Louie's first beach ride

12/26/2009
The day after Christmas and the weather was looking to be ok and the tide was right so Bonnie and I took the opportunity to take Louie for his first ride at the beach. Bonnie rode my horse Marie. Low tide was at noon so we headed out around 10:30. I pulled the trailer down to the end of the drive way before loading. I was afraid of slipping on ice with the trailer, which in fact I did!!! Louie loaded right up like a pro and off we went. When we got there, the park gates were closed so we ended up parking on the side of the road. We tacked up as quickly as possible and lead Louie and Marie into the park. We mounted up at the access aisle. Louie took the lead at first but when he got his first sight of the ocean, he hesitated. Marie took the lead and Louie was happy to follow her. A previous storm had caused a lot of beach erosion and damage. So, the end of the access aisle was washed out and it was a bit off a drop off onto the beach. Louie followed Marie but when he hit the sand and started sinking in a little, that made him nervous. But, good boy that he is, he really didn’t do anything but shift he feet around a bit. Before long he decided the soft sand was safe enough. And once below the tide line where we ride, the sand is much firmer. What surprised me was that Louie really did not pay much attention to the water and waves. He was much more concerned about the changing color of the sand. We rode straight out to the rocks. I had him walk over some small ones. He wasn’t thrilled about this but did it when I pushed him to. We walked into some of the calmer water and he was great about this. He didn’t want to lead in, but didn’t hesitate to follow Marie in. While we were there, it started snowing and snowed quite hard. We rode down a long the beach almost to the corner to the fort. Louie was starting to relax and we had a nice long trot. We headed back and went out to the rocks again. Bonnie and I took turns leading. By now, Louie was really relaxing and there was even some ear flopping going on. We decided to cut our ride a bit short and head home. It was snowing quite hard and I was worried about a bad drive home. Louie once again loaded right into the trailer perfectly. Turned out that just a few miles from the beach, it wasn’t snowing at all so the drive home was fine. I was so proud of Louie and how well he handled his first ride at the beach.

Christmas ride

12/13/2009
Well, winter has finally arrived. Cold and snow and long hours at work so there won’t be so much riding for a while. I have been feeding Louie in the trailer most mornings. He is now loading up wonderfully since he knows that is where his breakfast is. Today was the annual Christmas ride & toy give away in Bowdoinham. I spent all of Saturday snowblowing the driveways and getting my trailer clear and the snow off the roof so I could do. Sunday morning I had to decide who to take. Marie, my steady, quiet “been there, done that” QH mare, or Louie the unknown. I decided to go ahead and take Louie. He loaded right up perfect. I parked at my friend Susie’s house as she is right on the edge of town. Louie unloaded quietly and was very good being saddled. I then took him out back where my friends were getting their horses ready. Susie had some felt antlers for the equines to wear. I had put some sleigh bells on Louie and he was good about them. I then put the antlers on him and he didn’t seem to care about that either. We were a bit early so I tied Louie up in one of her stalls and we went into her house for a few minutes. When I came back out, Louie had managed to knock his antlers off and had peed on them! Yuck. They were undamaged so we cleaned them up and taped them to his bridle. We mounted up and rode down through town to the waterfront where we met a few more friends that were also riding. Louie was a little tense when we started down the street as we had a car ahead of us and one behind us for safety. But, it only took a moment for him to relax. Once down to the waterfront, it wasn’t long before the children started showing up. Pretty soon we were surrounded. Everyone was making a big fuss over the horses (and mule) and Louie was absolutely loving it. The kids were all around him. He would lay his head right in their arms. And he was checking everyone pockets for treats. Unfortunately, he didn’t find any but he checked them all anyway. The owner of the local restaurant came out to judge our costumes. I knew we wouldn’t win as I had little to dress Louie up with other then the antlers and a silly hat Susie gave me to wear. Though a few of the horses were decked out in garland and Christmas ornaments and two even had flashing red noses! Louie was fabulous about all the commotion, the people, children, traffic, bells, lights, cameras, and dogs. He could not have been better. We then left the waterfront and rode to the local general store were there were some more children. Once again, people, traffic, noise….no problem. We brought toys for 50 children and nearly ran out so it was quite a success. We then rode back up through town back to Susie’s house singing carols all the way. I unsaddled Louie and put him in one of Susie’s stalls as we were also having our annual Christmas party. He was such a good boy and settled right in. When it was time to go home, he only hesitated for a moment about loading. It was raining when I left Susie’s but less then half way home, it was all snow and the roads were slick. So, it was a bit of a tense drive but I got Louie and myself home safe and sound. It as a really fun day.

