Everyone read the story of Maude and what happened on the trail. I want you to meet Lulu.
I met her because of my friend Alan. He saw her last year when he was camping at Apache' Junction with Kelly and Ron. She was with a gal named Rosemary and Alan asked her if she was for sale. He knew that Peg was still looking for a good mule at the time. The lady didn't want to sell her.
It turns out that Rosemary is a horse trainer and has had this molly for the past three years. Lulu was repeatedly being brought back to her by her 300 lb owner because she would buck him off when he was mean to her. Rosemary said that she just needed somebody who would love her and gain her trust.
We went to Rosemary's house the next day to look at this mule. Understand that I still was pretty sore and beat up from my episode with Maude. When we got there , the entire back of her place was an obstacle course and Lulu was already saddled. Rosemary took one look at me and said that I was much lighter than her previous owner and would pack me just fine. I wanted to see what she knew but, I was still pretty sore so Kelly rode her around the backyard and then Allan before I got on her.
I pretty much fell in love with her as soon as I met her. She was that nice. The fact that so could do every obstacle in the whole course effortlessly helped too!
Rosemary had many training obstacles setup in her yard.
The teeter totter/bridge setup
I liked this one. You put the front two legs in and rotate the rear around the tire. Then put the rear end in the tire and rotate the front around the tire, kind of like side passing.
"The Box" go into it and turn around inside the box.
the hanging bear obstacle and the mailbox.
The mailbox and chair obstacle
Alan taking Lulu for a test drive.
We took her on several rides seeing what she could do and it was great!
she is like a little Ferrari sports car! she really can move out when she's in front but stays off the horses butt in front of her when we're on the trail. She's got great stamina and can go all day!
she really handles the technical trails very good and is a thinker.
It is an amazing difference when you're riding something that you can feel totally comfortable on and it makes it so much easier to establish that bond between you and your trail partner.
I just Love her and I'm so lucky to have found her!
She can be pretty laid back
But, she doesn't miss much
At home , when I call her in the pasture, she comes running to me. That's something Maude would never do….
Like I said, I just Love this mule!
So Happy for you that you found a great riding partner for the trail and also off, and to be able to feel really comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteI have met Rosemary at Fillys a few times and also went to her house to show me around
She's an awesome little ol gal :).