Getting to Know Poppy
Sweet little Poppy is the more timid of the two black pony cross mares, but it’s impossible to decide who is cuter. Poppy can be difficult to catch, so she still has to wear a breakaway halter to make it easier for her to catch in the paddock, but we have been working…
Getting to Know Henry
Henry, who arrived wide-eyed and nervous (it was his first time on a trailer, coupled with the uncertainty of a new place), has really begun to settle in at SAFE. He spends his days in a turnout with appaloosa mares Zelly and Evie on either side, and the three go to…
Getting to Know Moshi
The more outgoing of the little black mares, Moshi is curious and approachable. She has her moments of playing hard to get, but has been the more reliable of the two to catch in the paddock, and recently has had very little issue with people coming right up to her. We…
Getting to Know Zelly
Zelly arrived at SAFE with a snotty nose (no other symptoms, like fever or lethargy) that did not resolve with time. When our vet first checked her out, she said she would want to take X‑rays if the snot remained, as the snot was not bilateral, and was likely a sinus…
Getting to Know Kelly
Kelly is a gentle mare and been fairly easy to work with so far. Her biggest trouble has come around picking up and treating her hooves. She was fairly naughty for the first farrier visit last month and we are hopeful with the care and work we have started she is…
Decoding Declan
Oh Declan, caramel-colored stranger-turned-friend, unspooling who you are has been, as it often is, an adventure of the best sort. Declan, you first arrived having worn the hat of “family horse” in your past, and you brought it with you, tucked away with the rest of…
Training Update: Darla
Darla is doing well with her training and continues to show that she is a quick learner and has a lot of try! Darla’s gotten freer with her movements, but still has some work to do getting off her front end and really carrying herself forward. We’ve also been working…
Alumni Update: Sophie
We caught up with Sophie and Julie in January 2023. Sophie has two pasture mates, Julie’s daughter’s pony and Piper, another SAFE alumni. Sophie gets a lot of groundwork but there isn’t a lot of time for as much riding anymore, as Julie has a 2‑year-old human to…
November Clinic Report: Ciara
Kaya M worked alongside Ciara at the November Joel Conner clinic and had the following experience: “We learned a lot about Ciara during this clinic and unfortunately discovered she wasn’t quite as comfortable being saddled as we’d thought she was. I threw my saddle on…
November Clinic Report: Pepper
Candi K has worked with Pepper since her return to SAFE, and has the following to say about their time spent together, specifically about their time in the riding portion of the November Joel Conner Clinic: “Who doesn’t love a little spice in their life? Pepper…
November Clinic Report: Scotty
Kaya M rode Scotty in his first Joel Conner Clinic this past November, and has the following to say about their rides together: “Scotty really proved that he’s a confident and capable riding horse this weekend! I’d only ridden him a couple times out in the big arena,…
November Clinic Report: Bijou
Sara H worked alongside Bijou in the groundwork sessions in the November Joel Conner Clinic, and had the following to say about their time together!: “Who says old horses can’t learn new tricks? Bijou is a sweet and sensitive old gal who recently spent several days…
November Clinic Report: Frosting, Wren, Veronica, Artie, Esme
We finished off 2023’s training program horsemanship clinics on a high note. The incredible dedicated volunteers were like a well-oiled machine over the intensive five days. Wednesday and Thursday, we got our hands on 21 SAFE horses! From the barely haltered to those…
November Clinic Report: Sienna
Sue C worked with Sienna during the November Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say about their experience together: “The lovely and sage Sienna was my groundwork partner for the November 2023 Joel Conner clinic. Sienna is a kind, experienced mare who is…















