December 23, 2024: Rocky the Shetland Pony's story begins over three decades ago on Lopez Island, where he was part of a group of ponies rescued by the Humane Society. After a brief journey through different homes, he found what seemed to be his forever family - an elderly couple who would care for him for the next 30 years. When his companion, a miniature donkey, passed away 4-5 years ago, Rocky remained as their only equine, patiently enduring increasingly difficult circumstances as his aging owners' health declined and with it, their ability to provide Rocky with the care he needs.
At approximately 35 years old, Rocky the Shetland Pony came to Skagit Animals in Need just before Christmas 2024. Despite being severely underweight and covered in matted mud and manure, his spirit remained unbroken! This plucky little Shetland pony hasn't lost his zest for life: with improved conditions, he is greeting his foster mom with adorable whinnies and even showing exemplary behavior during veterinary and farrier visits.
Personality:
This Shetland Pony is proving to be an absolute delight! Rocky is incredibly sweet and easy to handle, showing remarkable patience during medical procedures (though the dental float did require a bit extra sedation - who can blame him?). After years of solitude following his donkey friend's passing, Rocky is thoroughly enjoying meeting new horse friends and settling into life at his foster home.
Medical Update:
Special Needs:
Rocky requires specialized care including:
How You Can Help:
Rocky's medical care, special diet, and ongoing treatment represent a significant commitment. Your donation to Skagit Animals in Need helps provide this sweet senior with the dignified retirement he deserves. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure Rocky's golden years are filled with comfort, proper care, and plenty of loving attention.
Follow Rocky's journey on our social media for regular updates on his progress and adventures!
“What are you?” Peter Lake asked quietly. The horse then turned to look at him, and, he saw, with a chill, that the eyes were infinitely deep, opening like a tunnel to another universe. The horse’s silence suggested that the beauty of his gentle black eyes had something of all that ever was or would ever be. And like every horse, he was incorruptibly innocent. (Winter’s Tale, Mark Helprin)
Here in Skagit County, where Skagit Animals in Need (SAIN) offers new beginnings for rescue horses, Kaya Mead stands as a beacon of hope and expertise. As a trainer for SAIN, she brings expertise, empathy, and a deep-seated passion for horsemanship to our little corner of equine rescue. In a recent interview, Kaya shared insights into her journey, philosophy, and the transformative power of understanding horses.
Roots in Riding
Kaya's equestrian journey began in her childhood in Michigan, where she showed Arabians in local competitions. "I've been very fortunate to have been given horses to ride my whole life," she reflects. "I've never owned my own, but I've been really lucky to meet the right people who want to help me and facilitate my learning." After a hiatus during college, Kaya rekindled her passion when she moved to Washington state. Kaya started volunteering for Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE – a large equine rescue in Redmond that SAIN collaborates with), where she was inspired to become a trainer.
The Horsemanship Epiphany
When asked about the most unexpected thing she's learned from a horse, Kaya's eyes light up. "What hooked me on horsemanship is basically how much they can feel of you and how present they are," she explains. She recounts a pivotal moment in a round pen when she was riding and merely thought about trotting. To her surprise, the horse started to trot. "Since then, I've learned so much more about how sensitive and how soft and how present they can be. That's my favorite thing about them."
Kaya's approach is rooted in the Dorrance school of natural horsemanship, a philosophy that emphasizes gentle, intuitive communication with horses. Tom & Bill Dorrance revolutionized horse training by focusing on the horse's perspective and natural instincts. This method, carried forward by disciples like Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman, aims to create a harmonious partnership between horse and human.
One such disciple who has had a significant influence on Kaya is Joel Conner. "Joel Connor is who I've learned from," Kaya mentions. Conner, known for his dedication to the Dorrance-Hunt-Brannaman lineage of horsemanship, has been instrumental in spreading these gentle, effective training methods, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
Breaking Misconceptions
Kaya is passionate about dispelling common misconceptions about horses. "A big one is that people think they misbehave," she states firmly. "Horses don't have that piece, that kind of emotion to misbehave. Anytime you see something as misbehavior in a horse, it's they either don't understand, they feel stuck, they feel trapped, or they don't know how to be comfortable in that situation."
She emphasizes that horses fundamentally seek peace above all else. "They want to get along with you," Kaya explains. "Only humans misbehave."
The Changing Role of Horses
Reflecting on the evolving role of horses in human society, Kaya expresses both concern and hope. "There's not that many working horses anymore, and we have a lot of horses," she observes. "There's just way more horses than we have real use for, honestly." Like so many other animals, it’s in their make up to do something.
