A Little Visitor!!

On May 30th the mules got a new Little Visitor. Henry, my friend Beverley's son and her husband Will came out for a visit! Henry fed everyone carrots and treats. Then he helped Shannon groom Sadie Mae. He even stood on a stool to be able to reach her back with the brush. Then Henry was treated to a ride around the yard! He finished his visit with a game of kick ball with Reuben and some swinging on the porch!

Nash County Search & Rescue Training

Seven playing Soccer!

On June 5th Lillian had invited me to bring my mules to the Nash County Search & Rescue training class she was holding at her farm. I arrived a little late because I had a long day on Saturday Judging a horses show. I arrived and found a rider for Sadie and we joined right in with the formation work! Then it was on to some protection training. Lillian acted like an attacker and Sadie and I reacted to drive her way from the mule! Some news reporters where there and caught a super photo of this. It ended up as the cover story photo on the local Rocky Mount news paper.After a nice lunch break we stepped things up and started with some obstacle training. We crossed mattresses, between flares, over tarps and all kinds of things. Later in the day we introduce the mules and horses to a giant soccer ball. We got to play with this for a while which was great fun. Everyone got very competitive with it! Sadie was not too sure about the ball and was so funny when she grabbed her rear end and scooted off away from the ball when it ran up behind her! Of course never loosing her rider! At the end of the day I decided I would like to join the group. Lillian paid us the highest compliment by saying "The Mules Stole The Show!"

Seven leads the group through the Flares!

Seven also led the group across the mattresses.

CMA Leatherwood Ride

A great time was had by all for the May 20-22 Leatherwood ride! I got there on Friday and met up with Marilyn and her mule Clyde from Florida. We rode most of the afternoon while others arrived for the ride. Some of the others took short rides as well! That afternoon Tara and Jim showed up, as a surprise, with no mules but their new camper. They had decided at the last minute to come and enjoy Leatherwood and visit with the group! We all had a tour of the new camper! Which was really nice and we began to plot some more trips! We all met for dinner that night at the restaurant and then visited by the creek before turning in for the night!

Saturday we left out with Myself, Marilyn, Larry, Bobby and Jane. Tara and Jim saw us off and took some photos for us! We started out up to the top of Robinson Trail and then to the over look rest area. I got the group on their way and had to head back to the camp because I was not feeling well. They continued on to Cowboy trail and then around to Rawhide. I spend the afternoon napping in my recliner by the creek but still left so badly that I could not make the whole ride.
That evening we had a group dinner and were entertained by the running of the Preakness on the TV's and also a Preakness Party! A few went out that evening for a short trail ride in hopes of catching the sunset. We spent the rest of the evening with a nice camp fire and roasting some of the largest marsh mellows I have ever seen!
Sunday Myself, Marilyn, Jane and her daughter headed out for a short ride. We rode up Ramblin and over to Rawhide. At that point Jane and her daughter headed for home, while Marilyn and I rode the Hogback and Gold digger loop back home a few hours later!
With another great visit and rides at Leatherwood under I belt we all headed home!

Marilyn and Clyde with Shannon and Seven

Group Heading Out!
Shannon and Reuben enjoying the evening fire!

Jennifer and Sadie Join us for a Sunday Ride!

My friend Jennifer joined us one of Jerry's Sunday Ride on May 8th in Pilot! We had a good time and Jennifer enjoyed riding Sadie with the group! I think though that Sadie has had enough by the time we got back!

The Clipper Saga!

After waiting a little too late to clip the mules I decided today was the day! (April24th) So I got up that morning and washed the two mules and one very unhappy donkey! Once dry from the sunshine and well sprayed down with Show Sheen I decided to start with Mr. Hairy himself, Navarre. The clippers started up and I ran them through some hair and, NOTHING. I was not happy. Once I got them stopped, I saw the problem. One of the flexing arms that help the blades move back and forth was broken. Grrr....no fixing that!
So all that washing was for not! I took them to UPS on Monday and mailed them off to be repaired. This can take several weeks and this was not the first time that a set of clippers had broken at an inopportune time so I decided that I would purchase a second pair. I ordered those clippers that same day. I found a great deal that offered a free set of trimmers when you ordered the body clippers. I wanted the clippers to be delivered as soon as possible so I gave them my work address and was told that Fed-X would be delivering them. After several days went by I called to check on the shipment. I was told that the package was returned to the shipper. Apparently the shipping type was for Fed-X to get the shipment to the main town and for the US Post office to deliver it to the actual address. The US Post office doesn't deliver here because we are considered on Campus. I still don't understand why they could not look up the address and or call me to come and pick up the clippers, no wonder they are in so much financial trouble. The postman I spoke with was no help and I actually hung up on him because he kept trying to explain to me "how the post office works". I called DOVER Saddlery to let them know about the problem. I was so happy with their customer service. The lady who answered the phone was the one who took care of the whole problem. She check to see that the product was still in stock and shipped it to me two-day with no extra charge. This time we decided to have the package sent to my home address. She put in a request for the package to be left on my door with no signature. So the plan was the package would be on my door step when I got home from work on Friday! That way I could work on the mules all weekend!
Upon arriving home on Friday I found a slip in my mail box. It stated that the package was not delivered because the Driver felt that it was too high a traffic area. Angry and frustrated does not even start to describe how I felt at this time. I called Fed-X and requested that the driver return with my package but I knew there was little chance of this. So Saturday AM I had to drive a total over 60 miles round trip to pick up my clippers from the main office. Needless to say I had a few works with the Manager. He was very understanding and said he would have a word with the driver. Especially when I described to him where I live! So I spent the rest of Saturday getting all the hair off of my long ears! The looked so nice and I am sure felt so much better after it being so extra hot this Spring. The repair clippers turn up on Tuesday! They almost beat the new clippers to my door! Below is Navarre, Seven and Sadie after their Spring Clipping!!

