Well, I did it.

I haven't thought much about riding now for two years. I've maintained my mules by making sure they are healthy and well cared for.

I didn't have much time to get back in the saddle and enjoy them.

Over the weekend, the gals got their classic spring haircuts.

Siera was the messiest one. But a bit of trim ....

Cleaned up her ears and mane!

Yeah--she didn't want me

to take her photo.

So yesterday I finally took her out of the pasture and saddled her up. She had some tail swishing but that could be because the flies were still after her or, she was unhappy about the prospect of working.

This mule is basically lazy. She won't do much of anything unless you ask politely. Get rough [my husband used to be rough with her] and she will do nothing. She will become a statue.

Hubby relented years ago that this mule was a lady mule like my mule Badger had been. She preferred my soft spoken ways to his growly gravel voice. Her name when he rode her was *goddammitSiera*.

I am the quiet one. I don't expect perfection every time I saddle her. I expect we get along and have a safe trip.

Anyway, there was no reaction when I mounted and rode her around the yard area. She did everything I asked of her.
Below is her listening to me to ask her to walk. The mule ears are like antenna, they point to what is interesting to her.

I then took her down through the neighbor's meadow and we took a short tour of some of the deer trails. I let her stretch her legs into a fast gait. 

It was a short ride that only lasted about 15 minutes, but she did everything I asked of her. Step out, walk, gait, stop, backup, and turn around.

Another crap shot, but here she is enjoying some yard grass while I put things away. Yes. She will stand in the yard and not leave. 

This is my mule that had never found her place with the other mules. She tolerates them but doesn't hang with them unless she is using their tails to swat flies.

When the Vet was here a few weeks ago he noted that she was a 'people' mule and that she preferred my company over her herd mates.

I like that.

But even more?

It looks like I'll be riding more and more. Siera will go to my friend's farm after June 5th. Then I will be riding with my friend and her horse Johnny Cash. 

Hopefully we will take lots of trail rides through her valley and streams this summer. She also has an indoor arena and outdoor arena. Maybe I can teach this mule a few new things.

I mean...wow....how did I forget how much I loved the sight of those ears from her back????