What’s New with Roll? Riding the Hayfield

At 21 years of age, Roll has worked hard since December of 2010 when I saved him from slaughter. He is now able to carry my weight and go for jaunts around the hayfield monthly with a buddy in addition to his milder weekly exercises.

Roll thinks Brandy, another rescue, is pretty cute! She’s a “Mini-Me!”

Today, both Roll and Brandy are both being tested without their “Elbow Pulls” to assess how much of their own good equine posture they can maintain. Roll was actually more consistently engaged and rounded over the to line than Brandy.

We stopped to look at the horses that were running in a nearby field.

Although Roll was still twisting his right hind somewhat from bearing most of the weight from the other three compromised feet, he still maintained a decent posture and continued to step well underneath and stay rounded over the top.

His reinback was slow, but accurate and submissive.

Roll enjoyed riding past the Jasper Bunkhouse! Lots to look at!

Roll and Brandy matched their pace as we rode past the bronze statue that commemorates the famed Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T.’s accomplishments in Combined Driving and Combined Training.

Roll begins to “pace” when he gets tired, but he still matched Brandy’s pace through the “Mule Crossing.”

 

All in all, both mules did fairly well without the “Elbow Pull,” but it was clear they would still need it’s support for future rides for a while longer. Roll is staying sound and seems much happier to be able to get out in the wide open spaces for a change!