The latest on Ruger

SAFE volunteers have been working hard to get Ruger through his rehabilitation. His weight has been holding steady for a while now and he seems to be doing well on a maintenance feeding of ten pounds of senior feed per day, broken into three meals. He is out on…

Bridgit finds a home!

All the horses that pass through the gates of Safe Harbor are special and placing them into wonderful new homes is the best part of our work. SAFE is happy to announce that Bridgit’s new family has been found and she is adopted! Bridgit’s sweet and gentle disposition…

Training and Clinic Update: Mason

Ian took Mason into our last clinic with Joel Conner. Here is what he had to say about the experience: Mason – Joel Conner Clinic – Groundwork – Day 1 – 6/10 Mason and I have slowly been building trust together since he first appeared at SAFE with both sides…

Health Update: Stormy

Here is a medical update from Melinda our Herd Health Manager about Stormy: A few months ago, we still believed that Stormy’s right eye maintained some ability to sense light and shadows. We continued to administer medication to manage the uveitis and save that eye in…

Nora moves to Safe Harbor

Sweet Nora arrived at Safe Harbor Stables today after her foster home needed to lower the workload at home. Nora jumped right into the trailer without trouble to make the trip to Redmond. For her daily turnout routine, and because Nora does not like to be alone, she…

Clinic & Photo Update: Harley

Volunteer rider Erika worked with Harley in the Joel Conner clinic last weekend. Here is what she had to say about working with her: This was my first time working with Harley. She is a very nice horse, who has obviously been through a lot of training in her life. She…

Rico Finds a Home

We are thrilled to announce that Rico has found a home! After a successful 30 day trial, this handsome boy has settled into his new home and is already part of the family. Barbara came to SAFE looking for a companion for her horse, Fiona. She was lonely after losing…

Lacey is All Grown Up

An update from Terry who has been working with Lacey: We have been working hard in the arena over the last few weeks and Lacey is improving every day! She has been doing a lot better with things touching her hind end. While she still might squeal and kick out from…

King, the Beautiful Riding Horse

King returned from training with Joel Conner recently, and we are so impressed with this black beauty! He’s being ridden on a regular basis by volunteer rider Jolene and doing wonderfully, even on the trails next door. He’s become so gentle and willing. King is ready…

Trail horses available for adoption!

Here at SAFE, we are enjoying the wonderful sunshine by exploring the trails at Farrel-McWhirter Park next door. The horses love to get outside and get a break from arena work. Last week, both King and Stevie went out for their first trail rides and did perfect! We…

Happy Birthday, Phoenix!

Super cute photos from Phoenix and his family Lauren and Bryan. They celebrated Phoenix’s 9th birthday this past weekend and told Phoenix that he is going to be a big brother this fall when Lauren and Bryan welcome their little cowboy into the family. So great to have…

Training Update: Harley

We have seen a great transformation in Harley over the weeks she has been with SAFE. She is up to a good weight, her rain rot is cleared up, her hooves are trimmed, and she is sound. Since we don’t have a lot of information about what she had done in the past, we…

Training Update: Jessel

Jessel just turned 3 and she is doing great! We have taken things slow but the training Joel has done with her is really showing. We got to visit with her in Ellensburg and Joel started adding some weight to the end of him rope for her to feel. She did amazing for her…

Sierra Begins Training

FINALLY!! This pretty little mare is off to get started with Joel. Since we moved to the new facility, I have preparing Sierra for her start. She did really well transporting over to Ellensburg to Joel’s facility and settled quickly. It was great to watch the first…

Cameo’s Horse Show Debut

What a superstar Cameo was for her first show! She looked great and continues to amaze us this year. Lindsay is doing great with her training and not only got Cameo comfortable with the trailer but also has taken her on a few trail rides! Cameo is ready to meet…

Show Update: Cameo & Jewel

This past weekend Cameo and Jewel went to their first show of the season at the ride and review at Hollywood Hills Saddle Club. It was Cameo’s first show and she did amazing! Her volunteer rider Lindsay has been working on her trailer skills and our little frightened…

Their 80th Ride

Cory, who adopted Mesquite, sent us this photo of their 80th ride together!

Everybody Loves Ruger

We’ve had a lot of people reach out to us over the last few days about Ruger, who many of know as Parnelli. At the moment, Ruger is not available for adoption. He’s only been with us for few weeks, and he is still recovering from the neglect he suffered. When Ruger is…

Stevie Under Saddle

Stevie did very well while in training with Joel Conner. He accepted a rider well and there were no issues. Joel said that Stevie was the most well prepared horse that SAFE has ever sent him. Thanks to all the hard work Casey put into him, this phase of his training…

Rosie at Liberty

A report from Rosie’s volunteer trainer: Rosie continues to make big strides each week. She now will come to the fence when she sees me coming instead of walking the other way, which is a huge change. We have built a trust relationship and she is more relaxed when we…

