A Visit with Remy
We visited with Remy recently in Oregon where he’s been in training with Nick Donohue. The big dark beauty was about 2 weeks into his work with Nick. We got to see him go through the colt starting groundwork process as Nick checked off things needed before…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Tabitha
Terry took Tabitha in the riding sessions of the Joel Conner clinic. Here’s her report: I really like this mare!! Every ride is better than the last and she is changing so quickly. Her ground manners are impeccable and she is safe enough for…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Zoe
Terry has been working with Zoe, and Joel Conner rode her several times at the last clinic. Here’s what Terry had to say: Zoe has steadily been progressing with acceptance of the saddle. She is still tight when it goes on, especially if she has…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Renee
SAFE volunteer Blair worked with Renee during the groundwork portion of the clinic. Here’s what she had to report on her experience: I had an anxious/excited vibe walking into the barn for my first Joel Conner Clinic. I was paired with Renee, who has a sweet demeanor…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Terry worked with Sienna during the groundwork sessions of the Joel Conner clinic, and Sienna was saddled for the first time! Here’s what Terry had to say: This was Sienna’s second time in a Joel Conner clinic at Safe Harbor. Joel and I assessed the work…
Sage Turns a Corner
Little Sage is turning a corner! Her manners and groundwork have improved so much since she came to SAFE. We have a few different horsemanship volunteers working with her. Our biggest goal right now is getting her good about picking up her hooves. In the last week,…
Looks Like He’ll Make It
We are all so excited about the work Justin has been doing at SAFE. Joel saw lots of improvements since his last visit and felt comfortable putting the first rides on him. There really isn’t any way to know what happened in Justin’s past but so far the Horsemanship…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Nashville
Nashville and I participated in all three of the riding sessions in this month’s Joel Conner clinic. I’ve been working with her for about 2 months and have really enjoyed getting to know her. It was great to get to take part in the clinic with her and develop new…
Fall Fun with Fancy and Glory
Glory and Fancy are enjoying the first days of fall at their foster barn. They made a new friend named Guinness and together they get plenty of exercise! Glory and Fancy will return to SAFE at the end of October so that we can prepare them to be lightly started under…
Rope Work with Justin
Preparing Justin for a rider has been a fun and rewarding process. This gelding’s sweet disposition continues to shine through. He is a willing horse with a lot of try. The more we work him, the more we fall in love with his kind eyes. We hope to ride him in the near…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mina
I worked with Mina for all three groundwork sessions for the recent Joel Conner clinic. I was excited to get the chance to participate with her because I already know that working with her is going to help me grow in my horsemanship skills. Mina is a sweetheart, and…
New Video: Valor
Valor is coming along nicely. He is a big mover who will make someone a nice looking riding partner. As his training progresses, he is becoming responsive to the rider. This video is after working with Casey for 15 rides. We are accepting applications and he is…
Joel Conner Clinic Reports: Stella
In August, Stella and I had the good fortune to travel to Oregon to participate in Joel Conner’s horsemanship clinic at Northwood Farms. Though she hasn’t traveled off the SAFE property often, she was awesome. She loaded right into the last space on the trailer…
Pyrrah Making Strides
SAFE Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe is helping sharpen up some of Pyrrah’s groundwork. Phoebe worked with Pyrrah this week and here is what she had to say: It’s pretty clear that in Pyrrah’s past she was allowed to plow through her handler. During our work together we…
Valor Meets a Potential Adopter
Kasey O has been considering the adoption of a SAFE horse! She came out to meet Valor, and was kind enough to share her impressions of him: About two weeks ago, I visited SAFE for a second time. The first time was to meet and ride Roscoe. This time was to meet Valor,…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Valor
SAFE volunteer Casey worked with Valor during the clinic, and had this to say about working with him: I restarted Valor about a month ago and got to ride him in all three sessions of the Joel Conner clinic. He is such an easy horse to be around and a lot of fun to…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cameo
SAFE volunteer Casey worked with Cameo during the groundwork portion of the clinic: I worked Cameo in the Joel Conner clinic for the first time since she returned to SAFE. The first day her feet were quite stuck and she had changing eyes issues, which resulted in some…
New Video: Orion
Orion is finishing 90 days of training with Nick Donohue. He has come a long way from his intake and has turned out to be a wonderful riding partner. He is ready to start his new life! https://youtu.be/NeXaeeDjbo0
Checking in with Sage
Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe had this to say about her work with Sage and helping her get more comfortable and giving when asked to pick her hooves: Sage- a strong personality who has had things her way for quite a while. Roped her hinds again. Doesn’t take her as…
Teddi and the Importance of Groundwork
Teddi has been working on relaxing and gentling with Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe. We have seen wonderful changes in Teddi over the last few months as she develops more of a bond with Phoebe. We want to take a quick moment to acknowledge and thank Phoebe for her…
Amelia Makes Progress!
