running as fast as her legs can carry her! She’s brave and independent, but Sundae is always nearby when she needs…
A Lesson From Luke
Luke was an old draft cross gelding, living alone in a field in Snohomish. I say he was living alone because he really was: his owner had gone into assisted living, and there was no one left to care for him. The remaining members of his owner’s family lived about…
Fancy is Adopted!
We are beyond thrilled, ecstatic, delighted, and overjoyed to announce that our long time volunteer Casey has adopted Fancy! This is a dream adoption come true! Casey started volunteering at SAFE back in 2012: cleaning stalls, leading a chore crew, and helping work…
Pepper Has Been Saddled!
Pepper has achieved a training milestone: she wore a saddle for the first time! We’ll be spending plenty of time getting her comfortable with the saddle before we introduce a rider, but so far, so good! Because of an atrophied muscle in Pepper’s right hip and a…
Mac Is Out Of The Barn
Mac just got the okay from the vet to come off of stall rest and move around some more! After 9 weeks, he has graduated from living in a stall 24/7 to getting a little sunshine in one of our rehab paddocks. Just like a lot of horses, Mac is a social guy and is happy…
Foster for Frosting
Little Frosting is away at foster and is living her best life. When Casey, one of our volunteer riders, decided to adopt Fancy, she wanted to have a friend for Fancy and also continue to be part of the horsemanship program at SAFE, even though she recently moved…
Our Growing Nova
Nova has started wearing a saddle! So far, it has only been a half dozen times because she is very sensitive and has a hard time with things above her head. She can be a bit over-reactive, so we are taking it slowly and giving her time. We are helping her even out by…
The Limelight Pet Project: George, Barb and Jill
George, Barb and Jill were recently featured by the Limelight Pet Project! Limelight’s mission is to shine a light on harder to adopt pets and tell the stories of the people helping them. These three horses were all started under saddle recently and are very young.…
Boy George
Our curious boy, George was recently featured by the Limelight Pet Project, along with two other mares, Barb and Jill, who came from the Fall City 40. The Limelight Pet Project helps shine the light on pets who are harder to adopt. Check out their video below. George…
A home for Razin
We all felt the hope that the new year would bring us once 2020 was in the rear-view mirror. Of course, that took more time than most of us would have liked, but for a few horses at SAFE, 2021 was a start to a new, positive life. Razin and two other mares arrived at…
Alumni Update: Ruckus
We recently checked in with Ruckus’ adopter, Jacquie. She said he sure is a smart boy. They’ve been working with a driving apparatus and are hoping to add a cart in the future.
Assessing Artie
Artie’s start to life was different than most horses, even compared to most horses that arrive at SAFE. He was a stallion before his arrival and spent his time in a fairly small space having to protect his little herd of mares and foals. He was most likely constantly…
Training Update on Lucca
Lucca has been at SAFE for about six weeks. Aries, the horse she arrived with, and her came to SAFE without medical issues, so we were able to start training immediately after their 14 day quarantine. Terry, our Operations Director, recently starting riding Lucca and…
Training Update on Aries
Aries has been at SAFE for about six weeks. Lucca, the horse she arrived with, and her came to SAFE without medical issues, so we were able to start training immediately after their 14 day quarantine. Terry, our Operations Director, recently starting riding Aries and…
Meet Domino!
Domino arrived last Thursday and unloaded from the trailer like a champ. He checked out his surroundings as Terry led him across the property to our quarantine paddock. These paddocks are purposely away from the rest of the herd, but it seemed lonely to be so far away…
Anderson Picks His Person
When Terry met Ari, she knew immediately that she had found Anderson’s person. Right after she met with Ari, Anderson’s soon to be adopter, she told a small group of us in the barn and we all squealed with excitement. For those of us who know Anderson know that he…
A Beauty-ful Life
Our Beauty has been adopted! When she arrived at SAFE in late 2019, under the gloom of November skies, it was immediately clear that Beauty had also seen brighter days. Her chestnut coat was rough and patchy from malnourishment, and her teeth were in poor condition,…
Our Patient Mac
Mac has been on stall rest for 5 weeks now. He has become so patient with the bandage changes that he doesn’t need any sedation. The vet has changed his bandage about 8 or more times and now the staff can change the wrap every 3 days and the vet will come check it…
Valentine and Tilt are adopted!
