Typical photo session with a mule

This is what happens when trying to take pictures of mules. They are sooooooo nosey!!!

Feeling silly

This morning, Louie finished his grain before my mare Marie. He left the run-in and went up on the hill to the hay. When I let Marie out, she went just outside the barn and was looking for a place to roll. Louie stopped eating and was watching Marie intently. Marie finally found the perfect rolling spot and went down. This flipped Louie right out and he came running down the hill to where Marie was and was bounching around by her. Marie got up with a jump and a buck which set Louie off even more and he got to jumping and he ran a few circles, then came right back to where Marie had rolled and immedately rolled in the same spot. When he was done rolling, Marie was up on the hill by the hay and he went charging up there full bore and made a few more loops around Marie and then settled down.

I was pleased to not see him lock up today. He did seem like he was being careful of that leg in that when he would jump up, he would not kick out with that leg. But, still, it was good to NOT see him lock up today. Hope that means there is some progress.

I feel a bit like I'm living in a vaccuum. I still have not been contacted by either vet at the clinic I've been trying to get in touch with. I also emailed the woman that rode Louie last summer just trying to get the history on just what kind of riding has been done with Louie such as frequency, speed, distance, terrain etc. But, I haven't heard back from her either. I did get an initial response from the physical therapist I contacted but have not gotten an answer yet to what it will cost to bring Louie to her for an evaluation.

Last night when I went out to feed, Louie was all worried about a pair of mallard ducks down in the river. I was surprised to see them also as it's a bit early. Anyway, Louie did not want to go inside to eat as he couldn't keep his eye on them from inside the run-in.

This morning he was all wound up and feeling silly. He trotted across the paddock a few times and did a few jumps into the air. He looked real good and I was hopful. After he ate he went out with Marie and trotted around a bit more looking good, but then he took off at a gallop up the hill and was quickly running on 3 legs. He tried 3 or 4 times to gallop around but locked up every time.

Still waiting..

I haven't heard back yet from either vet I contacted at the clinic. But, today I did recieve a reply email from Jennifer Brooks. She is a certified equine rehabilitabion practicioner from Brookline NH. http://webpages.charter.net/ers/
She is very nice and really seems to be knowledgable. Next Wednesday she is giving a presentation at the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester, NH. She said I could come down and she would spend some time with me explaining the exercise progression progrem for intermittent upward fixation of the Patella that Louie has. Or I can bring Louie down for an evaluation. I'd like to do that but I'll have to see what the cost will be and see if I can afford it. At the least, I'll go down myself to talk with her and have her show me the exercise program.

Waiting

Waiting, waiting, waiting for the vet to get back to me. Sigh. Monday, Lockin' Louie was just very sore. You could see it just in the pasture. He was keeping weight off that leg and when walking around, you could see him intermittantly locking. And he did not want me touching the stifle area. Today he seemed much better. He was not favoring that leg nor did I see any locking as he walked around.

So, If I don't hear from the vet by tomorrow, I'll call again. I just need some guidance on what to do. I know I'm supposed to keep working him to strengthen his hindquarters, but just how much and how far I should push this when he is obviously uncomfortable I don't know.

On the upside, some friends and I went riding at Popham beach on Monday. I took my horse. It was a lovely day and we had a blast. My horse is feeling fabulous for an aging girl of 19. She is getting really fit now and is at a great weight and just felt.....well faboulous. It looks like right now she will be my competiton horse this year and she is certainly ready. We played musical horses at the beach so I also rode Linda's horse Gus, and Susie's horse, Cody.

Keeping Louie going...

The vet said the best thing I can do for Louie's locking patella, is to keep riding him to strengthen him up. So, yesterday I took Marie and Louie and met some friends down in Phippsburg to ride. My friend Barbara rode Marie. Louie loaded quite well so I was the first to arrive. Barbara was not far behind, then Susie and Joanie arrived. We got saddled up and headed out. We were riding on dirt roads but these roads are not maintained or plowed in winter. In some places the roads were bare but most still had snow. It was just a bit icy in places but easy to get around where it was icy and overall pretty good, if somewhat slow, riding. Louie was definitely worse today. Not a lot but definitely noticable. He was good at the walk uphill, downhill and on the flat. And he was walking out fast and forward as usual. He wasn't too bad trotting on the flat but was having some trouble. He could not trot uphill at all. We rode for about 2 hrs. mostly at a walk. It was a lovely day and we had a nice ride. But Louie's worsening condition does worry me.

