This year marks 10 years since Joel Conner first joined SAFE Horse Rescue, and in that time, his support has truly transformed our organization. For a decade, Joel has been a guiding force, empowering our horses, volunteers, and staff to reach new heights. He has helped change the face of rescue, bringing horsemanship to the heart of our work and reshaping the way we help horses in need.
When Joel joined SAFE in 2014, we had already been working to give every horse the chance for a new life, but there was more we wanted to do to help them succeed. Joel brought the horsemanship skills, training philosophies, and structure we needed to accomplish that. Through his guidance, we shifted from relying on outside trainers to building an in-house program that gives us the tools to help every horse directly. His mentorship has allowed us to develop a consistent training philosophy that carries across every horse in our care, from the first haltering to the first saddle.
We thought it would be interesting to look back at what we’ve accomplished together—and the numbers truly speak to the impact. In the past 10 years, SAFE has helped 290 horses; among them, 72 had never been touched before they arrived here and were halter-started at SAFE. Sixty-eight horses were saddled for the first time, 61 were re-saddled, and together, we rode 117 horses. Joel’s influence has extended beyond just training horses—he’s empowered our volunteers and staff with skills, confidence, and a belief in their own ability to make a difference in each horse’s life.
Joel often says the work we do at SAFE is like climbing Mount Everest. It takes incredible dedication to help a troubled horse, especially when the goal is more than just meeting their basic needs. Joel taught us that every horse deserves not just food and water but also a purpose, a sense of peace, and an understanding that they are safe. His ability to work with a troubled horse, bringing them understanding and peace, is truly a masterclass in horsemanship. Joel is widely respected as one of the top hands in the United States, and his choice to bring those skills to SAFE says a lot about his character and the values he holds dear.
Beyond his remarkable horsemanship, Joel’s character shines through in every interaction. He doesn’t have to spend his time with us at SAFE, yet he chooses to—year after year, clinic after clinic. His commitment to our mission and to each horse’s well-being is unwavering, and our gratitude is boundless. His dedication over the last 10 years has shaped not only the lives of the horses we serve but also the lives of the people who work and volunteer here. Thanks to him, we are better, more skilled, and more confident, and so are our horses. We know we would not be where we are today without Joel’s guidance and friendship, and we are excited to see what the next decade holds for SAFE and Joel’s continued partnership with us.
Joel’s influence has touched every horse, volunteer, and person at SAFE, and as we look back over the past 10 years, we know his impact will resonate in the lives of the horses and people here for years to come.
