Finally! It's over a year since FH placed her foot in my stirrup and climbed onboard.... that was until today. I have been trying my best to encourage FH on board but she's been busy.... one thing us
mules are good at though is patience so I figured I could wait a little longer. Me and Smiley Human have been going out and about together but it's always nice to have two riders, not that I'm greedy or anything ;-)
So this morning FH appeared with saddle in hand, I was a good muletta having all my straps done up (I'm extra good these days as FH sometimes has the Baby One attached to her so I have to be very careful). And I waited, ears pricked and wondered where Smiley Human was...... and I waited..... but then FH said WE were going out together.
FH was a little twitchy, she was wondering if she'd forgotten how to ride in all that time? What if she had lost her balance (hehe...) We had a little walk first and then it was time, FH gingerly placed a foot in the stirrup (I stood VERY still like a good muletta) and hoisted on board and we were off :-)
FH is a kilo or two heavier than before (we'll soon get that off her) but all the gear fitted and she sat onboard like she'd never been away. She sat quietly and chattered away to me, mostly about my mulificent ears, I could tell she was a little on edge but that was fine cos I am brave enough for both of us. FH soon relaxed and we were off climbing steep tracks and looking at the lovely Autumn views. I could tell FH was beaming away behind me, I was very proud, we call it her 'riding face' :-)
We didn't go far but that's fine, there is plenty more time for longer rides. A wonderful time was had by us both, it was pretty nice to have FH back in the saddle!
mules are good at though is patience so I figured I could wait a little longer. Me and Smiley Human have been going out and about together but it's always nice to have two riders, not that I'm greedy or anything ;-)
So this morning FH appeared with saddle in hand, I was a good muletta having all my straps done up (I'm extra good these days as FH sometimes has the Baby One attached to her so I have to be very careful). And I waited, ears pricked and wondered where Smiley Human was...... and I waited..... but then FH said WE were going out together.
FH was a little twitchy, she was wondering if she'd forgotten how to ride in all that time? What if she had lost her balance (hehe...) We had a little walk first and then it was time, FH gingerly placed a foot in the stirrup (I stood VERY still like a good muletta) and hoisted on board and we were off :-)
FH is a kilo or two heavier than before (we'll soon get that off her) but all the gear fitted and she sat onboard like she'd never been away. She sat quietly and chattered away to me, mostly about my mulificent ears, I could tell she was a little on edge but that was fine cos I am brave enough for both of us. FH soon relaxed and we were off climbing steep tracks and looking at the lovely Autumn views. I could tell FH was beaming away behind me, I was very proud, we call it her 'riding face' :-)
We didn't go far but that's fine, there is plenty more time for longer rides. A wonderful time was had by us both, it was pretty nice to have FH back in the saddle!