Horsetopia Horse #7

Touche · 11-25-2007, 06:08 AM

Introducing Jen, proudly owned by Mule Fool.
This is what Mule Fool has to say about Jen:

I think she is a beautiful mule (of course!) she is 9 years old of most likely quarter horse breeding. She is what I would call typical mule color, very dark almost black with fawn color around her flanks, elbows and muzzle. In the summer she is somewhat dappled and actually has some brindle stripes on her neck. I'm learning so much about how to work with her. After over 40 years with horses, she's definitely teaching me a thing or two. I beleive it was Tom Dorrance who said "You HAVE to train a mule the way you SHOULD train a horse" so whatever I learn with her should make me a better horseman as well.

1. I got Jen from a friend of mine who trains mules. I had mentioned to him I would sure be interested in a nice mule. Since I am a saddlemaker he had been wanting one of my custom saddles for several years and suggested we make a trade. He said he would keep his eye out and 6 months later he called to say he thought maybe he'd found me a nice mule.
2. I've had her for 3 years now.
3. Recently our best moment was at a clinic. She was loping really nice and we were jumping scarey things, like barrels and tarps. I was so proud of her. Unfortunately we also had our worst moment at the clinic, too. but that's another story.
4. Probably my biggest accomplishment was just gaining her trust. She was always kind and never offered to kick or bite, but she was also very shy & suspicious. It took awhile before She would relax with me. but Now she seems to really enjoy my company.
5. Probably my least favorite thing is her reactive side. If something scares her she wants to leave, and NOW. We are working on it and she is getting better about trusting me to let her know things are okay.
My favorite thing is her willing and affectionate nature. Sometimes it's very touching to see how hard she will try to do what I am asking, even if it is hard for her.
6. I'd have to say her favorite treat is apples. Pretty lucky since we have a small orchard.
7. Although my main interest is trail riding, my goal is to have a mule that COULD be shown in western Pleasure, Trail and Reining, and we are working on all those things. I would like her to be over qualified for her main job.
8. I had one other mule for a short period of time, but we didn't really click. so Jen is really my first mule.

Now on to the pics, and I do have to apologize for the smaller pics.
We had a bit of trouble with these pics, sorry about that Mule Fool.

And this here is a drawing that MuleFool's husband did. (great job on that)

It was wonderful learning about Jen, she is a gorgeous girl!
Happy trails!

Touche · 11-25-2007, 06:17 AM

I have to add, I think the majority of us would love to hear about your bad moment at the clinic.

I bet your perseverance would be inspiring to those of us that have "bad horsey moments".

gbarmranch · 11-25-2007, 06:43 AM

Oh, bad horsey moments not withstanding, I love that mule.. my hubby is jealous every time he sees photos of her.. She is awesome...

Congratulations....

Carri · 11-25-2007, 07:46 AM

She is a beautiful girl, and I have always loved her coloring!

Crazy4paints · 11-25-2007, 07:59 AM

Sweet face, gotta love those long-ears!!

roberts617 · 11-25-2007, 08:19 AM

She's a gorgeous girl!

And yes we would like to hear about the clinic!

TanyaV28 · 11-25-2007, 08:42 AM

congrats!! She is so pretty!! yes we would like to hear more!!

kindredspiritsia · 11-25-2007, 09:44 AM

She is absolutely GORGEOUS! A really nice mule you have there.

Gotta Love Duns · 11-25-2007, 10:36 AM

Oh what a pretty girl!!

dandeeqh · 11-25-2007, 12:06 PM

She is looking beautiful as ever.

Mule Fool · 11-25-2007, 12:35 PM

Thanks everybody for the nice comments. As far as our WORST moment. We were at this clinic with about 10 horses, one of which was my husbands horse, Max. We were doing so well and the instructor even said she was the 'best horse at the clinic".

Anyway at the very end we did this thing where we would line up at one end of the arena and one by one lope down to the other end. She was doing well til the instructor said 'Now everyone lope at once to the other end" Holy cow the race was on. I do beleive she would have out run every horse there. All the commotion bothered her quite a little bit, and then the next thing we did was everybody had to trot or lope around at random and one person had a baton the ride up and pass to another rider. I had alot of trouble keeping her focussed and just trying to stay in a circle or what ever. She was braying and when someone tried to get close with their horse to pass off the baton she would bolt off bucking and try to get away. I was doing my absolute best to try and focus and be calm for her, but man was it hard and I wasn't doing a good enough job. She just was not at a point where she could handle that much chaos and it seemed to go on forever. It was the last part of the clinic and not a good note to end on. I worked her for a bit after that, just to find something better to end on, but I feel it was very unfortunate and we still are dealing with some fallout from that. She wouldn't even look at me for a few days afterward. I really felt bad about that, although she seems to have forgiven me now. I do believe a mule is more likely to hold a grudge for awhile.

cascy · 11-25-2007, 01:04 PM

Sorry to hear about the ending on that clinic, it does sound like she did pretty good for the part though!

