Searching for Piskies......

Searching for Piskies on Dartmoor.

There are Piskies in our neighbourhood.  They are tiny little fairies known in other places as Pixies.  They have lived here on the moor for mules years, they were here before them humans and will be here long after they're gone.  Them Piskies are little people with a mischievous sense of humour and secretive ways.  Many moor folk have been led astray by the Piskies when they were being bad or rescued by the Piskies when they got lost in the notorious thick Dartmoor Fog.

Right near to Muleteer HQ is a notorious Piskie Haunt here on Dartmoor.  Human legends have it that when they used to put their ponies in to the walled enclosure (known as a Newtake locally) overnight to stop them straying they would be ridden by the Piskies. The local folk would find them sweaty and with saddle marks in the morning.  I reckon being ridden by a Piskie would be fun! I'm about the right size for a Piskie rider..... I'm off to see if I can find them!

Come on FH I've had my bath and need to dry off so let's go hiking.  All that fitness work we've been doing should mean that this Piskie Hunt is a piece of cake!

So up, up, up on to the moor, lots of climbing to be done, stop huffing and puffing FH, you've got no excuses as those legs of yours are much longer than mine....

OK here we are in the Newtake!  Trips on to the moor are not just for Dragon, Minis can manage hikes too!  Isn't it pretty?  That grass looks yummy..... oh whoops forgot we are on the trail of Piskies not snacking.

Those look like Piskie sized trees over there! They are stunted hawthorns that won't grow any bigger because of the wind on these exposed slopes, I wonder if that's why my little legs didn't grow much?

Let's follow this track!  Looks like it's going somewhere.  Mmmm must just stop for a little snack, this Piskie searching is hard work!

Interesting!  The Piskies have left us a clue!  Look at this row of stones!  Surely too big for you humans to lift but the Piskies with their super powers could have made this Stone Row.  I wonder what it means? Maybe it's a marker to tell me I'm close?  The suspense is making me...... hungry!

Must just have a little snack. FH I don't know why you bother with that watch thing.  Don't you know that here on the Moor there is only Piskie Time or Mule Time?  Always time for a snack!

That's right, time for snacking and sitting and dozing and looking at the view.  This Piskie Search is pretty fun isn't it?

OK energy reserves are replenished!  Time for some serious searching...

This looks suspiciously like a Piskie Hole!  Hello Piskies are you there?  I'm here to take you for a ride!

No one there..... maybe this looks a bit better? I'm sure this is a Piskie Hole!  Look.... that little entrance there looks very neat and tidy.  What's that FH?  The Piskies might not want to go for a ride today?  But why not?  I like Piskies and want them to come play.... maybe having a human with me is the problem, those Piskies are secretive....

OK Piskies I get the message... no rides today but I promise to come back soon!  If you want to find me I'm just down the road and always happy to take you for a ride.  Just one thing left to do before heading for home.  What moorland walk would be complete without a picnic?!

I'll keep searching for the Piskies.  One day I'll find them.  In the meantime I reckon what better reason than Piskie Searching to persuade FH to take me on some more moorland walks?

Mula Exploradora!

Mule Explorer!

The sun's shining, the breeze is blowing and this mule has energy! Come on FH let's go check out the wilds of Dartmoor!

I do so love it up on Dartmoor, it is made for mules!  Dartmoor is nearly 400 square miles of open moorland with herds of ponies, cattle and sheep (and the occasional Pixie aka Piskies in this area).

I have been exploring on the moor before but normally I have to wait for a more mature short ears friend to go with me as I get a bit excited!  FH reckons I'm ready to go on my own though now.

So let's get tacked up and out early..... we don't get blue skies like that very often here you know.









That looks like a mule track to me, need to go up hill and over yonder, hang on FH I'll get you there.

Dartmoor Mule!