Kaya stresses the importance of good horsemanship in teaching horses how to safely exist in our human world. "If you don't teach your horse how to safely exist in our human world that we've created, you are doing a huge disservice to that animal," she asserts.
Challenges and Growth
We asked Kaya about whether what she’s learned as a horse trainer has taught her anything that carries over into her interactions with humans. Kaya's journey hasn't been without its hurdles. She candidly shares about a riding accident that left her with PTSD. "Working through that lack of confidence has really benefited me in a lot of areas," she reflects. This experience has not only made her a better trainer but has also enhanced her empathy for both horses and riders facing challenges.
Looking Forward
In Kaya's world, every interaction with a horse is an opportunity for mutual understanding and growth. Her approach to training rescue horses is not just about preparing them for adoption; it's about honoring their nature, addressing their needs, and helping them find peace in the human world they now inhabit.
As our interview concludes, it's clear that for Kaya, horsemanship is more than a skill – it's a way of life, a philosophy that extends far beyond the round pen, touching every aspect of her interactions with both horses and humans alike.
Daphne is currently in a foster-to-adopt home
Daphne is a 24-year-old dark bay Arab-Quarter horse cross mare who came to us from the same place that gave us Ozzy. She came to us seriously underweight (2 out of 9, 5 being ideal) and in need of a pedicure, as do most of the neglected horses that come to SAIN. But with us, she's getting healthy and loving her new home. She is at least 15 hands, though we haven't height taped her yet.
She came to us with her buddy, Shaggy (but no sign of Scooby Doo or the Mystery Machine). It's clear they've been on capers together for some time -- they are quite bonded to each other. Both are easy to handle and both were amazing coming out of the trailer, so they have definitely had training and exposure.
As we get to know these sweet horses more, we'll be updating this post.
Shaggy is currently in a foster-to-adopt home.
Shaggy is a 22-year-old dark bay Quarter horse cross (maybe with Andalusian?) gelding who came to us from the same place that gave us Ozzy. He came to us seriously underweight (2 out of 9, 5 being ideal) and in need of a pedicure, as do most of the neglected horses that come to SAIN. But with us, he's getting healthy and loving his new home. He is at least 15 hands, though we haven't height taped him yet.
He came to us with his buddy, Daphne (but no sign of Scooby Doo or the Mystery Machine). It's clear they've been on capers together for some time -- they are quite bonded to each other. Both are easy to handle and both were amazing coming out of the trailer, so they have definitely had training and exposure.
August 2024: Shaggy has been getting some riding refreshers with Kaya Mead and he's ready to find a new home!
October 2024: Manny (along with his pal Diego) has been adopted!
Isn't this just the picture of happiness?!! It's true! And it shows on everyone's faces. Diego and Manny were once neglected and lonely -- emaciated and infested. But during their time with us, each day, they grew healthier and happier, their trust in humans restored. And now they've found their forever home -- TOGETHER! -- with Connie and Jeff. Seeing them thriving is truly heartwarming. This isn't just an adoption...it's the story of lives reborn.
Manny is a 28-year-old Quarterhorse-type gelding who came to us (along with his pal, Diego) through a law enforcement seizure. Manny was emaciated at 1 of 9 on the body condition scale, infested with lice and hadn't seen a farrier in quite some time.
Despite all that, Manny is a very sweet horse and easy to handle. He is steadily gaining weight and doing well, following his foster mom around like a little puppy. We've dealt with his lice infestation, much to his relief! He has also had a pedicure and will soon have a much-needed dental float.
September 2024: Now this sweet and gentle boy is ready to find a home who will give him the love and care he deserves.
October 2024: Diego (along with his pal Manny) has been adopted!
Isn't this just the picture of happiness?!! It's true! And it shows on everyone's faces. Diego and Manny were once neglected and lonely -- emaciated and infested. But during their time with us, each day, they grew healthier and happier, their trust in humans restored. And now they've found their forever home -- TOGETHER! -- with Connie and Jeff. Seeing them thriving is truly heartwarming. This isn't just an adoption...it's the story of lives reborn.
Diego, a 24-year-old gelding, came to us through animal control, along with his pal Manny. Diego was a 3 of 9 on the body condition scale, was badly in need of a farrier appointment, and was infested with lice. Fortunately, he's now putting on weight, has had a proper pedicure and we've dealt with that infestation.
Diego is part Arab, and looks like he could have some draft in him. His feet are large for his size, and he has quite a bit of feathering. He is well-mannered and easy to handle. We think he has had a fair amount of training in the past.
