Picture and story by Shari

My horses and I were trotting down a forest trail when Lila slowed to a walk and was on alert. I scanned the woods and did not see anything just asking her to walk on. She was worried when I spotted some deer dashing down the hill and assured her that they were gone. We walked onward, Lila still on alert. She suddenly stops and turns. There was a bear sitting, watching us come down the trail. We paused for a moment—for it was now a stand off—since both bear and horses were curious about each other. After a few minutes, the bear slowly got up, turned, and walked away from us up the hill. Once again Lila proves that fact I need to listen to my horse for she senses so much more of the world around her than I do.