TINA CORMIER
TINA CORMIER
Given that connection is what brought me here, I named my business "In Connection." This name embodies a way of being - rooted in self-awareness and the understanding that true connection begins with tuning into our own feelings and physical sensations. From this grounded place, we foster meaningful relationships with the horses and humans we engage with, promoting mutual trust, balance, and joy.
For as long as I can remember, the profound sense of connection has been what draws me to horses - and I know I’m not alone. Horses have a remarkable way of meeting us where we are, reflecting back our emotions and energy with an honesty that invites us to be present and authentic. This feeling of connection, both grounding and expansive, is at the heart of my work. It keeps me inspired and is the common thread that unites so many of us in our love for these incredible beings.
In Connection
In Connection
Over the past 15 years, I've had the privilege of learning from some extraordinarily gifted mentors in horsemanship, rehabilitation, and bodywork, traveling across the country to deepen my understanding. My background in anatomy, biomechanics, and bodywork also informs how I approach each horse. I continue to study, question, experiment, and learn—from my teachers, from my experiences, and most importantly, from the horses themselves.
If you want to hear more about my personal journey, I invite you to visit my substack, where I’m chronicling my adventures in all their messy glory (and sometimes, it’s not so glorious).
This sense of connection that draws so many of us to horses has been a guiding force in my life. It’s what inspired me to leave a successful 20-year career in tech - where I was steadily climbing the ladder - to follow a dream I couldn’t ignore. As a data scientist and tech lead, I had been working on challenges to humanity that are deeply important to me. Though my work was inspired by purpose, it lacked passion.
Ultimately, I stepped away from the familiar to work at an equine rescue and to start my own business - trading models, code, and deadlines for the transformative moments that come from being with horses.
SUBSTACK
The Path
Whether through equine bodywork, personalized lessons, or guidance in healthy movement and posture, my mission is to nurture connections that restore balance and vitality for all.
My answer was:
"I don’t see those things as different."
Someone once asked me:
“Which do you like better - training skills, bodywork, or rehabilitation?”
MY PHILOSOPHY on WORKING WITH HORSES
Explore Services
The activities may look different, but the goal is always the same:
balance, relaxation, and connection.
Physical discomfort, tension patterns, and postural imbalances can affect a horse's ability to participate comfortably in training. Likewise, thoughtful training can help a horse develop balance, stability, strength, and relaxation.
Rather than separating these approaches, I draw from each as needed, listening to the horse and allowing their responses to guide our work together.
RELAxATION
BALance
CONNECTION
My Herd, My Teachers
My Herd, My Teachers
The first. My soulmate.
Hawk was my first horse. When I went to meet him, he broke the cross ties while I was grooming him. My mom and I made eye contact, and she nodded. My dad was less impressed. And that was that. I was a complete beginner, and Hawk was not. I made so many mistakes, but boy did we have fun galloping through the trails, swimming, and hanging out.
Over time, as I learned to really feel him, we connected very deeply on a mind, body, and soul level - my thoughts became his thoughts; his movements became mine. I wish I could go back in time with the insight I have now - Don’t we all continually wish for that as we evolve and grow! Hawk was laid to rest peacefully in December, 2021 at the age of 31.
Quiet Leader, Loyal Partner
As Hawk was aging and had retired from riding, I reluctantly began my search for a second horse. I was looking for a 10 - 12 year old gelding, but the horse that caught my eye was a barely started 3 year old filly. This time, I felt a nod from the universe as I looked into her eyes, even though almost everyone else thought I was a little crazy for getting a baby.
I have learned so much from this mare; I have learned as much about horsemanship as I have about myself, thanks to her. She thrives when given a job and is equally serious when asked to do something as menial as coming with me to pick up the trash barrels at the end of the driveway as she is when I ask her to pony a colt. Once I earned her trust, she has never wavered - she is one of the most loyal friends I’ve ever had. She demands my very best, and when I don’t have it to give, she just quietly and confidently walks away. Each evening, as I say goodnight, I make a promise to her that I will come back a better person. Each day, I try to fulfill that promise.
Deep Soul Giver
From the first moment we saw him, Tango was a kite on a string - snorting and racing around, he was fast, yet responsive, but I felt like he was about to explode underneath me. I told Jesse, my partner, I didn’t think he was a beginner horse, and we left. Over the next two months, Jesse would intermittently talk about Tango, and my answer was always the same - I don’t think it’s a good idea - I just wanted Jesse to be safe and have fun. Eventually, I caved and we went back to visit him again, this time spending several hours with him - long enough that he could calm down and show us who he really was. The third visit was with the trailer.
Since then, Tango has become one of the most wonderful, safe partners, both for Jesse and for me. He is a horse that sees into your soul and wears his heart on his sleeve. He’ll tell you when he’s scared, and he knows when you are, too. Whenever I have a challenging day, he’s the first one to offer support, often by putting his forehead against my chest and just breathing slowly until I can match him and become present. He’s a one-in-a-million horse, and everyone who meets him loves him dearly and immediately.
The Legend.
The story of Poco the wonder pony, also known as Tony the Pony, is a grand one, full of climactic events, suspense, glory…and humor! It’s hard to give the short version, but I promise this is as short as it gets!
Poco was a 2-year old unhandled stallion when he arrived in Maine. His owner “saved” him from going to slaughter - she later had 20 horses (among other animals) seized from her property in various stages of starvation and neglect. When the trailer full of mustangs pulled into the driveway one frigid evening in early January, Poco was afraid to step off. The transporter, probably cold, tired, and on his last nerve, gave Poco a whack with the lead rope, which sent him bolting off the trailer in a panic, and he got loose from his handler.
I saw a facebook plea for help that day and remember remarking to my husband that a colt was loose a few towns away. I figured they’d capture him quickly and that would be the end of it. Well, over the next few days, updates were streaming in from folks who out looking for him on foot, with drones, on horseback, and with their dogs. He was sighted at 4am in the middle of the road. His footprints were found with coyote tracks all around them.
Continued...
After about a week, I read another update of his cleverness in avoiding attempts at capturing him. I couldn’t believe this baby was out there in the freezing cold, icicles hanging off his little beard, and surviving. I distinctly remember looking over at my husband and saying, “I don’t know how or why, but that’s my horse.”
He eluded capture for 6 more weeks in the middle of a tough Maine winter. Finally, he was surrendered to a rescue, which aided in his eventual capture. The day he was caught and it was announced that he was joining the herd at the rescue, I put in my adoption application. It took several months of rehabilitation before he was ready to come home. He is locally famous and he eats it right up. One may think he’d be traumatized and fearful of people, but he is the opposite. He is one of the most trusting, loving horses I’ve ever met. I have yet to find something he will not do if I ask him. He is up for anything - he’s curious, funny, and smart; he’s also a ball of mischief and always into something! We can all learn a little something about forgiveness, love, and humor from this boy.
