Building Trust - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - Perhaps Raven has found an advocate?
To begin from the first chapter, START HERE.
Previous chapter is HERE.
On this ranch, tradition runs deep—and so does resistance.
Raven returns to finish what she started, but the real challenge isn’t the horse. It’s the silence, the suspicion, and the weight of doing things the way they’ve always been done. But Raven didn’t come here to play nice. She came to make change—and maybe, find an unexpected ally.
Raven returned to William’s stables the next morning and found him tending to Star. The Wyoming dawn was crisp, the air carrying the scent of fresh hay and the promise of a new day. “Good morning, William. I brought you some coffee,” she said, offering him a cup.
William looked up, surprise flickering across his face. “Morning, Raven. Thanks. What’s this about?”
“I wanted to talk about Star,” Raven began, taking a seat on a nearby bench. “I would like to understand more about her background. How did she come into your life?”
William took a sip of his coffee, glancing at Star. “Well, I got Star about five years ago. She was just a foal then, born on a friend’s farm. I’ve raised her since she was a few months old.”
“And how has her training been?” Raven asked, her voice gentle but probing. “What kind of disposition does she have?”
“Star’s always been a bit spirited,” William admitted. “She’s generally well-behaved but can be stubborn. Her training has been consistent, but she started reacting negatively a few months ago. It’s been puzzling.”
Raven nodded, taking in the information. “It sounds like something has shifted recently. Sometimes, changes in behavior can be a response to environmental factors or even the emotions of those around them.”
William raised an eyebrow, defensive. “You mean she might be reacting to me or the stable manager?”
“Exactly,” Raven said. “Horses are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings and the energy of the people they interact with. This is where my approach comes in. I combine traditional training methods with techniques from Native American shamanism and modern psychology. It helps address both the horse’s and the owner’s needs.”
William looked skeptical but intrigued. “I’m not sure I believe in all that spiritual stuff, Raven. But I can see that Star’s behavior is a problem, and I’m willing to try something new if it helps.”
Raven smiled, appreciating his openness. “I understand your skepticism, William. It’s not just about spirituality, though. It is about understanding the horse on a deeper level and addressing any underlying issues that might be affecting her behavior. It also involves looking at how your interactions with Star might be influencing her.”
William nodded slowly. Raven watched him carefully. His hands gripped the coffee cup tightly, as though grounding himself in something tangible. She sensed his unease—not just about Star, but something more. He’s not just worried about the horse. He is worried about his place in this, his role. Maybe he’s been feeling disconnected for longer than he realizes, she thought.
“Alright, I’m willing to give it a shot. What do we need to do?” William asked.
“First, let’s spend some time observing Star together,” Raven suggested. “We will look at her interactions, not just with you but with others in the stable. Then, we can work on creating a plan that addresses her specific needs and your goals.”
“Sounds good,” William agreed. “Thanks, Raven.”
As they sat at the picnic table outside the barn door, Raven continued watching the way William’s body subtly relaxed with the routine of the conversation.
“So, what has changed in the last six months here?” she asked, keeping her tone conversational but with a quiet probing.
William rubbed his scruffy beard, his expression thoughtful. “Well, not much really. Let me think... Oh, my stable manager quit six months ago, and I hired Lillian.”
“That’s a big change. What else happened during the transition?”
“One horse we had stabled left with Mark. But Lillian brought three with her—a mare, a three-year-old gelding, and a male yearling.”
“I noticed the stall next to Star is empty. Was that always the case?” Raven asked, her mind piecing together the potential impact of the changes.
“No. The mare Mark took had been next to Star. Do you think that’s it? Her behavior did start to change around that time.”
“It may be a catalyst but not necessarily the entire problem,” Raven said, her voice thoughtful. “Let’s have Lillian bring Star out to the ring, but we’re going to stay here.”
As Lillian led Star to the ring, Raven noticed the horse’s immediate shift in energy. Star’s ears perked up and her tail lifted as she saw William, her gaze almost pulling toward him. “She’s looking for him, for that familiar connection,” Raven thought. “But something has been broken.“
Not realizing the change in the horse’s attention, Lillian led Star into the ring and opened the gate. After racing around the ring, Star came to a sudden stop near the fence, closest to where William and Raven were sitting.
Raven watched closely as Star looked back at William before turning to Lillian. “She’s torn between them. There’s still a bond here,“ Raven mused. “It’s fragile, but it’s there.“
“I thought so,” Raven said quietly.
William looked at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What did you think?”
“Star wants you to come for her,” Raven said. “Something has shifted between you two. What else changed since Lillian came to work for you? Other new horses, who grooms Star, anything?”
“Let me think. Besides the three horses Lillian brought with her, two other owners transferred their accounts to us. Dale took them on as their trainer.”
Raven looked at William with a knowing look. “Has your relationship changed with Star in the last few months?”
“Well, I guess so. With the new stable manager and five new horses, business has been growing. One of the groomers takes care of her, and I don’t ride as much as I used to. There are just not enough hours in the day.”
“You don’t have children, do you, William?”
“No. I guess the horses are my kids.”
“If you did, how do you think a five-year-old would act if their best friend moved away, you hired a nanny to give the baths and make dinner, and you rarely had time to play or snuggle with them?”
“Wait a second.” The light bulb turned on for William. “Is that how Star feels? Like she’s been abandoned by me? Is that why she’s so skittish? Towards me?”
Raven nodded, seeing the light of realization dawn on William’s face. “It’s very possible. Horses, like children, need consistent attention and bonding. Let’s work on rebuilding that trust and connection between you two.”
William’s face softened with understanding. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes, Raven. I love Star and as you say this, I realize I miss her and feel guilty that I’m not spending time with her like I used to.
“Good. Let’s start with spending more time with her, just the two of you. We’ll gradually reintroduce her to the routine with more of your presence.”
As William’s guard began to lower, Raven couldn’t help but feel a quiet satisfaction. This is what it’s all about—reconnecting not just with the horse, but with the part of themselves they’ve neglected. She knew William wasn’t the first owner to struggle with balancing business and connection. In her work, the healing always began with awareness, and William was on that path now.
Raven smiled. “We’ll get through this together, William. Star is going to be just fine.”
Feeling a surge of determination, Raven continued. “And William, after we get Star back on track, I have a bigger plan. I want to set up a permanent training center back home, where clients bring their horses to me, and I train new horse trainers to continue this work.”
William’s eyes widened with interest. “That sounds ambitious.”
Raven grinned, excitement in her voice. “It is. But I believe it’s the next step, not just for me, but for the future of horse training. Star is just the beginning.”
After a successful week with William and Star, Raven prepared for her flights home with the first leg to Las Vegas. She noted the pending storms threatening the skies and had no idea of the chain of events that are coming her way.
Happy to know Raven has zeroed in on Star's skittish behavior. I hope William will be able to spend more time with Star. I look forward to see if it will help. Loving your chapters!
Raven, was spot on. At first I thought it was the horse that was gone in the stall next to her. You had me reading every line to find out why Star mannerism changed. A simple solution to a problem that happens when businesses grows.