Miss Pepper recently returned to SAFE after a routine alumni check revealed she was no longer being ridden regularly. She was living in a paddock with two other mares, receiving good care, consistent feeding, and companionship from both horses and humans. Overall, she was in a safe and loving environment. However, as a young and energetic mare without regular exercise or an outlet for her energy, it became challenging for the sanctuary to fully meet her evolving needs.
One year ago, to the day, she was adopted by a sanctuary whose focus has since shifted. While their intentions were good, their program was more aligned with smaller farm animals and retired horses than a riding or training environment for youth. When they recognized that they could no longer provide what Pepper needed, they reached out for help.
While they were unable to restart her training or actively promote her for adoption, Pepper was clearly well cared for. She returned to us with a shiny summer coat, good manners, and a bit of extra weight—a testament to the love and attention she received. We are grateful for their honesty and collaboration in making sure Pepper’s needs were put first.
Although our facilities are at capacity, our commitment to every SAFE horse is lifelong. We believe Pepper has a wonderful chance of finding her perfect match through our structured training and adoption program.
Now seven years old, Pepper is settling back in beautifully. We anticipate that restarting her under saddle will take about two weeks. With consistent riding, she should be ready to meet potential adopters by the end of June.
Pepper will thrive in a home with room to play, equine companionship, and a family committed to her ongoing development. While she enjoys breaks, she isn’t the type of horse you can leave untouched for weeks and expect to pick up where you left off. She benefits from regular groundwork, structure, and focused activity to channel her energy. She’s not naughty—just young and full of potential, ready to learn and grow with the right guidance. Once back in regular work, we’re confident our novice horsemanship volunteers will be able to keep her exercised and help bring her back to peak fitness.
Welcome home, Pepper—we’re so glad to have you back, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
