Congratulations to our October Volunteer of the Month, Ryden Forsyth!
At SAFE, our 250+ volunteers are truly the heart of our community. We can really only do what we do because of our amazingly generous volunteers! This month we are celebrating a truly dedicated volunteer — Ryden Forsyth (they/them).
Ryden joined SAFE in July 2024. From the very beginning, they have gone above and beyond to support our mission, always greeting others with a warm smile and a helping hand. As a Shift Lead on Sunday mornings, they lead by example, fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for volunteers and visitors alike. When not leading shifts or grooming, they can be found on our Farm Tour team, where they introduce guests to our beloved herd of horses and share the beauty of our property with genuine pride and joy. Their commitment also shines through on the grooming team, and it has been wonderful to see their recent pairing with Veronica blossom into a heartwarming partnership. Watching them work together is a true delight. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, generosity, and the positive spirit they bring to every aspect of our organization. Thank you, Ryden, for all that you do!
Learn more about Ryden below:
How and when did you first get involved with horses? Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
I first got involved with horses in the 3rd grade when I started riding at Harmony Farms in Ashford. My time there sparked a lifetime passion for a well-rounded horsemanship education that I’m thrilled to continue here at SAFE. A few years into riding there, my family and I had the honor of being the “retirement home” for a former rescue horse. Caring for Tasha was my first education on what it means to work with rescues, and her time in my life cemented my eternal love for all the crotchety old mares.
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
One of the absolute coolest things about volunteering at SAFE is getting to see the real-time transformations happening over the months and years horses might spend here. Seeing a horse like Mahina who startled so badly at the smallest rattle of a muck cart – to the point where I would rearrange my tools to reduce the noise anytime I walked past her those first couple months – becoming her curious, joyful, and confident self in such a rapid timeframe is such a testament to the hard work every single person puts in to make our horses’ transformations look like miracles.
Do you have a favorite SAFE horse? If so, why?
My favorite SAFE horse has to be my forever heart horse, Bandit. I had the absolute pleasure of grooming Bandit for about a year before she and Brandy passed, and loving her has been one of the great joys of my life. I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories, the comfort our Greener Pastures program provides, and the braid of her mane that I will treasure forever.
I also have to give a shoutout to my girl
Veronica who I’ve been getting to know more over these past few months. She has quickly wormed her way into my heart and we’re having so much fun together!
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
My day job is in waterworks distribution. If I’m not there or at the barn, you can either find me attending a local sporting event or curling up at home with a good book.
Do you have family or special people in your life who support your volunteer work that you would want us to mention in your write up?
Absolutely! I have a truly incredible group of teammates on the Sunday AM crew who make that long early morning drive more than worth it, but I’d be remiss not to mention my OG team: Tuesday AM. I love you all so dearly, and I would not be where I am as a SAFE volunteer without all the time, energy, and expertise each of you poured into me. Thank you for everything you all have done to support me over these past two years.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sundee Photography
