Welcome to SAFE, Ginger!
Ginger is a very pretty 9 year old bay Arab mare in fairly good physical condition who has recently found herself homeless. Her former owner is an elderly woman who developed Alzheimer’s and has just left her home to go into an assisted living facility. Ginger was…
Chance and Kat go on a trail ride!
Chance went for his first trail ride as a SAFE horse today, accompanied by Kat. Chance has a lot of experience as a trail horse but it’s been a little while since he’s been out in the woods, so he started his journey into the Redmond Watershed by doing a fair amount…
Cameo photos
Opal — Adopted!!
Exciting news to share!! Opal has been adopted!! Congratulations to Lys H and thank you for offering this lovely mare (now named Bella) a wonderful new home! We hope to see you and Bella at the SAFE show in August!! Update (August 3, 2013) Bella & Lys did indeed join…
Moonshine’s big day!
It’s a big day for Moonshine! He’s climbing aboard the trailer and heading up to Arlington to start training with Andrea Lucianna at Half Trak Farm. Andrea will have her hands full with this sassy young man as he learns to adjust to a life where he doesn’t get to do…
Chance Update
Brittney’s had the opportunity to work with Chance a few times since his arrival at SHS, and she likes what she sees so far. She says he’s a good boy, and she’s even tried having one of our volunteer riders hop on him and he did very well for her too. He’s pretty…
Summer, looking good!
We were delighted to receive these photos and updates from our friends at Jackson Valley Ranch who foster Summer: Here is Summer out in the round pen for a little lite exercise. Everyone here (staff & horse owners) all know Miss Summer, and stop by her stall/paddock…
Marta and Shay Update
Here’s an update from Eileen who is fostering Marta and Shay at her lovely Fall City Farm: Their daily lives are very straight forward and routine. They have grazing muzzles to keep them on a strict diet because they only need to look at food and they gain weight.…
Kai and Maggie go on a trail ride!
Kai’s first trail ride! His companion was the cute SAFE Maggie pony and volunteer rider, Kyrany. There was a busy running event taking place at the trail head with flags and banners hanging from the trees and tents, but both horses were great about it. They saw bikes,…
Misty Update
Here’s a great update on Misty from her foster mom Lisa: Misty is doing just great. She continues to progress in her Dressage work, becoming more balanced, with a longer stride and more stretch over her topline. We had a lesson with Cindy Akdeniz last Friday and…
Strider photos
These photos of Strider were taken by SAFE volunteer Kyrany, who we thank most sincerely for letting us use them!
Lucky and Kat Go on a Trail Ride
Lucky and Kat enjoyed a trail ride today at the Redmond Watershed. Lucky might not have been out on the trails before, but he handled the 2 hour ride like a pro. Brittney shot this video while riding him on a completely loose rein. Lucky and Kat crossed at least 6…
Chance moves to SAFE Harbor
Chance has arrived at SAFE Harbor Stables where he will be starting back into work with trainer Brittney Stewart. Chance has done a lot of under saddle work in the past, mostly on trails, but he’s been living a life of leisure since his return to SAFE last fall. But…
Strider update
Strider’s legs are looking better these days, thanks to Brittney’s hard work of daily wrapping and scrubbing and rinsing. Strider stands patiently for her while she works on him, even when it hurts. Afterwards he gets his turn in the pasture, but he’ll always stop…
Cameo’s Accomplishments
In the spirit of celebrating the little things in life, we have a couple of big accomplishments to share with you. Last week, Miss Cameo braved the scary (and admittedly tricky!) little ramp that horses have to walk up and down when leaving and entering the main barn…
Sasha Video
Here is a video made by Sasha’s owner showing her being lunged and ridden:
A Home for Logan?
We’ve been caring for Logan for several months now, and we’ve come to the sad conclusion that this sweet horse has suffered some lingering and likely permanent ill effects from the abuse and neglect he faced in his previous life. Before being seized by Pierce County…
Strider Update
Strider always enjoys himself on SAFE Open House days, and this past weekend was no exception. He likes meeting new people and listening to them rave about how big he is and how handsome. We’re happy to report that his cellulitus has gone away, but he’s still battling…
Moonshine Update — heading to training soon!
Moonshine continues to be sweet with just a little sass. He is easy to catch and handle. He is 3 now, and will be heading off to our trainer’s soon to learn what it means to have a job. He has enjoyed his time with his foster mom, Jackie who says that she’s going to…
Bridgit Update!
Bridgit has made great progress with her foster mom, Jackie. She is nearing healthy weight and her coat looks so much better than in December. She is calm, curious and very friendly. She immediately comes right up to you in a big pasture looking for loves and…
Adorable Miss Skye
Skye and Cameo — First time on pasture
Skye and Cameo came from an unusual neglect situation in which 39 horses were confined in stalls and not allowed outdoors. Here is a video of Skye and Cameo going out on pasture for the first time at SAFE Harbor. It’s entirely possible that this is something neither…
Bucky B Lucky Videos
Skye and Cameo — Blankets!!
Congratulations to SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart for successfully blanketing Cameo and Skye for the the first time today! Yes, warmer weather is right around the corner, but we take these little triumphs when they come. Good girls!!
