The Second Time Around

Only when I stopped comparing my mare to my “once-in-a-lifetime” gelding did I realize just how special she is to me.

- Hope Ellis-Ashburn

Recently I popped over to the barn hoping to squeeze in an afternoon ride. Storm clouds were gathering, but I thought I might have some fun before the rain started. Or perhaps the forecasted thunderstorms might go around us, as they so often do here in the valley where I live.

But as I was leading my mare, Sally, into the barn for her pre-ride grooming, the first few raindrops began to fall. The storm blew up quickly. Within seconds, trees were swaying in the wind. Thunder boomed and lightning forked across the sky. I decided it was far safer to stay put than to try to make it to my car.

As the storm continued to gather steam, the cracks of thunder drew close. The trees swayed lower to the ground. I cringed as I watched a sapling break over the fence of my riding arena. Rain pelted the tin barn roof, drowning out all other sounds. I had left my phone in the car. Only the two of us were in the barn, a point of calm in a raging storm.