Autumn riding with Sage and another Curly Mule update

Autumn is here! And, I have to say, it's my favorite time of year. Trail riding with no bug bites! What could be better? And gorgeous fall foliage all around as we trot down the road...I have certainly been enjoying the fall, in between nor'easters and other assorted Vermont weather of course.

Josie (our curly draft mule) is getting properly curly again! She came to use last March covered in curls but this time her coat is so shiny! It is wonderful to see her so healthy and happy out in the field.

Just had to share some pictures of her curls up close and personal. These are the waves on her butt. I figured everyone else would be curious to see mule curls. :)

And here's the best picture I have of the what I'm guessing are the biggest Curly ears on the continent. Any takers??

Curls on Jo's forehead. I am still having a lot of fun working with Josie, but wish I had more time for her. We played around with putting her blanket on last weekend and she did well until we got to the second surcingle. Then she had one hoof cocked and ready to go if I pushed her too much. So I didn't try to do up the second surcingle, just rubbed her flanks where she was feeling nervous and quit when she relaxed a bit. We're getting there with her, and the time and patience we've given her is starting to pay off. :)

This is from my most recent trail ride with Sage--it may be the last snowless ride of the year!

Sage on the autumn trail...

We got back when it was mostly dark. Darn these shorter days!!

Here's my wonderful trail steed in the field, hoping for hay pellets as I take his picture.

I'm not online much these days unless I'm making websites, but I did upload a bunch of pictures from our trail rides on Facebook, so feel free to friend me if you want to see more photos. Hope everyone else is having a terrific fall.

Brie