Kai training update
SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart has this to say about Kai after riding him today: “If I was in the market for an event horse, I’d adopt him. He really tries. I didn’t even lunge him today and he was a SUPER good boy. I sat on him like a couch while I gave one of the…
Jewel Vet Visit
Report from trainer Brittney Stewart on her visit with Jewel today: Jewel was fine to handle. I did have a sharp growl at her when I went to halter her and I thought she was thinking of showing me her hindquarters. She submitted to haltering and was good about the…
First pasture turnout of the spring!
Chance demonstrates that multitasking means bucking and farting, while his friend Summer demonstrates her version of multitasking…laying down and eating.
Buckwheat — Rest in peace
We lost a dear old horse last night. Buckwheat, who came to SAFE back in 2007, had another episode of colic and was humanely euthanized. We don’t know exactly how old he was, but he was well into his 30s. He will be missed very much by his foster family and everyone…
Maggie videos
Brittney has been asking Maggie and her volunteer rider to do a lot of transitions in the warm-up to get her focused. She is getting better and better!
River video
What a difference a couple of weeks makes! Wowza! Andrea reports that River was super on a recent trail ride and is better (and happier!) in the outdoor arena than the indoor. Take a look:
Assessing Bucky B Lucky
Bucky B Lucky was returned to SAFE nearly two months ago. His previous adopter had many ups and downs with him, but in the end, returned him to us citing behavioral problems including rearing under saddle and striking on the ground. From the information we were able…
Kai Update and Video
SAFE Trainer Brittney Stewart has had the opportunity to work with Kai a few times now, and she’s pretty pleased with what she’s seen from him. He’s very green, of course, but unlike many of the off-the-track thoroughbreds she’s ridden, she finds that Kai listens to…
Strider Update
Strider has apparently had issues with pressure sores on his fetlocks long before coming to SAFE, and no matter how deeply bedded his stall, the small sores persisted. Recently he’s developed some proud flesh at the site of one of the sores on his hind leg, and so…
From the Horse’s Mouth: Chip Update
If you follow Honeycutt’s blog, you know that he shares a lot of secrets about horses and their interactions. Today’s update on Chip comes straight from the horse’s mouth… Today I am thinking a lot about friends. I have two good friends who are Jay and Chance. Jay…
An important part of the process
Rehabbing a horse is a labor of love, and watching the amazing transformation that each of our horses goes through is the reward for a lot of hard work! There is so much that has to be accomplished before a rescued horse is ready for adoption, and so many people who…
Brandii Bask — Adopted!
We are just delighted to have another adoption to announce this week! First we bid a happy bon voyage to our dear Charmeon, and now we get to do it again for Miss Brandii Bask! Congratulations to the one and only Kitti Lile who opened a place in her heart and her home…
Two new additions to the SAFE Board of Directors
Since its inception in late 2005, SAFE has been an organization that has grown and evolved a lot over the years. SAFE’s Board of Directors is a dedicated group of people who volunteer their time and talent to oversee the day-to-day operation of the rescue as well as…
Goodbye Beth, and good luck!
With today’s announcement of the two new members to the SAFE Board of Directors, we must finally come to terms with the departure of a treasured member of our group, Beth Amberg. Beth broke our hearts last year when she announced that she and her family would be…
Charmeon: Adopted!
If you’re a fan of Dutch Mills Farm on Facebook (and if you’re not, you should be!) then you already know the incredible news that we have for you today: Charmeon is adopted!! Congratulations and a huge, happy thank you to Helga Roberts, who came to the realization…
Setbacks for Jewel
Jewel has been making great progress with the help of her foster mom, Janelle, but she’s had some recent setbacks that have us a little worried. Janelle recent adopted an older gelding from NWESC, and brought him home to join Jewel and her daughter’s pony Lucky. Jewel…
Hello Skye!
Kat videos
Kat under saddle with volunteer rider Casey:
Welcoming a new horse to SAFE!
We have a new horse to introduce to everyone today. His name is Kai (pronounced Kye) and he is an 8 year old dark bay Thoroughbred gelding who raced under the name Santorini Island. He’s a gorgeous beast…here he is meeting Strider for the first time yesterday:…
Sleeping ponies
If you listen closely at the beginning, you’ll hear Sunny nickering in his sleep…
A slight change in scenery for April
April used to occupy the first stall & paddock in the main barn at SAFE Harbor, but recently, after some re-shuffling to accomodate a new intake, she took up residency in the covered paddock next to the Indoor Arena where we originally kept Strider. It’s a good…
Checking in on Bucky B Lucky
Stopped by SAFE Harbor this afternoon to visit Bucky B Lucky, who is looking as handsome as ever. He’s tough to photograph because he just wants come up and say hello! I got the best photos from outside the fence! After his photo session, he got to enjoy a little bit…
Strider’s Best Buddy
Strider and Bucky B Lucky have been close friends since Lucky arrived at SAFE Harbor last month. Lucky is a big boy, but Strider makes him look like a pony!
Miah video 3/27/13
Miah had a great ride today with SAFE trainer Brittney Stewart. This video was taken after she’d been ridden for about 35 minutes so she’s a little bit tired but still going nicely!
River Training Update
River continues to make good progress with trainer Andrea Lucianna. Here is a video of his first ride in the “big arena” taken on March 19 2013: Andrea has started cantering him under saddle, but just in short stretches for now. We’ve decided to extend River’s…
Sasha is looking for a new home
Due to some recent changes in her owner’s life, former SAFE horse Sasha is now looking for a new home. She is available as a SAFE-Assisted placement, which means that SAFE will be overseeing her adoption while she remains in the care of her current adopter, who has…
