Today I took Mr Ed for a ride. I think I did OK. I dont know much about horses but I managed to get the bridle on after a few minutes. He is a good horse and quiet. Very patient with is ignorant master.
I lead him quietly over to the shop where I keep the saddle and he waits patiently outside. Barely a twitch while I put the pad and saddle on him and get the straps under him. I am not really too certain how tight to make things so I figure I will start loose and make it tighter. First try was definately too loose, as the saddle tried to come off when I went to mount.
At this point Julio comes over and helps out, shows me how tight to make the straps and I am able to mount up with no problems. Suddenly I realize, Giddup and Whooo are english commands and I have no way to speak to the horse. Julio informs me that "Set" means stop and "Vamano" means go. Steering is pretty obvious and soon I am walking the beast around a bit.
In the meantime, poor Milito is preparing to remount the mule for the first time since the accident and he is noticablely nervous. He has the help of his older and more experienced cousin Julio and soon the irritable and flighty mule is saddled up and waiting to be mounted.
To add to the confusion, my parents arrive in the car with the two kids, all very excited to see me on my horse. I regret to say I did not have my cowboy hat on for the picture and my eyes were closed.
Sorry the story is so anticlimatic, but nothing exciting happened. Milito headed off to the grass field on the mule and I followed for a while to make sure he was alright. Mr Ed did just fine quietly loping along and bonehead seemed content in is role as saddle mule.
