Kaya's horse obsession started from an early age. Growing up riding and showing Arabians in West Michigan kick started a love and admiration for the horse that led her to start volunteering at a horse rescue upon moving to the PNW. That horse rescue (Save a Forgotten Equine) introduced Kaya to a style of horsemanship that focused on creating a confident, balanced, and connected partnership between horse and rider; a tradition of horsemanship inspired by amazing horsemen like Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, and Buck Brannaman. SAFE allowed opportunities for Kaya to learn from Joel Conner and, under Joel's mentorship, Kaya has developed a feel and an understanding of how to support and empower horses of all different backgrounds. Kaya is now obsessed not just with horses, but with learning more about how to help them feel at peace within our world. 

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Experience and Qualifications

• 7 years of experience with troubled horses at SAFE, successfully adopting out 14 riding horses and halter starting/groundworking over 20 others

• Over 35 clinics with Joel Conner

• Participated in 5 Buck Brannaman clinics and audited many more

• Managed facility and horse care for 40 plus horses on 12 acres for 4 years