Barb is a Riding Horse!
Kaya has been working with Barb since she arrived at SAFE. Here is what Kaya had to say about her: “Barb is turning out to be an all star riding horse! This sweet, charismatic, opinionated, intellegent pony keeps surprising me every ride. Barb was one of the most…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: George
In September, George and Terry participated in the riding section of the Joel Conner clinic at SAFE. This was George’s first riding clinic, with 3 hours of riding per day over 3 days, and with eight or nine other horses in the arena with him, which can be very…
Rae Riding Videos
No More Pointy Horses!
A wise horse named Honeycutt once said “A horse is a thing that is round, not a thing that is flat and pointy. How can someone look at a horse that is flat and pointy and think it is an okay horse? A pointy horse is probably sad and very, very hungry.” Edward,…
The Return of Aubrey
Aubrey spent two years at SAFE before being adopted as a companion horse in 2018. Sadly, Aubrey’s adopter experienced a medical issue and could no longer care for Aubrey or her elderly gelding, Ro. Upset and unsure what to do, the adopter called SAFE for help. We…
Haltering Esme
Meet our new intake at SAFE, Esme. She is a 6 year old Yakima Reservation mare, who has not had a lot of past experience being lead. Esme is very friendly and interested in people, just a bit frightened by the halter. This is our third day working with her and things…
Meet Daisy
SAFE has been called on to help several owner surrendered neglected horses in the last few weeks. Because of the large number of adoption, we’ve had the space available to say yes to these requests, which is fortunate because these are all horses in desperate need of…
Edward, Esme, and Jacob Update
Life has changed in a big way for Edward, Esme, and Jacob since coming to SAFE two weeks ago. They’re now enjoying time together in the pasture located behind their Quarantine paddocks each day. They seem to be getting accustomed to the activity of SAFE, and they have…
Our Man Cam
Cameron continues to thrive here at SAFE, and seems pretty happy and content to be part of our herd. We’re happy to report that his all-mash diet of Haystack and senior grain seems to be working: he’s polishing off every meal and licking the bowl; and best of all,…
Arigato Gentling Work (Photos)
Introducing Edward, Esme, and Jacob
When we got the call that three horses living on the Washington coast were in trouble, we thought they seemed a bit familiar… Edward, Esme, and Jacob are Yakima Reservation horses, which is means they came from the same place as the older horses in the Fall City 40…
Breve and Checkers are Adopted!
Checkers and Breve might be mother and daughter, but the two ponies didn’t arrive at SAFE at the same time. Their previous owner hid four more ponies on their property after Animal Control came to seize the initial group. A few weeks later, AC discovered there were…
Cameron Arrives
Introducing Cameron
When Cameron unloaded from the trailer at SAFE last Friday afternoon, we got our first good look at a horse who desperately needed our help. This 30 year old registered Arabian gelding has come to us in very poor shape. His hip points and croup are clearly visible…
Nyx on His Way to Being Ridden
In preparation to be ridden, we have started groundwork with Nyx. He is proving to be everything we could have dreamed of. He’s sweet, soft on the halter, has a good amount of life, responsive, connected to us and VERY gentle. This video is our third day working with…
Pepper at the Buck Brannaman Clinic
In July, the staff and a few volunteer riders took five SAFE horses to the Buck Brannaman Clinic in Ellensburg. Phoebe worked with Pepper and here is what she had to say: The 2021 Ellensburg Buck clinic was Pepper’s first trip away from SAFE. She handled all the…
George Practicing to be a Trail Horse
Recently Terry took George on a trail walk in the neighboring park. It was his first time and he did great! George was accompanied by two other mares, Lucca and Aries. He crossed a wooden bridge with no problems and even saw a person on their bike. We think George…
Arigato is Learning So Much
Arigato came to SAFE having never been touched by a person. The staff got right to work getting her used to all sorts of new experiences. From haltering, leading, flagging, picking up feet and fly spray, check out the videos Terry, our Operations Director, has been…
Jasper’s Interviews for Q13
Jasper was interviewed by The Limelight Pet Project to be featured on Q13 this next Sunday. The Limelight Pet Project shines the light on harder to adopt pets in the Puget Sound area. Jasper’s only reason for being harder to adopt is because he is not a riding horse.…
Meet Freya and Nyx!
Two new friends arrived at our farm last week. Freya is a 30+ yr old Morgan type mare and Nyx is a very large BLM Mustang. Sadly their owner was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was struggling to care for them. The two horses had very overgrown hooves and about a…
More than Just a Mom
Sundae continues to be a great mom for her foal, Coco. She remains attentive to Coco but no longer gets panicky when her baby ventures a little distance away, which is good because Coco is pretty independent. She is well behaved for grooming, though exhibits typical…
Frosting’s First Farrier Visit
Frosting is currently at foster with Fancy’s adopter, one of SAFE’s volunteer riders. While Frosting is fostered, SAFE will continue to pay for her veterinary and farrier care. Frosting had her first visit with the farrier and was a brave little mustang throughout the…
Diagnosing Merry’s Lameness
Merry was ready for a possible adoption this last March, but a pre-purchase vet examination turned up a mysterious lameness on this four year old mare. We have spent the last few months having multiple vet visits trying to get to the root of the problem for this…
Minnie’s Growing Up
Minnie came to SAFE in January 2021 as a 6‑month-old filly with her mother, Checkers. We recently weaned Minnie from her mother, but we were sure to give her an Auntie to comfort her. Aunt Teddi now shares a paddock with Minnie and the two get daily grass turnout…
Everyone is Domino’s Friend
Domino arrived at SAFE after living alone for a few years. His happy nickers on his arrival made it clear he was glad to be around other horses. He is a sweet 25-year-old gelding whose future will be that of a companion or perhaps a lead line horse walking on trails.…
Barb Has Opinions
Barb had a few weeks off from work after having been ridden for about a month. She is just three years old, so it’s age-appropriate for her to have a break from being ridden. Barb is a champ at accepting a fly mask. Personality-wise, Barb is opinionated and can become…
Beautiful Veronica
We are working on preparing Veronica to be saddled. She has calmed so much compared to the fearful horse, distrustful of humans, that arrived at SAFE in early 2020. It has been wonderful to watch her transition. She recently worked in the Joel Connor clinic with Candi…
Training Update: Sienna
At the end of 2020, Sienna was having several difficulties in training. She would get tight and panicky when she felt a rider’s legs on her sides and things on her back such as a saddle. She did panic bucking. The good news is that she is much improved since then, and…
Billy is Adopted!
Billy is adopted! He has found a loving family in Bridle Trails with Jane and Harry, their daughter Anne and granddaughter, Marin. He even has a girlfriend, Vinnie, a Warmblood trail horse. Billy had a rough past life. We believe he was used as a bucking horse for…
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…