Next up for this sweet boy--a dental float.
October 2024: Diego (along with his pal Manny) has been adopted and is currently with us while his new owners prepare his new digs.
UPDATE 12/12/2024: Maisy's journey has finally led her to her perfect furever home! This sweet girl was first discovered wandering the roads of Skagit County all by lonesome. Although we searched for her original family, no one came forward to claim this precious wanderer.
While Maisy found her first adoptive home, it became clear that something was missing in her life - other woolly friends! Being the social butterfly she is, she thrives on both human attention AND sheep companionship. She came back to us in search of the best of both worlds.
Initially thought to be a Babydoll sheep, Bo-Peep just kept growing! Though her exact breed remains a mystery, one thing's for certain - her personality is as big as her heart. She's never met a human or sheep she didn't want to befriend!
We're overjoyed to announce that Maisy has found her true forever home with Laura and Owen (on the left in the people picture, along with Ellen of New Moon Farm Sanctuary who was a huge support fostering this cutie), where she has not just one or two, but NINE new sheep friends to socialize with! Her days of feeling lonely are officially over as she settles into her new flock, getting all the human love and sheep companionship she could ever want.
Here's to Maisy and her wonderful new family! May her days be filled with green pastures, friendly bleats, and lots of love! 🐑💕
UPDATE 11/4/2024: Bo-Peep (aka Maisy) is back here with us at SAIN. It turns out she was pretty lonely at her new home without any other sheep friends. She's super social and loves human companionship, but also needs some ovine companionship.
It was originally thought she was a Babydoll sheep. But she's grown so much -- it's clear she's not a Babydoll. We don't know her breed, but we do know she's as sweet and cute as can be.
UPDATE: Bo-Peep has been adopted as of 5/10/2024.
Meet Bo-Peep, the little lost Babydoll sheep. She was found wandering out in the county and we believe she is a Babydoll breed. She is between 40-50 pounds and is sweet as can be. She loves people, especially children, and is friendly toward other animals including dogs.
We need to have her assessed by a veterinarian to see if there's anything we need to address before making her adoptable. We'll keep everyone posted!
Ozzy is a 22-year-old Standardbred bay gelding who came to us via Snohomish County Animal Control. He was seized due to neglect and came to us with a body condition score of 1.5, which is essentially emaciated. So far, his foster home says he has been easy to handle and he is dealing with the re-feeding program well. And we're happy to report that he has improved to a body condition score of 4+ (with 5 being ideal).
He is gaining strength, is bright-eyed, and is interested in engaging socially. On arrival, he was unable to whinny properly but now has a beautiful, strong whinny.
His teeth are in pretty terrible shape. Now that he's gotten stronger, we'll be scheduling his dental soon.
May 2024 Update: Ozzy has gained more weight and is doing really well. We want to assess him for riding before making him adoptable. We were told he had been ridden previously. His freeze brand is more visible now that he has shed out more. We were unable to identify him using the online horse search tool on the US Trotting Association’s website, but we have sent an email inquiry to see if he can be identified. Thanks to Teri Reinemer who researched his freeze brand, we now know his registered name is Red Star Dusty and he was raced at Fraser Downs in BC. And in his heyday, he was a winner! In our book, he's still a winner.
UPDATE 7/12/2024: Thanks to Teri Reinemer who researched his freeze brand, we now know his registered name is Red Star Dusty and he was raced at Fraser Downs in BC. And in his heyday, he was a winner! In our book, he's still a winner.
No, your eyes aren't blurring...that's just Smudge, an 11-year old Appaloosa gelding who came to Skagit Animals in Need via a law enforcement seizure. He has recurrent uveitis and we are treating that condition, which is an inflammation of the layer of tissue that lies between the eye’s outer layer (including the cornea) and its inner layer (the retina). As a result, he has suffered some vision loss.
UPDATE 3/17/2024: Happy news for Smudge! He recently saw an equine ophthalmologist to evaluate his uveitis. Turns out that it is not the progressive, autoimmune type. And he doesn't appear to have cataracts or glaucoma. We're awaiting the results of some tests that will help us determine the best course of treatment for him.
