The Three Muleteers invite you in to their world of long eared ponderings and experiences of everyday life as mules that own humans living in the UK. The gang are Callie the riding mule, The Mini a handsome miniature mule whose small stature belies his huge personality and Ro-Land the honorary long ear who is really a shetland pony. They are joined on their adventures by the humans they own and their conspirator Catanian (aka Diesel the crazy cat).
Dearest Muleteers, today I am pondering weeds.... in an up close and personal way..... in fact I am tasting some of the more delicious weeds to find out what all the fuss is about?
FH has been looking at our paddock and checking if there are any really nasty weeds about, phew it seems not, nasty weeds need not apply to live here! To balance things out a little I was determined to find all the nice weeds.
It was a terrible trial.... I had to taste so many.....
There was dandelion, goosegrass, ribwort plantain, false nettles, cow parsley, hogweed, some wilted nettles and a little taste of yarrow....mmmm gotta love weeds! Not really sure why humans make all that fuss about weeding? I'll help if you like.... if only MH would let me in the garden?
I think this person has the right idea!
Weeds are but an unloved flower. Ella Wheeler Wilcox
It's official folks, mules are the Einsteins of the domestic animal world! Finally we have proof of what we all knew all along..... we are good at solving problems and thinking for ourselves. Stubborn and stupid we are not.... in fact it is a proven fact that we are more flexible learners than dogs, pretty impressive for a herbivore!
It seems that those nice people at the Donkey Sanctuary are busy extolling the virtues of long ears to anyone that will listen.... here's their press release shamelessly copied with our mule hooves.... somehow we don't think they'll mind ;-)
Smart Asses! Mules lead the way in the intelligent animal league!
A study published this month reveals that mules are among the best problem solvers amongst domestic animals and demonstrate learning skills far in advance of our other four-legged friends.
I think therefore I am!
The study is the result of collaboration between The Donkey Sanctuary and Dr Britta Osthaus of Canterbury Christ Church University and looked at the ability of mules, donkeys and horses to problem solve to obtain a small food reward. The results were also compared with previous studies carried out on dogs.
Einstein in disguise??
During the tests the animals needed to work out the shortest route through a gap past a barrier to get to a food reward. The position of the gap changed after a set number of repetitions meaning that the animals needed to re-evaluate their route. On the first detour task, mules were able to take the shortest route from the start point and head straight through without hesitation. Donkeys took slightly longer to solve the problem and horses longer still. After a change in the set-up mules and donkeys proved to be far more flexible than horses and dogs who got stuck behind the barrier, not realising the gap had been moved.
Roller is slightly offended.... don't mention his habit of getting lost....
The results proved that mules are as clever as dogs at problem solving and that they also show potential to ‘learn to learn’ – applying flexibility to their thoughts and actions in response to their environment. The study also demonstrated that mules and donkeys were significantly more flexible in their approach to problem solving than horses or dogs – debunking the common myth of these animals being ‘stubborn’.
Who's got the biggest brain my doggy friend??
Dr Faith Burden who assisted with the study on behalf of The Donkey Sanctuary says: “All in all the study really backs up what we have all known but not been able to prove until now: donkeys and mules are thoughtful when presented with a problem and are accurate and fast learners. They certainly put their shorter eared cousins in the shade in this study.”
This study supports previous work carried out by the team which shows that mules not only demonstrate their ‘hybrid vigour’ physically but that this also extends to their intelligence.
So there you have it my friends, Dragon and I are off to work on the theory of relativity, the secret of life and we are trying to discover a fly spray that actually works (we could earn millions with this!), with two mule brains there is no limit.... However, I think I'd rather eat grass and snooze .... time for mule school another day, don't give up the day job FH!
Can you believe it Muleteers? Our humans have been cheating on us. They packed us off to the field for the day and went off to rediscover a forgotten pace of life.....
MH had a birthday not too long ago and FH bought him a present that he has wanted for rather a long time. A driving lesson and drive in our family's favourite place - Dartmoor.
We will forgive the humans as it would seem that there is an ulterior motive, something about learning about harness and training for driving, they have designs on getting a certain Dragon a little cart....
The humans learnt from the 'master' a man that has forgotten more about horses and driving in his eight decades than most people will ever learn in a life time. A true pleasure and privilege.
