mulesuk

Finally, we had a rather nice day today, so, despite being overloaded with work, Martin decided to take an hour out and finally try out Wingnut.
Fantastic to catch, but Duke wouldn't stop calling! Lead him up to the yard, and Elly (who is being a total sod at the moment), came under the fence. She sniffed Wingnuts bum and 'WHAM' she get a hard kick right in the middle of her chest. :verrek: This still did not stop Elly so we had to get some extra tape to make sure she was kept off the yard.
Tied Wingnut up and started to groom him, but he started mucking around. With patience, got the harness on. Martin was a bit wary so decided to long rein him first. He started off badly but very soon settled down. Martin then hitched him up, and he went nicely. No problems at all stopping or turning, but rather hesitant to go forwards Anyhow, he was going over hosepipes, ignoring tractors and trailers hurtling up the road, and over all Martin was vey pleased with him. So, Photos, (and just look at the donks
Not happy

Still not happy

Then setling down









Then behaving very nicely hitched up

Glad he's settled in so well. Will you ride him as well, or "just" drive?

My OH had two comments...

1) he's huge - have you had a stick on him? He looks bigger than Treacle.

and

2) That fence keeps mules in?!!!!! Or am I the only one that has the magical leaping, limbo dancing and fence mullering mule?

How cute!!! Not just Wingnut but the spectators!!!!!

*Now* I see why Moon's rugs are always up to the full buckle on her wee little chest but definitely the right length for her. I had never showed any great interest in mule anatomy before getting her but the comparisons and "that must be from donkey dad" keep catching me out... the chestnuts on her leg a different shape; the hind cannon bone seems more elliptical, several times I have glanced over at an angle and thought she has had a swollen leg, but no, it's just different shape to a horse.

Cute!

Moon's due home in the next few days (Jenny, she'll be back in Malvern at some point later this year, you will get to meet her eventually, it's just the etiquette of visiting private training yards to we need to consider!) so Jack will go for his Spring tune-up and Moon comes up here to Anglesey to start her holiday. Much much more mud here than Worcester and she'll be turned out in a group so we will see how she gets on.

Daft question of the year - do mules moult into their summer coats in the UK later than horses? I know Moon's breeder (Ohio) had to clip hers out for a show in late April last year as they were still woolly. Moon had a hunter clip for the winter and we don't have much growing back on the clipped bits yet!

Just a follow up question....... how come with several donks and a mule you don't have any mud???!!!

And a heavy cob!!

We do have some mud, but not a lot.

To be honest, Wingnut is quite difficult, he will not stand tied, won't be stabled even for two minutes, was a total pain to groom and for the farrier, is very bargy. He has been in carriage, but has obviously not been trained, possibly thrown in and got on with it. he will need a fair amount of training.Martin does intend to ride him sometimes. Wingnut is rather handsome and is very friendly. he is only a baby yet too.


(Don't hit me, but I honestly wish I still had Fred and not Wingnut especially after what has gone on with his [Fred's] foot)

Sorry, forgor to say, we put a stick to him this morning and he is 14.1 1/2hh

Oh no! I don't know what has happened with Fred, but can I say bear with the mule - Treacle was quite disgusting when I bought her (not to drive I may add, apparently it has been very well broken to drive.... shame I havn't) but yes she would be a shit to catch, towed me off if she felt like it, was pretty repulsive to the farrier etc. Now concidering her background was "gypsy" she wasn't spoilt and she probably had good manners she was just being (IMO) muley. I think (and again I have limited experience with mules) they take longer to settle, are more testing to start with and do take a while to bond. Fingers crossed it all works out for you, hubby and wingnut.

Linda - I tend (ooop north) not to get a good muley summer coat until about June!!!!! That said this year even the thoroughbreds havn't thought about growing in coats that were clipped in November and its not like I'm one for over rugging.

So do they moult once a year like donkeys or twice like horses? Given time Martin will have a terrific partner in Wingnut.

Interesting you should say that about moulting rabatsa...that's exactly what mules do,take ages to get their summer coat,look shiney for two months and then back comes the winter coat!
Mules also take a long time to learn to trust a new owner especially if they have changed hands frequently (In the words of Sarah-lee "Oh yeah,another place,how long this time?")
Blue bonded quite quickly as she was just a baby when I got her.Sarah-lee took a year to call for me,Malaga who was only about 2/3 took six months.This is why when I sent him away for training I allowed three weeks before my first visit to give him time to settle....he still hadn't settled by the time I picked him up to take him back home.
Mules don't "Do " stables!
I wouldn't push him straight into work.Take some "Undemanding time" with him don't "Do to" him for a while and "Do with" him Take him out in hand and get him to know the area without putting any pressure on him.Give him time to get to know you.

We are not the sort of people that expect an animal to settle in straight away and will be giving him plenty of time and lets of non demanding handling. Like you suggest Jinglejoys, walks out in hand to accustom him to the area etc. It would appear he is simply lacking in handling and training, so we will take our time and take things at a rate that suits him. Of course, we do not know his history either. He is a lovely lad though.

looks like a nice herd of equines. What are the names of their owners? Speak Soon, Albert

Wingnut is soo easy to catch, right from the start, and he really has settled in well now. he does call to us everytime he sees us, which is always nice.
Wimgnut is owned by me, but in name only, as are the donks, and my name is Ruth. The cob, Duke, is owned by my hubby, Martin.

He looks fabby!
I want him