Echo

2010 black Grade mare
Type of Rescue: Animal Control Seizure
Intake Date: 7/2/2021
Adoption Date: 7/2023
Length of Time with SAFE: 2 years

ADOPTED!! by Addison 

Echo is a twelve year old grade mare who was part of a two horse animal control seizure. Sadly, the other horse was suffering extreme neglect and the vet recommended the most kind thing was to euthanize. Echo was a little worried about being haltered when she first arrived, but once she realized humans give good scratches, she leaned in and enjoyed the attention. Upon arrival, her body score was a 9 and the staff got to work helping this lady slim down a bit. Echo made a good recovery, and was soon added to SAFE’s horsemanship program, where she proved to be a steady and gentle riding horse.

She was adopted in 2021, but returned to SAFE in May 2022 after her adopter informed us that she was having issues with Echo. Rather than have her adopter find Echo a new home, we elected to take her back so that we could restart her under saddle. During the period she was back at SAFE, Brittany and Addison came to spectate a Joel Conner clinic where Echo was being ridden, and absolutely fell in love with this sweet mare. Because of their experience with this type of horsemanship, we felt that this would be the perfect fit for Echo’s continued training, and we were not wrong! Since her adoption, Echo has had all sorts of amazing experiences with Addison, including many trail rides and even some water crossings! 

Alumni Update: Echo

Alumni Update: Echo 

Here’s some information to share after a recent visit with Echo and her adopter Brittany. Brittany’s daughter, Addison, is the main handler and rider of Echo. Echo has been on a few camping trips with her family this summer. Brittany and Addison both feel Echo is a safe trail horse and has handled the trails well. Echo can lead or follow but seems most confident when she is following.

Echo is in good health and her weight is being managed well. She does exhibit a cresty/fatty neck and the vet is keeping a close eye on the situation.

 

Alumni Update: Echo and Nyx

Alumni Update: Echo and Nyx 

Echo’s adopter, Brittany, shared some photos and a report on an adventure she had with Nyx and his adopter, Lindsay.

Nyx and Echo had fun with summer shenanigans!!  Echo survived going through two bee swarms and didn’t dump my daughter Addison despite them galloping off on Addison’s request, jumping a log while galloping followed by a buck because the bees were still following them. She safely came to a stop once she reached the rest of the group and Addison quickly dismounted until the group was settled. Echo conquered a river crossing a few times by the end of this trip! Water brings her some anxiety, but she sure tries super hard for us despite her concern.

Echo is Adopted!

Echo is Adopted! 

After catching the eye of Brittany at the June Joel Connor clinic, she went home and told her family about this sweet pony. They gave SAFE a call and we talked about where Echo was in her training and the work needed to help her. We all agreed they were capable to helping her reach her full potential. One of the big reasons that allowed us to be comfortable with her leaving so soon after coming back to SAFE is that they understand the training we began and are able to continue to support her to make lasting changes.

Echo traveled the 4 hours to her new home without breaking a sweat. Upon arriving, Brittany told us she was excited to have her home and there was a lot of snuggling at dinner time. Eventually, when her daughter, Addison, took out Echo’s braids she was thrilled to find her thick luscious mane and exclaimed it’s her dream mane! Britney shared how excited she is to see her kid go down this style of horsemanship and thanks to Echo, she will reach a new level. Echo’s story has a happy ending because of Brittany’s wonderful family and we are so happy for this sweet mare.

Brittany’s 8 yr old son is also in love

Joel Conner Clinic: Echo

Joel Conner Clinic: Echo 

Echo has gotten right back into the swing of things! After a couple initial restarting rides, Echo is now riding just like she was before she left. She participated in both the groundwork and the riding class in the recent Joel Conner clinic and did phenomenally! We were able to clear up some braces in her front end and really helped her quiet her mouth on the bit. Echo made huge strides in her soft feel work and has even started leg yielding. We still need to work on moving out in a timely manner, as she has a tendency to kick out when we insist that she lope and she could still use further help balancing her hindquarters and frontquarters.

Overall, we’re thrilled to have Echo back in the horsemanship program as she will start helping greener volunteers learn the horsemanship so that they may help other horses in the future!

Echo is adopted!

Echo is adopted! 