I've noticed on Dartmoor that there are lots of these stone things everywhere.... FH tells me that some of them are the ruins of old houses (maybe we could come live up here FH, there's lots of grass), some are burial mounds (spooky!) and some are monuments that no one really knows what they are. These things have been here since the Bronze age, that's about 5000 mule years ago, wow!  They are all made out of granite and have a habit of popping up out of nowhere, I had to give some of those stones a good mule stare to put them in their place.... can't have those rocks thinking they've scared me...

Sometimes all is not as it seems, I noticed that quite a few of those stones actually moved when I passed them.  They was sheeps disguised as stones!  Naughty sheep!  This little lambykins wasn't that well disguised though, he had got left behind by his Mom.  Run, sheepy run.

After a few miles I was starting to get a bit thirsty, it was OK though as we were about to happen upon one of Dartmoor's many streams for a little drink.  We had to tip toe around a blanket bog first though.  Dartmoor has lots of bogs.... nasty squelchy things that suck your hooves off, thank goodness FH seems to know where they are as I wouldn't like to lose my pretty muletta hooves, good job I invited her along, humans are useful sometimes.

Bog tackled we neared the stream but what is this?  Some of the cattle had the same idea.  These are Belted Galloway cattle, I thought they were rather pretty, FH was not so convinced, she is a little bit nervous of them.  Apparently this herd are known to be fairly quiet but they got calves with them so we needed to be careful and not upset them.  FH needed to hide so she got off me and hid behind my mulificent self.  I gave those cows some stern mule stares and they quickly created a path for Queen Dragon to proceed through.  I don't know why FH is bothered by this lot they seemed pretty friendly to me.  I would've enjoyed staying to chat a bit longer but places to go people to see!

Just a second FH before we go I just gotta check under the bridge for the Piskies (this is the proper Devon word for pixies, those little fairy folk that live on the moor and have a mischievous time, us Muleteers love them, our humans don't believe they exist, they have no imagination sometimes).  

These old bridges are called clapper bridges, some nice person mules years ago put them up so you humans don't need to get your feet wet when crossing.  Us mules have superior waterproof hooves, you lot really need to evolve some too.

Checking for Piskies

OK bye now my bovine friends, I'll be back again soon.  What a nice view!  You can see where the farmer's fields end and the moor begins, they're such different colours.

Onwards we must go!  This is so much fun!  FH walks a bit and rides a bit and inspects the view while I inspect the plant life (mmm tasty).  We both sigh deeply and enjoy the sunshine, aahh bliss :-)

Nearly back to the track home and I came across this most interesting bunch of stones, I was desperate to climb all over it while FH had to get off to open one of the super difficult gates. This is called a 'Barrow', apparently not one of the wheeled ones but this is a name for an ancient monument sometimes a tomb or burial chamber.  These are found all over the moor, this is one of the oldest ones but alas it is now just a collection of big granite rocks. 

Perfect for a Mula Exploradora to pose on!

Homeward bound now, I'm sure I can hear The Mini bellowing from miles down the lane!  I'm having such a nice time do I have to go home?  Guess the boys need might need me.... oh well if we're going we might as well GO!  What do you mean FH that I really shouldn't canter down this path? It's only steep and rocky and narrow.... no problems for a Mula Exploradora but as you asked nicely I guess I'll carry you down it at a walk.  There is an advantage to that, I can snack along the way!

Next stop home.  Just time for a Mula Exploradora to replenish her energy levels with cow parsley, hogweed and campion - yummy!

I'm ready for my next adventure, where to FH?  I love being a Mula Exploradora!

Recycling - Mule Style!

Household chores are best done with mule power!

FH there is loads of trash on the floor!  Those plastic bottles need crushing and recycling.  What do you mean we gotta crush these things for the bottle bank?  Can't you humans manage to do anything without our help?  Us equines are not here to tidy up after you lot!

All of this stuff really needs sorting out.....

OK, fetch my halter FH and I'll come help you with your trash, you humans make far too much mess you know.

Hmmm I am now suspicious... this looks a lot like one of those Horse Human Agility obstacles to me?  Do you need my help again with the Human Agility? Really, those bottles are not scarey to stand on... you humans are so easily scared.