She a beautiful girl, Otis hopes to grow up just like her!

ToveroMom · 11-25-2007, 01:26 PM

She thought you had lost your mind

one day I will have a nice saddle mule-and I hope it is as purty as yours.
PS Hubby did an amazing job on that sketch!

leadmare · 11-25-2007, 09:42 PM

Beautiful gal! Thanks for sharing your Jen and story with us

ChazsNewDestiny · 11-25-2007, 09:59 PM

Just curious, how are the HT horses chosen? Is there a page explaining how this is done. I guess this is only the second one I have kept up on and I think it's great!

Jen is a DOLL!

almost_mozart · 11-26-2007, 10:29 AM

You know, if I was in the market for a mule, I'd want one exactly like that.

Touche · 11-26-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazsNewDestiny

Just curious, how are the HT horses chosen? Is there a page explaining how this is done. I guess this is only the second one I have kept up on and I think it's great!

Jen is a DOLL!

Nomeanjean and I randomly pick a horse to spotlight.
It is really hard because we have so many great members and interesting horses.

Glad that you like the Spotlighted horses.

country-mare · 11-26-2007, 06:22 PM

She is a very beautiful mule.
Was nice reading about her.

Kendra · 11-29-2007, 01:04 PM

The sketch is amazing but then look at the subject he had to work with

What a lovely girl!

Orchid · 11-29-2007, 01:17 PM

She is just beautiful, and my husband, like gbar's, is jealous.

I love your stories about her, too, she has such personality!

And yes, why is it that mule people always have such cool hats?

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11-25-2007, 06:08 AM
Touche Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,029	Horsetopia Horse #7 Introducing Jen, proudly owned by Mule Fool. This is what Mule Fool has to say about Jen: I think she is a beautiful mule (of course!) she is 9 years old of most likely quarter horse breeding. She is what I would call typical mule color, very dark almost black with fawn color around her flanks, elbows and muzzle. In the summer she is somewhat dappled and actually has some brindle stripes on her neck. I'm learning so much about how to work with her. After over 40 years with horses, she's definitely teaching me a thing or two. I beleive it was Tom Dorrance who said "You HAVE to train a mule the way you SHOULD train a horse" so whatever I learn with her should make me a better horseman as well. 1. I got Jen from a friend of mine who trains mules. I had mentioned to him I would sure be interested in a nice mule. Since I am a saddlemaker he had been wanting one of my custom saddles for several years and suggested we make a trade. He said he would keep his eye out and 6 months later he called to say he thought maybe he'd found me a nice mule. 2. I've had her for 3 years now. 3. Recently our best moment was at a clinic. She was loping really nice and we were jumping scarey things, like barrels and tarps. I was so proud of her. Unfortunately we also had our worst moment at the clinic, too. but that's another story. 4. Probably my biggest accomplishment was just gaining her trust. She was always kind and never offered to kick or bite, but she was also very shy & suspicious. It took awhile before She would relax with me. but Now she seems to really enjoy my company. 5. Probably my least favorite thing is her reactive side. If something scares her she wants to leave, and NOW. We are working on it and she is getting better about trusting me to let her know things are okay. My favorite thing is her willing and affectionate nature. Sometimes it's very touching to see how hard she will try to do what I am asking, even if it is hard for her. 6. I'd have to say her favorite treat is apples. Pretty lucky since we have a small orchard. 7. Although my main interest is trail riding, my goal is to have a mule that COULD be shown in western Pleasure, Trail and Reining, and we are working on all those things. I would like her to be over qualified for her main job. 8. I had one other mule for a short period of time, but we didn't really click. so Jen is really my first mule. Now on to the pics, and I do have to apologize for the smaller pics. We had a bit of trouble with these pics, sorry about that Mule Fool. And this here is a drawing that MuleFool's husband did. (great job on that) It was wonderful learning about Jen, she is a gorgeous girl! Happy trails! __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

11-25-2007, 06:17 AM
Touche Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,029	I have to add, I think the majority of us would love to hear about your bad moment at the clinic. I bet your perseverance would be inspiring to those of us that have "bad horsey moments". __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

11-25-2007, 06:43 AM
gbarmranch Pasture Pet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 32,634	Oh, bad horsey moments not withstanding, I love that mule.. my hubby is jealous every time he sees photos of her.. She is awesome... Congratulations.... __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Quality Foundation Quarter Horses If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." Augustine of Hippo

11-25-2007, 07:46 AM
Carri Pasture Pet Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 13,842	She is a beautiful girl, and I have always loved her coloring!