Today, I took Louie out again just for a short ride from home. He was a LOT worse and I ended up cutting my ride short. He was having trouble even at the walk going downhill though still fine where it was flat. He was having trouble trotting at all. The muscles in the stifle area were twitching. I really did not feel it was safe riding him today. I will contact the vet on Monday to see what he suggests.

The $95 Trail Ride

Today Susie, Barbara and I planned to ride in New Gloucester. Barbara would be riding Marie. I met up with Susie at the highway and followed her. She got a bit lost and we took the slightly scenic ride there on the the lovely frost heaved roads but that's ok, we got there fine and still in good time. We saddled up and headed out along Rt 231 heading up to the trails. It's a busy road but Louie was marching right along behind Susie's horse with no concern for the traffic. Right after we'd crossed the second rail road tracks, Susie picked up a trot. Louie started to trot but was hitching up bad in his hind end and just couldn't seem to trot. I stopped, then tried again with the same results. ????? Oh, no!!! Louie couldn't be lame!!!! Barbara was behind me and said it was his right rear. I dismounted and had Susie hold Louie while I check to make sure there were no rocks or anything stuck in his hoof. Though it felt more like the problem was higher up. His foot was clean. There were no signs of injury, no heat or swelling anywhere I could see. My heart just sank. I told the girls to go on with their ride and that I would take Louie back. Susie could drop Marie off on the way home. They were both reluctant to leave me, wonderful friends that they are, but there was nothing they could do so why spoil their ride. They were also worried Louie would be a problem when separated from the horses. As I'd never done this before, I didn't know but Susie had her cell phone with her so I told her if he got too bad, I'd call her and they could come back. So, we parted ways.

At first Louie was not happy. He stopped a few time, tossing his head and bellowing. But, after a minute or so of this, he gave it up and came along willingly and quietly if not happily. We walked the 3/4 or so mile back to the trailer. He was showing no trouble at the walk. On the way, I called Dr. Jefferson's office as I was only a few miles from his office. Unfortunately, he was out for the day. I then called Annabessacook Clinic. They were about 45 min. away but there was a vet in the office that could take a look at Louie right away. Louie was quiet while I untacked him and loaded right up like a good boy into the trailer.

When I got to the clinic, the vet, Dr. Faye, had me bring Louie into the indoor arena and the vet tech trotted Louie out. Of course he trotted 100% sound!!! AGH! A few more times though and Dr. Faye spotted the problem. Louie has a locking patella. It did happen again while the vet was watching. The patella is equivalent to our knee cap and it was popping in and out of place. Something about there being a groove where the tendons run and if the groove is shallow, it will pop out and lock. Dr Faye said it is usually hereditary and some breeds are more predisposed then others, Standardbred's being one of those breeds. And Louie is 1/2 Standardbred. He told me he most commonly sees it show up in 2 to 4 years old when they are first starting to be ridden and really worked. My heart sank, what was I to do about this?

Dr. Faye told me the cure was to work him. Lots of work, lots of hills and climbing as that will strengthen the muscles up and keep them in place. He said when it lockes, I need to back him up and that will unlock it. He said worst case scenario is occasionally a horse needs surgery but he does not like to do surgery as he said they always quickly end up with arthritis. He assured me that work and strengthening the muscles will take care of it in most cases and should cause no problems. He said sometimes they outgrow it, or once muscled up, will show no more signs of it ever. With some, it will come back anytime they are laid up and not ridden for a while so it is best to keep riding them year round.

A little disheartening but I guess not such a bad prognosis for a mule intended for distance riding as the conditioning and work is just what Louie needs. So, I'll keep riding with the same goals in mind and just see how things go.

I decided that since I was already at the clinic, I might as well have Louie get his spring vaccinations. I didn't know how Louie would be about getting needles but he was just fine.

He loaded back into the trailer nicely so other then the disappointment of finding out Louie has this problem, it was a good mule day with Louie handling everything like a champ. And that concludes the story of my $95 trail ride.

Sleigh Rally

This post has nothing to do with Louie other them I took "his" horses away from him for the day and he was NOT happy about it. And I may eventually train him to drive so HE will get to go to the sleigh rally.