First road ride

12/4/2009
It is hard to believe, but it was yet another wonderful warm sunny day. So, I called Linda to see if she was riding. She said she was riding from home. She wanted to get Gus out on the roads to see how he handled traffic. Her friend Diane was coming over and would be riding Linda’s “been there, done that” older horse Mac. I decided to join them. Louie was pretty good about loading. Once there, we tacked up and headed out. Louie was in the lead to start. About ½ mile down the road, he started to get nervous. Not at the traffic, that didn’t seem to bother him at all. But, the silly stuff (not silly to him of course!) such as large rocks, and water in the ditches and such. He didn’t do anything bad, just slowed down and eventually just froze. Good old Mac went ahead and Louie breathed a big sigh of relief and happily followed. But, Mac walks SOOOOOOOOOO slow that in a short time Louie couldn’t stand it and took the lead again. Once again, Linda and I took turns leading with our young green boys. Mac fell so far behind us he was pretty much useless as comfort for our greenies. But, that was ok as Louie and Gus did great. Louie eyeballed the big rocks pretty hard but didn’t do anything wrong. He was completely unconcerned about the traffic. We didn’t have anything really big go by but did have a truck towing a trailer, a motorcycle and a bicycle go by. Neither of the youngsters cared. We all got back safe and sound and I was very proud of Louie.

Riding with Linda in Pittston

12/2/2009

The weather is still holding out and it was beautiful today. Linda and I decided to go riding today in Pittston. Not much water on the trails there and where there is, it is in the open so ice would not be a concern. Nor would I need to put boots on Louie to ride there. I was a bit apprehensive about how he would load all alone. And much to my delight, he loaded up very well. He locked up a few times long before getting to the trailer but that was easily worked through. Then once there, he sniffed the floor for a second, then jumped right in. He did paw a lot but I’m not too worried about that right now. I arrived at Linda’s house and she’d had both of her geldings down in a lower pasture and handed off Gus to me and went to put Mac in the pasture by the barn. Gus stuck his head right in the trailer to see who was in there, so I asked him to load up. After a few tries he did. Two feet, then back out a couple time. Then he hopped on……and immediately tried to turn around to come out. Linda was back by then and it was a bit of a scramble to get Gus secured in and tied so he couldn’t try to turn. He was fine once he was tied. Though we left him tied with his lead rope just long enough so that he got his head over the divider and slobbered all over Louie’s back. Poor Louie. They both unloaded quite well. We got tacked up and headed out with Louie in the lead. He did great. We came to one long puddle and he walked right in with no hesitation. Half way though there was some thin shelly ice and when he started crunching through that, he froze for just a second, then went on through like a good boy. Linda and I took turns leading. Both boys did well. They both eyeballed a few things such as rocks and cut wood. But neither fussed about anything. Gus did spook at some blue barrels on the side of the trail. Louie wasn’t bothered by them. We did a wonderful canter up a long hill. Louie was great and such a wonderful smooth canter. Today I used Ruby’s bit on Louie and he rode just as well in that as the Mikmar bit. Louie loaded pretty well for the ride home. And it didn’t take too long to get Gus on the trailer either. Dropped Linda and Gus off and got Louie home safe and sound. Another great ride on the little brown mule!

Trying new bit

11/30/2009
I played with Louie at home today. I saddled him up and put the bit I had used with Ruby on him to see how he responded to it. He seemed fine. He responded nicely. Very much the same as with the Mikmar bit. We practiced lining up to a mounting block. Not that I need one, just a good thing to learn. I rode and did walk, trot, whoa and back. Then had him go over the bridge. He was very good.