The humans hope you don't mind us sharing a few pics with you; it was the drive of a lifetime and Dartmoor blessed them with good weather - not a frequent event in this part of the world!
The beautiful horse was called Pagent, Roller now has a crush on her, look at that beautiful mane! You know what sounded really nice? She loved her job and had a lovely time.... she made our humans very happy.
A lovely day was had by all, FH brought a souvenir home, look out for a post about some military mule memorabilia soon to come....
Oops I am a little late with my Friday ponderings today.... you see I have been busy picking out my
weekend wardrobe! The weekend is here and it's time to look my best. I am struggling a bit.... I am suddenly very 'last season' and seem to be behind the fashion....
I begged FH to get the brush out, it has been hot and I have been a little sweaty and in need of some help to shed my coat! If the weather continues to be so warm I may need a broom not a brush.
So FH came out with the brush and stripped away as much of last season's look as she could, fluffy Roller is so Winter, sleek Roller is required this season.
After much time spent at the hair salon I felt a lot lighter and a little less moth eaten, there is still a lot of hair left to lose but Rome wasn't built in a day and Roller wasn't bared in one either. Knowing my luck the snow will return and where will I be without my Roller Polar coat?
Catanian looked on with great interest, she likes to play with my shed fur, she had been rolling around in the mud and grime and seems to be trying to lose her winter fluff too, she's not too keen on brushing though!
Catanian said not to worry about my rather last season look she told me a little secret...
"Clothes do not make the man"
This is true I guess... although do NOT tell The Mini that about his 'shield of steel' against the midges! Those clothes maketh a happy mule!
Hey Catanian! Let's take FH for a walk! She needs to keep fit and it's a lovely evening so I think it's only fair that we take her out to see what's happening don't you?
You should never pass up the opportunity for a walk with good friends, especially when the sun shines, the grass is green and there is mischief to be made ;-)
Let's drag FH up the lane to go check out what's happening in the neighbrayhood.
Who says that going for a walk is only for the canine members of the clan? I see no reason that walking a mini mule and his feline friend is not more common? Anyway we're in charge of the human so off we go.
Come on Mini hurry up! Stop stuffing your face all the time....
I'm walking and eating, walking and eating, now who's left behind Catanian, stop chasing the small furries in the hedge, you've already had dinner.. I however, am starving! Mmmm loving the dandelions!
Yum! These primroses look tasty too....mmmm..... FH is so mean with the green stuff at home, it's so nice to take her out for a picnic! Now what's next on the menu? Hey Catanian get off FH's feet will you! I've got places to go, plants to eat and you're holding me up!
What do you mean you'll try standing on my feet too? You pesky kitty what are you doing playing under my tummy??? Hmmmmmmm..........
OK enough of this lack of concentration, let's go check out the grass down here, it looks yummy! What are you doing in that drainage pipe kitty?
Hey come back here, stop taking the shortcut to the next field down that pipe!
It's not fair I won't fit.... come back here! Pesky cat..... Oh well time for some more munching.
Well if Catanian's taking the shortcut I better get my walking trousers on and drag FH up this hill, care to join me for a stroll?
Oh look! Lots of big cattle, their ears are quite lacking though aren't they? Hope my kitty cat's careful, her shortcut takes her through their field!
Ah, phew! Here she is... that cat has 9 million lives, she seems to think if she lives with us mules those cow things are nothing to be afraid of!
Time for home now girls, what a nice way to spend a sunny evening, I'm never one to turn down an invitation for a walk, seems the girls aren't either.... same time tomorrow?
What's that you're slurping? It looks like you've managed to nose your way in to FH's tea mug?
Oops.... I hope she'd finished her morning cuppa before you slobbered in it?
Looks like tea for two to me!
What's that you say? A secret delight? A very British pastime? Sounds puptastic!
Come on Cloth Dog let me in..... I really need to taste the delights of this tea thingy.... this mug ain't big enough for both our noses though surely??
Oh, ok we'll try to share nicely. FH could you put your tea in the dog bowl for us next time please? What's that about it being your tea? Don't you know what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine and what's everyone else's is..... well mine..... and I want it!