UPDATE 6/27/2024: Great news for our Smudge! The infection in his eyes is completely gone now. The not-so-great news is that the infection caused a tear in the retina in his left eye. This partially detached retina means he has permanent partial vision loss in that eye. In his next ophthalmologist appointment, he'll have a laser treatment to preserve the rest of the retina and prevent complete detachment. And while you may have human friends who have had retinal repair surgery, it doesn't work well in horses. But the laser treatment should be protective of the rest of his retina. He also has some damage to the retina in his right eye and, as a result, some minor impairment to vision in that eye. However, the retina is intact and not in danger of detaching. All of this explains his occasional jumpiness or random startles, especially on his left side. For ongoing care, the ophthalmologist has recommended keeping him on a low dose of Bute and eye ointment, currently twice a week, but possibly reducing eventually to once a week, for his lifetime, as a preventative measure to keep inflammation to a minimum, as his left eye will be especially susceptible to any kind of trauma.
UPDATE 7/29/2024: Our brave boy needs a more complex eye surgery than initially thought to deal with his left retinal tear. The vet will use a gas bubble to reposition the detached retina, then laser the edges to promote healing. This gives Smudge the best chance to save vision in his left eye. Keep those positive vibes coming for our spotted friend!
UPDATE 10/14/2024: Smudge's vision loss is progressing and he was a bit lame. We got him some new shoes, which has helped with the lameness. We've reached out to the ophthalmologist again regarding the state of his vision.
Hazel is a Morgan cross mare, approximately 25 years old. We don't know all of the details of Hazel's prior life but we're sure it wasn't all peaches and cream. She was at a 1/9 on the body condition scale (BCS) when she was initially seized by law enforcement (1 being severely emaciated and 9 being severely obese). She had gained enough weight to reach a 2 on the BCS scale when we first met her. She has had very little handling in her life, spent her entire previous life on one property, had not been seen by a vet or a farrier in a very long time, and had never been hauled anywhere.
She has settled in quite well with us in foster care and is eating well -- which is a good thing because, as you can see from the picutres, we still have some work to do to help her reach a healthy weight AND to help increase her ease with people. It's imperative that she is able to be safely handled before we can consider her adoptable. It's going to be quite a journey for Hazel.
This cute bay roan mare has made slow but significant progress while in our care. With the help of knowledgeable trainers, we are building trust and teaching her that not all humans are scary. Though she is still cautious about humans, she is very curious.
This courageous gal continues to make progress that frankly brings tears to our eyes. In early February, with the help of some sedation (Dormosedan), she had her first pedicure. Overall, she handled it well, and we hope to be able to trim her next time without sedation.
Hazel can now be caught, haltered, and led. She can be brushed all over her body, and the old matted hair in her tail has been cut off and the rest brushed out. She still doesn't love being touched, but tolerates it once she is caught.
Once she can be handled reliably, she will be available for adoption as a companion/pasture pet.
UPDATE 8/17/2024: Hazel has come so, so far...far enough that we're making her available for adoption as a companion horse! After many months of training, she can be safely hauled, which is a huge accomplishment for her. She has had such an incredible journey with us here at SAIN. We know there's a special place out there for her, where she will be a prized pasture pet for the perfect people.
>>>Link to Adoption Application
Lovely Shakira is an Arab mare, one of two Arabs who came together to SAIN on June 16, 2023. She and Khalil were both born on their prior owner's property and have lived their entire lives there. We are told she is about 19 and was a broodmare. Neither had seen a vet or farrier on a very long time. As far as we know, she was never started under saddle.
This Arab mare is putting on weight and looking good. Best of all, she's becoming more relaxed and friendly and enjoys attention. We've had a trainer working with both Khalil and Shakira, gettting them reacquainted with picking up their feet in preparation for their first farrier appointment in some time and -- success! -- the appointment went great.
January 2024 Update: Shakira has become quite snuggly since coming into our care, and is currently in training for basic handling and trailer loading.
Once this Arab mare has learned a few more life skills, she will be available for adoption as a companion/pasture pet.
March 2024 Update: Well, she'd done it! Shakira has learned to load and ride in the trailer, so she's ready to find her forever home as a companion horse/pasture pet.
We recently received new information about Shakira’s history, including her registration information. She
is registered as Bahijah, and was foaled on 4/6/04. Her last foal, Buckminster Bey, was born in 2018,
and is currently owned by Sanoma Blakeley, who is the youngest female to with the Tevis Cup (at age
18, in 2019), which is a one-day 100 mile endurance ride through the Sierras. Shakira’s dam was also
Khalil’s granddam, making him her nephew. Shakira’s sire’s sire was Thee Desperado, an influential
Straight Egyptian Arabian sire whose portrait was made into a Breyer model.
September 2024: Shakira is currently in a foster-to-adopt placement!