Raven’s Improvement

Raven is looking more and more like the beautiful Thoroughbred filly she was born to be! Her transformation has been slow but she has put on weight and the scars from her neglect are fading. It is amazing to watch the rain rot and starvation coat fall away and this…

Ruckus’ New Home

We received this great adoption check in report on Ruckus and wanted to share it with you. What cute pictures too! “Ruckus got a fly sheet and a matching rain sheet with Aurie. He is pretty proud of his new wardrobe. They are totally best friends for life they make…

Prince in Bloom

Spring has sprung at Safe Harbor Stables and there are flowers galore. Jessica Farren came out to photograph a few horses for us and couldn’t resist the beautiful dogwood backdrop for our stunning black Morgan Prince. He is just so photogenic! Hope you enjoy!

A Visit with Finn and Banjo

Jessica paid a visit to Finn and Banjo at their foster home. Here’s what she had to say about it: As anyone at SAFE knows I jump at the chance to spend time with Finn, so I was very happy to finally get the opportunity to pay him a visit. Yes, while there I had to get…

Cow Horse Anderson?

OK OK… so maybe there aren’t any rodeos in our near future but let me tell you this boy was SO BRAVE and well behaved working with cows for the first time. The truth is… I was more scared of getting run over by one of them than Anderson! The only time he really…

Photo Update: Aubrey

Jessica Farren was able to visit Aubrey at her foster home with Jackie. She got some lovely photos to share with us. Aubrey is doing very well in her pasture with Annabelle. They are very good pals and she is relaxed and content with life. Can’t wait to see her all…

Photo Update: Annabelle

Spring is in the air and Annabelle is looking great at her foster home with Aubrey. Jessica Farren took some great shots of our girl when she visited her foster mom Jackie a few weeks ago. Annabelle did very well through the winter and continues to be a sweet mare…

Rehab Update: Harley

It has been a few weeks since Harley and Ruger were dropped off by Animal Control. Both are doing very well settling in and getting healthier every day. Harley is very sweet and calm. Herd Health Manager Melinda has taken her on as a special project. Melinda has been…

Training Update: Jessel

While in Ellensburg this past week, I visited with Jessel who is in training with Joel Conner. She has really grown up in the last few months and we are excited to see how she develops over the summer. Jessel has come a long way and Joel’s patient work with her is…

Training Update: King

I had the chance to visit and ride King at Joel Conner’s where he is getting started under saddle. King has become a very handsome boy with a very shiny black coat and a sweet personality. He is kind and gentle on the ground, easy to groom and saddle. He still needs…

Nora Rejoins the SAFE Herd

We always hope that we have placed our horses in forever homes…but from time to time, things don’t work out that way. Nora was with her loving adoptive family for almost three years when we got the call that their life situation was changing and they could no longer…

A Beautiful Friendship: Dottie & Diana

Our wonderful volunteer Diana sent us an email about Dottie. Anyone who has met Dottie will tell you that Diana has described her to a tee. We are very lucky to have a lovely friend to visit with Dottie in her foster home and these great photos by Jessica to share…

Harley and Ruger Intake Photos

Harley and Ruger were seized from their owner in mid January 2017 by Snohomish County Animal Control. Both horses were emaciated, suffering from rain rot, with overgrown hooves. They were both found standing in deep mud and manure on their owner’s property and…

Annabelle & Aubrey: The Best of Friends

You never know when you introduce horses to each other how exactly they will get along and there is always a risk it might not work as well as you had hoped. I have to say whatever told me to try Annabelle and Aubrey together was right on! These two are inseparable…

Happy Help A Horse Day!

Happy Help A Horse Day!

April 26 is officially ASPCA Help a Horse Day! SAFE officially celebrated last Sunday with a huge Open House Celebration at our new home in Redmond. Huge thanks to the over 400 people who joined us on Sunday for the End Hunger Games at SAFE. Our volunteer team walked…

Training Update: Dyna

For the past few months, we have been slowly getting Dyna into riding shape. SAFE volunteer Jane has been doing groundwork and trot poles help her gain some stamina and balance without having to carry a rider. Three weeks ago, I started riding her and slowly have…

Another Perspective on Bridgit

Here is a letter from Ian about his time getting to know Bridgit and working with her in the Joel Conner clinic. Ian is a wonderful horseman and a absolute joy to have volunteering at SAFE. I am very happy that he enjoys working with this very sweet mare! Hi Terry, I…

Something new for Rosie

At SAFE, we realize that our horses have many different gifts to share. As we learn about who they are and what they are capable of, we find that their future may not be as a “riding” horse. Dear Rosie has had a lot of miles on her in the past and from what we can…

Ben: Training Update

Here is a wonderful training update from Lisa, Ben’s volunteer rider: Ben continues to amaze! When I broke my wrist in December and was forced to take a 3‑month hiatus from his training, volunteer rider Jolene took over, continuing his groundwork, re-introducing…