A native of North Bend, Lynn Braun always had a fascination with horses. But it wasn’t until decades later, after she discovered Horse Harbor Foundation — a horse rescue sanctuary and riding facility in Poulsbo — that her lifelong interest blossomed into an ongoing passion that led to becoming lead volunteer for that organization.
Following high school, Braun attended college in Texas. She went on to graduate school in Washington, D.C., spending her early career working in D.C. and San Francisco before returning to the Puget Sound area about 30 years ago. As she describes it, “I knew that I wanted to make this area my long-term home.”
Horse Harbor Foundation was founded in 1993 as a nonprofit equine rescue sanctuary. Since then, led by founder and President Allen Warren, the organization has grown into a 12-acre facility that maintains a resident herd of 25 horses and offers an array of programs, including equine assisted therapy, weekly riding lessons and summer day camps.
“From the beginning, our vision was to only rescue horses with no other chance for rehoming or survival and provide them with lifelong sanctuary, using primarily student dues in the organization to support them,” Warren says. “Teaching competent equine care and keep, both to our students and the horse-owning public, to reduce the amount of neglect in our area became as important to us as teaching riding. That philosophy continues to this day.”
According to Horse Harbor’s executive director, Maryann Peachey-Warren, Braun came to foundation in 2018 “with very little knowledge of horses, but a deep love for them.”
“Her most important attribute has been a willingness to learn and grow in her role as a volunteer and horsewoman,” Peachey-Warren says.
As lead volunteer, Braun is tasked with orienting and teaching all new volunteers and identifying what roles they are best suited for. She’s also primarily responsible for preparing and feeding the rescue herd, many of whom are elderly and require special diets, medications and supplements. “This is perhaps the most important job on the sanctuary,” Peachey-Warren says.
Praise for Braun continues from Peachy-Warren for Braun’s many contributions to Horse Harbor. “Lynn has told us that her work at Horse Harbor validates her life by giving her a sense of purpose,” she says. “She cares so deeply for these rescued horses and both celebrates our victories and grieves our losses with us.”
Finally, Braun has been described by Peachy-Warren as someone who “embodies the concept of volunteerism and has a truly compassionate heart, always going above and beyond for the horses and students.” She says, “In my 20 years at Horse Harbor, her dedication and loyalty to our sanctuary community have meant more than words can express.”
Braun currently resides outside Poulsbo with her husband, daughter Annie (21), son Alexander (17), dog Rosie, cat Popoki and hens Florence and Tillie.
Why Horse Harbor
I grew up in a rural area. We had donkeys when I was a kid, and I always wanted to be around horses. But for various reasons, this just didn’t happen when I was younger. That love of horses remained dormant, but never went away, and has come into full bloom at Horse Harbor.
I had taken lessons at other barns where it wasn’t expected (or even really welcomed) that students become more involved in horse care and barn work, and I found myself really yearning to have those opportunities.
I first came to the facility, along with my son, to take riding lessons, but quickly learned that Horse Harbor offered so much more than riding. After being there for just a couple of weeks, I realized that my fellow students were helping to feed horses, work with equine-assisted therapy students and provide general horse care and barn work. I asked about volunteer opportunities and was immediately welcomed to participate and provide service.
The importance of this work
Horse Harbor provides sanctuary for horses that have no other options. Our horses have provided many years of service to previous owners, either as race horses, competition horses or companion animals, but circumstances have arisen where the owners are no longer able to care for them. We give them a forever home where they are loved and cared for. In return, the humans at Horse Harbor are able to form bonds with these wonderful animals, and we provide a nurturing community for students and volunteers.
Best part of the role
I love the opportunity to care for and form bonds with horses within a diverse community of open-hearted and like-minded people. I have learned so much and gained so much confidence through my service at Horse Harbor.
Biggest challenge
As with many nonprofits, we are chronically resource-constrained. While I personally don’t manage finances, I am aware of the constant challenge of maximizing the resources we do have in order to best care for our resident herd and our facilities.
Best compliment on the job
Someone at the barn recently called me “Thoroughbred Mom” for my work caring for Monday, Rain and Wilson, three of our retired OTTBs (off-track thoroughbreds). These three big, beautiful goofballs have brought me so much joy. And It’s very affirming to be called their “mom.”
Things I can’t live without
My family, pets, books and easy access to the outdoors. Also, Yorkshire Gold tea (my mother was English).
Way to relax
Depends on the weather! In bad weather: couch, kitty, Kindle, cuppa (tea). In better weather: gardening and hiking.
Hobbies or interests outside of work
Other than working with horses, I love gardening, hiking and reading. I was an avid skier in prior years and hope to return to that in coming years when my husband and I retire. My family and I have always loved to travel, though with college costs, our travel has been somewhat curtailed in recent years.
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