So first you need to eye up the problem...

Then you put your best foot forward, this 'Bottle Bank' obstacle is easy peasy!

It's important to crush these bottles good and proper!  The less space they take up the better.  I know they make some popping sounds but honestly FH they're fine, they won't bite you.

Best way to do it is plunge in and get all your hooves in there

Is that good enough for you?

What do you mean we need more crushing?  In that case we need to bring in the heavyweight.... errrm  Roller!  We need your little feet for a task.  

Here I am! Mmmmm do you know what Dragon?  Some of these bottles have had apple juice in them, yummy, can I eat them please?  

Crush them?  Oh if I must.... This is kinda fun actually...

Errrm what am I doing again?  I seem to have fallen asleep a little bit....

Oh yeah, squashing for recycling, my tiny hooves are great for the job!

I like this recycling agility thing, it's so much fun!  There is only one thing better than recycling fun....

Striking a pose for the ladies!

Recycling all done, human trained for agility just that little bit more... she's coming along nicely!  Must be time for some sunbathing and a snooze now?

Roller's Philosophical Friday: Sunshine

Sun, sun, sun!  Yay!  We have been experiencing a summer – something not often seen in these parts of late! Here I am sharing a sunny moment with MH, he has being doing strenuous things like running, I have been strenuous things like dozing and day dreaming, it’s a tough life ;-) 

We compared our achievements, he was impressed with my dedication to my pastime, I was impressed with his shoes…. Mmmm I like shoes!

Us Muleteers have been making the most of these sunny days.  There have been picnic walks, snoozes in the sun, rides a plenty for Dragon, lovely grassy snacks and delightfully long days all accompanied by the most important ingredient, sunshine!

Have you noticed how life always seems that bit better when the sun shines?  When there is light instead of dark?  FH always calls me her little ray of sunshine, her light in the darkest days and her reminder that there is always a bright side if you look.  I like to soak up the sunshine on these days to make sure I have enough to last me (and her) through the bleaker days.

My coat is just about starting to look summery, I must hold on to some tummy fluff just in case of bad weather, us Shetland ponies can never be too careful!!  

Sending you sunny days (even if it rains!) this weekend.  Snuffles, whinnies and neighbrays for a lovely weekend! Here's the quote that FH chose about me this week...

Those who bring sunshine in to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

James M. Barrie

Tidy Your Room!

Hey Catanian!  Your room is a mess, you really need to tidy up in here.... it's a disgrace...

What'd you mean I'm not supposed to be here?  The door was open and there's a mule shaped space so I thought I pop in and do inspection duty.

It's a good job I did! Would you look at this mess! Your room is a disgrace... there is hay all over the floor, here let me help you tidy that up... don't look so unamused!  What's that you say that I'll get stuck?  No don't be silly I can turn in the tightest spaces, some of us watch our waistline unlike those boys!

And what's this you've got hidden in here?  That looks like my favourite food.... hang on a minute the bag seems to be empty... where have you hidden it naughty kitty?!

Is it in here, gosh it's such a mess!  Don't miaow at me that it was human's fault and they were trying to make space for my straw....and it's not your room anyway, of course it is! The minis have one stable, I have the other and you have the smallest room at the end surely?

Look, evidence!  I found your stinky kitty cat food...

What's that you said?  You don't bother sleeping in here any longer as it's soooo messy, you've found a tidy bedroom?  With THE BOYS?!  What?!  They are not tidy!  I've seen their bedroom in the morning, it looks like they've had a party, food everywhere, mini nuggets sprinkled far and wide and buckets up ended.  I don't know how a lady can live in such a place?

What do you mean you have a deal?  The Minis check when you're in residence (your ladyship)....

Then they guard you and snuggle down with you...

All that in exchange for some mouse deterrent duties and a little friendship.... 

Hmmm I'm sticking with the lady's bedroom next-door.... think you need to tidy those boys up!  

