Riding on the Backs of Animals

Today I went riding with Paula at Rancho Nuevo, in the mountains near Loreto. Our guide, Bule, saddled up the animals. These are called moo-lahs, burros, or super burros depending on their size. They look kind of like horses, but are actually hybrid animals, part horse and part goat, I think. You can look that up on Wikepedia.

Photos by Don and Paula


Bule and a super burro





This is the first photo of me riding since my parents put me on a poney for pics when I was 6 or 7. I rode an elephant once, too, but there are no photos so no one believes that.



You steer and stop them with these rope thingies, but mostly the moo-lah runs on some kind of auto-pilot.



more...

Paula's done this a bunch, for days at a time...she's not a newbie like me. Although there is a specific cowboy term for "newbie." I think it's "Shoehorn," or something like that.



The moo-lahs eat lots of stuff, just like goats.


Paula and Bule decide to put some distance between them and the Shoehorn. "Hey! Wait for me!" I can't find the thingy, or magic words, or whatever, for going faster. Humming the William Tell Overture didn't work.





The Shadow:

Oh, jeez, I just want everyone to know that I don't usually ride with a purse

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula Oh, jeez, I just want everyone to know that I don't usually ride with a purse

We all know it was full of carrots!

Crossing a horse with a goat would be impossible. The mulas are the result of Horse-burra or burro-mare. The result is Mula(o) but, the offspring from a mare is bigger than that of a burra.... bigger, stronger mula. The male one is also called Macho. Mula is -amongst Mexicans- synonym of stubborn. because they are stubborn (auto-pilot) when you ride them. While in Mexico, don't be surprised if someone calls you mula...that is if you get in an argument and you will stand your ground....
I met a member of a "Mule riders Association of AZ" who explained to me the great advantages of mule riding Vs. horse riding. I like horses better..

[Edited on 5-15-2009 by LOSARIPES]

Quote:

Originally posted by LOSARIPES Crossing a horse with a goat would be impossible. The mulas are the result of Horse-burra or burro-mare. The result is Mula(o) but, the offspring from a mare is bigger than that of a burra.... bigger, stronger mula. The male one is also called Macho. Mula is -amongst Mexicans- synonym of stubborn. because they are stubborn (auto-pilot) when you ride them. While in Mexico, don't be surprised if someone calls you mula...that is if you get in an argument and you will stand your ground....