Anyway, I went to my first ever sleigh rally Sunday. I trained my horse, Marie, to drive years ago and though I had not hitched her in years and she had never pulled a sleigh, I decided to take her and give it a try. Marie is such a good dependable girl I was quite sure it would be no problem.

The rally was held at my friend Amy's home. The first problem was I don't have a sleigh. Amy said not to worry, she would find me one to use. Ok, problem one solved. Second problem, there was very little snow with the fields being nearly bare. We waited and listened to the weather report all week hoping for some snow, but no such luck. While the rest of the east coast, mid-west was getting buried under record breaking snow falls, not a flake was falling in Maine. Even TX and FL were getting snow!!!!! Amy said it looked like it would be changed to a carriage rally. But, Saturday, Amy's husband, Gary, was determined it would be a SLEIGH rally so he started trucking in snow from every snowbank around and he used a manure spreader to spread the snow over the field. Then he had a snowmobile grooming machine come and groom the field. By Sunday morning, the sleigh rally was on! So, my (reluctant) husband, granddaughter and good old Marie headed out early and were the first to arrive. One of the Beem's barns was heated and it was all set up with the food, tables and chairs and the registration table. A nice place to get out of the cold. It wasn't a bad day but it was cold with a bit of a biting wind out in the open field.




Amy showed me my choice of sleigh's to use. There was a metal road cart that had removable wheels and runners you could put on. Then there was the absolutely adorable Portland Cutter. I could not resist the cutter. Maire was feeling a bit lonely and wondering were everyone was and being quite vocal about it. That is between bites of hay because nothing puts her off her food. I harnessed her up and took her over to the sleigh. She was a bit of a pill to get hooked up at first as people were starting to arrive and she wanted to know if any of her buddies were around. But, we finally managed. Then the big moment, I knew she had not forgotten how to drive, but would she mind the different feel and sound of a sleigh. I climbed in, took a deep breath and asked her to walk out. No problem at all. It was like she'd pulled a sleigh all her life. GOOD GIRL!!! I called Susie R. and left her a message to tell her the hitch was a success!




I took a spin around the field alone then took Madison, my granddaughter, for a spin around the field. I then unhooked Marie and tied her back at the trailer as it was a while before my first class. I went into the barn to warm up. Someone had brought some Yellow Lab pups that were for sale and that was the highlight of Madison's day. She could not take her eyes off those puppies for the rest of the day. Before I knew it, it was time to hitch back up again and get ready for my first class. This time Marie was much more cooperative and in no time I was ready. Marie was a bit fidgety so I had to keep her slowly walking around at first but then she settled down. A lot of people had shown up and there were also quite a lot of spectators. There was some beautiful draft teams giving sleigh rides and a few that were there just for the show. No mules though.




My first class was pleasure driving. It was a big class. Marie was wonderful and did everything asked. We didn't place though so apparently I didn't ask all the right things. Next was the reinsmanship class. That was done one at a time in the ring. You had to go in, stop at a cone for 4 seconds, then do a figure 8 pattern and out. I had a total brain cramp and managed to do a figure z or maybe a figure x or...... but it was NOT a figure 8! DUH! Oh well, once again Marie was great and did just as I asked. At this point, Susie called me back and said she and David were coming up to watch. Next I did the obstacle course. I did manage to get that right! Then on to the marathon course which I once again managed to do right and Marie was great and really getting into it.

I was asked by several people if I'd entered the 'half & half' class. That was the obstacle course done with two drivers in a sleigh. The first driver would go once around the course and as you came around by the start/finish line, you would hand the reins over to the other driver and then would drive once around the course. Well, I didn't have anyone to go with me. Amy said she would but just about then, Susie showed up. I grabbed her out of the audience and she was thrilled to help me out. Susie did great as did Marie of course. The obstacles were set up near the end of the field by the woods where there actually was some snow and there were a few spots that were getting a bit scary as it was a bit deep and getting rutted up with all the sleighs and a few times we were afraid we might tip, but didn't.



After the class, I took Susie for a spin around the whole field, then Susie helped me unhitch and remove Marie's harness. I gave Marie lots of hay which she attacked with her usual gusto. We all went in for lunch. Susie and David left before they gave out awards. That was too bad as Susie and I got 6th place in the 'half & half' class!!! And I got 2nd place in the marathon.

