posted on April 11, 2001 11:25:28 PM
Last year on my 45th birthday I decided that I'd better start doing all those things I've always said I wanted to do. I began scuba diving last June. This year I am working on another long-held dream.
I'm going to get a mule. I've always wanted a riding mule...mules are smart, hardy, and have scads of personality. In a first step toward my goal I began taking riding lessons two weeks ago (which include grooming, mucking, etc.). I'm having a ball! I was last on a horse about 20 years ago & never did have any lessons--just rented once in a while with friends. Strangely enough, I haven't suffered any great soreness (perhaps scuba has toughened up my legs?).
I am also saving up enough for a year's upkeep before I even go looking for my mule. So far I have $850 saved up (I'm figuring about $2000-$2400 since I'll need to rent stabling as well as paying for food, vet & farrier).
When I do begin seriously looking for my own mule a few months down the road (or sooner if I get off my butt & sell my van ), I'm going to be looking for an 8-12 year old that has been well-schooled (as a newby I don't feel I should get a younger or less-trained animal).
I have subscribed to Western Mule magazine & find myself compulsively scanning the Net for mule sites!
How 'bout it? Do any of you have mules? Any tidbits to pass along?
posted on April 12, 2001 02:40:27 AM
If you can train it to go scuba diving with you you'll make a fortune!
Seriously, Good luck.
Bob, Downunder but never down.
[ edited by bitsandbobs on Apr 12, 2001 02:41 AM ]
I had a few relatives that used to raise MO-mules for farming purpose, some have a smoother walking gate than horses, they won't work their self to death like a horse and they are a gang loads smarter than horses altho stubborn. They use them at one time here in western MO. to haul coal out of mines. Reason being it is hard to train the average work horse to duck their head in a coal shaft they touch their ears on the ceiling and go nuts. Where the mule will duck his head and go about his biz. Since the resurgence of hardwood floors (red oak) which is prevelant in the MO. Ozarks and Arkansas. People are raising team mules and training them to harvest logs mules can retrieve the logs with out much disruption or damage to the property as would occur with more conventional methods
posted on April 12, 2001 05:30:57 AM
Well I was just about to post and tell you that I think you are one very gutsy lady, and I admire your determination to do the things you want to, and then I saw KRS had posted and low and behold it is a chicken. I very nearly wet my pants laughing.
I still think your are a very brave gutsy lady, and wish you all the very best with fulfiling your ambitions.
posted on April 12, 2001 07:22:35 AMKRS: nice chicken but no. Now, there *are* people who saddle & ride cows, but I can't think that that would be very comfortable...
posted on April 12, 2001 07:34:55 AMNettak: yes, the chicken is a hoot. Gutsy? Thank you, though I don't feel all that gutsy. Just figure since I've reached the midpoint as it were I'd better hustle or all those thing'll never get done!
Femme: I'll definitely have a naming thread--but you guys will have to be creative. After all, this mule will be following in the footsteps of my dogs, Suleiman the Magnificent, Elsie Crumpet Devil Dog, Chandra, Merlin...and the dear departed Rumpole of the Bailey, Emma Peel and Charlie Chan! And my lizards Hepzibah, Duffy and Tucker.
edited cuz "figure" just isn't the same without the "r"
[ edited by bunnicula on Apr 12, 2001 07:35 AM ]
posted on April 12, 2001 09:49:37 AM
Bunnicula,
I love mules and can't wait to read about your experiences with it.
Be sure to get a walking mule. It will be a much smoother ride. I'm sure your magazine has explained the difference.
posted on April 12, 2001 11:20:22 AM
Justin Wilson was telling me how his lawyer friend had been told that mules were the way to go for plowing and had found a farmer and bought a white mule but the next day when he went back the mule was dead. The farmer was all worried he would ask for his money back but he just said - These things happen and told the farmer's boys to load him up on the truck.
Next month when the farmer was in town he saw the lawyer at the court house and said how he still felt bad about the mule.
Don't worry the lawyer said I sold 600 raffle tickets for $2 each and raffled that mule off. I bet the winner was upset wasn't he? the farmer asked. Shucks NO. When we walked out to get the mule and he was dead I just said - Well these things happen and gave him double his money back and said let's go get us a drink or two to forget that poor mule and he was happy as could be with me.
posted on April 12, 2001 12:02:27 PM
Hello again. We jusst called my mule jackass thats what they are and they like to kick alot of times. I like Borax to.
), I'm going to be looking for an 8-12 year old that has been well-schooled (as a newby I don't feel I should get a younger or less-trained animal).