Group ride in Phippsburg

11/29/2009
A beautiful day here in Maine for the end of November!! Sunny, hardly any breeze and nearly 50 degrees. A group of us went riding today in Phippsburg. I rode Louie and took Marie down for Barbara to ride. Bonnie took her mule and picked up a friends horse. Linda came with her new horse Gus and someone was riding her old horse. I was all alone when I loaded up today. But, no problem as Louie was very good about loading in my trailer. He did have to think about it for just a moment, but not much more. He did paw a bit once he was in but no big deal. I put the hoof boots on him before loading him to go. What a sweet patient boy he is. At one point when I was pulling a strap tight with a pair of pliers, the pliers slipped off and I fell right under Louie. I grabbed his front legs to stop and pull myself out. That good boy didn’t do a thing. Just watched me with curiosity. He unloaded nicely out of my trailer. I think it is the ramp on Bonnie’s trailer that bothered him. He was very quite to be saddled. More interested in eating his hay then in all the other trailers and horses arriving. The horse that Bonnie had picked up absolutely refused to back out of her trailer. She ended up taking her saddles and racks out to collapse the tack room wall so the could just let the horse turn around to come out.
Louie started out right in the lead as usual. He was just wonderful the whole ride. At times I had him ride in the middle of the pack and then at the end. He was happy as a clam no matter where he was. He still is not thrilled about walking into water but he is just not challenging me much about it. He is trying very hard to do what I want. And he is obviously getting used to the feel of me and how I ride as he is now taking very light signals to cue him for stuff. We had a truck with a flatbed trailer go by us. The flatbed had a large garden shed on it and it was all bumping noisily through the pot holes on the dirt road. Louie didn’t even bat an ear at this. And didn’t even hesitate when I asked him to trot along after it. GOOD BOY!! All in all just another wonderful ride

First ride from the house

11/22/2009
Bonnie and I rode again today. Barbara M. joined us riding my horse Marie. I put Old Mac boots on Louie today. He has been just a tiny bit tender over rock on the past 2 rides and today would be very rocky. I doubt he has ever worn boot but didn't fuss at all about me putting them. on. Good boy! Louie once again fussed just a tiny bit about me mounting. But, after just a few circles around me, he stood very nice. He started out in the lead once again. When we came out of the wood to the road, near my neighbor with the llama, Louie was a bit worried about the llama and I let Bonnie lead there. Louis is still not thrilled about walking into water but is resisting less and less. I still only needed just light leg pressure to encourage him through. There was just one spot where there was a mule eating rock sticking out of a large puddle that gave him some real concern. He did the first river crossing very well. Once again I let him follow River in and he was very good. Then we had the steep climbs and descents on the pipeline. He wasn’t sure what to think of that. He climbed very well but was unsure of how to handle the steep downhills. He got the hang of it after a few of them. Then at the second river crossing, I was behind Bonnie. It is downhill with a bit of a drop off into the water at this crossing. Nothing bad and Louie followed River with little hesitation but at the last second took a HUGE flying leap coming down into the river with a big splash! I was amazed I stayed on without even losing my stirrups. We definitely had some big air on that one. Barbara said it was a pretty impressive jump. Once Louie was in the river though, he was fine. He did great on the way home. Going through the many water spots just fine. He was getting pooped out though and was not moving out so fast any longer. I think Louie did wonderful for a young, somewhat green mule. All in all, another wonderful ride.

Riding in Pittston

11/21/2009
Bonnie and I took Louie and River to Pittston. Louie was not too keen on loading into the trailer but he did after a few minutes. It was too nice a day not to ride and we figured this would be a fairly safe place to ride during hunting season. I made Louie back off the trailer today rather then letting him turn around. He did not like this at all but eventually he did it. He was very good for grooming and being saddled. He fussed just a little bit about me mounting until he was standing close to River. Pittston is a good place to ride because of the nice roads where you can travel fast if you want. So, I was able to put Louie through his paces. He has a lovely smooth walk, a real nice easy trot and a beautiful canter. I had his bit adjusted properly today and he rode much better. He led the way for the most part. He was still reluctant to walk through water but did not make any big fuss at all. It just took fairly light leg pressure to encourage him to go through. He eyeballed a few things such as light colored rocks and such. But, he didn’t actually spook at anything. Even a woman down in a ditch by a pond that surprised us. Louie was just a real good boy and I had a wonderful ride. He put up more of a fuss about loading into the trailer for the ride home but we managed to get him on within 15 min. or so. He did better backing off at home. I don’t think he likes the ramp on Bonnie’s trailer

