mule notes, mmxviii-viii-ix

I spent about a minute on Cora's back today - first time I've been on her. Look at those ears! :)

I stroked her mane, rubbed her neck, scratched her butt and took this picture, then got off.

I was tempted to try more, but no, no, we're taking this easy. Baby steps.

Bitless and bareback - she's wearing a rope halter and a bareback pad.

(It's likely she's never been ridden without a bunch of tack, but there's no way to know.)

I was going to wait and do this with my instructor present, but I felt like I had to be wholly focused on Cora, you know, not splitting my attention between my instructor and my mule.

It could have ended badly, I guess, but I was wearing my helmet and I had to believe in us.

She is heart-thumpingly wonderful.