Handsome Khalil, a gelding, is one of two Arabs who came together to SAIN on June 16, 2023. He and Shakira were both born on their prior owner's property and have lived their entire lives there. Neither had seen a vet or farrier on a very long time. We are told that 17-year old Khalil had 30 days training to get started under saddle many years ago, but nothing further.
Khalil is the thinner of the two but is now putting on weight. We've had a trainer working with both Khalil and Shakira, gettting them reacquainted with picking up their feet in preparation for their first farrier appointment in some time and -- success! -- the appointment went great. Khalil is adjusting to the new environment and is becoming more interactive.
Stay tuned for updates on the handsome Khalil.
January 2024 Update: Khalil has become much more social since coming into our care, and is currently in training for basic handling and trailer loading.
Once he has learned a few more life skills, he will be available for adoption as a companion/pasture pet.
Spring 2024: We recently received new information about Khalil’s history, including his registration information. He is registered as Cygnd Seald Delivered, and was foaled on 6/12/06. Khalil’s granddam was also Shakira’s dam, making her his aunt. He has Bask, a major sire of significance in the Arabian breed, in
his bloodlines on both sides (his great-grandsire on his sire’s side; two generations farther back on his
dam’s side), and Desperado V is his dam’s sire (another legend in the Arabian world). Khalil had a
very hard life, never was really doted on or provided groundwork, and spent long periods stuck in a
filthy stall. He did have about 22 days of training in about 2014, in which he was introduced to a
saddle and bridle with snaffle bit, and learned w/t/c in long lines, but was never ridden. His owner tried
to rehome him a couple of times, but nothing came of it and she gave up quickly each time. He just
never really had a chance.
UPDATE 8/17/2024: Another lovely horse graduates to ADOPTABLE today. Big news for this sweet, handsome dude with royal blood in his veins. This guy has worked hard on trailering and it's not so scary anymore. Now 18, his first 17 years left him without much socialization or people skills. But this regal gelding has learned a lot since coming into our care. We know his future family is just waiting to meet him. Is that you?
Complete an Adoption Application here.
You can read Freya's story below. This one was devastating to us, but not entirely unexpected. After 3 years of neglect, Freya's hooves had grown into elf shoes. Radiographs showed us that this neglect had completely remodeled her coffin bones. She was in quite a bit of pain and there was no chance we could rehab her feet. Despite the pain she was in, she had such a delightful personality. It's a tragedy that she lost the opportunity for a full life because of the neglect she suffered. We hope you're running pain-free now, Freya.
Freya arrived on June 11, 2023 became an instant fan favorite! She is a tri-colored pinto mare who had very long, overgrown hooves (elf shoes) as a result of receiving no vet or farrier care for at least the three years she was with her previous owner. Her mane and tail were severely matted. We also know that white bread was a key factor in her diet. She just had her first vet appointment and we think she's likely in her late teens to maybe 20. Her cloudy eye is due to an old untreated injury.
Our farrier made significant progress on her feet in her first visit, but we'll be getting x-rays to do a deeper evaluation and help guide on-going foot rehab work. We're also running bloodwork to check for anything else we need to address. We expect she'll put weight on properly with a healthy diet of hay.
Now that Freya is in a safe place being well-cared for an loved on, her personality is really emerging! She's very playful and social and looks for every opportunity to connect with people and horses around her. She's a bit of a snack stealer, too -- don't be eating a chip in her vicinity or she's likely to snag it from you. She was a big hit at our Tack Sale and loved having all the stimulation of the people saying hello.
More to come on Freya as she makes her way through her rehab!
UPDATE 7/10/2023: Freya's Bloodwork was good, but she tested positive for Cushings. She was pretty lame after the big trim we mentioned above, so we put some Soft-Ride boots (similar to Cloud boots) on her, which helped. Our farrier checked her again on July 7 and we took the boots off. She is moving better, though still a little sore when turning. She is eating well, gaining weight, and her personality is coming out now that she feels better; she loves attention and was a real star as one of the featured animals at our Tack Sale. She has an appointment coming up to get her teeth done and radiographs of her feet.
Thumper was adopted on November 19, 2023, along with his pal Blackjack!
They are living with two goats Leo (a SAIN alumnus) and Frank.
Can you imagine what this guy has seen in his long life? Thumper is a spunky senior Arab who came to us as one of a bonded pair. His pal is Blackjack. Thumper and Blackjack found themselves in a situation where circumstances conspired to make it increasingly difficult for their caretaker to provide what they needed.