It was a wonderful day and I am so glad I went.

Riding the Old Railroad Bed

Finally, the weekend! Saturday and a beautiful day. Susie invited me to go with her to Farmington to ride with Mary on the old railroad bed there which is now a multi-use trail. I didn't have to think too hard about that one. Susie picked me up. It is about 1 1/4 hr. drive or so to Farmington. Louie wasn't sure he wanted me to catch him this morning when he saw me with his halter but it didn't take too long to get him. And he loaded into Susie's trailer pretty well. We arrived just a few minutes before Mary. This is a very active trail so it would be interesting to see how Louie handled it. Just as we were getting ready to ride out, a dog sled team came into the parking lot. Louie didn't find that to be of very much interest. Right off we there was a high narrow bridge to cross. Louie led the way like a good boy. It was snow covered and when he heard the hollow sound of his feet, his ears wiggled all over and he gave a little snort but he kept right on going nice and quiet. The footing was good and solid. No punching through. The borium shoes were good though as there were a few icy spots. We rode about 12 miles and were mystified that on such a beautiful weekend day, we nearly had the trail to ourselves. We only saw one snowmoble, shich Louie didn't seem to mind. A few people walking and one skier. All 3 equines spooked at the skier but just little sidewasys jumps, nothing big. There were 2 more long high narrow bridges we had to cross. Louie was good about them all. He only got scrambling a bit once when the horse behind me spooked and I think he thought she was going to run into us. But, he listened to me after a second when I told him to walk.
I can already feel a difference in Louie. I am getting out riding enough so that he is getting a bit stronger and fitter. He is keeping up a good steady pace now with no signs of slowing and he isn't puffing like a freight train after a nice long trot. His walk if fabulous. He is struggling a little with the trot. He has his first set of shoes and when he tries to extend his trot at all, he is hitting feet together. Once he starts hitting, he is reluctant to go faster, but will keep up the trot he is comfortable with for as long as you like him to. We did one nice long canter and he went nice and stady with that also. His gaits are lovely and smooth and I'm sure enjoying it. He doesn't have the lovely long stride that Ruby does, but he is as smooth. So, one more great ride on the Little Brown Mule.

Play day

Today I had double duty stall cleaning as I did not pick out stalls yesterday (in favor of getting as much sleep as possible so I could go play at the beach with my mule....) Anyway, it was a lovely day today and got quite warm. After I'd picked out the stalls, I was picking the paddock area that we keep free of snow as I hate snowblowing frozen turds which become dangerous projectiles. All the equines were eating hay when I started my chores. But, eventually Louie left his hay to come get some mule loveing of which he got plenty. I finally left him to go empty the wheel barrow. My feed room door was open as I'd been going in and out of there and I have to remember that I now have a 5 year old boy mule that is always looking for some entertainment........ I'm part way back from the manure pile when I hear the sounds of shod feet on plywood floor..........DANG IT! I knew either River mule had come up from the bottom pasture or Louie mule had gone down. About that time, I see a moose trotting belly snorting Louie come flying along the bottom paddock fenceline. That answered that question...... I went into the barn and closed River's stall door (which had also not been latched) so Louie would not come back through the feed room. I decided to just ignore him and let him blow off some steam. River mule just watched him and finally Louie trotted up to him with a "wanna play" look. River said "ok, play with my teeth bonehead" and promptly took a hunk out of Louies hide. Louie promptly decided he did NOT want to play with River mule.

Then I started to get worried because that paddock is boardered by the river which is frozen right now, covered with snow and not fenced off. All of my equines that are famaliar with that paddock know where the river is and simply won't walk out onto it when frozen. Louie has never been in that paddock and is not familiar with where the river is. There is about 75' of flood plain before getting to the river which has been flooded and frozen over. But that was also also covered with a light coat of snow. Louie went down to the bottom of the hill to the edge of the flood plain. He clearly wanted to invtigate further but for some reason decided not to. PHEW!!!! Wheather it is the lack of tracks down there so he could see that River mule had not gone down there or he could tell it was all ice under the snow I don't know. The river is frozen solid enough to hold a mule no problem so no worry of him going through the ice, but I wasn't eager to be chasing my mule around the neighborhood.

