Save the date! Get down to the farm on July 18th, 2026 for SAFE’s Annual HEART of the Horse, a benefit for the horses of SAFE. Guests will enjoy an epic summer evening filled with great food and drink, auctions live and silent, music, dancing, laughter, tears, and, of course, lots and lots of horses! Be sure to join us for an epic celebration of over two decades of unforgettable horses.

We have scheduled dates for our 2026 Joel Conner Horsemanship clinics. These clinics are an incredible opportunity to learn about the horsemanship that SAFE uses to prepare our horses for success in their future homes.

2026 Joel Conner Horsemanship Clinic Dates

March 20–22, 2026
May 22–24, 2026
August 21–23, 2026
October 23–25, 2026

Schedule (subject to change)

Groundwork Class: 9:00AM to 12:00PM
Riding Class: 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Location 3/20-3/22 – 2026:
Safe Harbor Stables
10407 192nd Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98053

ABOUT:

Questions about these clinics should be sent to horsemanship@safehorses.org
SAFE volunteers can audit any of these Joel Conner clinics for free.
Free parking.
Bring a chair.

To see clinic reports from past Joel Conner events, click here!
For more information about Joel Conner, visit his website: www.joelconnerhorsemanship.com

Welcome Volunteers!

These resources are designed to enhance the volunteer experience here at SAFE Horses! Currently, we offer classes in the areas of; 1. Horsemanship 2. Grooming 3. Herd Health 4. New Volunteer Resources. Please read the prerequisites for each class as some offerings will require prior classes, clinics or approval from Lily.

Spring 2026 Offering:

Grooming Classes 

Tuesday February 17 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. (1 spot left) 
Friday February 27 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. (1 spot left) 
Prerequisites: 90 Days as a Volunteer and attend 1/2 day morning session Joel Connor Clinic (AM sessions of groundwork) or observe a groundwork class personally with Terry, approximately 4 hours. You may sign to repeat this class if you’ve taken previously depending on space available. Grooming classes are led by Carrie Sjaarda and Elaine Rose and are limited to 3 people per class. 

Horsemanship: Horse Knowledge for New Volunteers
Saturday 2/28 at 12pm (with Lexee 
If you’re new to SAFE or have little to no horse experience, this class will teach you how to interact with the horses as you work through your chores. 

Horsemanship 101
Saturday 2/14 at 12pm (with Lexee)
An introduction to basic Horsemanship. Prerequisite: auditing a Joel Conner Clinic (4 hours).

Horsemanship 102
Saturday 3/14 at 12pm (with Lexee)
Horsemanship 101. Prerequisite: auditing a Joel Conner Clinic (4 hours).

Horsemanship: Joel Connor Horsemanship Clinic (Auditing) 
March 2026 — All Volunteers are open to join. This clinic is free to audit for all Volunteers (this is a gift from Joel). Join for a 4 hour session, or for all. 
Learn more about Joel’s Clinics HERE  
Learn about past Clinics HERE 

Horsemanship: How to Work with Rescue Horses 
TBD (with Lexee) 
Prerequisite: auditing a Joel Conner Clinic (4 hours), Horsemanship 101, Horsemanship 102. 

Herd Health: Vital Signs 
TBD (with Melinda)
Checking Vital Signs, Physical Exam, Limited to 8 people. Please bring a pen, notepad, and a stethoscope if you have one! Otherwise, we can share. Prerequisite: active volunteer at SAFE for min 30 days or be on Night Check.

Herd Health: Horse Health Basics
TBD (with Melinda)
Preventive Care: Vaccines, Deworming, Dentistry, Emergencies. Open to 25 people, Bring a notepad, pen, layers, warm drink. All Volunteers open to join.

🌟 Volunteer Appreciation – Volunteer Position

Non-Profit Description

Save A Forgotten Equine (SAFE) is a horse rescue organization based in Snohomish, Washington, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and retraining horses suffering from neglect or abuse. Established in 2005, SAFE collaborates with Animal Control agencies in the King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to protect and provide care for vulnerable horses. SAFE specializes in equine rehabilitation, offering professional veterinary care, nutrition, and training to help horses regain their health and prepare for long-term homes. Utilizing horsemanship practices inspired by Buck Brannaman and Joel Connor, SAFE ensures horses develop trust and confidence in their interactions with humans. SAFE remains committed to finding permanent, caring homes for their horses and conducts annual follow-up visits to ensure their safety and well-being.

🌟 Volunteer Appreciation – Volunteer Position

Location: Remote / Hybrid (Flexible)

Organization: SAFE Horse Rescue

Commitment: Part-time Volunteer | Flexible Schedule (1-2 hours per week)

💕 About Us

At SAFE Horse Rescue, we believe that volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Our mission at SAFE is to rescue, rehabilitate, and retrain horses facing neglect or abuse and provide them a permanent home and a lifetime of safety. We’re looking for a passionate, creative, and people-focused Volunteer Appreciation Manager – Volunteer Position to help us celebrate and recognize the incredible individuals who make our work possible.

🎯 Role Overview

As a part of our Volunteer Appreciation Team, you will lead efforts to build a culture of gratitude and recognition among our 250+ volunteer community. You’ll design and implement creative ways to celebrate our volunteers’ contributions—whether it’s through recognition events, digital campaigns, personalized messages, or social media highlights.

🧡 What You’ll Do

• Develop, coordinate and execute volunteer appreciation programs and recognition initiatives.
• Plan and host appreciation events (virtual or in-person).
• Create engaging content to showcase volunteer stories on social media and internal newsletters.
• Collaborate with team leaders to ensure all volunteers feel seen, valued, and supported.
• Track volunteer milestones and manage recognition communications.

🪴 What We’re Looking For

• A passion for community building and volunteer engagement.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Creativity and a love for making others feel appreciated.
• Comfort with tools like Canva, social media platforms, and Google Workspace (a plus!).
• Experience in volunteer management, event planning, or communications (preferred but not required).

🌈 Why Join Us

• Be part of a mission-driven organization that values kindness, collaboration, and impact.
• Gain leadership experience in community engagement and recognition strategy.
• Work alongside a supportive team that celebrates every success—big or small.
• Flexible, remote-friendly schedule that fits your life.

💬 How to Apply

If you’re excited about spreading gratitude and celebrating others, we’d love to hear from you!

Please send your resume and a brief note about why this role excites you to volunteer@safehorses.org