Raven Goes on a Field Trip!
Our sweet Raven got to go on her first overnight sleepover last week. We have been trying to figure out her digestive issues and the next step was to have a gastroscopy performed to rule out stomach ulcers as a source of her intermittent colics. We had not had a colic episode in several weeks, but she has recently begun grinding her teeth, which can be a sign of ulcers. Raven loaded into the trailer like she had done it hundreds of times...
2018 SAFE Open House Dates
SAFE holds a quarterly Open House in which we invite our supporters and neighbors to come for a visit! Here are the dates we’ve chosen for 2018: 2018 Open House Dates: Sunday, April 22, 2018 Sunday June 17, 2018 Sunday, September 23, 2018 Sunday, December 2, 2018 — Holiday Open House! Time: Noon to 3pm Location: Safe Harbor Stables, 10407 192nd Ave NE, Redmond WA...
Ru: Young at Heart
Ruach is quite the character! He has had a number of years off and came to SAFE in October 2017 when his aging owner was no longer able to care for him. SAFE has recently restarted him and is conditioning him for light riding. He has a big lofty trot and canter. He is bit pushy on the ground and we are working on personal space. He is VERY kind hearted and is simply a very large playful OTTB who doesn’t realize he is turning 20 this year! He...
Fall in Love with Tasara
Tasara is a sweetheart! Her sensitive nature and forward energy make her an ideal horse for a rider with a light touch and calm personality. She was recently started at SAFE and is in full training. She has smooth gaits, she’s well behaved and she just loves people! At this time, she is considered a green horse and will require more miles under saddle before she’ll be suitable for a youth rider. She will make a great partner for a...
Valencia, a Ray of Sunshine
Valencia is one of the most kind and gentle horses we currently have at SAFE. She loves getting groomed and spending time with people and other horses. She was recently restarted at SAFE after having quite a few years off due to an aging owner. She was a quiet restart, and she now goes forward without hesitation and shows no bad behavior while being worked. We continue to help strengthen her topline and hindquarters. She has done well leading...
Belle Gives Us a Scare
Last Monday, after she had gotten settled into her stall for the evening, Belle gave the PM volunteers a scare. She suddenly became lethargic and had a large amount of discharge coming from her mouth and nostrils. It appeared as though she was experiencing an episode of choke. Choke in horses is different than when people choke. Rather than their airway getting blocked and being unable to breathe, something (usually feed) gets stuck in their...
Training Update: Renee
Renee is a stunning Quarter Horse mare. She is very wise and has a huge amount of try for her rider. She is sensitive and requires a skilled rider who is relaxed and can be a calming influence. Don’t let her age fool you, she has no idea she is 19 and has tons of life and go. She takes a little time getting to know her handler but once she trusts you she is a great ride. If you like a forward, responsive mare this horse is for you! She does...
Don’t be Fooled by Stella!
Stella is a forward and willing young mare with a lot of try and personality. She is currently in training and going well in her riding work. She stands nicely when tied, she’s good for the vet and farrier, and trailers with no problems. She’s is a good companion to other horses too. She needs more miles on the trails but is a confident girl on her walks around our property. Don’t let her little size fool you, this mare has a lot to...
A Rescue Partnership: Saving Sienna and Koko
SAFE does the majority of its work in the public eye, sharing our stories, photos, videos, and updates with our supporters via our website and social media. But there are some rescue efforts that are done in private through our Community Outreach Program. Through this program, horse owners in need of help can apply for assistance with hay, vet care, gelding services, and euthanasia. Out of respect for the privacy of these individuals, most of...
Sienna at NWESC
Here are photos of Sienna taken at NWESC at the beginning of her stay there. You can really see how awful her feet were in these photos. It was incredibly difficult for her to walk with feet this long. Here is an update from NWESC on Sienna’s progress: Sienna is doing really well with her handling and hoof trimming. She is catchable although still very cautiously and she get spooked/nervous occasionally. She is good for the most part...
Joel Conner Horsemanship Clinic: April 26-29
Location: Safe Harbor Stables 10407 192nd Ave NE Redmond, WA 98053 Schedule: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8a-10a Colt Starting (SAFE Horses) 10:30-1:30 Groundwork 2-5p Riding Auditing: $20/day (FREE for SAFE volunteers!) For information about participating, please email terry@safehorses.org. For more information about Joel Conner visit his website:...
Valor is a Riding Horse!
We are so pleased to announce that Valor is now officially a riding horse! Jolene did such a fantastic job preparing him for a rider that we decided we were comfortable doing the first rides here at Safe Harbor. She spent many hours “sacking him out” making sure there were no holes in the groundwork so that the first ride would be as smooth as possible. Here are a few photos and videos of the first two rides!! 1st ride Here is...
Trail and Training Update for Prince
Lori has committed a great deal of time to loving and training Prince while he has been at SAFE. He is doing so well under her supervision and has blossomed into both a confident trail horse but also a calm arena partner. This boy can do it all! Here is what Lori had to say about their work together: “Prince continues to amaze me. We went today on a ride along with Rosie and the two mini horses. Prince led the way and was the calm cool...
Rosie Walks the Trails
Sweet Rosie is getting some exercise out on the trails with our wonderful volunteers. Here is a quick video of her out on the trail with her buddy Prince and the minis Sunny & Shasta. Rosie did great on the trails and even “ponied” off Prince when the volunteers needed to concentrate on getting themselves and the minis through the deeper water. Rosie is such a great horse! While she plays the stoic older mare when you first...
Ru Gets his Teeth Fixed
At the end of January, Dr. Fleck came out to sedate Ru and perform a dental procedure to take down excess tooth on his lower incisors. He has a mild underbite and, likely due to lack of dental care in his past, they had grown in a way in which they ended up being pushed out of their normal position. If the teeth were left as is, he would end up having trouble eating due to the abnormal occlusion that it would create in his mouth. Unfortunately,...
Raven is Growing Up!
SAFE volunteer rider Casey has been working with Raven in preparation for our Colt Starting Clinic with Joel Conner on March 15-18th. Our goal is to make her first ride as uneventful as possible and for Raven to be as relaxed about a rider up top as she is with her handlers on the ground. Casey is putting many hours into introducing Raven to new things and supporting her through the process. This young mare is coming along nicely and all the...
New Glamor Shots: Valor
This boy is a rock star in the making! He has the looks, style, and swagger that will make anyone fall madly in love. He is going to be an amazing riding partner...
Alumni Update: Ruby is Getting Started!
Ruby is so beautiful all grown up and wearing a saddle! Sophia and Matt have her in training near Portland, Oregon with a very skilled and kind trainer named Nick Donohue. Ruby is in great hands and Sophia is looking forward to working along side her to become a great riding...
Stormy Under Saddle
Our blind and beautiful mare Stormy never ceases to amaze. She approaches life with incredible bravery and capability. But it turns out that there is more to Stormy than just being a treasured pasture pet. Last week, Stormy allowed her trusted friend Melinda to place a saddle on her back and climb on. She accepted a rider as if it was the most normal thing in the world. She’s now proven herself a bona fide lead line pony. Who knows how...
Duchess Under Saddle
Duchess is back under saddle again. She and Jolene had a quiet first ride in the round pen and a lovely 2nd ride in arena this evening. Duchess is coming back after some years off and settling in nicely to the work. Her gentle disposition will make is suitable to many riders and we expect her to find a home quickly. She is ready to start meeting potential adopters now! Email adopt@safehorses.org or fill out our application online to get a...