After a little while though, once he'd checked out this new and unexplored territory, and realized that River mule was neither going to play with him or share his hay. So, Louie came back up and when I opened the gate and came right through back into his own paddock. Silly mule!!!! It was fun watching him though. (other then the worry of him going out onto the river) as he was like a little kid in a new playground.

Riding at Old Orchard Beach

Today, Susie and I decided to go riding at Old Orchard Beach. I haven't been there in a few years so it would be a nice change. I had to work Sunday night, so when I got home at 5:30am, I quickly fed the horse and mules and went to bed to get as much sleep as I could. I was up at 10:45, had a quick breakfast then went out to get Louie. He was easily caught and didn't fuss much about being led away from the others. Locked up a few time for a few seconds but that's it. He loaded into the trailer pretty well also. So, I managed to get to Susie's house right on time at noon. I transfered my tack into Susie's trailer and then we loaded Louie. He had to think about it for just a moment, but then got on. We had to stop by the Scarborough town office on the way so I could pick up a beach riding permit. We got to the beach about 1:15. Just at low tide. Louie was unwilling to back off Susie's trailer. So we unloaded Cody first and then Louie finally backed off. There was only one other trailer in the parking lot. And the trailer owner was just coming in off the beach when we arrived. And, of course, it was someone Susie knew. I had never met him so Susie introduced us. When he heard my name he said, "Is this the same Cindy that I heard the story about of being bucked off in a river at an endurance ride". I am never going to live that down......
Anyway, with the permits, we now get assigned a number on a paper we have to put on and wear. So, I pinned this to the back of my jacket. We got tacked up, mounted up and Louie led the way down to the beach. He was a little bug eyed but did not stop when I put a little bit of leg on him. Good boy! It was a fabulous day. Sunny with just a light breeze. It was much warmer then we expected, we were actually a bit overdressed. We walked for a little bit. My paper number tag only had 1 pin with it and was flapping noisly in the light breeze. The sound was spooking Louie. I ended up having to take the tag off before he had a mental overload. Note to self: bring more pins next time. Second note to self: desensitize mule to sound of flapping paper. The beach is 7 miles long. Louie was not bothered by riding under the pier as I though he might. But, he was keeping a very hard eye on all the sea gulls that were running around on the beach. We hadn't seen any at Popham beach so this was new. And Louie felt sure that birds are supposed to FLY, not run around in big groups on the ground. We did some nice long trots. Louie has his first set of shoes and is getting used to them. We were doing some circles and serpentines and Louie was stiff and not bending well. Then I realized that I was leaning in on the circles and putting a lot of weight on the inside stirrup. I straightened up and got centered on his back and suddenly I had a soft and bending mule! We also did one nice long slow canter. Louie was great today. He kept a very steady pace and was out walking Cody who occasinally had to trot to keep up. And for anyone that knows Cody, that is saying something. Back at the trailer, we gave Cody and Louie a treat of soaked beet pulp and put fleece coolers on them. Louie loaded into the trailer pretty well. But, when we got to Susie's house, he decided he had loaded all he was going to load for one day and was pretty determined not to get into my trialer. I think he'd just had all he could handle for one day for a young mule. It took about 20 min. and lots of patience, but we got him loaded. Got home just in time to shower, have a quick supper and head back to work. It was such a fun ride and Louie did real good today.

Tack

Took some pictures of my saddle on Louie to send the the MulesOnly group to show how I rig my saddle. My cinches are all ordered from "specialty" catalogs for endurance equipment. Anything equine related seems to be inflated in price, make it a "specialty" item and it is now ridiculously expensive. But, I do love my cinches. For a front grith I use a "Center Fire Quick Cinch". Though it's made for a saddle with center fire rigging, it works fine with my mule saddle as it has 2 front cinch rings. This cinch eliminates the need for long latigo straps. I did have to put a few holes in the rear strap.
For the rear cinch, I use the biothane quick cinch. A one piece cinch that also eliminates the need for long latigo straps. With these 2 cinches, I can quickly and easily remove both cinches for cleaning and easily put them back on. Very nice when at a CTR or endurance ride. You can see in the head shot of Louie, he has his "thinking" look wondering what I am up to.

