Getting to know Dylan Palm!
Tremendous thanks to Caren McMillen, who interviewed Dylan and provided this write-up to help you all get to know him better! Thank you, Caren, you are one in a million! Dylan Palm became the Sunday Barn Manager at SAFE when Julien Dreher left for college. But because of the coronavirus situation, Dylan ended up on not one but FOUR daily shifts at the barn, in addition to helping Terry with the horsemanship program. Dylan has played a major...
read moreAlder Makes Progress
Here’s an update from Kaya, who worked with Alder while Joel Conner was in town: Alder learned a ton during this last clinic! I’m so lucky to be able to work with this smart, sweet gelding. We worked on freeing up his feet, roping, and saddling prep. Alder even wore a saddle two of the days, before developing a saddle sore that kept him saddle free the rest of the clinic. With this sore healed, I’m excited to keep working on...
read moreA Devastating Loss
It’s almost inconceivable to have to write these words. We lost a horse this week — a horse that was young, strong, and full of life. A horse with a sunny personality and a friendly calm outlook on life. A horse who was just days away from finding his forever home. We had to say goodbye far too soon. And worst of all, we still don’t really know why. On Tuesday morning, the morning feeding crew found Valor in his paddock with...
read moreJoel Conner Clinic Report: Jollie!
Thank you to Casey A for this update about Jollie, who got to participate in her first Joel Conner Clinic* this month! Jollie had a fantastic week! When she arrived at SAFE she hadn’t really been halter started, and she was quite pushy, so leading her to and from her paddock each day was a great opportunity. By Sunday, she led more confidently and was more respectful of personal boundaries. She also made great progress in the groundwork. Terry...
read moreAnderson Training Update
Here’s an update from Anderson’s regular rider, Kaya: Since this clinic was a little unique, Anderson and I both had the opportunity to really delve into our biggest insecurities and issues. We had two round pens set up in the indoor arena and this allowed me to ride Anderson with just a halter, no bridle, and work on both my ability to let go and encourage Anderson forward without letting my legs get tight and change...
read moreGoodbye, Slim
It is hard to share sad news with you, knowing how difficult the world is right now. But unfortunately, some things can’t wait for this to pass. We have been struggling to keep Slim comfortable for over 9 months. What started as an abscess became an infection of his coffin bone and has continually caused him different degrees of pain. Vets from Rainland Farm Equine Clinic have been out countless times, We’ve spent hours doctoring and...
read moreSAFE State of the Union
It should come as no surprise that horses don’t care that much about COVID-19. While the world outside the farm is changing in unimaginable ways, life here at SAFE remains pretty much the same. The horses go about their day as they always have, with certain expectations firmly in place: They will get fed at every feeding time. Their stalls and paddocks will be picked daily without fail. Water troughs will be clean and full. If they need...
read moreBuddy and Banner Dental
Buddy and Banner had their dentals and vaccines yesterday. Both were good boys. We are guessing ages are 25 for Buddy and 22 for Banner. The dentals should give both a ton of relief when eating. They got an intense deep cleaning spa treatments afterwards. They both are new men!! And they’ll be off intake quarantine on Friday!!
read moreRaising a White Flag
Do you ever get to moving so fast that you have no idea how exhausted you are? That’s a pretty accurate description of how things have been at SAFE for the past year or so. We started 2019 off with business as usual — caring for 30 rescued horses, managing their rehabilitation and training, and looking to find them new homes. Then in June, we got involved with the Fall City 40. That effort, helping 40 wild and neglected horses, was...
read moreThe Limelight Pet Project Features Millie
Thanks to The Limelight Pet Project for featuring Millie! The Limelight Pet Project is a campaign local to Washington that shines a light on harder to adopt pets and the people who help them. We’re delighted they chose Millie to share this month on Q13 FOX. Here’s the article and segment on Q13 FOX:
read more2019 Year in Review: Herd Health Update
Looking back on our accomplishments for the year in the herd health department at SAFE was easy in 2018, because we were still riding on the coattails of the adrenaline rush that came along with foaling out and raising 3 fillies. 2018 was also our first year with a full-time herd health manager on staff, so there were some significant changes to report. At first glance, 2019 seemed a little more mundane and business-as-usual. But look a little...
read moreAn Unlikely Pair Finds a Forever Home
We meet Janelle a few weeks ago when she came to us, looking for a riding horse to join their family. She met Cameo, and It quickly became clear that Cameo and Janelle were perfect for each other. But since Janelle didn’t own any other horses, we were reluctant to adopt her all alone. Cameo loves having friends around, so being alone on a property would not make her happy. Because Janelle wanted to make a perfect home for Cameo, she was...
read moreAnderson Horsemanship Update
Here’s an update from Anderson’s regular rider and friend Kaya M: Anderson is one special horse. Since we first began working together last summer, our relationship and ability to understand each other has grown exponentially! Last summer, Anderson would walk away from me with ears pinned in his paddock and now he is all happy ears and cuddles when I go get him. This change in attitude feels directly related to a change in my...
read moreFall City 40 Update
We started back in June with 40 horses…and we could not be happier that 30 of those horses are now in new homes, getting the care they need and deserve. That leaves ten horses who still need homes. You’ll notice that on the last update, we said that 11 horses are still available…things have REALLY slowed down with placing these horses. A couple adoptions fell through…the weather got ugly…and the public’s...
read moreAmelia Under Saddle
SAFE volunteer rider Phoebe has been working with Amelia for quite a long time, and has successfully restarted her under saddle. Though Amelia will only be suited to light riding due to her age and history, she loves kids and would be a great horse for leadline. Amelia is under saddle and doing great! It has taken a while for her to understand that her mouth won’t get pulled on, but she is now accepting the snaffle bit in less time than...
read morePearl Training Update
Volunteer horseman Phoebe T has been working with Pearl. Here’s her report on their progress: I’ve never worked with a Morab before, and Pearl has me sold on the combination!! She is SOOO smart! She is definitely a willing partner and has gotten accustomed to the flag, learning a soft feel & a one rein stop from the ground. Also backing up – from a heads up fearful, to a chin tucked, soft, response, once she understood...
read moreValor Training Update
Here’s an update from one of Valor’s regular riders, Kaya M: Valor seems to have everyone swooning over him constantly at SAFE. He’s so handsome and sweet and wants nothing more than someone to hug his face and tell him he’s a good boy. Working with him the past couple months has been a great opportunity for me to learn more. Valor has had so much quality training in his past that he really knows his stuff and I have...
read moreAlder Training Update
Thank you to volunteer horseman Kaya M for this update on Alder. Don’t tell anyone, but I think she’s in love… Alder is a smart, thoughtful gelding with an active mind and an intense desire to find the right answer and do the right thing. Working with him on beginning groundwork exercises to eventually prepare him for a rider has been an incredibly fun and educational challenge! While he is still a little herd-bound to Pearl...
read moreMarch Volunteer of the Month: Sara Hummel
Sara Hummel, chores and more! Thank you, Sara, for all you do for the SAFE ponies and people! You have been a life-save this winter, turning up whenever we need you. You are always there ready to work hard and you never lose your smile. Congratulations! What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE? I love the amazing community of volunteers and staff who are all there for the same reasons; loving and caring for these amazing animals...
read moreBuddy Intake Photos
Thank you to Kristina Oden for these photos of our new friend...
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