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.
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Zoe
Terry has been working with Zoe, and Joel Conner rode her several times at the last clinic. Here’s what Terry had to say: Zoe has steadily been progressing with acceptance of the saddle. She is still tight when it goes on, especially if she has…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Renee
SAFE volunteer Blair worked with Renee during the groundwork portion of the clinic. Here’s what she had to report on her experience: I had an anxious/excited vibe walking into the barn for my first Joel Conner Clinic. I was paired with Renee, who has a sweet demeanor…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Terry worked with Sienna during the groundwork sessions of the Joel Conner clinic, and Sienna was saddled for the first time! Here’s what Terry had to say: This was Sienna’s second time in a Joel Conner clinic at Safe Harbor. Joel and I assessed the work…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Nashville
Nashville and I participated in all three of the riding sessions in this month’s Joel Conner clinic. I’ve been working with her for about 2 months and have really enjoyed getting to know her. It was great to get to take part in the clinic with her and develop new…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Mina
I worked with Mina for all three groundwork sessions for the recent Joel Conner clinic. I was excited to get the chance to participate with her because I already know that working with her is going to help me grow in my horsemanship skills. Mina is a sweetheart, and…
Joel Conner Clinic Reports: Stella
In August, Stella and I had the good fortune to travel to Oregon to participate in Joel Conner’s horsemanship clinic at Northwood Farms. Though she hasn’t traveled off the SAFE property often, she was awesome. She loaded right into the last space on the trailer…
Joel Conner Clinic Report: Valor
SAFE volunteer Casey worked with Valor during the clinic, and had this to say about working with him: I restarted Valor about a month ago and got to ride him in all three sessions of the Joel Conner clinic. He is such an easy horse to be around and a lot of fun to…
Roscoe: Horsemanship Clinic Report
Volunteer rider Lisa G rode Roscoe in last month’s Joel Conner clinic and had this to report: I worked with Roscoe in the riding portion of the recent Joel Connor Clinic, and we made much progress.…. and found many things to continue to work on! Roscoe has always…
Sage: Horsemanship Clinic Report
Miss pony mare Sage got to participate in her very first Joel Conner clinic last month, thanks to her friend Lisa! Here’s what Lisa had to report: I had the happy fortune to work with Little Miss Sage in part of the groundwork portion of the recent Joel Connor Clinic.…
Sienna: Horsemanship Clinic Report
Terry worked with newbie Sienna in the groundwork portions of the Joel Conner clinic, and had this to report: Sienna was a superstar for the Joel Conner clinic! She became very relaxed and calm in the clinic setting with the other horses around. She even stood quietly…