New Discovery

A group of us decided to go riding at the beach yesterday. It was cold but we were determined to ride. Barbara was going to ride my horse so I'd get both my kids out. Low tide was a 11:00 am so we planned to meet at 10:30am. I was up at 7:30am so had plenty of time to get ready. I went out, fed, watered and mucked out stalls. Then hooked up the trailer. I then went back out to make sure the electric fence was working. For some reason it wasn't Friday when I went riding with Rocky and Bonnie's mule, River, was leaning all over the fence and bent the gate. I had fiddled around with the fence unit and had it working Friday night. But, I wanted to double check as that mule was going to come out if it wasn't. Glad I checked as it was NOT working again!!!! And I couldn't get it working. AGH. I would have to put River up in my horses turn out as I felt the corral panels would hold him. I headed inside to have some breakfast. When I got in I looked at the clock and it was 9:15am. !!! I had an hour drive to get to the beach!!!! So much for breakfast. I threw together a sandwich, grabbed a snack bar and a to go cup of coffe and flew out the door praying Louie would not fuss about loading into the trailer. Luckily eveyone cooperated. River went right into Marie's turnout when I opened the gate. And Marie and Louie came right to the barn when I called them up. And Louie, bless his little mule heart, jumped right into the trailer without so much as a thought. I got to the beach right on time with Barbara right behind me. About 15 min. later Susie and Rocky arrived. We were all tacked up and ready to ride when Amy Beem, her daughter Sierra and Judy arrived. We told them we'd meet them down on the beach. It was COLD!!! low 20's. But thankfully only a light breeze. We rode straight out to the rock islands first, then back and headed down the beach towards the fort. Just a little way down, I asked Barbara if she'd mind heading back to pick up Amy. Everytime Amy and I ride in the same place we never seem to actually ride together. Barbara said fine and Susie and Rocky were glad to go on alone as both their horses were feeling a bit overexcited so the fewer the better for them. When we got back to the parking lot, we met up with Mary Batt and a friend that had come with her. Louise Townsend had also arrived. Mary and her friend went down on the beach while the rest of us waited for Louie to finish tacking up. When we got back down on the beach, we headed right down towards the fort. The breeze was in our face in that direction so it was quite chilly. I tried to ride with Amy but her horses were walking too slow for Louie and I kept getting ahead. So, I rode with Mary and her friend for a bit, but then got ahead and Barbara and I ended up with Louise who's horse was trucking right along pretty quickly. At the corner where the beach takes a turn, we passed Susie and Rocky heading back. When Louise, Barbara and I got to the fort, we looked back and realized no one else was in sight. We thought they must have gone back due to the cold. That is when Louise asked us if we wanted to try to ride to the other fort. Other fort? What other fort? She then told us that nearby was another fort that we had never know about. Louise said it was not that far down the road from Fort Popham. Barbara and I were game for an adventure! So, we went up onto the road at Fort Popham and off we went. Just 1/4 mile down the road there was a road on the right named Fort Baldwin Rd. Well what do you know!!! We headed down this road and soon came to a sign indicating a trail on the left to Fort Baldwin. It did indicate no horses but since I was riding a mule, I was ok....... Actually, there were no tourists or sight seers out likely due to the cold and the trail was frozen so we would not do any damage so we decided to ride up to the fort. The trail went up hill and was a bit icy but we all had winter shoes with borium on our equines so we had not trouble. It was not very far to the fort and it was really neat. There are 3 or 4 bunkers and a tower. What a fun discovery! We we got back down on the road, we noticed there was a small clearing right across from the path to the fort that had placard telling the history of the fort. We rode up to them. Louie was cute as he initially was suspicious and cautious approaching them, but once up to them, he stuck his nose right on them like he was reading them. On the way back down the beach toward the parking lot, the wind was at our backs so it was quite comfortable riding. We did some nice stretches of trotting. Back at the island, we met up with Amy, Seirra and Judy as well as Mary and her friend. Amy's group hadn't followed us because of the wind in our faces going in the direction of the fort. Sierra had gotten cold. Susie and Rocky had already left. I'm glad we braved the cold as we had a wonderful ride.

