Joel Conner clinic update: Nashville

Joel Conner clinic update: Nashville

I worked with Nashville for all 3 days of this recent Joel Conner clinic. Every time I ride this horse I like her more and more! During the groundwork portion I focused on getting her to have a better expression. She often pins her ears when asked to do…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna

Horsemanship volunteer Kaya took Sienna into last week’s Joel Conner clinic. Here is what she had to say about their work together: This clinic was my first time ever working with Sienna! She did so great and I learned so much. There were a…

Luna and Nova Get Outside

Jessica Farren took these lovely photos of Luna and her filly Nova. The two spend most of each day outside on the grass where Nova loves to run and run and run!

Rae and Mina Outdoors

Jessica Farren took these lovely photos of Mina and Rae enjoying the great outdoors. The mares and their fillies spend each day outdoors on the grass.

Two Healthy Fillies Born at SAFE

Two Healthy Fillies Born at SAFE

Exactly two months after the birth of Pippi, we welcomed two new lives into the world! Mina delivered a lovely black filly on November 1, 2018 at 11pm. The diminutive little girl with no white markings was christened “Rae” in memory of our dear friend Raven. Rae is…

Working with Angel

Working with Angel

SAFE horsemanship volunteer Kaya works with Angel from time to time, and had this to say about our favorite old gal: Angel is a super special horse. As our friendship has grown, she continues to surprise and impress me. Her ability to immediately find the best way to…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Lacey

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Lacey

SAFE horsemanship volunteer Kaya M rode Lacey in the October Joel Conner clinic: Honestly, I was a bit nervous about riding Lacey in the clinic, since I had only recently started working with her, and we were still feeling each other out. I am now so glad that I had…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bowie

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bowie

Volunteer Kaya M had been riding Bowie on a regular basis and worked with him in the groundwork sessions of the October Joel Conner Clinic: Bowie and I participated in the groundwork portion of the clinic and it was a very good experience for both of us! I’m still new…

Changes

Changes

Check out miss Pippi! Apparently she is NOT going to be a light colored chestnut pinto…her winter coat is coming in dark! It leaves her looking a little comical. Pippi and Asha will be spending the next several months at a lovely nearby foster home, where they can…

Raven Flies Free

Raven Flies Free

We are so sad to announce that we lost a dear friend last week. Raven, our three year old Thoroughbred filly, was humanely euthanized on Wednesday after a bad colic. We love all of the horses that pass through SAFE, but every so often, a horse comes along that works…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Anderson

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Anderson

Terry worked with Anderson during Joel Conner’s last visit, here’s what she had to say: Wow!! What a great ride!! Anderson has never felt this forward before. At this clinic, Joel gave Anderson the best compliment, saying he is ready to be…

A Visit with Remy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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…

Seven Hours with Mason

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!

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

Asha is getting close!

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…