Richard Boatwright, I may have been overthinking it. Last night, I ground tied her in the arena, brushed her, and lunged her when she was snappy. It didn't take long at all for the behavior to stop when I did this. 

Richard Boatwright Potter Valley is almost three hours northwest of Sacramento. 

Richard Boatwright Ah, we've hunted in Potter Valley before. It's pretty up there. No, we're in West Sacramento, across the river from Sacramento. 

Richard Boatwright It's very sad... I'm in Northern California so not close to what's happening right now, though we do have our share of fires. 

I joined today and that's where I'll be starting with my 7-year old green quarter horse mare. 

Living in California can feel pretty isolating, not being close to many other good horse people. But between the mild weather and the covered arena at the barn where I board, I'm grateful to be able to ride 7 days a week all year long. Taking a break from the wind for a few days, but that doesn't happen very often.