Cameron B worked alongside Hayden in the groundwork portion of October’s Joel Conner clinic, and has the following to say:
“This was my first time working with Hayden in a clinic setting, though I’d had a brief opportunity to handle her beforehand.
Hayden, the daughter of Tiva, came to SAFE after spending her early years with Care Fur Life in Auburn, where she was lightly started under saddle. Despite this experience, much of her confidence had to be rebuilt. When I began working with her, Hayden carried a fair amount of brace, particularly through her hindquarters and in her poll. Showing or reflecting the self preservation she’s been slowly learning to let go of.
Throughout the clinic, we focused primarily on helping Hayden find more softness through her body, especially by engaging her hindquarters. The goal was not simply movement but genuine release, and staying with her until she could truly let down and carry herself without tension or brace. I paid close attention to her vertical flexion, watching for the moment when she would lower her nose, bend and release the off eye. Her ear placement became another key indicator of where her mind and weight was, helping me gauge when she was weighted properly onto the hind end and she was ready to move in any one direction with balance and confidence.
Joel emphasized the importance of staying in until the release was real and of developing Hayden’s bandwidth, being able to start slow, build energy, and adjust through all the stages in between.
Over the course of the three days, I could feel her begin to understand and respond within that spectrum rather than defaulting to tension or flight. She also began showing moments of genuine softness in her movements hind and front quarters, finding more consistent balance throughout her body.
By the end of the clinic, the change in Hayden was remarkable. Her vertical flexion had improved to the point where her head seemed an extension of her entire body, precisely the integration Joel had asked us to look for. It was a powerful moment to witness and to feel beneath the line, seeing how a horse once guarded could move with fluidity and presence.
Terry also worked Hayden under saddle during one-on-one time with Joel and her, and she also observed some similar progress, evidence that the changes we found on the ground were translating into the saddle as well.
Hayden still has much to work through, but this clinic marked a turning point in her willingness to release and connect. She showed me that when I truly stay in until the brace is gone, she will meet me with trust and try.
Thank you Hayden.”
