Volunteer Classes

These resources are designed to enhance the volunteer experience here at SAFE! Keep scrolling to view classes sorted by pathway, or view all upcoming events.

Grooming

Learn how we groom horses at SAFE, and why we use these methods. Successful completion of the grooming pathway is not permission to groom horses at SAFE outside of a scheduled grooming class.

Coming Soon

Vanessa Bassett has always felt a special kinship with animals. A certified cat-lady, she is happiest caring for pets, farm animals, wildlife, and of course, horses. Vanessa grew up in the Pacific Northwest, earned a BFA in Apparel Design from RISD, and spent most of her professional career as a fashion designer in New York. She lived in rural Ireland for three years, raising cows and caring for a neighbor’s herd of 8+ horses. Her first equine rescue was a severely neglected donkey named Charlie; gaining his trust and nursing him back to health and happiness was an incredible learning experience. After returning to Seattle, Vanessa joined a chore shift at SAFE in 2022. She took advantage of every opportunity to fill in on shifts, audit clinics, take classes, and learn from the people and horses around her. Vanessa served as a Shift Lead, then Barn Assist, and was recognized as Volunteer of the Month. She joined the Barn Staff in August 2025. Vanessa is passionate about SAFE’s mission, supporting the horses and community at SAFE, and continuing to grow in her horsemanship.

Introduction to Grooming at SAFE

Audience: All SAFE volunteers

Prerequisites: 30 days as a SAFE volunteer, audit a Joel Conner clinic (preferred)

Class Size: Max 3 participants per session

Class Format: Demonstration, Hands-On Practice

Dates Offered:

Saturday August 1, 1:30-3:00pm

New sessions coming soon

Is the class you want already full? Join the waitlist to be notified if a spot opens.

Horsemanship

Learn about the style of horsemanship we use here at SAFE. These classes are designed to help you gain the skills you need to complete your duties as a SAFE volunteer. Successful completion of the horsemanship pathway is not permission to handle, lead, groom, or train SAFE horses except as directed by staff.

From a young age, Lexee has been involved with horses and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Beginning with taking lessons and working as horse camp counselor to now running horse shows and volunteering at SAFE, horses have been her go to hobby. With her own horses she goes on frequent trail rides, joins a parade annually, competes at casual horse shows during the summer and participates in clinics at SAFE when able.

As of 2020 she finished graduate school and now works full time as a structural engineer. She loves to offer advice on structural questions for SAFE facility projects and then put in the work to help on those projects, too. She also assists with the adoption process by leading a small team of volunteers who complete site and reference checks for our horses future forever homes.

When Lexee isn’t at SAFE, she also volunteers with a local riding club where she runs horse shows and works on the facilities team where she spends a great deal of time on a big green tractor. Lexee loves the outdoors; she enjoys camping, hiking, running, and exploring local trails with her horses and dogs.

Is the class you want already full? Join the waitlist to be notified if a spot opens.

Horsemanship 101: August 16

Approach, halter, and lead horses in and out of stalls. Learn to dissipate energy through a circle while leading. | Audience: Shift Leads, Barn Assists, Night Check | Prerequisites: Audit a Joel Conner Clinic (4 hours minimum) | Class Size: Max 5 participants |…

Horse Knowledge for New Volunteers: August 16

Whether you’re new to horses or just new to SAFE, this class will teach you how to interact with the horses as you work through your chore shift. You’ll also learn about horse behavior and herd dynamics. | Audience: All SAFE volunteers |…

Horsemanship 102: August 30

Practice leading at a distance, navigating through gates, and moving horses back to prevent crowding. | Audience: Shift Leads, Barn Assists, Night Check | Prerequisites: Horsemanship 101 | Class Size: Max 5 participants | Class Format: Demonstration, Hands-On…

Horsemanship 101: August 30

Horsemanship 103: September 19

Learn how you can support SAFE’s horsemanship team by creating a consistent experience for each horse. This class will include extensive Q&A: Come prepared to discuss specific challenges you’ve encountered when working with horses at SAFE. | Audience: Barn…

Horsemanship 102: September 19

Horse Knowledge for New Volunteers: September 26

Horsemanship 103: September 26

Horsemanship 101: October 10

Horsemanship 102: October 31

Herd Health

Learn what it takes to keep horses healthy.

A lifelong horsewoman, Melinda Couvillion has been a licensed veterinary technician since 2008 and recently obtained a specialty credential as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in equine nursing through the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians.

Melinda first began volunteering at SAFE in 2013, working a PM chore shift and also lending her skills as an equine veterinary technician. She spent several years as SAFE’s herd health manager, first as a volunteer and then as a full-time employee. She was also part of the horsemanship team, until distance and babies interfered. Her current volunteer role with SAFE is in special events, work parties, and teaching our herd health classes.

Is the class you want already full? Join the waitlist to be notified if a spot opens.

Horse Health Basics: August 9

Did you know horses can’t vomit? That simple diet changes can trigger a life-threatening colic? Or that too much rich spring grass can become an emergency fast? Horses are hardy, powerful animals, but they also have some very specific medical needs. In this class, you’ll learn practical horse health basics.