lovely winter ride

I finally got out for a ride today. It's been cold and it was today. But with not too much wind and lots of sun it turned out to be a very nice riding day. My friend Rocky came over to ride with me. She is a good rider so I gave her the choice of who she wanted to ride. She chose Louie as she's never ridden a mule before. We caught Louie and Marie, brought them out front and tied them to the trailer. While we were grooming them, Louie was being a bit restless and not standing quiet for Rocky to groom him. He's not normally cinchy at all but he jumped when Rocky tighted the girth so I finished tacking him up for her. Once Rocky mounted up, Louie was fine. We started out through the woods from my house. That was fine. The snow was deeper then I expected but not crusty so Marie and Louie were getting though it with no trouble. Then we came to the trails where my parents had been snowshoeing. That was not good going. The snow was packed but would not hold the equines weight so they would punch through every few steps. So, we decided to head out of the woods and out to the road. While riding the road isn't exciting, in good company, it is still fun. We did a little bit of trotting and a lot of walking and TONS of talking. Louie was very good. Even when a big oil truck went by, he didn't mind. Though he did get a bit concerned a couple times over a blowing leaf. LOL. Rocky enjoyed him and enjoyed his smooth gaits. On the way home, neither horse or mule wanted to go by my neighbors llama. He was sputtering and grunting and rearing and ramming his fence..... I didn't want to go by him either! I finally got Marie to go and Louie followed with no more then some hurried steps. I was very pleased with my boy. He acted like the little 5 year old that he is at first but once he was mounted, he was a very good boy.

Peanut Butter

This post has nothing to do with the little brown mule. But one I'd like to share that brings back many fond memories. Just a little story about a pony that came into my life many years ago. (long before I was smart enough to have mules...)

One day back in July of 85 I saw an ad in the paper for a horse trailer. I was in the market for one so called and made an appointment to go look. I was surprised as the address was in the city and a strange place to find a horse trailer. My brother and (now ex) husband went to see the trailer. Well, it wasn't of any interest but just before leaving, I spied a tiny little pony tied to a dog house in the back yard of this home. I, of coure, had to invistigate further and went out to take a look. He was a little sorrel colt of 9 months old. You could tell his halter had not been removed in a while as his hair was worn and it was too tight. He was also quite thin. I asked some questions and the owner admitted they had no horse experience and weren't sure what to do with him. They told me his name was Peanut Butter (for his color). They realized he was thin and didn't know why. They showed me how much they were feeding him and it was a LOT! But, they didn't know to worm him. Anyway, in the end I did not get a horse trailer but I did get one tiny thin sweet pony and didn't really know what to do with him.......

Once wormed, he put weight on easily. His breeding was unknown. He grew to be 11 hands tall and had some resemblance to a Shetland. But, was much more refined in build. Possibly a Shetland, Hackney cross. I taught him to ride and drive and he then went on to teach my first step-children to ride and drive as well as a number of nieces and nephews and then my second set of step-children. He brought joy to many young lives. My dad also used him over the years sometimes hooked to the bob sled to collect sap for maple syrup or to twitch logs out of the woods when cutting firewood. (appropriately sized logs of course LOL) for this winter work we would have borium shoes put on him to be safe on ice. My farrier his were the tiniest borium shoes he'd ever done.

Eventually, all the kids were grown and Peanut Butter was turning into a pasture pet. And, about this time he was diagnosed with Cushings. Peanut Butter was about .....15 year. old at this time. One day a friend of mine who had 2 young children called and asked if I would lease him to her. We carefully discussed this and she fully understood the cost and trouble of taking on an equine with cushing so we decided to give it a try. It was the best thing I could have done for Peanut Butter. He became the busiest most loved pony around. He taught their two children to ride and was in many shows both gaming and judged trail rides. He became the hit of the lesson barn the frequently went to. His cushings was well managed with the traditional medication of pergolide. He did founder once (a risk of using pergolide) but was treated and cared for and had a full recovery to complete soundness. But,as children do, they grew and moved on to bigger horses. So, once again, Peanut Butter was on the brink of an inactive, though still loved, life.

Then, a new family was found with 2 small young children in need of a pony to love and learn to ride on. Once again, much discussion and thought and it was again decided to let him go to the new home after nearly 10 years with the family I leased him to. (who's children, though now to big to ride him were VERY upset at letting him go)

I just got an email and some pictures from the new family he has been with for over a year and it's working out wonderful!!! I've included the emails below and pictures. Once picture is of me (oh, to be that thin again.....sigh) with Peanut Butter not long after I got him in 1985. One is of him sharing his meal with a pet rabbit when I still had him. The others are of his new kids. Peanut Butter is now 26 years old.


