Clint, a horse at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, grew more comfortable with people through patient attention and interaction he could choose. A friendship with equine trainer Shy DeLand began with quiet time and listening, grew through hide-and-seek, and eventually included Clint calling to her as she approached his pasture. By the time Best Friends published the story on May 21, 2026, Clint had been adopted.
Why Clint needed time with people
When Clint arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he was worried about being handled. Horse Haven manager Jen Reid first spent quiet time with him; equine trainer Shy DeLand later began building a friendship at his pace. DeLand described the starting point plainly: “All we really know about Clint is what he’s told us through his actions,” she said.
Rather than rush him or ask for more than he seemed ready to give, DeLand paid attention to his responses. She said, “He blew me away with how ready he was to form a connection with me if I just simply listened to what he was asking of me, too.”
How hide-and-seek became their shared game
DeLand noticed Clint’s interest and tried hiding behind his shelter. After a pause, he came around it with a nicker. His engagement and excitement encouraged her to continue: “He seemed so engaged and excited that I thought why not keep going with this,” she said.
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The game became a recurring way for Clint to take part in the interaction. DeLand wanted the horses she worked with to feel she was “part of the herd,” and with Clint, that meant making room for him to approach and respond rather than forcing contact.
What changed—and what happened to Clint
Over time, Clint began calling when DeLand walked toward the pasture. She described hearing him as especially meaningful because he had not always felt that way about people: “Hearing him calling for me as I’m walking up to the pasture and knowing that that is not how he’s always felt about people is the most rewarding thing I have ever felt,” she said. “It’s such a high compliment to be loved by Clint.”
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Best Friends’ May 21, 2026, feature reports that Clint was adopted into a home of his own. It does not identify his adopter or provide a later update, so his circumstances after that publication are not established here.
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Clint and DeLand’s experience is one horse’s story, not a controlled study or a guaranteed training method. Its clear lesson is about their particular relationship: DeLand paid attention to Clint’s signals, moved at his pace, and followed his interest in a game. DeLand reflected, “He’s taught me the value of listening to our horses. If you’re honoring their communication and communicating back, they offer you so much more than you ever could have imagined.”
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About Best Friends’ Horse Haven
Best Friends describes Horse Haven as a home for equines and other barnyard animals, including horses who have experienced neglect, abuse, abandonment, or a family’s inability to keep them. The organization’s Horse Haven page lists ways to learn about the sanctuary, including tours, volunteering, and sponsoring a resident horse. Tour schedules and conditions can change, so check the page for current details before visiting.
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