Echo is adopted! She headed to her home right before Christmas. What a Christmas present! Echo, who is now Princess Zelda, and has a horse best friend Oz along with a young family to play with. The property is beautiful and she has a life full of fun adventures ahead.

Before becoming a Princess and arriving at SAFE, she was living in a bad situation of neglect. Sadly, the other horse she was with was euthanized due to extreme neglect and Echo had a body score of 9 and was put on a diet upon her arrival. Her hooves were so bad the farrier had to come every 2–3 weeks to slowly trim them down over time. Once at a healthy weight and a little confidence through our horsemanship program, she was being shown to potential adopters and it wasn’t long before this wonderful family found her. We are thrilled that this princess has found a loving home with Michelle, Chris, their daughters, Wynne and Sylvia and we can’t wait to see photos of the young family growing up with this fuzzy little bear.

Echo at the Joel Conner Clinic

Echo at the Joel Conner Clinic 

One of our volunteer riders, Candi, recently rode Echo on the last day of the Joel Connor Clinic. Here is what she said about Echo.

Kaya on Echo

One look into Echo’s eyes and you see a sweet mare who is finding her groove once again. In the last month she has been introduced into the horsemanship program by Kaya. In November, Echo participated in the Joel Conner clinic. On the third day of clinic, I was able to ride Echo for the first time. We worked on bending, hindquarters, unified circles and a soft feel. The soft feel means the rider uses their body language to help horse follow them just like they are leading a dance and the horse is following. Along with teaching Echo to move her feet while maintaining a soft feel she is finding comfort. She was calm and relaxed throughout the entire session even with several horses and riders moving around her.

Echo is wonderful mare who wants to connect with her rider. She will benefit with continued training in horsemanship even well after adoption. This will help her not only in the arena but on the trails as well.”

Echo is Learning!

Echo is Learning! 

Since her arrival at SAFE, Echo’s weight has dropped from 1,100 pounds to a much more height-appropriate 875 pounds. We soak her hay for 30 minutes to decrease sugars and are using hay that is suitable for easy keepers. The hay provides roughage and forage but is not as calorie packed as the orchard grass or alfalfa that other SAFE horses receive.

Echo has had several hoof trims by the farrier, handles fly spray more comfortably than initially, and is even getting some experience with trailer loading. We are working on conditioning ground work and bumping her up to a fence for mounting. She has no trouble being saddled and has had about seven rides. Echo has approximately 30 days of riding ahead of her to check soundness and to check for vices, and will then be started on trails. She has probably been a riding horse in the past but does not appear to have concentrated arena work. Arena work builds the tools, support, and relationship between rider and horse and is important in preparation for going out on the trail. Echo needs to learn to bend — a combination of the head, front end and hind end moving with a suppleness throughout the whole body. Other training objectives for Echo include getting her feet free, learning to change eyes, and not getting upset when a cinch or stirrup touches her side. She’s not a naughty horse, but she’s anxious, so working to get her relaxed and content with a rider on board is important. We estimate it will be another 4–6 weeks of training before she will be introduced as a riding horse.

New Horse: Echo

New Horse: Echo 

Echo was dropped off by Animal Control a few weeks ago. When she first arrived, she was very unsure of being caught. What will these humans ask of me!? she seemed to say. Once haltered, the staff started loving on her, brushing and giving her scratches. She quickly learned this is good stuff and leaned into Terry, who was brushing and she started grooming Kaya, who was scratching her head. This big black 11 year old mare with a cresty neck has a body score of 9, so it is a little difficult to tell what breed she is. Currently she is 1200 lbs at 13.3 HH, so we are working on a plan to help her lose weight. We soak her hay twice a day for 30 minutes, which takes some of the sugars out and she is also on Thyro‑L to help with weight loss.

Echo lived with another horse on the property, who was so badly neglected, the kindest thing was to euthanize them. The previous owners were feeding the horses, but not caring about their weight or medical needs. While Echo was able to eat so much and get fat, the other horse was wasting away. Echo’s feet have not had a trim in quite some time. Our farrier has already come for a first visit and has recommended that we do small trims every 2–3 weeks to slowly work our way back to the shape they should be. See before and after photos of her feet below. Echo seems to be a friendly gal who is interested in people and we are excited to see her transformation into the horse we know she is.