Meet Mabel: A Sweet Mare Starting Her Journey at SAFE
This little mare is absolutely adorable! Mabel is sure to win the hearts of SAFE volunteers in no time. In these early days of training, we’re taking things slow to give her time to adjust to her new surroundings. Moving to SAFE, along with adapting to new routines…
Rediscovering Nova: A Journey Beyond Hormones
It’s time for a long-overdue update on our mare, Nova! This summer, Nova has enjoyed a growing friendship with Harissa. They make a great pair, with Harissa helping to keep Nova grounded when she gets a little too bold. Overall, Nova has shown significant improvements…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Edward
Kaya M has been riding Edward for the last year, and has the following reflection regarding their last clinic together of 2024: “Edward had a wonderful last clinic of the year! He really showed how much he’s learned and was starting to “play with the big dogs” working…
Alumni Update: Rae
Christina provided a couple of new photos of Rae. She wrote: Hard to pic a favorite… but I can always share more later. Looking back at photos from the March 2024 to August 2024 clinics at SAFE it’s no wonder some folks had to ask if it was really Rae! She’s…
Esme’s Clinic Adventures: A Summer of Growth
This little pony has so much heart! Summer has been eventful for Esme, filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. She earned her position as my riding partner at both the Spanaway and Ellensburg Buck Brannaman clinics, and she rose to each challenge…
Alumni Update: Nyx
Lindsay shared this update and photos from September. Had an amazing weekend at Quinn Meadows in central Oregon with Nyx. He’s just the best trail buddy I could have ever dreamed of…still some work to do with mountain bikers, but we can’t be perfect at everything.…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Winter
Paige N has been spending some time working with Winter, and has the following to say about their time spent together over the last two Joel Conner clinics: “Over the past two Joel Conner Clinics Winter has made phenomenal progress both mentally and physically. …
Week in Review: November 10 — 16
Another week has passed at SAFE, and with it we are already halfway through November! The weather is changing (re: darker, colder) but as always, the varied personalities of the horses and the busy, busy days around the barn keep us warm. Check out what we got up to…
Clarissa and Tulip off to Foster
Two of our (TWELVE!) chestnut mares have gone off to foster with our dear friend Manuela, adopter of alumna Freya. Clarissa and Tulip headed to Manuela’s place this past weekend to live alongside Freya and Manuela’s other mare, Mocha. The two of them loaded right up,…
Rest in Peace, Winter
These are the posts that we never want to write. It is with deep sadness that we inform you that we lost Winter to a colic last week. During her time here at SAFE, Winter made good friends — both human and horse. She gained a great deal of confidence in herself,…
Cooper’s Path
Cooper came to SAFE at a time when every human in his life had failed him. As we uncovered his past, we learned how unfortunate his early interactions with people had been. Likely around two years old, he was wild-caught off the Yakima Reservation and pushed into the…
Alumni Update: Cassidy
We recently checked in with Cassidy and her adopter, Bri. They are focusing on participating in the Ride to Rendezvous this May. They have done it in the past and Cassidy did great! Bri said she is so glad SAFE exists and she’s very happy to have Cassidy!
Adopting a Companion Horse from SAFE
If you look at the current population of horses at SAFE right now, eleven of them are what we call “companions” — older horses that can’t really be ridden anymore…but still need a safe, permanent home. Any of these horses would tell you that caring for a companion…
Transformations 2025
It isn’t always easy to watch transformations as they occur. They don’t happen overnight, after all. But to juxtapose a horse when they first arrive at SAFE, and to see them now — well, it’s clear that these horses have made some massive changes, both inside and out.…


















