Changes Can Be Good Sometimes

I hate change.  I really do.  I want things to stay the same (most of the time), but sometimes change is a good thing.

There was a surprise change of management at the local livery and it looks like it's going to be a good thing.  With last minute changes, things either go really well or they go right down the toilet.  Though typically an optimist, I've been through a bad change or two in the past, so I was pretty pessimistic about this very last minute change in management.  Probably the worst barn boss we had was one who threatened to beat the stuffing out of one of the female wranglers because she didn't agree with how he was handling the horses.  He's also the only barn boss I've ever told to go do something anatomically impossible with himself and walked off the job (the only job I've ever walked off of - ever).  So, you can see why I was a little concerned about this change.

Imagine my delight when I found out that the new barn boss is a wrangler I worked with ten years ago or so.  I was just a day rider at the time, filling in when they were over-booked and/or short staffed, so it's no surprise that Compass didn't remember me.  That's okay, 'cause I'm thrilled she's back.

The horses can be very sensitive to change and they've had the same barn boss for over five years, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how relaxed and happy they are with the change.  There are changes afoot at the livery, but they all seem positive.  Compass and her two full-time wranglers have been very patient getting to know the horses and are handling them calmly and consistently.  The horses are happy. 

Even Raja looks like a whole new horse - and she's super sensitive to how she's handled.  If she doesn't have a clear leader, she'll run right the hell over you.  I spent some time rubbing on her today and she practically fell asleep on the rail.

Why is this my business if I'm not working as a wrangler for them?  It's my business because we still share common space and I've known most of the horses on their string for years, so I have a vested interest in their well being.  And I wouldn't mind working again as a day rider when needed.