Rescue Outside the Box

Rescue Outside the Box

Most of the rescue work that SAFE does is fairly straightforward. A horse, facing neglect or abuse, is taken in, rehabilitated and retrained, then we find it a new home. The circumstances of neglect may vary, but the basic storyline is the same. In 2018, we found…

Training Video and Update: Justin

Training Video and Update: Justin

Justin did very well while in training for 60 days with our friend Ben Hannan. He has a good personality and is easy to work with, both on the ground and in the saddle. His only issue is around cinching. Nothing too difficult but he will look back and try to nip at…

Piper and Dottie go to Foster

Dottie Belle and Piper have settled in to their lovely winter foster in Woodinville. They join a darling little farm with dogs, chicken and pigs! Here is a video of Piper meeting the pigs “Ruby” & “Dottie”. [video width=“720” height=“720”…

Training and Health Update: Remy

Training and Health Update: Remy

Just before Thanksgiving, Remy had a bit of a setback in his work. Everything had been going smoothly and progressing well. His trainer, Nick Donohue, had reported that he was coming along nicely, was a good citizen in turnout with the herd, and very sweet and gentle…

Adoption Announcement: Ben!

Adoption Announcement: Ben!

SAFE is so excited to announce that Ben’s adoption to long-time volunteer Lisa G is final! Ben and Lisa have developed an unbelievably strong bond and together have overcome many training obstacles. Ben only had a chance to be a riding horse if someone was willing to…

Adoption Announcement : Orion!

Adoption Announcement : Orion!

We knew he was a special boy right from the beginning but we never imagined that this “diamond in the rough” would become such a fantastic riding mount. Orion met Roxanne in his final weeks of training with Nick Donohue at Silver Spade Ranch. He had just completed a…

Adoption Announcment: Roscoe!

Adoption Announcment: Roscoe!

When Roscoe and Teddi arrived at SAFE, they had been mistreated and uncared for quite some time. As they gained weight, the life returned to their eyes showing us that trust can be earned no matter how horrible the past has been. Roscoe had some sort of riding history…

A Minor Setback for Valor

A few weeks ago, Valor had a stumble coming out of a horse trailer, scraping up both hind legs and lacerating his left front fetlock. The wounds on his hind legs were not the type that could be sutured but would require bandaging, but the fetlock laceration needed…

Amelia Health Update

Amelia has been dealing with loose stool since before her arrival at Safe Harbor Stables. It has been a frustrating trial and error endeavor to try to find the best management option for her. Our vets recommended multiple treatment options, but just when we would…

Pippi Update

Pippi Update

Pippi and Asha have settled in well to their foster home for the winter. Their foster family reports that they are both the incredibly social, happy, and well-behaved horses that we expected they would be. Pippi has matured quite a bit over the last month and has gone…

Getting to Know Amira

Getting to Know Amira

Amira has been with us for 10 days now and so far, we really like this sweet, friendly mare! She’ll be quarantined for about another week, and then we can really start getting to know her. For right now, we mostly interact with her when her paddock is being cleaned,…

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Fancy

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Fancy

Casey had this to say about Fancy and how she did at our recent Joel Conner clinic here at Safe Harbor: Fancy and Glory returned from foster recently, and Terry and I worked them in the clinic this weekend. They retained the foundation that we had put on them over the…

Stella Rides with Buck Brannaman

Stella Rides with Buck Brannaman

About five years ago Terry invited me to audit a Buck Brannaman clinic in Enumclaw. I had not heard of Buck, but I was eager to see his style of horsemanship and continue my education. I am so grateful that I took that opportunity because it resulted in a fundamental…

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Lacey

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Lacey

Lacey is making great strides in her riding work and improving immensely with Kaya’s consistent care. We recently took Lacey out on a trail ride. She had a good amount of energy and life out on the trails. She was brave and attentive to Kaya.…

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Teddi

Joel Conner Clinic Update: Teddi

Teddi continues to gentle and get softer with work. The great work Phoebe is doing with her is helping her relax around people and handle more situations. Here is an update from Phoebe on Teddi and her work at the last Joel Conner clinic. I’m…

Why are there foals at SAFE?

Why are there foals at SAFE?

Why are there foals at SAFE right now? Because this year, we rescued three mares who were pregnant. We have not changed our stance against breeding, nor did we have anything whatsoever to do with the breeding of these mares. One of the three mares, Asha, came from an…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Star

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Star

Scott has been working hard to help Star become a better citizen and better for people to handle. This old gelding has a lot of pushy behavior that is steadily becoming manageable. Due to his age, we have retired Star and have made him available as a companion. The…

Introducing Amira

Introducing Amira

Amira is a 14 year old mare who was surrendered to SAFE after her owner abandoned her and another horse on a property that could no longer house horses. Amira’s 27 year old companion was starved and had to be humanely euthanized. Amira fared better but she still shows…

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sage

Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sage

Melinda C worked with Sage during the recent Joel Conner clinic: I had the opportunity to work with Sage for a groundwork session during this Joel Conner clinic. Prior to this weekend, I had only done groundwork with her a few times when she first arrived at SAFE. She…

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,…

Training Video and Update: Justin

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,…