1950 and 2012 Mule Day Grand Marshalls
In 1950 my father Charlie Skillington, rode Headlight Nell from our home in Santa Fe to the State Capital, to "deliver" an invitation to Governor Gordon Browning, to lead the 1950 Parade. The above picture "reects" a third person, that being Congressman Pat Sutton from Lawrenceburg, TN. Note that my father (far right) was not pleased, he and the Governor were riding show mules" with saddles, and the Congressman was riding a "work mule" with harness, that he obtained as the parade began. I guess he could be remembered as the 'GRAND MARSHALL CRASHER" OF 1950.
2012 Grand Marshall Guy Penrod, Gospel Singer, Ricky Strain-smith Club President, Daughter Camden and Dee Cee Neeley, Mule Day Chairman
About the Mule
The Draft (Working) Mule
Gaited/Quarter (Riding) Mule
Papa = Jack Mama = Draft Mare (Belgian or Percheron) Average Weight = 1,300 to 1,500 Lbs.
Papa = Jack Mama = Walking/Quarter Mare Average Weight = 700 to 850 Lbs.
Mule DeďŹ nition A mule is an offspring from a Jack (donkey) and a female horse, while the reverse of such is called a Hinny. They are almost always sterile, however there are some rare cases where mules and Hinnies have been able to produce offspring. Donkeys have a total of 62 chromosomes and horses have 64---so a mule being a hybrid, has a total of 63 chromosomes. Mules have some of the strong traits of their father, those being----patience, endurance, agility in being sure footed in unstable terrain, and plus their hooves are much stronger, and they go lame less often. A male mule is called a John or horse mule, whereas a female mule is called a Molly or mare mule. To own one and the pleasure you will receive in dealing with these animals is something everyone should experience.
Work Mules vs. Riding Mules: Work Mules or as they are called by most people Draft Mules are bred to work, the average size weight is 1,300 to 1,500 pounds, whereas the Riding Mules that are bred to ride, the average weight is 700 to 850 pounds. The Jack (donkey) is the father in both cases, whereas the draft or work mule mother is a draft horse the breed being---Belgian, Percheron, or Clydesdales; the Riding Mule mother is a Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, Appaloosa, etc. 58
& MULE DAY 2013 WWW.MULEDAY.COM