11-25-2007, 07:59 AM
Crazy4paints Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 1,699	Sweet face, gotta love those long-ears!! __________________ Offering for your pleasure and enjoyment,exceptional AQHA and APHA Palomino horses.

11-25-2007, 08:19 AM
roberts617 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 6,189	She's a gorgeous girl! And yes we would like to hear about the clinic! __________________ "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

11-25-2007, 08:42 AM
TanyaV28 Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,199	congrats!! She is so pretty!! yes we would like to hear more!! __________________ Im movin on like a sinners prayer

11-25-2007, 09:44 AM
kindredspiritsia Started Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,325	She is absolutely GORGEOUS! A really nice mule you have there. __________________ In Loving Memory of my Grandpa and Best Friend, Stanley Howard Sherer Oct.3,1932-Mar.25,2007

11-25-2007, 10:36 AM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 10,995	Oh what a pretty girl!! __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse. http://nightfireranch.webs.com/index.htm

11-25-2007, 12:06 PM
dandeeqh Greenbroke Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,683	She is looking beautiful as ever. __________________ Brazil's National Horse is now in Canada! http://www.sunsetmarchadors.com The more I know people...The more I love my horses

11-25-2007, 12:35 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Thanks everybody for the nice comments. As far as our WORST moment. We were at this clinic with about 10 horses, one of which was my husbands horse, Max. We were doing so well and the instructor even said she was the 'best horse at the clinic". Anyway at the very end we did this thing where we would line up at one end of the arena and one by one lope down to the other end. She was doing well til the instructor said 'Now everyone lope at once to the other end" Holy cow the race was on. I do beleive she would have out run every horse there. All the commotion bothered her quite a little bit, and then the next thing we did was everybody had to trot or lope around at random and one person had a baton the ride up and pass to another rider. I had alot of trouble keeping her focussed and just trying to stay in a circle or what ever. She was braying and when someone tried to get close with their horse to pass off the baton she would bolt off bucking and try to get away. I was doing my absolute best to try and focus and be calm for her, but man was it hard and I wasn't doing a good enough job. She just was not at a point where she could handle that much chaos and it seemed to go on forever. It was the last part of the clinic and not a good note to end on. I worked her for a bit after that, just to find something better to end on, but I feel it was very unfortunate and we still are dealing with some fallout from that. She wouldn't even look at me for a few days afterward. I really felt bad about that, although she seems to have forgiven me now. I do believe a mule is more likely to hold a grudge for awhile.

11-25-2007, 01:04 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,860	Sorry to hear about the ending on that clinic, it does sound like she did pretty good for the part though! She a beautiful girl, Otis hopes to grow up just like her! __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

11-25-2007, 01:26 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 17,059	She thought you had lost your mind one day I will have a nice saddle mule-and I hope it is as purty as yours. PS Hubby did an amazing job on that sketch! __________________

11-25-2007, 09:42 PM
leadmare Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,171	Beautiful gal! Thanks for sharing your Jen and story with us __________________ *When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7*

11-25-2007, 09:59 PM
ChazsNewDestiny Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 575	Just curious, how are the HT horses chosen? Is there a page explaining how this is done. I guess this is only the second one I have kept up on and I think it's great! Jen is a DOLL! __________________ A woman needs two animals - the horse of her dreams and a jackass to pay for it. ~Author Unknown ( He He He ) http://www.myspace.com/cr8zychiknlady

11-26-2007, 10:29 AM
almost_mozart Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: .....transitioning..... Posts: 2,421	You know, if I was in the market for a mule, I'd want one exactly like that.

11-26-2007, 06:22 PM
country-mare Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fred, Texas Posts: 2,237	She is a very beautiful mule. Was nice reading about her.

11-29-2007, 01:04 PM
Kendra Started Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 2,211	The sketch is amazing but then look at the subject he had to work with What a lovely girl!

11-29-2007, 01:17 PM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,071	She is just beautiful, and my husband, like gbar's, is jealous. I love your stories about her, too, she has such personality! And yes, why is it that mule people always have such cool hats? __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing