Safe Harbor Sanctuary

23/04/2025

Don't relegate your rideable horse to companion status when trying to find them a new home.

What do we mean by this?

Every day, we see the ads and posts.

"Hasn't been ridden in years, but could be."

"I've owned her 4 years and never been on her, but the person before me did."

"12 years old, been saddled but never ridden much."

These are the horses most in danger of ending up somewhere...not good. Of being bounced home to home. Of being run through auction late at night when only the meat man is looking.

A non-ridden horse is a disposable horse to far too many. For every 10 homes, there might be 1 who wants and can care for a pasture pet buddy horse. People don't pay board on horses they can't ride. People cut horses they can't ride from the feed bill when times get tough.

A horse that is well-started as a young horse does not forget. We have example after example of horses that had not been ridden in 4, 5, 7, 10 years that pick right back up after a few rides.

If "you" aren't the person to give your horse a few refresher trips prior to rehome - there's a local teenager, a neighbor, a local trainer who would be willing. Yes, you'll pay for their services. But in doing so, you greatly reduce the chances of becoming the person who then posts in the "Searching for" groups in increasing desperation, fearing the worst fate has happened to your animal - because the truth is, if he was relatively young, healthy, and of size - it very possibly won't be a happy ending.

📸 Cam, trained to drive at 2; spent 8 years in a pasture; started under saddle at 10.

23/04/2025

The local trader – who coincidentally, probably also owns the local auction house – may sell some horses to one of the kill buyers as they bounce horses from sale to sale. But, he’s not selling the skinny, injured horses who won’t arrive from a long trailer ride in good condition. He’s not in the business of losing money.

So what’s he doing? He’s looking for the off track horses that are tattooed or branded to appeal to those rescue groups. He’s looking for colored quick profitable flips. He’s looking for the neglected herds one of the breed-specific rescues might pay top dollar to save. He’s buying up the skinny horses that the local ag inspector should not allow to be sold and saving a negligent owner from being prosecuted for its horrific condition and neglect.

Call it what it is, from the horse's mouth.

Call it what it is and start acting accordingly - for everyone’s sake, but most of all, for the horses.

22/04/2025

LIFETIME SAFETY NET in action.

Oliver was adopted as a weanling. Several years later and due to some life changes in his human family, he is seeking a new pasture.

Oliver is a 4-5 year old registered, gelded mini donkey. (Papers will go with him.) He's been handled and well loved, and has lived with and around a variety of livestock including donkeys, ponies, chickens, goats and sheep. Recent vaccinations and UTD on care. Due to an accident as a weanling, he is blind in his right eye, but he is well adapted and it doesn't phase him in the least.

Adoption fee will be paid to his current home. Approved application, donkey experience AND at least 1 donkey friend are requirements for his new home. *Located in Cottontown, TN.

Visit safeharborhorses.org, review the FAQ, and fill out the application if interested in being Oliver's next home.

22/04/2025

It's Volunteer Appreciation Week, and as an all-volunteer organization, we extend grateful thanks to each and every individual who gives their time, energy and talent to improve the lives of horses (and their humans) in our area -- and beyond.

19/04/2025

Friendly reminder about our upcoming consignment tack sale!

Come shop with us - clean out your storage and trailers and consign with us.

Information for $ellers and vendors on the website.

Our spring and fall sales are one of our biggest fundraisers and contribute to happy endings for horses in our care.

17/04/2025

Ride, drive, or do liberty work with your Standardbred in Tennessee? Log your hours toward great prizes!

The Tri-Star Standardbred Pleasure Horse program is designed to:

1) Promote the diversity of the Standardbred through a program that allows riders and drivers of all ages to earn prizes through time spent with their horses and

2) Raise money via the enrollment in the program to retrain and rehome more off-the-track Standardbreds!

Visit safeharborhorses.org/tri-star-pleasure-horse-program for more information, enroll, download your log sheet, and start tracking your hours to earn rewards, today!

*If your small business would like to become a sponsor toward a reward level, please reach out to us! We are actively seeking community partners!

15/04/2025

Ms. Beauty has had a rough week.

Beauty choked on a small amount of grain, we assume from eating too quickly (known as "bolting"). Quick action from her foster family and an after-hours visit from the veterinarian, her choke was resolved and she was given antibiotics just in case she'd aspirated anything into her lungs.

Grain was withheld for a few days altogether to allow inflammation to subside, and then her next meal was soaked. Unfortunately, she choked again, resulting in another veterinary visit. (Vet thinks she could have had some remaining inflammation lower in her esophagus as the cause.) She's on additional antibiotics and will be having a complete work-up including dental float and bloodwork to find out if she's got something underlying going on that we can't see. For now, her weight is excellent and she'll be on hay and pasture without added feeds until her recheck.

*Teeth were checked on intake, but with seniors you never know when a tooth might be loose or be wearing at an odd angle, and routine 6-month checks are a great idea as part of regular maintenance.

*Choke is not super common but it's important to involve a veterinarian when it happens. If a horse gets pneumonia as a result of aspirating food, it is extremely expensive and difficult to treat.

📸 Post vet visit with Banamine (anti-inflammatory) and happy drugs (sedative) on board.

