Roller's Philosophical Friday: Patience

The best things come to those who wait.....

Last night was a fun packed night, we had hoof man come to visit!  The thought of hoof man's visit normally gives me and FH the groans.  We pace a little and wait for the answer to our big question!

How will the mules behave this time?  The Mini in particular is not too keen on having his feet touched by anyone except FH, Dragon is well indecisive..... most times she's fine with the concept of getting a mani-pedi but sometimes she just ain't in the mood (typical woman... best not say that too loud ;-)

So the evening drew closer and FH and I decided what would be would be and we'd just roll with the punches.  Hoof man was patient and kind and both of the mules were.... shock horror..... extremely well behaved!  It would seem that with patience those mules are coming round to the idea of a lovely mani-pedi and the idea that people in general are nice :-)

In this house we understand that mules will teach you patience and test your patience but when they have blessed you with their trust the rewards are ample.

And what about me I hear you cry?  Well I kinda snuffled hoof man a bit, especially when he said I had the nicest little feet, I gazed adoringly at the little raspy thing and then I ate my reward pear very noisily and made sure that FH got to share too, I gave her some pear juice on her trousers to lick off later - lucky or what?!

I'm so looking forward to a weekend of fun and sun, I am busy growing my winter woolies again too so no time to waste, must persuade FH to groom me some more.  I kept my summer coat for all of 2 weeks and have now decided it's time to work up to winter weight.... coat weight anyway!

Have a lovely weekend friends and in honour of the concept of mule patience here's my quote for today:

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Feisty Mini Mule

Pedicures come at a cost.....

Today I was a feisty mini mule.  I do not like having pedicures.... I don't know why my hooves need trimming?

I spied Hoof Man from a mile off, under his nice exterior and winning smile I knew what he was up to... he's come to steal my hoof clippings again.

Well I was not having it!  While FH had her back turned I legged it under the electric fencing and made a bid for freedom!

Seeya later Hoof Man.  Good luck Roller, he's after your feet too.

What's that FH, can you catch me please?  Well if you ask nicely of course you can.  I can't see Hoof Man, I must have scared him away, back for some loving cuddles.  Hooray!

Oh no look who it is.... he's back.  There really is no point talking nicely to me, I know what you're after.  I am feeling feisty, hold on FH we're going up and I'm going to take you far, far away from the Hoof Man in case he wants to cut your toenails too (surely he's not that desperate?).

Hang on a minute FH you're holding on mighty tight and I can't get away.... hmmm what's that lovely carroty treat in your hand.  Mmmmmm carrots..... Hang on get off my foot Hoof Man...... Mmmmm carrots........ No, No I will kick you if you carry on...... Mmmmmm carrots..........

Hang on FH we're going for a 360 spin, what do  you mean "behave, you're not having it"?  This is for your benefit too you know!  Of course I'm being careful, however 'silly' I might be I always make sure you're safe, have I ever kicked or hurt you FH - no of course not!

Oh for goodness sake get it over and done with will you...... Mmmmm Carrots...... Roller stop trying to lick Hoof Man while he's trimming my feet, don't you know this is my pedicure, not your pedicure and if I'm going to have to endure it I'd rather have him to myself you know.

What's that?  All done? Surely not, I still have hooves left and no one died!  A carrot you say, for my troubles?  Mmmmm carrots.....  FH says she thinks Hoof Man deserves more than a carrot for his troubles! A stiff vodka perhaps!

Well I got out of there as quick as I could, just in case Hoof Man decided to come back for more hoof trimmings, come to think of it my little feet do feel rather good....

All yours Roller!  What did Roller do?  He stood like a statue while Hoof Man trimmed his 'perfect feet'  and FH fed him carroty treats (if I'd have known there were more I might have booked in for another pedicure).

It's definitely time for a lie down now after all that excitement, just gotta keep the humans on their toes every now and then.  I may be a sweet mini mule for FH and MH but I have some serious moves when needed ;-)

Sorry for no relevant photos, I have no idea what FH means when she says she couldn't photograph and hold on to a rearing, spinning mini mule? Amateur......

Hooves Fit for a Mule

Pretty Mule Hoof,  isn't it nice?!

Finally!  A pedicure fit for a mule!  It's about time, my toe nails have needed trimming for a little while and what with Christmas and things I've had to wait for Hoof Man to come and whisper sweet nothings to me while he makes my hooves pretty and nice!

I knew something was ahoof as FH had taken special care to pick out our feet yesterday morning (this is normally done in the afternoon when they're full of mud).  Lovely Hoof Man arrived, I had to check he was up to the job as usual so swished a lot, pulled my grumpiest ears and danced around a bit.  Nah, didn't put him off so that was fine, time to settle down and enjoy the treatment.  A girl likes a man who's in charge.... sometimes ;-)

So Hoof Man spent time making my hooves look lovely, he said they are just perfect, no problems here, well duh... I AM A MULE!

Lots of my friends feet are struggling with the nasty wet weather, too much rain is making frogs disintegrate, abscesses pop up everywhere, their white lines are separating and it's all a horrid mess with lame equines....  I don't like to brag my friends but.... my feet are rather delectable aren't they?

Here in the UK there are lots of people that say you shouldn't have any equine with white feet as they will be weak, you especially shouldn't have an equine with white feet barefoot.  Hmmm I laugh in the face of their advice - FH says I should be more humble, me? Nah!

My back hoof is a different shape to my fronts

What's the secret of my perfect feet?

1/.  I am a mule - hybrid vigour, no explanation needed
2/. Regular pedicures from Hoof Man who knows how to trim long ears' feet
3/. Good nutrition with all my vitamins and minerals supplied, sadly not enough goodies like starch and sugar (FH says E numbers for mules are banned)
4/. Regular hoof care - FH picks out our feet every day without fail.  All of the mud and stones are removed every night before bed or after each ride.  This lets all the gaps dry out.
5/. Hardstanding - we are all brought in to bed each night and stand on concrete or clean bedding.  When the weather is so bad, us long ears are a bit prone to problems when there is so much mud and rain as we have here in the UK
6/. The Secret Weapon - WORK, yeah ok I know this is my favourite thing but really it means that my feet stay in tip top condition!  Lots of work on varied terrain seems to keep my feet tough and growing healthily. I knew work was good!

Just to prove a point I got out and about this morning to test my petite mule hooves out in all paces - very nice it was too :-)

Nice trimmed mule hooves, lovely!

The boys had their feet done too.  The Mini takes a bit of time to settle for Hoof Man, he is still a little nervous of having his toe nails trimmed but strokes and treats seem to do the trick.  I have to say that The Mini's feet are probably even tougher than mine, they have the consistency of hardwood, dense and solid!  He has such divine little feet we think you'll agree?  Finally Roller was last.... as always Roller took the relaxed view of foot trimming and proceeded to fall asleep.  We're not sure he even noticed....  he did notice his 'well done' carrot though!  Sorry no pics of Roller's perfect Shetland feet, it was a little bit dark for the camera under his tummy with all that fluff, we promise to get some better ones soon.  Suffice to say his feet are very good and nearly as big as mine, strange hey?

Lovely Mini Mule Feet