OK I'm getting the hang of this now Cloth Dog, there is just one slight problem though.... I seem to be wearing quite a lot of tea? It's pretty challenging to keep my adolescent face fluff clean.... FH says I need to pay more attention to grooming, I kinda like the scruffy dog look!
Here's to a good week full of tea (for me) and smiles (for you) and ever growing face fluff (for me!). FH says I'm not allowed to sample the delights of coffee yet..... what, no caffeine fuelled lurcher puppy required? REALLY?? What's the worst that could happen.... ;-)
...... is to discover a new friend and a new way of riding.
Many of my short eared friends seem amazed when they meet me carrying my human around the lanes and the moors. At first I thought they were blown away by my good looks and superior ears but then I realised they didn't think us mules were up to the job of being ridden!
Mules in the UK are few and far between and most of them are too small to ride, us long ears also seem to have a bad reputation for being unpleasant to ride.... very unfair.
I like nothing more than to work and to go out and about with my human. Some of my friends find this hard to imagine? A mule that likes to work? Surely not? But honestly when we go out for a ride I will go just as fast going out as coming home (how many horses do you know do that?) and when it comes time to turn up the lane to home (where The Mini is neighbraying his best at me) I want to carry on and go around again.
I have had to teach my human some mule riding tricks though..... when you ride a mule you do not 'command' it, you do not 'tell' it, if you do this you'll find out why many folks think we're bad to ride.... they just didn't listen when we tried teaching them!
When we go out me and FH work together, we listen to each other and if I have something to say it's taken note of, this does not mean that my human is allowed to sit like a sack of potatoes or is allowed to be sticky at the yard gate!
I demand certain things from my rider:
Clear signals, tell me where we're going and then let's get there
Too Cool for School - I don't do 'schooling'..... I am amazed at my short eared friends, their ability to enjoy 20 metre circles baffles me, I would much prefer to leap some rocks and teeter on a steep ledge thanks, this teaches me to be supple and agile, just in a different way!
Coming Through - don't dilly dally, let's move on. I like going out with my short ear friends and am always happy to take the lead when they let me. I think they're happy that my superior dog defenders and attack mule credentials will keep them safe from harm. It must look quite funny with a petite pony mule leading her big short eared friends....
Fun, fun, fun! Humans take themselves way too seriously sometimes, especially some 'horsey' types. I think there should be a new term 'muley' types, folks with a smile on their face, a sense of humour and a sunny disposition. What better way to make yourself smile than with the tuneful neighbray of a mule in your life?
What do I offer my rider in return?
Beauty! Have you seen how mulificent I am? To ride a mule is to ride a supermodel.... my superior ears and mulificent brown eyes are sure to appeal to all :-)
Sure footedness - us mules have inherited our donkey Dad's little feet that fit in to all sorts of tiny gaps, if there's a safe way through we'll find it. We also don't need shoes so no slippy sliding on the road
Fearlessness - to ride a mule is to ride a warrior(ess). We mules look after our cargo, mess with us and you'll know it. I am adept at dealing with rude dogs and other such annoyances. I will spin on the spot (slowly enough to keep FH in the saddle mind) to keep them in my gaze and if they get very bad I'll put them in their place.... gently to start with, of course!
Willingness - this is my human's favourite thing. To ride an equine that wants to work, that wants to be with you and has a shared enjoyment is surely what all riders wish for? I am with her and she with me. I will happily tell FH when I'm not happy, this may sound like a problem but in her eyes it's the greatest gift as she knows what I'm really thinking.
A Willing Partner
Smoothness - us mules are smoother to ride and FH always comments on how nice I am to sit to, she glides along... after riding a horse designed as a flashy cart horse for many years she wishes she'd found me sooner!
Fun - to ride a mule is to smile, to watch my mulificent floppy ears on radar scan is a fine pleasure for my rider. I even painted the tips of them with the finest make up to make them look even finer!
There is a saying that rings true, "to ride a good mule is to never go back to riding a horse" which is good as I'm not intending on going anywhere and we've got years of riding to do! Speaking of which FH.... would you hurry up and get my saddle out, it's time for a ride!
p.s. the big 'stick' in the picture functions for opening gate latches not for mule beating!!