14/04/2025

Still available - Shelbyville, TN carriage lot available. Previously used on Gypsy Vanners.

PM us, text or call 615.997.0697, or email us with questions - listing on behalf of owners who are one of our foster farms. Happy to connect you for specifics.

13/04/2025

Does your horse need a companion? Are you looking for a buddy but would love some of the expense covered?

Our sanctuary fosters are "lifetime residents" for whom we cover some basic expenses and YOU get the benefit of a friend in your field.

Apply today or email us with questions.

12/04/2025

Thoroughbreds share an “official” birthday of January 1 — so today is Duke’s “second birthday” - Happy 17th, Tech Fall!

12/04/2025

Have you visited our website lately?

Did you know we have a blog from the horse's mouth?

11/04/2025

Condolences to Hanover Shoe Farms and all of Western Ideal's connections.

🐴 Our adoptable Western Toro is a son of Western Ideal.

Hall Of Fame stallion Western Ideal p,5, 1:48 a son of Western Hanover out of the stakes winning mare Leah Almahurst passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 30.
Western Ideal set a world record 1:48 for five-year-old and older Standardbreds on a mile track. He was voted 2000 Dan Patch Older Pacing Horse of the Year.
As a stallion, Western Ideal sired winners of over $124 million, and 16 millionaires, including Rocknroll Hanover, Vintage Master, Artspeak and Always A Virgin.
As a broodmare sire, Western Ideal has sired the dams of winners of over $169 million to date, with 16 millionaires led by McWicked, This Is The Plan, Bettors Wish and Abuckabett Hanover.
Western Ideal will be buried in the Hanover Shoe Farms cemetery.

11/04/2025

🐴 Don't forget! 🐴

Our semi-annual, semi-famous ;) tack sale is coming up May 3-4.

Beat the taxes and tariffs - shop our gently used sale!

We offer 2 ways to $ell your 'extra' tack:
- Vendor booths! We have a limited amount of spaces (roughly 10x10) to set up and sell your own for a $25 fee. You must remain during sale hours / we don't sell for you. Sign up on our website, pay at set-up.

- Consignment! We take a flat 20% consignment fee and sell for you. You receive payment within 24 hours of sale close (almost always at pick-up). Tagging, drop off, and pick up information on our website.

Visit safeharborhorses.org and follow the link!

We are also having a Friday night PRESALE shopping event. Vendors and consigners shop FREE. If you're not selling but want first crack at the goods, we're offering tickets for a small fee - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/presale-consignment-tack-sale-tickets-1321131342409

10/04/2025

While our fosters are all okay, these valuable members of our equine community are still under water. Please consider helping if you are able, as insurance will not cover most of this loss.

Horse Of Your Dreams Flood Recovery — Help Them Rebuild On March 31, 202… Cynthia Bay needs your support for Support Horse Of Your Dreams' Flood Recovery

09/04/2025

This week only!

FEE REDUCED to 1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for potential adopters approved this week.

* due to volunteer rider not having ridden much in the past 3 months and before we put him back in regular work - we have 3 times this in this horse, including professional training *

Apply to adopt at safeharborhorses.org - be sure to READ his BIO for details.

Western Toro is a 16 year old off the track Standardbred who raced until 2020 then went to a pleasure driving home. NEVER worked the road. He was started under saddle last summer and has been trail ridden, including hauled to Natchez Trace where we did 8-10 miles. He crosses water, he has a trail walk to DIE for and seems to prefer gait over trot. As with all off track standies, he does drive - though we think he prefers riding.

He stands tied patiently, he lowers his head to be haltered and bridled, all around awesome guy. He does have a couple of minor ground quirks and absolutely knows if you're a pushover, so an intermediate-ish handler/rider is recommended.

Under saddle, he will stop and look if he's unsure, so you need to be decently confident and not 'spooky' yourself, to be a suitable match for him.

He's really pretty amazing and wants his own human. We've had so little interest in him it is truly puzzling.

08/04/2025

Good morning, followers!

We have had several "routine" visits from the veterinarian over the past few weeks. Kix, Buttercup, and Paisley received their annual vaccinations. Duke is "on deck" to do the same early next month.

We would love some assistance to help us cover these expenses for our sanctuary residents.

One-time donations can be made via the links below. Other options, including monthly sponsorships, are detailed on our website.

We are also seeking a lifetime companion home for Buttercup as the friend to another mare. She could be ridden with additional training time, or for the non-rider, she enjoys interaction and liberty work with a quiet, kind human partner.

Thank you for any help you are able to provide.

07/04/2025

Our foster farms came through the storms this weekend just fine, but not without a bit of drama.

One had some minor flooding. Several were 'under' rotating storms, and one had a funnel cloud within viewing distance. And one had an unrelated minor choke incident with a horse bolting feed (vet was called, antibiotic on board just in case). Everyone else is dealing with mud soup and colder temperatures for the next few days.

We did want to remind everyone in the area that if you have hay out (especially rolls) that have sat in flood water - burn or dispose of these ASAP. This is one way a horse can become very ill with Botulism, so it's not worth taking chances.

📸 Foster Gina's view from Bethpage, TN

06/04/2025

Paisley has been begrudgingly grateful for her stall in this weather. She even offered to help clean it this morning 😜