>>>> I always figured he needed to be someone's very special horse or only >>>> horse and he was not getting that here. It has worked with Janice >>>> because I think he knows he is her #1 riding horse. He does not want >>>> others riding him.
I have no doubt that Tivar is very happy with his life now, and that he and Janice are a match made in heaven. But, when he came back here, I rode him briefly as did Shirley, just for "old time's sake." He was a doll for both of us, very relaxed and sweet. I think MOST horses prefer to have one main rider, or at least not to have too many different riders, but I think there was more to what was going on with Tivar than just wanting one single rider. Either he remembered us as non-threatening friends from his past, or we didn't give off the same vibes as some other people...I don't know. >>> He did not like training, it was not always done well for him. I do not >>> know about the lunging except that he hated it so I did not do it. He >>> would go like Karen said fast around while gritting his teeth. perhaps >>> he had that done in training. When he was first trained Jo did "free" >>> lunging with him and ran alongside him and he loved it. They would go >>> over obstacles and do all kinds of things and he was so proud! Once he relaxed here, he was one of the most eager students I've ever met. He seemed to relish attention and learning as much as any horse I've known, in the same league with my brilliant Sina and Bjola. I think there's a lesson to be learned here... many - most? - horses like to learn, some even love it, but probably most horses don't particularly care for force-fed "training." Karen Thomas, NC