Thumper is a little on the thin side (3/9 on the body condition scale). He also needs a dental and we are working on getting that scheduled. He was little more difficult for the farrier, but he's getting better with it. He has some rain rot, a pretty good bone spavin on his right hind inside hock and only one baby melanoma under his tail. Like Blackjack, he has been vaccinated and dewormed. Bloodwork and
fecal both came back good.
UPDATE 6/12/2023: Thumper had a much-needed dental that took care of a variety of issues that must have been painful for him. We expect he will be much more comfortable eating and will gain weight more easily now with a soft diet given his well-worn teeth.
UPDATE 8/7/2023: Thumper is at a good weight now that his teeth were fixed. This older gentleman is now ready to find a forever home. He's right about 30 years old but has that Arab spark and beauty and will make a good companion horse despite his age.
Blackjack was adopted on November 19, 2023, along with his pal Thumper!
They are living with two goats Leo (a SAIN alumnus) and Frank.
Do you feel a draft? 😉 Blackjack is a handsome, lovely senior Shire who came to us as one of a bonded pair. His pal is Thumper the Arab. Blackjack and Thumper found themselves in a situation where circumstances conspired to make it increasingly difficult for their caretaker to provide what they needed.
Blackjack's weight is good and he's generally in good condition, likely about 20 years old. He was in need of some good farrier care and he's been really good for his pedicure appointments. He has some sharp points on his teeth and we're working on getting a dental scheduled for him. Like Blackjack, he has been vaccinated and dewormed. Bloodwork and fecal both came back good.
UPDATE 6/12/2023: Turns out Blackjack has heart condition that he's probably had for quite some time, so our vet felt it would be risky to sedate him for a dental. Otherwise, this majestic mister is doing well in foster care...so well that we'll be limiting his access to grass because he has become, to quote the vet, "rather fluffy." 🙂
UPDATE 8/7/2023: This handsome fella is available for adoption as a companion horse. He's truly a gentle giant! Because he went without hoof care for a long time, we're still working on his toe cracks and that's something that his forever home farrier will need to continue to work with.
UPDATE 7/21/2023: Thelma and Louise went to their forever home today! These sweet gal goats have been with us just a short time (you can read their story below), but we sure are fond of them! Louise was in very bad shape when they came to us and had to have a complete mastectomy, but she recovered and they both are happy, healthy and home now. Big thanks to Ellen at New Moon Farm Sanctuary who fostered these lovely ladies for us -- they were in great hands for their recovery. Her goat expertise was key in ensuring Thelma and Louise made it all the way to adoptable.
Thelma and Louise are a sweet bonded pair of Oberhasli goats that were living in a filthy garage, full of broken glass until a kind and caring citizen rescued them. It turned out these goats needed more care than the kind person who took them in could provide -- they clearly hadn't been properly cared for. Louise has a very infected udder which may need to be removed or will cause chronic pain and infection. The infection has also caused her to lose some hair in patches, but it's already begun to heal since we've started treatment. They are receiving excellent foster care from our friends at New Moon Farm for now, but once they are healthy we will need a permanent home for them!
UPDATE: 5/09/2023 Louise wound up having her mastectomy yesterday and she seems to be doing well. It was a pretty extensive surgery, taking 2 hours, and she needed a pint of blood from a donor goat. She was up and walking around today. Once these two lovelies are all well, we'll be looking for a home for them.
UPDATE: 6/12/2023: Thelma is doing really well. Louise is making good progress in her recovery from surgery. These lovely ladies should be all healthy and ready for adoption in a few weeks.
UPDATE 7/8/2023: Louise is all healed up! Both of these great ladies are healthy and ready for adoption! We'd really prefer these two go to a new home together since they are bonded. Louise is the social butterfly (probably due to her having been handled so much for her surgery and post-op care). Thelma is a bit more reserved. But hey, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.
November 2024: After everything he's been through, Hopper has finally found his forever home - right where he's been all along! 
This is the kind of happiness your support makes possible, so thank you!
This sweet Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse came to us as part of the Graham 27 seizure, one of many neglected horses and a little on the older side. But his foster mom Janiece forged a special connection with this special soul. Day by day, this handsome boy with the natural gaited stride worked his magic... and what started as a temporary shelter became so much more.
Now, Hopper's foster journey has become a "foster fail" of the very best kind. His foster mom couldn't bear to let this special 20-year-old gentleman go, and honestly, who could blame her? Despite his rough past and need for daily Cushings medication, Hopper's loving spirit and friendly nature shine through...not to mention his love of a good trail ride.
