Safe Harbor Sanctuary

26/06/2025

Horses 101: The basics

We did round 1 for our volunteers, now it's YOUR turn.

Learn some basic horse handling and care in a 2+ hour, hands-on course designed to teach you the difference between a halter and a headstall, a forelock and a fetlock.

You'll learn:
- Catching and haltering techniques
- Safely leading and tying
- Safe, comprehensive grooming practices
- Basics of identifying and intercepting problems - colic, laminitis, choke, hoof abscess, stomach ulcers, common wound care
- Basic nutrition/feeding practices

Sound like something you'd be interested in?

Tell us what works best for YOUR summer schedule. We're looking at doing one or more before the kids go back to school so we want YOUR input: https://forms.gle/Dy8PJxeP19jwDkbR9

25/06/2025

Back in September, 2017, Metro Nashville animal control responded to a neighbor's concern about 2 horses who were wearing blankets in the summer heat.

One of those 2 horses was Sean Connery. His intake was, without a doubt, one of our most severe starvation cases to survive (second photo is after his first week with us). Sean had youth and experienced re-feeders on his side. Thanks to diligent follow-up, his pasture mate ("BritNeigh") was also eventually able to be seized and the owner was charged with their neglect.

Sean was adopted in early 2018 and well-loved in his new home. A couple months ago, his adopter reached out with the heartbreaking decision to return her adopted horses due to some unavoidable and unplanned life changes.

And so, we began making preparations for Sean and Chip to come back to foster homes. Knowing that the now-former animal control officer had always held a special place for Sean, we reached out on the off-chance there might be an opportunity for a reunion.

And yesterday in a full-circle story, Sean and Cory have been reunited. Happy trails, boys!

25/06/2025

Riders are at greater risk for dehydration and heat-related illnesses than other athletes. Learn why and how to ensure you properly hydrate when riding in the heat to stay healthy and improve your performance.

24/06/2025

Keep your horse healthy and comfortable all season long:

• Provide plenty of fresh, clean water.
• Offer shade and shelter from the sun.
• Watch for signs of heat stress (excessive sweating, lethargy, heavy breathing).
• Schedule regular fly control and deworming.
• Keep up with turnout checks — especially for ticks.
• Don’t forget routine dental, farrier and vet care!

We’re here if you need us—every step of the way. 🐴💙

24/06/2025

It's that time of year.

There's a fireworks stand on every corner of every major intersection in Middle Tennessee.

We get it. It's fun. It's pretty. But it's also destructive and harmful in many ways.

It's terrifying to wildlife. It's triggering to veterans and others who suffer from PTSD. It can spook your neighbor's horses, causing injuries or stress-induced colic. It is the day of the year when more pets go missing than any other.

This July 4 fireworks season, we ask you to reconsider. Before you decide to set of fireworks at home, perhaps consider a donation to your local animal shelter instead. Perhaps buy a couple bags of dog food or a bag of horse feed for your local rescue instead of those bottle rockets.

And if you decide to proceed, please at least give your neighbors a heads-up so that they can make preparations in whatever way is best for them.

23/06/2025

Learn how your horse’s internal thermostat works in extreme heat and ways to keep him cool

22/06/2025

Stylin' for summer 😅

Shop our Bonfire store to see all available styles and colors of Ts, hats and more. Kids' sizes, too!

https://www.bonfire.com/store/safe-harbor-sanctuary-store/

21/06/2025

Charlie's Fund exists to assist with essential care.

ANYone can apply for a Charlie's Fund grant.

🐴 Castration: Donkeys and horses, your vet, our vet, on the farm or at the clinic
🐴 Euthanasia
🐴 Emergency care or neighborly support

* Charlie's Fund provides up to $250 to assist with veterinary costs and is paid directly to the veterinarian.

* Charlie's Fund is designed to help owners with care costs that may be unexpected and is a donor-supported program.

20/06/2025

Meet the Harbor herd 🐴

Since we have some new followers, we wanted to introduce / re-introduce the horses who are current Sanctuary residents. For those not familiar, we maintain a small sanctuary program for horses with physical and behavioral challenges that make rehabilitation and adoption complicated or more difficult. Sanctuary residents remain under our care umbrella for the remainder of their lives.

Kix is a pleasure-bred, registered quarter horse gelding whose papers and real name were lost (he doesn't care, he can't read anyway!) Kix was bred by, foaled out with, and spent his first 19 years with the same owner. Fun fact, he was named for Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn). Sadly, that owner passed and his family members were not able to continue to keep the farm or care for Kix.

We initially adopted Kix to a therapy program that seemed like a perfect fit for a horse who hadn't been ridden in more than a dozen years, didn't care to be, but loves interaction with humans. Unfortunately, the lifestyle and larger herd size was quite overwhelming to him, and he became very depressed.

So, he came back to us and based on his increasing maintenance needs and clear views about his lifestyle, we made the decision to place him under our sanctuary program. Now 23, Kix receives supportive care and medications as needed and will enjoy life on his terms for as long as he's comfortable being a pasture potato.

Kix's care is primarily sponsored by one of his regular volunteers.

18/06/2025

Thank you to all our veterinarians! (It won't let us tag them all so we're not going to only tag some........)

These are some WONDERFUL reminders to horse owners -

Today is ! Join us in celebrating all the veterinary professionals that help our animals (especially our horses) live long, happy and healthy lives.

If you are looking for ways to say “thank you” to your veterinary team, there are plenty of options. However, it’s very possible that the best way to thank your horse doctors and equine vet techs is to make their job easier.

Some small things can make the biggest difference; check out this graphic for a few simple ways you can ease the strain on your veterinarians and show them your appreciation. No matter how you choose to say thank you today, there is no doubt you will brighten your vet team’s day!

Lastly, show some love for your veterinarian in the comments below and tag them, some words of encouragement and appreciation are sure to bring a smile to their face! ⬇️

18/06/2025

Foster to adopt available!

Chill Chip. Chip is a 20-ish year old, 16 hand Tennessee Walking Horse gelding who was adopted back in 2018. He pastures well with another gelding and requires an intermediate rider/handler. He is well adapted to being mostly blind in his right eye, and he is very likely an ex big lick horse, so he prefers women to men and has a big "go" button pretty much all the time.

His ideal foster would want to ride a couple times a week and be deeply invested in helping find him his forever. His long term adopter is heartbroken to give him up but we are very grateful for honored contracts and his return.

What is foster to adopt? It's a no-obligation, some-expenses-paid 60 day trial. You send us regular updates and decide if he's a fit for you. If he is, adoption proceeds. If he's not, he spends the remainder of 60 days with you being ridden and fed while we look for a better fit for him.

Chip just received his annual vaccinations in late May. He has a current negative Coggins and is UTD on all routine care. He has been regularly ridden a couple times a week so his only 'missing piece' could be YOU.

Interested? Visit our website and complete the foster application (link in first comment).

18/06/2025

Mare mode: ACTIVE

📸 Strapping Beauty is adoptable - visit our site for details!