FH come here and tidy this store room up.... it's a disgrace! Otherwise I'm calling Granny Human and she'll make you as only Mum's can ;-)

Love of My Life.... A Miniature Mule

Love of my life... a special miniature mule

Hi Muleteers, FH here, for one day only I have hijacked the blog!  It's four years since a certain little mule entered our lives so this post's dedicated to him.

Little did I know when I saw an ad for a rather odd looking mule that it would change my life.  The ad was a little cryptic.... needs very experienced home.... rare miniature mule..... open to offers..... my common sense radar went - red alert!  But... I was looking for a companion for my old horse and had stumbled across the perfect solution. I loved mules and this one needed a home.  I have always believed in fate so thought I'd go and have a look.

The first things I heard about The Mini were that he had been herded in to the barn with sheep hurdles because they couldn't catch him, he was wild, bad with his feet and had tried to kill most things smaller than him..... hmmmm.  He was a miniature creature with a giant attitude. I was also told that they'd never had such interest in any advert they'd placed but had wisely put off anyone so far from coming to see him.  I must have seemed mad enough over the phone to be a match!

When I finally saw The Mini he looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.  Cute!  Very rotund, slightly short legs, patchy coat and the cheekiest face with wild and nervous eyes.  He was already in a headcollar and rope and was ready for inspection.  His handler was very nice but obviously wondered what he might do to me.  There was no need.  He was very good and nuzzled me and even picked up a back foot (I had no idea until later just how trusting he was being by doing this).  I did not need to think about it, I knew he had to come home with me, thankfully my long suffering husband agreed (he is a superstar for supporting me to always follow my dreams).  A ridiculous, bargain price was struck and he was 'sold', I whispered that he was coming home with me in a few days.... he tried to climb out of the barn he was in.... hmmmm.

Take me home... NOW!

A few days later it was pickup day.  I found the horsebox I'd ordered had arrived early and The Mini was already onboard.  There had been some prearrangements I think, more hurdles, lots of brooms and shouts to get him on board.... they really wanted him gone.  Just before leaving I remembered I needed to exchange his new headcollar for the old one.  The lorry driver joked (or so I thought at the time) that I took my life in my own hands going inside... I laughed and found a confused creature who was very willing to have a sparkly new headcollar.  The folks outside the lorry seemed baffled when I appeared with the old one and no injuries!

He travelled really well and homeward bound we were.  On arrival my old horse was not impressed with my choice of companion for him.... he chased this small creature.  The Mini was having none of it and gave as good as he got, fiery little thing he was.  I decided that separating them was a good idea so electric fence at the ready and the job was done.

Not for long.... this was my first lesson in the escape artistry of mules.  This mini mule could commando crawl under any obstacle in his way.  He crept in to the paddock containing his large horse companion and seemed completely unbothered by the horse's best efforts to kill him.... Thankfully they calmed down and tolerated each other after a while.

A rather moth eaten Mini on arrival!

Over those first few weeks I don't mind telling you I wondered if I needed my head read.  I had a wild mini mule who I could not catch, groom, handle its feet and seemed to have no bond with at all!  He viewed me with huge amounts of suspicion, I tried everything to get him on side, it was two steps forward and one step back, any slight deviation from the plan would set him back, if I dropped a brush by accident near him he thought I was trying to kill him, if I picked his foot up a little too high he would  roughly pull it back and scare himself falling over and so it would go on.  The more time I spent with this wild thing the more I loved him and he fascinated me.  One day I'd get there.....

Progress was slow....

