I had a different story written for today that had nothing to do with mules.Yeah I truly did.But guess what, Siera took first place.We spent most of the afternoon exploring each other's likes and dislikes. She explored her trust in me, and I explored my trust in her.We needed to build confidence in the deep woodlands.Open trails are fine.Steep ravines and confusing deer trails take more consideration.Siera is looking for leadership and the trust in me that I shall not ask her to do something that will get her in trouble.Both of us arrived at home after 3 hrs in the woods, sweaty and happy.She learned that dry washes and nasty looking ditches may just not eat her after all.I learned that she likes the big open trail ... or to cruise magnificently down the back roads, gaiting in all of her splendor.We are learning that trust is good. I won't get her into trouble, and I believe she'll do her damnedest not to get me in trouble.This makes for a good relationship.All is good. Siera earned her grooming tonight.
Not every ride on a young mule is perfect.
Siera did well, we traveled down the country road where we stopped and visited with 'mule' eating cattle.
She locked her legs and stared ... and stared ... and stared.
I find that with some mules it is okay to let them look.
Suddenly you get a big sigh that you can feel and hear.
Then Siera was ready to move on with one ear cocked towards my neighbor's curious looking animals.We did the road riding ~~ she was eager and pleasant.
Next we decided to head down the hillside near my house.
This is where we had some challenges.
Nothing bad.
Just pull on the bit, try to rush down the hill [we are talking about a heavily forested hillside with lots of trees and downed tree tops...logs, stumps, berry briers, multi flora rose, and rocks] kind of hillside.
She wanted to rush towards home.
This was unacceptable in my book.
So each time she tried to rush down hill, she ended up doing serpentines around trees and back to the top.
We did the hillside numerous times.
Up
Down
Around
Up
Down
Around
We even came up upon the now 'infamous' trophy buck with a rack to die for! He bounced up out of a dead-fall of trees and crashed through the woods sounding like a 40 ft tall Black Mule Eating Bear!
Good girl, she watched.
[I think I was more surprised than she!]
Over huge logs, around trees, through brush.
In the end she walked mostly quietly towards home.
She stood very nicley while I talked with hubby. Non of this is unexpected in a young molly mule.
It wasn't a picture perfect ride but then is there ever one?
