Mule Power: Learning to Log

Mule Power!

If you wanna job doing right.... you gotta get a mule to do it!  

I have been enthusiastically watching MH this week chopping down some old branches and trees that have gotten a little out of control. I neighbrayed and encouraged him especially when he reached my favourite tree, the ash (yummy).    I was delighted when I saw this huge pile of branches all with green leaves and shiny bark, just ready for the tasting.

MH was a bit slow at dragging the bits up to the paddock though.... it involved a hike up the road which has an incline and he said he was too tired to bring me the spoils of his tree surgery....  

Hey MH!  No worries I said. I'm a mule and I like nothing better than to work.  I'll drag those branches up to the paddock for some tasty dining.  

OK so I know I've never pulled anything before and it takes a lot of practice to make equines happy to pull stuff safely.... but then this is me.....  

Oh and yes we haven't got the right kit.... that's what you think!  Remember that old military mule collar with chains attached that FH has from the war? That'll do the job.  Just think the last time it was used it might have been one of my long eared friends pulling a gun, at least this is a better use for it.  

Yeah yeah so ok we need to practice a bit with the swingle tree and you need to make sure I'm not gonna run away and think I'm getting chased, ok so we should be using blinkers as those things 'trick' me in to thinking there's nothing behind me.... but really?  I am a mule you know... and not just any mule.... I am super mule Dragon who is scared of nothing and reporting for duty to drag those logs.

So we'll practice a little first (give me 15 minutes and I've got the idea) .... come on MH get those arms working... I can drag you and the log up the lane if you like?  This is a piece of cake!  FH is at my head, we're just doing this off my halter, she's dressed me up with my bit and bridle so I know I'm 'working' but is leading me from the rope, I'm such a calm muletta aren't I?

Come on MH, let's get some logs attached and drag those branches up here ready for dinner time.  Do you think I look the part as a logging mule?  I know I'm not one of those big draft mules but I can move branches that are hard work for you.  I know some of my human followers won't believe this but I really do love this stuff.  If I have a job I am so very happy, you see us mules love to be useful and I get soooo much praise when I work that my ears nearly touch in the middle with pride.  

That's more like it!  Let's drag this up the lane.  It's nice to be able to play with MH for a change.  He is very keen on this logging thing and reckons that he and I can have lots of fun doing this, he is also wondering if I might provide some mule power for him on wheels?  Who needs horse power of the wheeled variety when you got mule power? He looks pretty pleased with me, I could get used to this adulation!

Logging mule extraordinaire!

There is only one limitation to this logging thing.... your human's have gotta work too and well... they're not as quick as us mules so there is some waiting around to be done, oh well guess we're not all mules.... I put on my most patient ears while MH messed around with ropes and chains.  FH says I was the most patient muletta ever, she reckons I know when I'm 'working' - of course I do!  I'm a mule!

Well that was soooo much fun, I'm excited as there is talk of more logging and more dragging and maybe a new harness.... and more mule powered fun!  Yippeee I love this work thing....

Especially when I reap the rewards - ash tree for dinner!

Can't wait for my next mule powered adventure!  A happy mule is a mule with a purpose!

Stand Off At The Mule-K Corral

Spring is in the air and I am feeling fruity!  I was raring to go when FH told me it was time to work this morning.... the saddle was nowhere to be seen and the long reins came out so must be time for something different?  Hmmmm I think FH has designs on me pulling stuff (not including her off her feet?!).   So off we set at full mule ahead long reining (aka line driving)... ready to conquer the unknown... sort of!  FH was busy teaching me Gees and Haws as left and right.... for our American friends we use the opposite system in UK, 'Gee' is left and 'Haw' is right.  Of course I understood this very quickly as would be expected.  I showed FH my traffic prowess by 'whoa-ing' in the narrow gaps on our country lanes to let the cars go by, I thought I'd show her how clever I really am by stopping at the allotted passing place before I'd even been asked... I can hear those engines miles away and know what to do.

Then on to trotting, hehehe that made FH blow and go bright red but I enjoyed it, especially up the big hill.  

And then it happened...... Stand off at mule-k corral.....

There in the hedge was the most beautiful black 'stallion' I had ever seen!  It's spring and as I said I'm feeling fruity and am on the lookout for a man.... a short ears or long ears, I'm not really fussy....

When FH told me to go past I said nah, don't want to, going to plant myself right here in the road and stay talking to my new handsomeness.  What was that FH?  We're blocking the road?  Whatever, swish, swish see if I care.  Busy, busy, busy, chatting up this handsome man.

FH started to get very red in the face but smiled sweetly and said nice things to me, but FH you're not as enticing as this handsome chap, sorry not going that way with you.

FH tried all her tricks, we lunged past, she went in front, we went in circles (all the while checking that my best side was facing my new admirer) and eventually we just stood for a while.  

Honestly, my human is the most incredibly stubborn animal, she wouldn't go anywhere but the way she wanted to.... the stand off when on for ages.... we ear waved at a few of the neighbours who passed who were amused at FH (couldn't have been me that was making them laugh, could it?)

In the end I gave up on FH and decided that I'd had enough looking at the stallion anyway (by now I'd noticed his ears were substandard, his mane was not sticky up enough and his voice was not bray enough....)

OK FH off we go, look at me and how good I can be, don't you just love this long reining thing?  Past the trailers that rattle, the river that rages, the barky dogs, look we're Gee-ing and Haw-ing and Whoa-ing and Go-ing and I'm such a good girl..... have you forgotten your grumpy, stubborness now human??

Off we go on the long and winding lanes home, I've entirely forgotten what FH and I were having a stand off about? Isn't it a lovely sunny day, aren't I a good mule :-) What was that about flirty, juvenile delinquent FH?  I didn't quite hear you?  Gotta despair of those humans sometimes... they really need to  realise that us equines know best.  Til the next lesson!