Trinket

2021 Grade Mare

Suitability: TBD

Color: Palomino
Markings: blaze
Height: 13.3 hh
Weight: 675 lbs
Adoption Fee: TBD

Trinket was seized by Pierce County Animal Control after a Good Samaritan called about the poor condition of her and fellow seizure, Tulip, and several dogs on the property. Both of the horses as well as nine dogs were taken.

Trinket was in poor condition on seizure with a BCS of 2, in need of groceries and overdue for all basic care. She is a little reluctant to be caught, but seems quite sweet. We are looking forward to getting her settled in and learning more about her.

Online Adoption Application

A Very Special Trinket

by Terry Phelps | May 1, 2025 | Trinket

What a delightful young mare Trinket has become over the past few months under SAFE’s care. Our little ugly duckling is beginning a beautiful transformation and will one day mature into a lovely palomino mare. It’s been refreshing to see how quickly she’s changed—and how well she’s retaining those changes. Unlike a troubled horse, Trinket releases her braces and begins each training session close to where we left off the day before.

She came to us with some significant braces due to poor halter starting and handling. Thankfully, horses really respond to the support we give them to free up their feet and balance their bodies. The change that comes over her when she finds that balance is inspiring. We’re honored to have her in our barn and to play a role in her successful start.

She’s also shown some funny personality quirks that reveal her inquisitive and playful nature. During her first week of groundwork, she would try to nibble my ponytail as I led her out of her paddock. While not great behaviorally, it was a nice sign—she had gone from not wanting to be touched to exploring her options for connecting with me. She’s now developing a healthy respect for my space while enjoying scratches, which is building trust and a solid relationship with people.

Adding her to a small herd of playful gal pals has also helped give her an outlet for that energy and curbed her nibbling behavior. She’s learning respect and boundaries just as much—if not more—from this healthy herd dynamic. Young horses need other horses to grow, learn, and develop emotionally balanced life skills!

Another quirky moment came during her second week of saddling. When I went to remove the saddle, she let out a loud nicker and halfway jumped up toward me and the saddle. My first thought was, “What the heck?” followed quickly by, “Well, this just won’t do.” I repeatedly saddled and unsaddled her from both sides, and the behavior stopped. Looking back, it may have been a reaction to the angle as I stepped away—perhaps the saddle moved into a blind spot, causing the response. Regardless, we worked through it, and after a few more days of practice, she’s doing great.

Groundwork, saddling, and first rides take a lot of skill. Doing it without putting trouble into a horse is a huge responsibility, one we take seriously. We’re so grateful for this style of horsemanship and for the guidance and experience Joel Conner brings to our program. Trinket has a bright future ahead thanks to the thoughtful preparation SAFE is investing in her.

A special thank you to Dani Gamble, who joined us at our March clinic and helped with Trinket’s first saddling. Dani supported her through those early experiences and brought a skillful hand to the work. We’re lucky to know her and to work horses together.

We plan to sit on Trinket in May and give her 60–90 days of riding before making her available for adoption. She’ll be best suited to someone capable of riding a very green horse—with a solid plan and the right support in place to continue her education.

Four New Faces

by Lily Leitkowski | Feb 4, 2025 | Brownie, Clarissa, Trinket, Tulip

Last week, we welcomed four new members into our herd. All four come to us from Pierce County Animal Control, two pair out from two separate seizures.

The first twosome were originally part of a trio, but sadly the third horse on the property had to be humanely euthanized due to the severity of its condition. A necropsy following the euthanasia revealed no fat on the horse. Clarissa, an older (~30) chestnut mare, was not far behind, with a BCS of 1.5 on intake. Brownie (~12), a paint gelding, was in a touch better shape, but both horses were overdue for basic care. This pair has proven to be quite sweet, willing to be caught, brushed, and handled.

Clarissa on AC Intake

The second pair was seized after a Good Samaritan called Animal Control after driving by a property and seeing two horses in poor shape, as well as dogs in similar condition. PCAC ended up seizing the two horses, as well as 9 dogs. The horses are now called Tulip, another older (~24) chestnut mare, and Trinket, a little 3‑year-old cremello mare. Both mares were at BCS of 2 on intake, and in need of more care than just groceries.

Even following some ‘excitement’ to get them here (Trinket and Tulip were very patient through the busted tire ordeal), all four horses arrived safely, and have been settling in very well. We are looking forward to getting to know them better as we help them continue down the road to good health, weight, and happiness.