Glowing reports on Amelia’s progress from our Horsemanship Volunteer Phoebe! We will be talking with Joel Conner during this week’s clinic about his thoughts on offering her as a very light riding horse or a kids lead line. She is a sweet girl and in the right home…
Foster Update: Piper
Little miss Piper has grown this summer into such a nice little lady. She spends nearly all of her time living like a wild horse with our herd in the large pasture, but she shows off her manners every time we handle her. Some of her milestones include: standing…
SAFE Alum Scooter is Available for Adoption
Breed: Arabian Color: Chestnut Age: 23 Sex: Gelding Height: 14.2hh Registered Name: Padron’s Secret If are looking for an easy going, loving, docile companion/light riding horse, check this guy out! Pistol (known as Scooter at SAFE) was adopted from SAFE in 2012 but…
Video: Remy Learns Herd Dynamics
Remy is a 6yr old TB who was found on a property without any other horses so we are unsure how long its been since he’s had other horses as companions. He is currently in training and the two other horses in the video are personal horses of the trainers. Tapadero, the…
Guess the Foaling Date for Luna and Mina!
Do you think you can guess when Luna and Mina will have their foals? We’re going to have a fun contest to see who can guess the closest to the actual birth! We’ll give a you a clue to get you started. The two mares were both palpated and ultrasounded by equine repro…
Luna’s Getting Closer!
Right on the heels of Pippi’s arrival, Luna is showing signs of getting closer to foaling. She’s right on track for the predicted foaling date of sometime in October. She has recently started having some mammary development, and she is producing some “milk.” It’s…
Pippi Update
It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies when we look at our little Pippi! It seems like just yesterday she was a wobbly little bundle of legs, gangling awkwardly around the foaling stall. She appears to be growing before our eyes and is exploring her world like a…
Remy: School is in Session
Remy is just beginning his work with Nick Donohue and thing are progressing well. He is a very intelligent, willing gelding. He is progressing a little every day and his kind personality is coming through. The biggest challenge for Remy has been that he was an…
WEG 2018, Tryon NC
What started as a vacation turned into a bit of a work holiday for three members of SAFE’s staff, who traveled to Tryon, North Carolina for the first week of the World Equestrian Games. This was a trip planned a year in advance and made possible by a personal friend…
A New Beginning for Aiden
Aiden spent several wonderful years with the Henwood family, but sadly, changes in circumstances meant that Aiden needed to be rehomed. The Henwoods did a very responsible job of finding a new home for Aiden that would meet SAFE’s standards, and they found…
Happy Birthday Pippi!
Last night at 10:35pm, we welcomed a new life into the world. Asha gave birth to a lovely and long-legged chestnut Tobiano filly. The delivery was straight forward and uncomplicated, and mom and baby are both doing very well. Here are some photos taken…
Pet Connection: A Harbor in the Storm
Seven Hours with Mason
The following is an article written by Elsa Sinclair, the San Juan Island native who pioneered Freedom Based Training™ in her movie Taming Wild. Elsa visited Safe Harbor last week to spend some time with Mason. Elsa has been working with several horses to…
Raven Gets to Eat Grass!
