Re: Re: Mules?

["Sandy Bolinger" <bolinger@bigsky.net>]

We used to raise mules...used them in our outfitting business...at one time
we had 30 mules and only a couple of horses...The first Endurance ride I did
was on my mule Elvira...She was wonderful but when she decided she  had gone
far and/or long enough, she simply stopped and that was that.  I think it is
probably allot harder to find a mule who will consistently, and with a
positive attitude do endurance...but, when you do find that particular
mule...it would be hard to beat. And I agree that mules live in a reality
that is a whole lot different than that of a horse (especially an Arab!)
They are not as forgiving as a horse...and hold grudges for a LONG time if
you screw up...However, once you gain a mule's trust and respect...he/she
will do anything for you (within reason) which is the challenge...convincing
a mule that what you are asking of him is reasonable...;o) I remember
attending a Ray Hunt clinic years ago on a green mule...Even he addmitted
that Mules were "different" in a difficult sort of a way.  Comparing the
beauty of a mule to that of an Arab...is like comparing poodles to
rottweillers...(guess which one is the poodle!)

----- Original Message -----
From: Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>
To: Cliff Fenneman <cfly@concentric.net>; Ridecamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 3:23 PM
Subject: RC: Re: Mules?


> Personally, I don't find mules very attractive.  I ENJOY immensely my
> strong, intelligent, sure footed and competent Arab who is also very
> beautiful to boot.  I guess the beauty is a bonus.  He has great PRs, can
be
> aggressive when appropriate (pushing the cattle along anyway) and is not
in
> any way dangerous (but don't tell him that...he wants everyone to think
he's
> a wild and crazy Arab stallion.  He has a rep to uphold!  I know, I
> know...beauty is in the eye of the beholder but what is the saying?  The
> outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man?   Please don't flame
> me....I KNOW a mule won BC at the NC 50.  But that's still not a good
enough
> reason for me to want one.
> Maggie
>
>
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