The Horses--And Mule-- Go to the Fairgrounds!

Elementa and Juliane

Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011

       It was off to the nearby fairgrounds for a little cross-country schooling for four of our equines--Elementa, Nitelite, Kip, and Brit the mule.  More about mules in a moment.  

       This next picture is four-year-old Elementa jumping telephone poles for the first time with Juliane's brother Hadrien Dykiel:

Elementa and Hadrien

Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011 

       And here is Anne Dykiel schooling our little yet intrepid 12.2-hand pony, Nitelite.  Anne is also looking back to see if her little daughter Dana is okay:

Nitelite and Anne

Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011

       Next, of course, is eleven-year-old Dana on our ten-hand pony Kip:

Kip and Dana

Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011

And last, our athletic little pony mule Brit, ridden by Juliane:

 

Brit and Juliane 

Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011 

  

Anne Dykiel brought her flip camera, so here's a brief YouTube of the jumping:  

                

                             Mule School

                           Brit                                                    Ainslie Sheridan copyright 2011



           As you've seen in the photos and YouTube, our little pony mule Brit is an extraordinary jumper.  Yet, that talent is not unique to her:  mules, as a rule, are excellent jumpers!  Mules are also terribly misunderstood.  When I was growing up, Perry Como often sang a song with the following stanza:

       A mule is an animal with long funny ears,
       He kicks up at everything he hears.,
       His back is brawny but his brain is weak,
       He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak,
       So, by the way, if you hate to go to school,
       You may grow up to be a mule.

But before we get to that cautionary--and totally absurd--tale, let's make sure of our terminology:

       --  male mule = john mule

       --  female mule = molly mule 

       --  A mule is the offspring of a jack (male) donkey and mare        (horse).  


       --  A hinny is the offspring of a stallion (horse) and jenny or jennet (female donkey).

       --  A burro is another name for a small donkey. 

       --  donkey x zebra = zedonk

       --  horse x zebra = zorse

      A mule is a hybrid and is usually--but not always--sterile.  A donkey has 62 chromosomes and a horse, 64.  A mule has 63, and though a jack foal is usually sterile he still should be gelded for the same reasons as a horse.


      A mule can be any size:  it all depends on the size of the donkey.  A "Mammoth Jack," which is any donkey 14.2 and up, crossed with an 18-hand shire can produce one wicked big baby.  A miniature donkey crossed with a miniature horse will result in a miniature mule (under 38 inches).

     "You actually ride her?!"  People have asked me that question.  I believe it's because most mules they see are probably donkeys carrying various loads in Mediterranean countries or, as has happened on several occasions in Iraq and Afghanistan, hundreds of pounds of explosives attached to timing devices.  I doubt radical Islam will accord these poor creatures martyrdom despite their tragic deaths.  Anyway, with no vested biological interest in the future, what would a mule want with 72 virgins, anyway?


       But back on task.  Yes, we ride our mule as many people do theirs.  Mules now compete successfully in eventing and dressage.  In fact, mules are legal to compete at the highest levels in the U.S.  But not CDI's.  Those are international competitions and governed by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation).  And, as I understand it--and I don't really understand it--they are not permitted to enter show jumping competitions.  A certain views of aesthetics?  Fear of more (and good) competition?

       Mules are highly intelligent, athletic creatures generally more hardy than horses.  Their muscles are smoother than those of horses and therefore pack more power.  They rarely need shoes and are more resistant to various bacteria and pathogens.  For further information visit this web site: 
 http://www.luckythreeranch.com/mulefacts.html
 
       The donkey half of the mule evolved in the mountains of northeast Africa.  They formed loose constellations rather than tightly bound herds.  That's the reason their bray is so loud--so they can communicate up and down and across mountains.  They don't flee immediately--as do horses, who are animals of the plains--when they sense danger.  Such a reflexive response would lead to death by falling. Instead, they freeze and evaluate their situation.  They decide then either to stay where they are or to move off quietly.


       So, given their independent decision-making, why should they listen to us?  They shouldn't, that is, unless we offer them considerate and kind leadership, and opportunities to learn without coercion.  They need to see the why in the question you're asking.


       Famed natural horseman Pat Parelli--also the founder of the American Mule Society--states:  "You gotta' treat a mule, like you ought to treat a horse."


       I once watched a moving program on mules and their handlers
who were in China during WWII.  Several soldiers remembered how these mules became their best friends.  With tears in their eyes, they told how they were all loaded in a Navy amphibious transport to relocate to an island in the South Pacific.  The ship was blown up by the Japanese.  Most of the men were lowered to safety in lifeboats.  But when their ship finally broke apart they witnessed the heartbreaking scene of the mules swimming amongst the boats searching for their respective handlers.


      Most horses would not do this.  Remember The Black Stallion?
After the storm and dramatic shipwreck that opens the movie, the Black happens to swim by Alec, who grabs onto the lead line attached to the horse's halter.  But the horse wasn't swimming around looking for the kid who gave him sugar.  A horse's DNA tells him to "Get the hell out of Dodge!"

      So, if you want a great and devoted friend, and an incredible athlete, consider purchasing or rescuing a mule.   Here's a place in New Hampshire that often has terrific mules and donkeys for adoption:

http://www.saveyourassrescue.org/

   Ainslie and Dolly                                                                                                       Anne Dykiel copyright 2011

       Next week Dolly will have a rider on her back for the first time.  We plan to video it, so please join us next week, too.  And many thanks for reading The Windflower Weekly.
                                                          --  Ainslie