To our delight, Raven is getting ever closer to being a “normal” horse. We have been getting her out on fresh grass little by little to see how her digestive system handles it, and she’s doing well on it. She’s off all medication and now the only additive we give her…
Pippi’s First Day Outdoors
Pippi and Asha ventured outside for the first time today. Pippi seemed to love this new adventure, running circles around her mom and exploring the pasture. She’s such a little cutie pie, and so full of life! Photos by Jessica Farren
First Photos of Pippi
photos by Jessica Farren Photography
Asha is getting close!
Last night we were 67.2% sure that Asha would have her foal. Turns out she did not, but now we are 92% sure that tonight is the night! Here’s what Foal Watch 2018 looks like at Safe Harbor Stables, as we prepare for our first foal in TEN YEARS (click…
Getting to know Pyrrha
Pyrrha a bit of a mystery. We have had a few conversations around the barn as to what breed she might be but nothing really fits. But no matter what type of horse she is, this mare is strong as a brick house! She’s most likely been around the block and seen many…
Justin Makes Steady Progress
Justin is doing very well in preparation to become a riding horse. We have spent a great deal of time strengthening him and getting him balanced to hold the weight of a rider. He initially had trouble transferring his weight off of his forehand and over his hocks. He…
A Showing for Roscoe
A few days ago, we had a potential adopter come out to meet Roscoe. Roxanne is looking for her next equine partner and on the advice of a friend, she decided to check out SAFE. After reviewing her application and talking to her over the phone, it sounded like a few of…
Anderson Goes to Oregon
Anderson traveled to Oregon this past weekend to the lovely Northwood Stables for a clinic with Joel Conner. It was an opportunity to see how well he would work in a new place, around different horses. I am happy to report that Andy was brilliant! There was absolutely…
Orion Shines in Training!
We had a call from Nick Donohue today with a great training report on Orion. He told us that he has been able to have a few other riders work Orion and each was very successful. He also said that he used Orion this week as a “support” horse for a troubled horse as…
Adventures with Anderson
This summer, we had the opportunity to take Anderson for a 3 day camping trip to Cle Elum WA. He was an awesome boy for this new experience and did a fantastic job dealing with everything that was asked of him. We took the horses out every day for up to 5 hours of…
Checking in with Star
Our new guy Star is settling in well to the day-to-day routine at Safe Harbor. We have not pushed him too hard, given his age, but we have assessed him for soundness and temperament. For the most part, he is easy to handle and can be safely lead and groomed, bur he…
Stella is Ready for a Home
Stella has had a busy summer! She is going beautifully in all gaits and has been on a few adventures with Horsemanship Volunteer Casey. This year was the first time Stella competed at the SAFE Benefit Horse Show at Donida Farm. She was an absolute star for everything.…
Valor is Back on Track
Valor is now being ridden and worked by our experienced Horsemanship volunteer, Casey. She has ridden him a handful of times now and reports that he is sound and moving along well with the work. We would like to give Valor a few more weeks of regular rising before…
New Video: Bowie
https://youtu.be/10bKzLt9JrU
Checking in with Angel
Volunteer Kaya M. has been getting to know Angel and is her special friend. Kaya has a very kind, positive attitude that is helping this frightened old mare open up to a new friendship. Here is what Kaya had to say about her interactions with Angel: Angel has been a…
Nashville’s First Trail Ride
Nashville has been going really well under saddle, and yesterday she went out for her first ever trail ride! She was a little unsure in the beginning but quickly settled with her friend Roscoe out front and Bowie bringing up the rear. We tried her in the lead and also…
Handsome Remy!
Remy is settling in to a vastly different life at Safe Harbor Stables. He’s no longer a stallion, so he’s feeling the ebbing of his hormones and starting to look at other horses as potential friends. He’s getting accustomed to being waited on hand and foot…
