Joel Conner Horsemanship Clinic Reports
SAFE has had the good fortune to work with horseman Joel Conner for several years. Joel was recommended to us by Buck Brannaman, and it took sending him one horse to re-start — Kai — for us to know that we’d found the right person to help us. From the very start, Joel showed a deep commitment to developing a horsemanship program at SAFE to help staff and volunteers learn solid and consistent skills for working with the horses. He began coming to SAFE multiple times each year, putting on 3 day clinics to teach us these skills, focusing on groundwork and riding. In 2018, he began adding starting young horses under saddle to the program. He also has donated his time to teaching basic horse handling skills to SAFE volunteers, allowing those with little to no horse experience get safe, hands-on practice. In Joel Conner, we feel we have a partner who understands our horses and our mission as rescuers, and we are sincerely grateful for that!
Below, volunteers who work with SAFE horses in these clinics are asked to write up a short piece for the website about their experience and what they learned. These updates, collected over the past three years, will give you a feel for what a Joel Conner clinic is all about.
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Ranger
Carrie S brought Ranger into the groundwork portion of the March Joel Conner clinic, and had this to say about the experience: “What a fun way to start the clinic season! Ranger participated in his very first Joel Conner clinic in March 2025. It was a big week for…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Brownie
“Man, Brownie is gonna be a cool horse for someone. In a short time, Brownie has been making strides from an anxious and pushy horse to a more confident and balanced horse. He’s learning how to get his feet under him and understand what people are asking of him. It…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Cameron B participated in his first Joel Conner clinic this past March alongside Sienna, and reflects on the experience here: “Working with Sienna during my first Joel Conner Clinic was an incredible experience and one I’m truly grateful for. Throughout the three-day…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Tiva
The first clinic of the year blows in like the rest of spring: a sudden burst of energy and excitement and new growth. We have been working through the winter months on what we learned back at the end of fall, chipping away at old issues while discovering new ones in…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Edward
Kaya M has been riding Edward for the last year, and has the following reflection regarding their last clinic together of 2024: “Edward had a wonderful last clinic of the year! He really showed how much he’s learned and was starting to “play with the big dogs” working…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Winter
Paige N has been spending some time working with Winter, and has the following to say about their time spent together over the last two Joel Conner clinics: “Over the past two Joel Conner Clinics Winter has made phenomenal progress both mentally and physically. …
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Tiva
November 2022. It’s day 2 of clinic, and halfway through class Joel has me switch horses. I had been working with Cramer, gentle giant, and he’s responsive and floaty on the end of my line. “Terry,” Joel calls, “go get her Tiva.” I had brought Tiva into the…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Lise A worked alongside Sienna in the groundwork portion of the October Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say about their time together: “I had the absolute pleasure of having Sienna as my ride or die for the weekend. I wasn’t riding her, but we did the…
October Joel Conner Clinic Report: Barb
Candi K has been working alongside Barb for the last year, and recently participated in the groundwork portion of Joel’s final SAFE clinic of 2024. Here’s what she has to say about working alongside this special mare: “It seems like just yesterday that Barb and I…
August Joel Conner Clinic Report: Bijou
Carrie S worked alongside Bijou in the August Joel Conner Clinic, and said the following about the nine hours they spent together over the course of the weekend: “I had the privilege of working with Bijou for the first half of the August Joel Conner clinic. It was my…
