mulesuk

I have been perusing the forums for a while.... and have always dream't of owning the ever elusive mule....

However the timing( and price) never quite got it right for me until now it seems... in the village in a local shop a mule was advertised for a good home 2 year old female dun out of fjord mare and black and white coloured donk...

Hmmmm me not so sure about breeding... but when i post the piccys you can see for your self... she is sweet though, pretty with four white socks and 13 hh. but very slender... I am really hoping she is going to grow some.. fingers crossed....

I have walked her out already and today i rode and led her from my horse. she is great to groom and catch, although needs some work with leg handling still.

Yep my questions on mules are going to start here if you can be patient with me..... the first being.... did yours grow after 2 years????

Are they water proof? Should i rug her?

When do they loose their winter coats or do you clip them?

Is their anything urgent that i need to know?

Thanks in advance

Come on I'm still waiting for the piccies!!!!!
Let's put it this way...Malaga arrived with a brand new headcollor Nov 24th 2004 and by Peterborough Spring show March the next year he'd grown out of it!!!!

Don't go down the rugging clipping root!They can't grow a coat if they are rugged
The best advice I can give you is go very slow and quite with your ask and very fast with your release

Oh yes, they grow after two... quite a lot.... you might end up with a 14-hander yet...

Clipping/rugging, well, it's frankly up to you, just as with horses. Leave her and she'll grow a perfectly functional winter coat. If, when she's old enough, you want her in full work then just as with horses, it is easier to manage with them clipped to whatever extent. Horses for courses, no right or wrong answer although plenty of opinions either way

You have probably spotted the winter coat/moulting threads, mules being shown in the USA do get clipped much, much later than we would in UK for horses - think April - and it doesn't bugger their winter coats, or at least it didn't seem to ruin the massively thick winter coats on Tami & Phil's mules in Ohio!

Pics please!!!!!

Awww Brilliant - really pleased for you but yes PHOTOS

Treacle kept growing until she was five - your girl will definitely come up a fair bit yet and if she is out of a fjord should be nice and stocky. She sounds lovely.

Do you still have your spotty horse? How is it getting along?

Oh rugs and such - have done both! Clipped and Rugs on, or out full time and hairy and both times she has bloomed. Treacle is a good doer though so i don't mind her being a little cold at times!!

Things you should know about mules... you'll have a bugger of a time getting a saddle to fit. Your fencing needs to be good. Oh and they take time to trust you but they will make you smile every day!!

This is the best I could find of a Fjoird gaited Mule which I think came from Muleskinners forum

Thankyou so much for all of your replys... i have taken a few photos.. not brilliant but here... introducing Nectorbee (affectionally now called Noo noo ??) She definately does not look anything like a fjord x. I am suspecting more arabx or thoughbred due to spindly legs but any ideas welcome frankly!!! I have also put in a piccy of my spotty chap... who i still have and is doing well thanks.. especially now he has a new wife! in fact he just came 6th in his first intro walk and trot dressage so am very proud of him ( i know it is small shakes but he and i have come a long long way lol) and he led out a sponsored 10 mile ride of 6 ponies... so he is growing up i think finally....

I would quite happily say she's never met a Fjord in her life!! Fjords no matter what you cross them with, look like Fjords - LOL!!

My guess would be coloured trotter/pacer with a standard donkey. Very very sweet though and looks very settled already.

Glad your spotty is coming along well, brilliant news on the outings!

Oh I don't know....her mum could've run through one when the dokey was after her!
Oops sorry thought you wrote Ford

LOL.... yes.... that would be a more likely story jj...

Yep the breeding you suggest sounds far more likely hmmm will be interesting if she has a bit more growth in her.. i certainly hope so, she is picking up in condition already over the last few days with a bit of tlc (worming)etc... I can confirm her age seems to be correct by teeth tho... at least that seems right!!! LOL

Incidently another mule i believe to be older.. ?5-6 years not confirmed is currently with another local horse dealer for sale it is a gelding black with white socks and ? 13 - 14 hands unsure of height apparently ridden.. friends of mine have seen it however so if any one is interested in details i can pass them on.. but equines are not kept their long.

I'd be interested but I'm really looking for a mare.See if you can find more details

I'd heard of something similar with a dealer, newcastle area? Got sent a photo will see if I can hunt it out in my emails....

Here we go...

Looks a bit small

Apparently it was 14.1 and a bit shy?!!!

That could possibly be the same one turned up in Somerset? Or one that looks very similar... (although i confess to only catching a very quick glimpse when driving passed at speed) I do have a contact n. if you would like it jj.