To truly understand Veronica, one must look at the entirety of her journey. Today, someone walking into SAFE might see a lovely, intelligent mare working calmly during a horsemanship clinic. They might notice her willingness to respond to her rider’s cues and her inquisitive, bright expression. But few would guess how much time, patience, and dedication have gone into helping her become the gentle, trusting horse she is today. There are few rescues, perhaps in all of the U.S., that would have invested the time and care Veronica needed to reach this point. She was deemed “too touchy,” “too difficult,” and even “too old” for most to consider training.
SAFE’s commitment to Veronica has been instrumental in helping her overcome her fears. Our team worked patiently with her, bringing her to the edge of her comfort zone and gently guiding her through each challenge. Her strong flight response meant this was a delicate, gradual process. Yet, in many ways, Veronica herself is the reason she’s made such progress. Her deep desire to trust, her resilience, and her willingness to learn helped her conquer what her instinct told her to fear.
Working with any horse involves asking them to defy their natural instincts. Allowing humans close, carrying a saddle, and learning to trust a “predator” goes against a horse’s innate response. Veronica, especially, had the odds stacked against her. A local veterinarian once remarked that her bloodlines from the Yakama Reservation had a “wild cat” quality—an intense flight response rooted in self-preservation.
After countless hours of groundwork, Veronica’s first experiences under saddle were still among the most challenging we’ve seen. Watching Joel Conner’s skillful approach in building her confidence and providing her a sense of safety was like witnessing a masterclass in colt starting. People sometimes wonder why such a talented trainer spends time at SAFE, but they don’t realize the skill required to start a complex horse like Veronica. Most horses that the public encounters come from careful breeding and handling, but horses like Veronica often end up in rescues because they’ve been misunderstood or mishandled.
From early groundwork sessions, it was clear that Veronica was protective of her left side, often anxious about what she couldn’t see when turning her head to the right. Gently, we’ve worked on this over time. Initially, our priority was building her confidence with a rider on her back, but recently, we’ve been able to address her rightward turns more directly. Her progress is unmistakable: she’s now less reactive during groundwork and carries that calmness into her ridden work.
Currently, we’re dedicating a lot of time to helping Veronica build commitment in tracking to the right. We alternate between a unified four-beat walk and encouraging her to reach through with her inside hind leg, adding more bend as she moves in a two-beat rhythm with diagonal pairs. She’s learning to maintain energy in her rightward turns while staying soft on the reins. The rein should feel light, without tension or anxiety, allowing her to carry just the weight of the rein naturally. Her strides have noticeably lengthened as she gains confidence in her movements, showing her growing comfort level.
An experienced rider with both patience and confidence will do very well with Veronica. She’s built trust in me and regularly checks in when she’s unsure, a reassuring sign of our bond. This summer, we’ve taken her to two off-site clinics, worked in our large outdoor arena, and explored local trails. Each experience challenges her, yet she continues to grow. At times, when she spooks, a gentle touch on her neck brings her back to focus, a heartwarming reminder that she’s learning to trust.
Until we find the right match for Veronica, we’ll continue building her confidence. More off-site experiences and gentle challenges lie ahead, each one helping her grow stronger and more resilient. We’re committed to ensuring that, when her perfect partner arrives, she’s ready for her next adventure.