Sometimes the perfect match is right in front of you. Congratulations to Hopper and his new forever mom -- here's to many years of happy trails ahead! 
Handsome Hopper came to us from Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE). This Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse gelding was part of the Graham 27 horse Pierce County Animal Control seizure in November of 2022. We have great admiration for SAFE and have been partnering with with them in horse rescue when we have capacity.
Hopper is approximately 20 years old and 14.2 hands. He sure doesn't seem to have let his run of bad-owner-luck get him down. He's quite adorable, sweet, and friendly. Social and inquisitive, he's always interested in making new friends.
His natural second gear is set to gait rather than trot. This easy-going guy has been diagnosed with Cushings, so he needs daily medication combined with a low sugar/starch diet.
September 2024: Hopper is now in a foster to adopt placement!
April 5, 2024: Oh, dear Sparrow. In the last few months, his pain levels with his arthritis were increasing at a rapid pace. Every day was getting more difficult for him and his formerly sunny personality was a victim of his chronic pain. We tried a variety of options to see if we could keep him comfortable, but nothing seemed to make a difference for him. Mercifully, he had a peaceful transition over the rainbow bridge after being spoiled with carrots and love by his wonderful foster home. Fly free, sweet Sparrow. 
Tall, dark, and handsome Sparrow and his pal Hopper recently made the trek to us from Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE). Both geldings were part of the Graham 27 horse Pierce County Animal Control seizure in November of last year. We have great admiration for SAFE and have been partnering with with in horse rescue when we have capacity.
This sweet, well-mannered, and friendly Thoroughbred gelding is a 22 year old former racehorse. He sure doesn't seem to have let his less than ideal prior life cloud his sunny outlook.
June 12, 2023: He has done really well in his foster home, which is especially heartening given the arthritis in his knees/hocks and stifles. We're treating his arthritis with anti-inflammatories and pain meds.
January 2024: Sparrow seems to be dealing with an increase in pain levels, so we're having him evaluated.
After two years of patient rehabilitation and unwavering dedication from his rescue team, Thor, a beautiful Swiss Shepherd with a heartbreaking past, finally found his forever home. His story is a testament to the power of persistence, compassion, and the belief that every dog deserves a chance at happiness – no matter how long the journey may be.
Thor's life began in the shadows of cruelty. He was one of over 100 dogs rescued from a devastating puppy mill situation in Skagit County, where he and another Swiss Shepherd, Frigg, endured some of the worst conditions imaginable. Confined to a windowless outbuilding without proper ventilation, adequate food, or any form of socialization, Thor's early life was marked by severe neglect and isolation.
When Thor first came into rescue care, he was essentially feral – a dog who had never known human kindness. SAIN rescue stepped in following the initial work of the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, providing Thor with everything he needed: a safe foster home, proper nutrition, veterinary care, and most importantly, infinite patience and love.
What makes Thor's story particularly powerful is not just his progress, but the dedication of those who stood by him when others might have given up. His journey reminds us that healing from trauma isn't about quick fixes – it's about slow, steady progress built on a foundation of trust, security, and unconditional love.
Thor's rehabilitation required extraordinary patience. From learning basic trust to mastering simple commands, each small step forward was a victory. While some may have seen a dog too damaged by his past, his rescue team saw a resilient spirit worthy of however long it might take to help him heal.
Today, Thor's story enters its brightest chapter yet. The once-frightened mill dog who couldn't bear human touch is now exploring his new home with growing confidence. While his journey of healing continues, he's now doing it in a place he can truly call his own, with people committed to supporting his continued growth.
Thor's story serves as a powerful reminder: when we refuse to give up on animals who have experienced severe trauma, amazing transformations are possible. It just takes time, dedication, and the understanding that every dog deserves a chance at happiness – no matter how long that journey might be.
Frigg is one of two Swiss Shepherds (along with Thor) who come to our rescue from the recent puppy mill seizure of more than 100 dogs here in Skagit County. Thor and Frigg are males. They are thought to be between 1 and 2 years old. These beautiful dogs were in the worst of that terrible situation of cruelty and neglect, kept essentially in solitary confinement: an outbuilding with no windows, air conditioning or ventilation without proper food and certainly without even meager socialization or love. The woman responsible has been charged with felony animal cruelty in the first degree.
Frigg and Thor have been receiving diligent care and rehabbing slowly, carefully re-entering a better world. But they are scared and it's slow going. So SAIN is stepping in on the heels of the work done by the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. We are providing safe, patient, loving foster homes and all the food and veterinary care these dogs need while they learn to trust humans first, and then move on to the other things dogs need to be good companions, like training. Since they have been getting proper nutrition, they have started to put on weight and were both recently neutered.