Tilt and Valentine are adopted together! We are happy when we find a home for one horse, but when we get to send off two together, destined to be BFF, that makes us ecstatic! Tilt (now Korra) and Valentine (now Callie) headed to their home with Sophia last month and…
What’s up with Ajax
We recently had the vet out to take a look at Ajax. His blood was checked for possible Cushings and luckily it came back negative. He also had a dental and at this point it is still inconclusive whether his eye is causing him pain or discomfort. Our vet took photos…
Little Lacey
Lexee, one of our SAFE volunteers worked with Lacey in the March Joel Connor Clinic and here is what she had to say about it. “Ms. Lacey has taught me so much the last 6 months. I’ve been given an awesome opportunity to work with one of the most challenging horses I…
New Menu Item for Quincy
We have added Purina Topline Balancer to Quincy’s feed in an effort to develop his topline. The Purina contains more protein, but is still low in calories. We will be checking his progress at 30, 60 and 90 days.
Alumni Update: Vida
Vida’s adopter, Jo Ella, shared this sweet photo of the two of them in February. Jo Ella said Vida is her best friend and it doesn’t get any better than that!
Sienna is Looking Sleek
Sienna is what they call an easy keeper, or as her fans insist, “She’s just big boned!” We were giving her the minimum amount of hay that we could, but she still had some weight issues. The staff was stumped and even had her blood tested to see if something was wrong…
Topline for Teddy
Teddi looks like a horse in her 20s and is only 9 years old. We have recently started Teddi on Nutrina Topline Balancer which contains more protein, but is low in calories. We will see if this helps her develop her topline a little better. We will be checking her…
Cyrus is Adopted!
We could not be more thrilled to announce that Cyrus is adopted! We hit the jackpot with his adopter and we could not be happier. Carol and Jim came to SAFE a few months ago to look for a friend for their riding horse, Nitro. Sadly, they had recently lost their…
Coco’s First Day Out
A Whole New World for Breve
Breve went to foster for a month of training with Julie, one of our amazing fosters. When Breve first arrived she met Julie’s horse, Sophie, who chased her around like a kid going after an ice cream truck. However, Breve was so good and never pinned her ears and even…
Our Newest Addition: Coco!
We have a new horse to introduce. She joined our herd Wednesday, April 21st at 10:37pm. Welcome to the world, Coco! Sundae delivered her filly quickly and easily without a hitch. Less than two minutes passed between the time her water broke and her foal was born. The…
Sundae Surprise
Sundae was one of a group of seven ponies seized from their owner by Animal Control. Two of the male ponies were stallions, and one was cryptorchid…so naturally we were concerned that some unplanned breeding might have taken place prior to their rescue. As it turns…
Meet Ajax
We have a new horse who joined our herd late last week: Ajax, a 23 year old QH Type gelding, was “rescued” some time ago, but for the last few years, he did not receive the care he needed. When his owners sold their farm, he was rehomed to someone who wanted him as a…
Meet Lucca and Aries
Terry, our Operations Director and Jane, a long time SAFE volunteer, headed across the waters on a ferry ride to Kingston. They picked up two new horses this week, Lucca, a 19 year old bay Arabian mare and her friend, Aries, an 18 year old red roan Arabian. Both are…
Update on Mac’s Injury
Mac’s bandage was changed on Monday and it looks good! The wound is starting to fill in and we will be starting him on oral antibiotics this week. He isn’t the best for worming, so we will see if he will eat it with a little grain. If not, we will try a…
Update on Teddi
Teddi has been in our rehab paddock for over six months. We do not see her limp at a walk and are still hopeful that time may heal her pastern joint. Right now, we are now considering Adequan to improve her long term soundness. Adequan is a supplement which has been…
Alumni Update: Misty
Misty is doing amazingly well! She won “Horse of the Day” at an IEA show and is currently serving as an part-time lesson pony and teaching kids at Burkwood. Since Sarah hurt her knee, she can’t ride right now, but having Misty teach lessons to the little ones allows…
Jill is Ridden for the First Time
Kaya calls Jill, Beans, which is short for Jillybeans. She has many names. Jill was started under saddle at the Joel Connor Clinic a few weeks ago. Joel had the first couple of rides and then Kaya was also able to ride her. Here’s what Kaya had to say about her: Jill…
Barb Started as a Riding Horse
Barb has become Kaya’s favorite horse to work with. She was ridden for the first time at the Joel Connor Clinic a few weeks ago. Then Kaya got on and has been working on riding her ever since. Barb is a very opinionated pony, but seems to enjoy the work. She is really…
Pearl is Becoming a Riding Horse
Pearl had her first ride at the Joel Connor clinic a couple of weeks ago! She isn’t bothered by having a person on her back and took to it easily. Here’s what Kaya had to say about her: Pearl has come a long way since being at SAFE, but still has a long way to go…
Mac is on the Injured List
Sadly, Mac had a bit of an accident yesterday during turn in. He got bothered just outside the barn door, scrambled backwards, and fell onto a ceramic planter. He suffered two sizable lacerations on his left hind gaskin that needed emergency vet care immediately.…