Two Mule Club Rides!

On April 9th we converged on H. Cooper Black for our Annual ride there! We had a good group with two wagons on Saturday! Marty with his mule Deb and a nice new wagon and Jason with his new horse and wagon. Prince is a huge draft horse with a black and white paint coat. He impressed us all by seeming to be bothered by nothing and was strong and steady in pulling his wagon!
We headed in a little early on Saturday because the sky was starting to look like there might be some Thunderstorms coming. We got in was able to wash off the mules, get a shower ourselves and rest a little before dinner. Stacey once again pulled off a wonderful dinner and desert! She is the next Paula Dean! Then the Thunderstorms came in. I was glad that I had fed and checked my mules for the night! That night we have two other storms blow through. One brought some hail which was extra loud on the trailer roof. We were lucky that there was no damage to anyone's vehicles.
Sunday morning was bright and pretty! Chelsea decided she wanted to ride Sadie Mae so she helped me groom and tack her up! We had a little smaller group and the ride went a little slower as all the mules where not as sharp from yesterdays ride. We all relaxed and enjoyed the day.
Photo of: Sadie Mae on top of Mule Killer hill in Uwharrie National Forest!
The next ride was Uwharrie. I once again pulled in late in the evening. I was told by a friendly lady the next morning that the horse guys at her camp fire was were taking bets on if I was going to be able to back the rig into the parking space. I had, what I call, "A Good Backing Day" and swung it right in! The next morning I got Sadie all ready to go and began talking to some of the ladies in the camp that were interested in mules! One of the ladies and I figured out we had met at Leatherwood a few years ago too!
We headed out with almost 30 mules for a nice ride! The weather was nearly perfect. Cool in the woods and warm in the sun! I wish it could stay like this all summer! Sadie Mae never took a bad step all day! I sat back and relaxed as we rode along! We rode to Badin Lake and then to "The Rocks" before heading in. We arrived about 5Pm. Many of us let the mules graze along in the camp ground after having a bath. They hopped around in their hobbles and enjoyed the green Spring grass! Our Board meeeting went well and the deserts afterward were very good!
Sunday AM found the camp in a cool Fog that burned off as the morning sun came up. We took our time getting the mules ready and partly packing up so that when we returned it would be faster to pull out. We rode out about 10:30 after Church! It was another nice day for riding and although we said we wanted to be back around 3pm we ended up staying out longer because it was such a nice day. Sadie was tired but kept going and even picked up her pace on the way home!

Chelsea riding Sadie on Sunday, Shannon and Seven on top of the biggest hill at H. Cooper Black with Teddy Royal riding Leon.

Chester Has A New Home!

Nancy & Tonya with Chester

Sometimes all the stars a-line and something really cool just falls together! Chester has a new home. I got an email forwarded from Holly two weeks ago about a lady named Nancy, who has a big farm and her Poitou Donkey (her first Equine) was injured and had to be put down. So she, was looking for another donkey to be friends with the other donkey who lives at the farm, named Arvid. He is owned my Tonya who used to be a CMA member. Nancy said she looked around and found lots of small or mini donkeys, but did not want something that small and then found some larger donkeys, but only younger ones and really wanted something more Arvid's age (15).

I email his history and photos about Chester, and they decided they would like to try him out. I took him over Wednesday last week. When we got there Chester seemed to like the people, place and seemed like he felt safe right away. He was turned out with Arvid and two other ponies. They ran around just a little and would turn to sniff each others hind ends and do half hearted kicks and then turn away. They slowly got closer and closer..... When I left Chester did not even seem to notice, which I was sad about but also thought it was good. Nancy has a wonderful farm with some other rescue horses and several of nearly every other farm/pet you can have.

Today I got an email update and the report was that he is doing well and that Arvid and another horse that really likes donkeys, really like him. She said in her email "He's a Keeper!"

I am so happy for Chester! It has left a big hole in my heart and my farm and I miss seeing his sweet face every morning at breakfast!

The first BIG sniff!

Chester and Arvid consider being friends!

2nd RMF Obstacle Course Day

Most of the Sunday Group!

Kellie & Katie Mae tackle the Pool Noodles!

