Published Monthly for Mule and Donkey Enthusiasts
Volume 31 • Issue 1
1 • November 2020
November 2020 • $5.50
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By phone: (573)263-2669 By mail: Mules and More, PO Box 460, Bland, MO 65014 2 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Betsy is a 12-year-old mare mule. She is 14.3 hands and black with brown points. Betsy is very pretty with good confirmation. She has nice withers and holds a saddle very well. Betsy is very well trained. She lopes circles, takes both leads, has a great stop, neck reins, side passes, backs, spins, and has a very nice stop. She has been trail ridden all over the United States. She is very safe and goes any where you point her. Betsy stands by a mounting block to mount and dismount. She is easy to catch, clip and shoe. Betsy likes people and is safe for most anyone. Mules like her don’t come around everyday. $13,500
Pair A Dice •
•
Loren & Lenice Basham (573)308-2709 - Cell (573) 859-6793 - Home 22801 Highway C Belle, Missouri 65013
MULE FARM 3 • November 2020
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/pairadicemules
www.pairadicemules.com Mules and More Magazine
November 2020 Volume 31 • Issue 1 8
Over the Back Fence B Y
10
Spotlight On: Courtney Spangler & Jasper
12
Sweetheart’s Adventures B Y
15
When Mules Ruled the Farm
16
Nancy Sluys and Jet’s Danny Herlong Conquer the Big Horn 100 Endurance Ride B Y
20
Caring for Fall & Winter Babies
22
The Livestock Conservancy Launches First American Poitou Census
24
Working Equitation B Y
28
2020 National Championship Chuckwagon Race Results
31
A New Perspective on Clinton, Ark. B Y
33
Mule Crossing: Rock and Roll, Part 1
37
Card Ads
39
Classified Ads
40
Joe & Ruby’s Big Adventure B Y
CHRIS PIFER
42
Granny’s Adventure Continues
BY ANNA ARNOLD
44
Stop That! B Y
45
Calendar of Events
46
The Old & The New B Y
50
Cook’s Corral B Y
CORI DANIELS
D O N N A TAY L O R BY LONNIE THIELE
MERRI MELDE
B Y A N G I E J . M AY F I E L D
L AURIE WILSON
A N G I E J . M AY F I E L D BY MEREDITH HODGES
J E R RY T I N D E L L
N O E L S TA S I A K
V I C K I E U P TO N
On Our Cover:
Jasper, owned by Courtney Spangler. See more on page 10 Cover photo by Montana Canter Photography
Nancy Sluys and Jet’s Danny Herlong on the Big Horn 100 Endurance Ride Read Merri Melde’s story on pages 16-19 4 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Carter & Higgins Spring Round Up 12th Annual
Draft Mule & Draft Horse Sale
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 10 a.m. (CST)
NEW LOCATION: Christian County Ag. Center, 2850 Pembroke Rd., Hopkinsville, Ky 42240 (Located behind Christian County Extension Office)
Carter & Higgins personally invite you to attend the 12th Annual Sale. For more information: Linden Carter (931)561-4519 anytime Barry Higgins (270)726-0991 anytime Order Buyer John Zook (270)886-4964 cst 8:30-8:45 a.m. Sale Order: All mules to sell first followed by draft horses
Ag. Center will begin accepting animals Jan. 5 at 6:00 a.m.(cst) • 7% Commission with a $175 cap • $40 No Sale Fee • No Feed cost • No Yardage • Coggins Test required on all animals. • On site Coggins Test $25 • All stock must have halter and lead ropes. • Free trucking for pick up or delivery to local Amish & Mennonite farmers. • Lunch Stand available day of sale. There are numerous motels accommodations and restaurants in the Hopkinsville area. 5 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Published monthly for mule and donkey enthusiasts.
www.mulesandmore.com @mulesandmoremagazine
Facebook.com/MulesandMore
Editor : Cori Daniels, Bland, Mo. mulesandmore@gmail.com (573)263-2669 Consulting Senior Editor Sue Cole, Bland, Mo. Writers: Meredith Hodges, Loveland, Colo.
Donna Taylor, Puylaurens, France donnalovesmules@googlemail.com Anna Arnold, Romoland, Calif. fastmule@live.com Capt. Joseph Vaclavik, Chicago, Ill. Capt.JoeV@Gmail.com Angie Mayfield, Loogootee, Ind. profmayfield@yahoo.com Noel Stasiak, stasiaknoel@yahoo.com Jerry Tindell, info@jerrytindell.com Mules and More is published monthly for $36 per year by Mules and More. Periodicals postage paid at Bland, Missouri, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MULES AND MORE, INC., P.O. Box 460, Bland, MO 65014-0460. Phone: (573) 646-3934 ∙ E-mail Address: mulesandmore@gmail.com Mules and More Office: Mules And More, Inc. P.O. Box 460, Bland, Missouri 65014-0460 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: (573)263-2669 (New subscriptions and renewals, address changes, subscription problems)
Shipping Address: Mules & More, 3934 Holt Rd., Bland, MO 65014 OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m. central time 24 Hour Fax: (573) 646-3407
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NOTICE: Please send in information and pictures and we will publish as many as we can each month, free of charge. (If you wish pictures returned, please write your name on the back and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.) We also accept: Photography (anything mule and donkey related); Ranch Work; Mule and Donkey Care; Tack; Mule and Donkey Shows; Rodeos; Trail Riding; Spotlights on Mule and Donkey Owners, Promoters, and Important Mules and Donkeys; Historical Stories Disclaimer: Articles and letters appearing in Mules and More do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the magazine or its owner and employees. Nor does the publication of said articles constitute an endorsement of the views they may express. Accuracy of all material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Advertisements in Mules and More does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of the goods or services offered therein. Mules & More is mailed monthly, on or near the 25th of each month. ALLOW 15 DAYS for delivery of your magazine. No replacements sent before that time. NO MAGAZINES REPLACED DUE TO ADDRESS CHANGES. Claims for damaged/missing issues must be filed within 90 days of the issue date. If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Mules and More (USPS #008589) is published monthly for $36.00 per year or $65.00 for Canadian. Mules and More, Inc., 3934 Holt Road, P.O. Box 460, Bland, MO 65014-0460. Please contact our office for subscription rates for other countries. Periodicals postage paid at Bland, Missouri, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MULES AND MORE, INC., P.O. Box 460, Bland, MO 65014-0460.
