Giving neglected horses a SAFE home

In Redmond, near Avondale and Novelty Hill roads, there's an 11-acre plot of land that provides refuge to 38 horses. This site features a giant barn with tack, stalls, and a training arena with two round pens.

Last November, Pierce County Animal Control responded to a report of 27 neglected horses out on a property in Graham. These animals were in rough shape. Some had been left to fend for themselves out in a field with no shelter.

Many of those horses ended up here, in this barn, at SAFE, short for Save A Forgotten Equine.

Bonnie Hammond, SAFE's executive director, introduced the Soundside team to Henry, a beautiful, slightly nervous, Arabian horse. He is chestnut-colored, with a white stripe on his face, kind of like a dab of paint rolled down his nose.

Hammond explained her training with Henry, and some of the specific things that they've been working on, given the trauma he went through after he was rescued.

"He's a little he's a little troubled. He's gets gets pretty anxious," Hammond explained. "And he has some kinda deep-seated fears. But we're working we're working to get past those and he tries really hard."

Hammond explained that Henry is reactive and self protective.

"I work with him literally every day, to help him understand that he can trust us, and that he is not a bad horse," she said.

After leading him into one of the round pens, she worked with him first trotting around, then slowing to a walk. After a few laps at the slower pace, she had Henry pick it up a bit and move into a canter, all before slowing back down to a walk.

"I asked him to go down to the walk, and he complied," Hammond said. "That's something we've been working on for the last two and a half weeks."

After giving Henry a well-deserved rest, Hammond explained SAFE's purpose.

"Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome horses that face neglect or abuse," Hammond explained. "And what we're promising them is hopefully a permanent home and a lifetime of safety."

You can listen to the entire conversation with Bonnie Hammond and our interactions with Henry by clicking the link above.

You can find out more information about SAFE, their mission, and how you can help by visiting SAFEHorses.org.