Obstacle Course Day turned into Obstacle Course weekend because of some horrific storms in the area! The storm brought a tornado to downtown Raleigh, of all places! We were blessed that I did not have any of that weather here, other than some rain and a little wind.

Thursday I drove to pick up Kayla and her horse Chief. While I went to work on Friday Kayla was my very efficient farm intern and got a lot of the final work done around the property. Amiee and Tollie showed up the their horse Flash and mule Henry. After everyone settled in we took a short trail ride before dark. We set up most of the obstacles in the arena lights and decorated things the next morning.

The Saturday morning the wind was blowing some and it was cloudy. Lawson was able to bring over several people to ride the course! At one point the wind caught up the big bouncy ball and sent it bouncing across the course and into the reindeer! Then the monkey and palm tree fell off the barrel! Talk about some de-spooking! All the horses did well and I even got Navarre out to go over a few things. He did really well. The funniest part of the whole day was when about 5 people where standing around Navarre and one of the horses got close. About that time the people moved away from Navarre and he moved too. The horse freaked out because I don' t think he realized that Navarre was alive!! Around lunch the riders headed home and the rest of us headed inside. We watched the storms from the living room TV in between some mule training videos.

Sunday was a much better day! Blue sky, light breeze and mid-70's with no humidity. A friend of mine came from the beach area and she brought her mule, her husband's mule (Cletus the mule, name for mule's Facebook page if you want to friend the mule) and her daughter is about 6 years old. For $200 why bought her a 30 year old white pony mule named Katie Mae. The two of them are the cutest thing ever!
June and Bob Hogan arrived to camp for the night. They were also delayed by the storms. They brought Bob's new mule Tess and two Rocky Mountain horses.
Many other local people came too and we ended up with quite a group!
At Lunch everyone came indoors and we ate nearly everything that we brought! It was nice sitting on the porch for a break! After lunch we went on a short trail ride. A few people went back early, the rest of us rode over to the ponds on the Moss' land.
I was really impressed with people and their mules/horse. I had some pretty hard obstacles this year and very few hand any problems. The pool noodles was probably the most exciting. A few equine jumped through them and others sort of scooted!

Bob and DixieJune & Tess

Cara and NuggetAmiee & Henry

Shannon and SevenChristine and Sadie Mae

Gun Toting Muleskinner?

Well I finally completed my 2010 New Years Resolution! To purchase a handgun and get a concealed carry permit. So that when I travel with the trailer and drive late at night, in remote areas, I will have a little extra protection! (Thanks to my mule club men, Barry, Danny and Kenny for keeping after me to do this!)

I finally purchased a handgun, a S&W 637, .38 Special to be exact, and took the Concealed Carry Certification class. Who knew serious business could also be so much fun? After months and months of talking to different people, visiting gun shops and even the Dixie Deer Classic, I finally purchased me handgun. The gun shop gave me the names of a few instructors that they recommend. I picked a name out and gave the instructor a call. Turned out Barry had a class this coming Saturday, with an opening. I told him that I would be very interested in taking the class, but there was just one problem. I had not even shot my gun yet, nor had I shot a gun in, O' about fifteen years.

As a kid my Uncle Ken from California used to take me and my cousins out shooting when I came to visit. We even shot his grandmothers Colt 45! But boy it has been a long time! I seriously questioned whether I would be proficient enough to pass the course. Barry the instructor offered to meet me on Tuesday night and go over things and give me a private shooting lesson.

To his surprise and mine too, I shot really well! I never missed the target and even stayed within the qualifying score. We agreed that I could take the course this Saturday. Thanks to Uncle Ken, who did a great job teaching me to shoot!

At 8AM, five of us and two instructors, spent 9 hours going over all the laws for concealed carry, gun safety, cleaning, shooting stances, etc. After a written test, we headed for the range. The other lady and I let the three gentleman in the class go first and then we took our turn. I left really good about my shooting. I stayed mostly in the Zero points area (which is the center) and never even out of the -1 Points area. I also never hit the higher "head" area! Barry and Sharon even had us shoot from behind objects, low, close and moving backwards. All moved that might be needed!

Now all I need to do is fill out all the fun paper work and go down town to turn it in! Then wait for the call, to come pick up my permit!

Coyotes?!?!?!?

I have known they had to be around but I had not heard them until tonight! (March 16th) I was in the yard taking something out to the horse trailer, when I heard something different in the woods across the field from my house. I quickly walked to the front fence and stood still to listen. It was high pitched yips and yaps and some barking that sounded like a large pack, but not dogs. Spooky! The next morning I looked it up on the internet and after listening to a recording on YouTube I knew it was Coyotes! Oh boy, just what we don't need in the neighborhood.

The next evening, Katie came over to ride Sadie Mae. I told her we were going Coyote hunting. So we rode over to the area where I thought they would have been but we did not even see a track! I saw my neighbor and he said that he heard them too!
We headed over towards Marty's place (The guy with the apple trees) and as we were leaving and going down the gravel road we both heard a loud "Grummp" sound come from the tall brush beside us! The mules looked but did not spook at the sound, but we decided that we would not investigate that one! Some of my friends suggesting it might have been Big Foot!