Volunteer Education: No Hoof No Horse
If you polled our volunteers and asked them what initially drew them to SAFE, the surface level answer would likely be uniform across the board: a love of horses. No shock or surprise there. But digging deeper, the answer would become nuanced between individuals. Some…
Alumni Update: Leonardo
Leo is enjoying life on a 9‑acre ranch with horses, goats, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats. Leo hangs with three other horses in a very large pasture/dry lot. He is an easy-keeper and is on a feeding program that is working well to keep him from being a chunky monkey.…
2023 Volunteer of the Year: Joan Yankis
We’ll say it again and again, volunteers are the heart and soul of SAFE; without them we couldn’t do all that we do, for horses! In 2023 we had over 180 active volunteers who came together and shared their time, skills and hearts, all to better the lives of horses.…
Theo’s First Trim
This golden boy deserves a star to match his pretty coat for how well he did for his first trim this week! Given his gentle personality and sweet nature, we weren’t too worried, but having your legs handled can be a bit of a challenge for even some of our more…
Edward’s Flexion Tests
Have you been wondering what to expect from a soundness evaluation? Wonder no more — Edward is here to demonstrate some of the things that may be asked of your horse at a pre-purchase exam or lameness evaluation. Some good boxes to check before the appointment date…
What do you do…?
What do you do if you are concerned about the condition or treatment of a horse that you’ve seen? Often people will contact SAFE about it, not knowing that we do not have the authority to seize animals from private individuals. We can advise you, but most likely we…
Harrisa, Blanketed
With this recent snap in cold weather, we are doing our very best to keep the horses warm and happy. Extra feedings, steaming sweet waters and hot mashes, blankets with fill — we set our herd up with these things and more to help them combat the cold. Harissa is…
Sandy Jupiter
It seems an inevitability of horses and horse ownership (or stewardship) that there will come a time when your horse suffers from the most base of afflictions: a stomachache. We can talk about how cruel it is that the design of horses is such that their digestive…
Alumni Update: Kat
We received a sad update from Shar on July 31st: Catherine‘s beautiful post about Butters (on the Facebook SAFE Alumni page) gave me the nudge I needed to share with all of you that I lost Kat last month to colic. She was 27. Losing her crushed my heart. I miss her…
Alumni Update: Butters
We received an update from Catherine on July 31st: We said goodbye to Butters this morning. Though her spirits were as bright as ever, her hind end was weakening and unsteady. She was so very happy to get to amble and munch allllll the dewy, green grass today.…
Alumni Update: Piper
Talia and Ben just moved, with Piper and her pasture mate, Nova, to a new property this spring. There is a nice trail that leaves from their new place, crosses a creek and meanders the area. They each walk the trail leading the horses. No riding at the moment — Talia…
Cleo and Deja on Grass
There are many aspects of horse rescue that are rewarding, but one of the best feelings has to be seeing a horse, who you know was previously underfed, now turned out on grass looking happy (and perhaps even a bit on the fat side!) Cleopatra and Deja Vu are two such…
Alumni Update: Jasper
Alumni volunteer Lisa G recently visited with Jasper and his adopter. Jasper is absolutely thriving in the Olympic Peninsula farm life. This happy and healthy fellow gets to spend his days turned out with a TRULY mixed herd; his 2 mare pals, Poppy and Sodee, 4…
Haltering Progression with Winter
Winter had lived for a number of years out on pasture without being caught. She remained curious of humans, but wary of their intentions, especially when it came to anyone handling her in a way that wasn’t on her terms. We were able to get a breakaway halter on Winter…