Just playing with Louie

11/18/2009
Today is the first day I played with Louie at all. He has been very sweet and affectionate. Followed me around and loves attention. He is easy to handle and can be touched anywhere with no fuss. I haltered and brushed him. Then had him do some yielding in hand. He was not at all sure of what I was asking him. I walked him over my bridge and he didn’t fuss long about that before he walked over it nicely. Then I lunged him just at the walk in both directions. He wasn’t too sure of that either but caught on pretty quick. I think he as probably done all this stuff and is just working at figuring me out. Then I took his halter off, loved on him and gave him a treat.

Saying goodbye to Ruby....

11/16/2009
Kathy thought about staying to ride another day. But, It was finally starting to get to me about Ruby leaving and I had to work so Kathy headed out about 10:00am. Boy it was sure hard to see Ruby go. I will miss that girl like crazy. Poor Louie has some big shoes to fill following Ruby.

First ride on Louie

11/15/2009

I took Louie for our first ride today. We went to a group ride in Phippsburg. Kathy rode Ruby again. Bonnie came along with River. The ride was from Terry York’s place and there was a dinner after. Louie was very good. He stood well tied at the trailer and while being saddled and mounted. He really didn’t do a thing wrong on the ride. He led for most of it and really walks out nice. And sooooooo smooth. We didn’t do a lot of trotting as Louis is barefoot and was just a bit tender on the rocks. We rode for over 2 hrs. The only trouble I had at all was that Louie was a bit balky at walking though the water puddles. But, there were a lot of them and we managed. When we got back, we loaded River and Louie into Bonnie’s trailer and went in to eat. Both mules stood quietly on the trailer. I was very pleased with Louie today

Took Kathy riding at beach

11/14/2009
I took Kathy riding at Popham beach today. Not the best weather but we had a blast anyway. We met Susie, Rocky, Amy, Judy and Amy’s daughter there. It was only sprinkling when we got there and very windy. Kathy rode Ruby and I rode Marie. I decided the beach might be a bit much for Louie for our first ride. It really started raining hard just before we got done riding and we got soaked. I decided to drop my leased mule Ruby and my horse Marie off at Susie’s house for the night. I just didn’t have enough room at my place for everyone to get safely under cover for the night. I didn’t want anyone stuck outside in the rain all night either. With only 3 back at my house, I could let everyone have a separate run in. I’m glad I did this as we got over 5 inches of rain overnight.

Louie has arrived

11/13/09
Louie arrived today. Kathy Lawless delivered him. She said he traveled very well. He is cute. Kind of small but I already knew that. It was exciting to finally see and meet him as I was crazy enough to buy this little brown mule sight unseen simply on the recommendation of a friend, who also had not seen the mule. Yep, crazy, I know. We turned Louie and my boarders mule River out together in the front paddock as they had already gotten to know one another on the trip. I put my horse Marie and Ruby out in the back paddock and left my boarder's loaner mule Rooster in the river paddock. Everyone was very stirred up. Bonnie, Kathy and I hung out in the pasture and just talked for a while and watched the animals to make sure everyone was going to be ok. I called Don, the man I bought Louie from, while we were watching the mules and horse to let him know that Louie had arrived safe and sound. Louie came up to me several times to say hello. He seems very friendly. When I went out to feed later, I just put grain in the hay rack and let Louie and River share. While I was out there, River approached me, sniffed at the garden cart, then jumped, spun and kicked me pretty hard in the upper thigh!!! Lucky he got me on the meaty part of the leg and didn’t do any damage! Rotten mule.