Yesterday I rode Teev and one thing happened I was so proud of... there was a little sinkhole and it had a sorta drop off ledge to go down to it, very straight down for four-five feet, then another about 3 ft ledge. One person said the state had designated this as a watering hole for the horses and everybody laughed cause it was ridiculously hard to get to. There were roots all in the washout leading to it and limestone rough edges.
Just then, Tivar took a couple of steps toward it and I could just sense he wanted a drink! There were about fifteen of us, all women. Even 4 strangers who had hooked up with us on the trail. They seemed new to our area and one had a fiery arab that was giving her fits and she seemed a real good rider. The other had an old plodding deadbroke horse but she seemed a timid rider. Everyone was just watching the little pool and chatting, taking a break and Tivar took another step, so I thought what the heck, lets see what he'll do, so I gave him a nudge and he just moved out real willing to the edge, looked down, stared hard, everyone laughed and commented like "he's brave but now he's thinking maybe not" and my friend Sylvia called "go to the left, its not so steep" I turned him and walked around to the left bank and he kinda hunkered up and I could see he was gonna go for it so I just lay back almost just laid down on his back and he just very casually dropped his front feet down, I sat up, he kicked out his back feet like a rabbit while stepping in the front, and after that the second ledge was nothing. We went down to the pool, it was awesome, springfed with a totally clear white sandy bottom with leaves. I mean it wasnt snakey or gatory at all. My friend Sylvia hollered "dont go too deep it might drop off quick!" But Tivar was already wading in! I could look ahead and see the drop off and was thinking well, if he is suddenly up to his chest will he freak? But he just drank, took some steps, ate some water weeds, went deep til he was at his knees, ate some weeds, ate some more weeds, and I said ok, and turned him and I knew it was gonna be steep getting out so I gave him a harder kick than I have ever gave him and there was no mistaking he knew what i was telling him and he just sprang and lunged up that hill with no hesitation! He knew it would take a good effort to get to the top so he made sure he took off with enough power at the bottom. I just lay forward and hung on and I will say this, icey's mane are wonderful to hang onto! He found, on his own, tiny opportunities for footing and chugged up where it looked almost effortless! Everyone clapped and cheered :) Tivar is so strong! It is amazing. No one else gave it a try! It was very very cool and blustery, about 45 with a forty mph gusting breeze, very clear and beautiful. Then on the trail someone was in the woods illegally target shooting and it was scarey. Tivar flinched with each shot but did not spook. Then one horse spooked at a sheet of tin and the person kept trying til she got her horse to stomp around on it. It must have blown in by a tornado recently. Then Tivar was fine to walk past it but when I stopped to see if he would walk on it he really did not want to. So i thought oh well, at least he didnt spook and I got tin at home for him to get used to :) I thought well, he cant walk on tin yet but he can jump down a sinkhole ledge! I was very proud of Tivar! Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