Just when I thought we'd made a breakthrough something would 'have' to be done, a vet visit, a foot trim, each time was a battle.  But then I had a pretty nasty accident coming off my horse and everything changed.  I had to make the terrible decision to rehome my old horse (he now lives the life of luxury retired) after many broken bones, broken trust and a very broken heart.  The balance of things changed, we looked after an old mare for a winter to give her some comforts and The Mini an equine friend.  I still think he knew I needed him then.  I was battered physically and mentally and he was gentle and his trust grew in me and gradually we found a way of getting on.  Things progressed so that I could brush him, pick his feet up and touch him all over.  Vet and farrier visits were still no fun (are they ever??) but he would at least tolerate them.  We found him the delightful Roller as a friend and they bonded immediately, that calm, gentle little pony was such a good influence on him and they both grew to be firm partners in crime!

After a couple of years along came Dragon, if I hadn't been through what I had with The Mini I might not have taken her on.  I have always loved to ride and this was the one thing The Mini couldn't do so I found a lovely, genius mule to ride.  She is complicated and very female!

I love all my equines and appreciate them each one for their individual characters.  Roller is gentle and calm and accepting. Dragon is challenging and brave and independent.  The Mini is complex and sensitive and loving.

The Mini and I have been together for four years now, the time has flown and he has been a big part of my life.  He has made me cry, scratch my head, question, sigh but mostly he's made me laugh and smile.

He has taught me many things....

Patience - I am a pretty impatient person in most aspects of my life but The Mini taught me not to rush and that things will take the time they need.  He has always paid me back with patience of his own.

The Nicer Way - there are always quicker ways to achieve what you need but you should always seek the nicer way.  The Mini taught me in true mule fashion that you might do it quickly one day but the next you won't do it at all, do it the nice way and you'll be faster the next time.

Perseverance - so many times I wondered will I ever be able to trust this animal with other people?  Will he ever be safe to lead outside of the paddock?  Will I ever get his feet trimmed?  If at first you don't succeed don't give up just think of another way to approach the problem.

A Sense of Humour - I am so used to strangers comments about my little mule pal and why I bother walking him, can't I get a real horse?  What's the point of a mini mule?  Surely he just mows the grass?  At first I was offended, now I don't care, I know the secret and think it's funny that people are so narrow minded.  I'm pretty sure many in the neighbourhood call me the weird mule lady... oh well I care not.

Looks like dessert!

Simple Things - The Mini is a great lover of the simple things in life, he is never happier than when walking with his cat companion, having his bum scratched or enjoying a banana peel.  It's hard not to be drawn to this simple enjoyment and share in it (I do draw the line at bananas though!)

Empathy - The Mini is a great reader of moods, he knows when to be gentle, he seems to know when you need to laugh and he seems to know when you're nervous or sad.  He has empathy with his favourite people and is a great judge of character.

Big is not always best - I freely admit that I didn't really 'get' mini ponies, donkeys or mules until I met The Mini.  I had always wondered what the point was?  Surely you can't ride them so why bother?  I was so wrong.  The lorry driver that delivered The Mini chuckled and said he'd become my favourite, he had a mini pony that he wouldn't part with for the world and that they had a way of getting under your skin, he was so right.  I think the fact that there is no expectation to 'perform and work' makes things more relaxed.  Minis deserve just as much care and time as their larger counterparts but sadly are often used as lawn mowers or paddock ornaments and don't get the handling they need to make them happy with humans.

I believe that sometimes in life fate takes you on a journey you never imagined.  The day four years ago that a certain miniature mule neighbrayed his way in to our lives was one of those days.  I thought he'd be a companion, the afterthought to the main event that was my horse.  How wrong I was.

The Mini has become the love of my life (my husband excepted!), the bringer of smiles, the changer of paths, the funny little mini mule that I wouldn't part with for the world.  He was a bargain that day I acquired him, a priceless gem that would never be for sale, will never know another home and who I hope to walk the path of life with for many, many years to come.

I know there will be those of you that read this or stumble upon it that think, silly woman it's only a mule and a small, non rideable one at that.  That's OK, I forgive you, I might have thought the same thing once upon a time.  Those of you who have been lucky enough to experience what I have will nod and smile and think about that special bond you had or have with another creature, pretty amazing isn't it?

Thanks Mini for  bringing much happiness to this house!