Email:

Maura,

I hope you, Dan, the kids, dogs and horses are doing well. Peanut Butter continues to be just fabulous. We've had him out quite a bit with the sleigh this winter. He's so cute and he just loves to pull the sleigh.

Every morning when I turn him out with the others, he kicks and bucks and runs around. He's more spry than my gelding! And if I take my mare and my gelding out for a ride without Mr. Butter? He just runs and whinnies -- How could we dare go without him!

Donnie and I had a wonderful time riding together this summer and fall. Attached are some photos that I had taken this fall. I noticed Peanut Butter is turning a bit gray but as I said he remains like a colt!

Take care and hope you are doing well.

Kristi



Cindy,

Thank you for sending these photos of our dear Peanut Butter. The kids are just thrilled to see him and they especially love the one in which he's sharing with the bunny. Donnie, my 6 year old, son wanted me to say that Peanut Butter will be at our farm, being adored by his many fans, for as long as he lives.
I have a friend who restored a tiny sleigh for PB and we're going to be demonstrating it at Skyline Farm's Sleigh Days on Saturday. I always take him so kids will have a pony to pet and adore.
My daughter, Nora, 3.5, wanted to say Thank you for teaching Peanut Butter to be such a good pony for little girls and boys.


We were so pleased that Maura and her children shared PB with us. He's a gift.
Take care
Kristi, Donnie and Nora

Funny guy.....

So, my husband asks me today, "So, are you going to post on your blog that you wormed your mule tody?". (Which, by the way, he was a perfect gentlemen for) "Or maybe tell everyone that your mule pooped in the pasture, or ate some hay."

I suspect that my husband just might be making fun of my blog.......LOL.

Learning respect

Today I noticed that Louie is really learning to respect me. His manners have never been bad but he is a 5 year old boy mule.....need I say more. Truthfully, I have been very pleased to have a mule that seems to have no real bad habits or "issues". But, when he was first came here, he slowly started pushing his boundaries as they all will. Then, one day, when I was coming out of the feed room, he stood right in the doorway and refused to move when I spoke to him. I waved my hand and told him to back up .... and he stood with that look of "nope, and what can you, puny human that you are, do about it". There I was in the feed room with all my handy training gear. So, I grabbed a crop, told him to back up one more time, and when he still didn't move, quickly followed up with a good hard slap in the chest with the crop. Well, I can tell you that got his feet moving! He spun around and ran off shaking his head. Then stopped a little ways off with his ears at half mast and the mulie thinking expression on his face. A few minutes later, he came back looking for attention or forgiveness? Not sure which or if it was either but he did come back and with a MUCH more respectful attitude.

When I fed this morning, it was very cold at about 5 degrees. I decided to clean stalls in the afternoon when it would be sunny and warmer. (You know, like all of 20 degrees or so....) I went out about 3:00 PM. It was just close enough to feeding time to catch every ones interest so I was greeted with much nickering and huffing from the mules. It only took a few minutes for my mare, Marie, to realized that no feed was forthcoming and go about her business. Louie, on the other hand, was bored and if no feeding was going to happen, then he figured I had come out to entertain him. So, he made quite a pest of himself looking for attention. But, he was not rude about it. All I have to do now is speak to him, or just face him and point and say "back up" and he moves away and gives me space immediately. GOOD BOY. So, we entertained each other. When he came into the barn, I'd ask him to back or move over. He did each time right away so then I'd pat him and fuss over him. Then, he would go out and stalk my dog around the paddock and then the cat and them come back in for more attention from me. Sometimes it's hard to get work done around the barn with mules as they are so entertaining to watch.

Adjusting feed

Nothing exciting in the world of Louie. I've just been looking over the CTR and endruance ride calendar and trying to decide what rides to go to this year. So much will depend on how willing Louie is to do this sport and that's a total unknown right now. So, I also want to make sure my horse Marie is well condidioned so I can use her to compete if needed.

I've decided to add some beet pulp to Louie's diet. He is in good condition for a mule that is not working. But, I'd like to see a little more weight on him going into a season of conditioning and competition. And since I am not yet riding him that much, I don't really want to start feeding him a lot of grain. So, I'm adding the beet pulp for now and I'll see how that goes.