Storm Central

All things considered, I hate to complain about the weather in Nevada. That doesn't change the fact that it's been threatening to thunderstorm every evening this week, though. Yesterday, Finn and I had a stellar ride despite the intermittent drizzle and some thunder rolling in the background. There were a few reasons I was really stoked about it:

First, Finn and his pasture buddy had been moved to a different pasture, which meant a slight change in routine. Namely, saddling out of my car and riding up to the barn was a different ride than it has been. Over the winter Finn was in this pasture and we struggled to make this ride successfully, but yesterday it was no big deal. Finn rode up there like a steady-eddy, been-there-done-that trail pony. Not a huge surprise based on the rides we've been having, but one of those great moments when you look back at how that would have gone six months ago and realize things are really coming along.

Second, while we were in the arena, something unknown caught Finn's eye at one point and really shook him up. He wanted to turn and stare, but I kept true to my intent and kept riding him forward until he got with me. After that, he was convinced that the whole lower long-side of the arena was a danger zone, which is not an atypical assumption for him. What I REALLY liked though was that throughout our ride we were able to have a conversation about it, and after a while, Finn believed me and let go of his worries, for real. This feeling of him truly letting go of his concern is still new enough to me that it feels marvelous. I've had too many experiences with Finn where I can get obedience from him, but I can't get him to actually release his troubles. But that's changing, which means I'm looking forward to it eventually being a thing of the past.

Third, after riding in the rain for a while and finally realizing it was not going to quit, I decided to pack it in. I almost decided to walk Finn home because with the weather being what it was, I didn't want to open some giant can of worms on the ride back to the pasture. In the end, though, I decided I could count on him, and if things went to pot I could always get off then. Well, not only did he ride home like a perfect angel, I was actually able to trot him a good bit of the ways without him getting worried or hurried or even the slightest bit tight about it. I reminded him once or twice to stay in a steady tempo and he took it from there. He even stretched and snorted some, and then came back to a walk off my seat. That was really thrilling. I think it really says something when you can "hurry" home on a horse without them thinking about taking over.

Waiting to see if the rain would clear up. It didn't.

Today, the thunder was even more frequent, and the lightning close enough to scare me off riding. I was bummed, but what can you do? Tomorrow, I'm hoping the weather will be better, because I have an overnight camping trip planned and I'd rather not be stormed on.

Did I mention I'm taking Finn camping tomorrow? It feels weird to call it a camping trip, since we're going less than five miles from the barn and we're only staying one night, but still. We'll be hanging out with seven of my local friends, none of whom I have ever been riding with.

I admit, I am a little nervous because Finn has never been out on the trail with more than two other horses, and tomorrow we'll be out with seven. I haven't had the most successful rides when we've gone out with three, so I expect the ride to require quite a lot of attention and horsemanship on my part to create a success for us. Oh, and we'll be at Washoe Lake. On the one hand, that's comforting, since we've been over there so many times I feel really comfortable with the surroundings. On the other hand, Finn has struggled there sometimes, and I probably shouldn't be dwelling on that nearly as much as I have been.

In any case, my goal above all for the whole "trip" will be to maintain a steadily patient and positive attitude for Finn. To remember to believe in him. On more of a strategy level, I will strive to remember my intent and offer him something really strong and consistent to join in on. Beyond that, I think I'll just have to play with the horse that shows up!

A second goal for the trip will be to simply have fun. I get to spend the better part of 24 hours hanging out with my friends and my horse, what could be better? Even if the rides don't go perfectly, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. I need to keep that one close to my mind!