Watch the video below...It makes us tear up every dang time. When he first came to rescue, he was essentially feral and wouldn't come near humans at all. To see this much progress, where he will take a treat from the hand of his foster mom while she is in his space...wow. That's remarkable progress. We have a lot of hope for Frigg!
We will support Frigg and Thor for as long as it takes. We anticipate that these dogs will be in rehabilitation for quite some time.
UPDATE: 3/11/2023 -- Frigg is making great strides and his true, happy self is emerging!
Read this update from his foster home.
Learning to Play
Over the last few weeks, Frigg has both taught us a lot about himself and has made great strides of his own in learning how to be a social participant. He has shown us how incredibly social of a dog he is, as well as how graceful and intuitive he is with both our big and little dogs. We started letting our big dog Terra into the kennel with him a few weeks ago because they were about to go crazy if they couldn’t play already! This has gone wonderfully. He wants very badly to know how to interact, not just with her but with us as well. He is still putting the pieces together of how to do that but he observes each moment thoughtfully and is constantly evolving.
Accepting More Human Interaction
Through play time with Terra we realized that he will happily interact with us in a way he hadn’t before. Though he has been eating most of his meals from our hands for several months now, it has seemed functional and robotic like he is just willing to do what he has to do to get fed. He lets us tickle his chin and rub his nose a bit when he eats but only to the end goal of eating his food. We now have realized, though, that the way to his heart is through play. What a happy boy!! When we play with him and Terra he lets us touch him more, he catches snowballs out of the air when we throw them, and he has even started tugging at the rope toy when we offer it to him. His whole demeanor changes. It has been a joy to watch him come out of his shell this way.
Coming Inside
Recently we were able to put up a covered chute from his kennel to the house, which doubles as a play area. It is covered with a net because we were told he has a history of climbing fences, though we haven’t seen him try to do that here. This covered area greatly expands the outdoor space he has access to and allows him to go in and out of the downstairs of our house via a window and custom ramp. The day we first got this up, he got to run for more than four strides in a straight line for the first time in his life. The look on his face made us all cry. He was so happy and eventually, when offered, he came inside after a few nervous tries, had his dinner, and spent the night intermittently crashed out after the biggest play day of his life and peeking in on us cuddled up with his best friend Terra in the downstairs bedroom (we left the door open so he could check things out). He has slept inside the last 6 nights, has already potty pad trained himself, and we believe he is well on his way towards being fully house trained (2 nights accident free now!).
He has also been hanging out with our two little dogs (one of whom is from the same place that he came from). He absolutely loves them and is so gentle and respectful with them. We have been so happy to see that who he expressed himself to be over the last few months is, in fact, his true nature…the gentlest, sweetest, playful big boy, just trying to find his place in this world.
You can check out Frigg's Instagram account here: https://instagram.com/lil_frigg?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
UPDATE 4/21/2023: You probably saw this coming! Frigg's foster parents have made him their permanent pup! We couldn't be happier. 🙂
11/17/2022: Lilly is a chestnut Quarter horse type mare with a body condition score of 3 of 9, which means she is thin but not emaciated. She is one of our Golden Girls -- likely 28-32 years old, based on her dentition, though our vet did say she could have prematurely worn teeth. So far, she seems to be a calm, friendly, sweet mare with a very boop-able nose!
We have been collaborating lately with Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE) and she came to us through SAFE, where she wound up with her gelding friend Declan when their family's circumstances made it difficult for them to care for the horses. She has been a broodmare in the past, and has not been ridden since she reportedly bucked someone off 13 years ago. SAFE had her evaluated by their vet. Bloodwork was fairly normal, she was dewormed and dusted for lice (precautionary). She will be seen by a farrier shortly. She will have her vaccines and dental float at the end of the month, giving her the opportunity to put on some weight.
We are just getting to know more about Miss Lilly while she's in foster care. We will post more details soon.
January 6, 2023: Lilly is now at a healthy weight and is up-to-date on her vaccinations and dental...and that means she's ready to find her new home. Given her age, Lilly's not going to be a rider, but she's such a sweet girl, she'll make a fantabulous companion horse. And that nose!! You'll be wanting to give that sweet schnozz a pet every time you walk past her. It makes us smile every single time.
May 25, 2023: Lilly was adopted and went on the ferry to live at her new home on Guemes Island!
