Meghan N worked alongside Deja Vu in the May Joel Conner groundwork Clinic, and has the following to say about her experience:
“Over the past three days, Deja and I had the opportunity to learn and grow together during the Joel Conner Clinic. This mare is incredibly intelligent, but it’s clear she’s experienced some letdowns in the past. Because of that, it’s a bit of a challenge for her to fully let go and trust that she’s safe; but you can just feel how much she wants to place that trust in you.
As a sensitive gal, Deja responds best to gentle yet clear communication, she tries so hard to get it right. Together, we worked on a range of exercises, including walking a unified circle, transitioning smoothly into a fast walk, then a trot, and back down to a walk, all based on feel. Deja has a tendency to worry about her surroundings, but during this clinic, she made significant progress by letting go of those distractions and tuning into my ask. When she did get a little bothered, she was able to come back and reconnect after some hindquarter and frontquarter work; remembering that she can find freedom and confidence in the ability to move her feet.
For much of the clinic, Deja walked with a calm, balanced frame and a relaxed, lowered head on the unified circle; she was truly beginning to find her rhythm. But like any being with a past, there were moments when fear crept in, especially when she felt unsupported or when something moved in her off eye. In those moments, Deja would react rather than respond, trying to get away from whatever felt scary. We worked a lot on changing eyes to remind her that she isn’t stuck, she has options and can move through uncertainty.
Leading up to the clinic, Deja had been introduced to the flag. Initially, it was a major source of fear for her. But now, she’s learning that the flag can be a helpful tool. Today, she’s not only curious about it, she wants to smell it, enjoys being petted with it, and is starting to understand that sometimes the flag carries meaning, and other times it’s just present without any pressure. She is also learning more about backing up, but still needs to work more on shifting her weight to her hind so she is free on her front end and can fully lift and move with ease.
This clinic was an incredible opportunity for growth, for both Deja and me. Watching her confidence build, moment by moment, was a powerful reminder of how much potential she holds when given the right kind of support. I gained valuable insight into the areas where she still needs reassurance, and I feel so honored to be part of her journey.
I’m excited to continue walking alongside this sweet, sensitive mare as she learns to trust more deeply and step fully into her empowered self. With patience, consistency, and a lot of heart, I know she’ll blossom into the happy, confident horse she was always meant to be.”