6 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Over the Back Fence by Cori Daniels, Editor
Courtney Spangler, who owns this month’s cover mule, Jasper, sent me a selection of photos from a photo shoot with her mule in harness in front of a black background, thinking I hadn’t seen anything quite like them before. She was right! I fell in love with them and instantly knew they would find a special place in an upcoming issue. I had watched Courtney and Jasper show at the Great Celebration in 2019, and I was impressed with the pair. I asked her if she would be interested in sharing a little driving knowledge with our subscribers, and she said she would be happy to. As Editor, I feel like I have to walk a fine line between ‘gently reminding’ and ‘lightheartedly harassing’ people to get the content I have envisioned in my head. I probably walked a little closer to ‘harassing’ Courtney, and during one of our conversations, she mentioned she is a nurse and that she hadn’t had much free time this year due to the pandemic. I obviously apologized for my ‘gentle reminders,’and told her to ignore me and work on her piece at her own pace. I felt bad because I hadn’t stopped to consider that aspect of her life. I didn’t want to add to the pile of responsibility and stress she was facing at work. This conversation was a good reminder that although I haven’t had to “interact” with COVID-19, it was an overwhelming presence in the lives of so many. One of my best friends is a nurse, and the head of the ICU in a nearby town. While visiting her recently, my husband nonchalantly asked her, “How’s work?” She quickly replied, “Terrible!” We didn’t linger on the subject, but she gave us the run down on the difficulties and stress this pandemic has added to her job, and I was once again reminded that I have it so lucky. Has my job been affected? Certainly. As you flip through the pages of this issue, you will be able to notice that some advertisements for big events in 2021 are absent. But mule people are resilient and I have no doubt that these events will return, and in the long run, I will not be out much more than having a few more pages to fill with content instead of advertising for a few more months. I don’t have to wear PPE while I work. I can take subscriptions from the comfort of the phone without having to worry about quarantine or contact tracing. Although this pandemic has changed aspects of my job, it hasn’t really changed my day to day life. I am very thankful Courtney took time to share her photos and driving story with me. I think Jasper looks so cute on the cover! For those of you who are still dealing with the pandemic on a daily basis, I am thankful for you, too. My daughter woke up with a sore throat last month, and I went into full on panic mode (it ended up being strep throat and she quickly felt better after some antibiotics). I could only image the stress that fear would cause day in and day out. I hope you all get to spend enough time with your mule to cancel out some of that stress and introduce those good endorphins that come from fuzzy mule ears! 7 • November 2020
Christmas 2020 Gift Guide: Editor’s Picks
By the time this issue goes to print, we will be at the beginning of the holiday shopping season. If you are hoping to get a jump picking out gifts for the mule and donkey lovers in your life, I have gathered a few of my favorites here to help you in your search!
Custom Boot Jack
A couple years ago, I got my parents a bootjack, custom made with their brand, that was boasted as “The World’s Best Bootjack.” These bootjacks are built to last and won’t scuff your boots or scratch the floor. It works great and looks fantastic! Find more info at custombootjacks.com
Mischka Press Mule Calendar
We joke that it isn’t Christmas unless one (or all) of us get a new mule calendar! They feature great photos each month and have enough room in the boxes to write appointments and other information. Find more info at mischka.com
Custom Leather Patch Caps
This is another pick inspired by the fabulous response I received when gifted to my parents, brother and sister-in-law. I also had two custom Mules and More caps made that I absolutely love. Purple Dawn Leather and Design owner Carrie Moody is a fellow mule lover and her website features custom jewelry and other items like cutting boards and keychains, but the custom leather patch caps are my favorite! Find more at info at purpledawnleather.com
Harris Show Saddle
First off, if my husband is reading this, I fully know we could buy our daughter (who turns 16 in April) several first cars for the price of this saddle. But - that hasn’t stopped me from lusting after a Harris show saddle for the last few years. They are show-stoppers and absolutely breath-taking when you see them in person. (I would also settle for a Harris show headstall, which is merely the price of only half of a first car.) harrisleather.com Mules and More Magazine
Letters From The Other Side...
A New Edition of The Book of Mules
A new edition of The Book of Mules: An Introduction to the Original Hybrid has just been released by author Donna Campbell Smith. Donkeys are needed for the SalA few changes were made in re-issuing vation Army Red Kettle Drive on the book. The subtitle was changed to “An Saturday, December 5 – “Day of the Introduction to the Original Hybrid.” It Donkey.” I think all participants had a was Smith’s intention in writing The Book great time last year. of Mules that it be especially valuable to Your donkey doesn’t need to ring first-time mule owners or folks who are the bell. You will do the bell ringing. still in the “thinking about it” stage. Smith His job is just to stand there and look felt the subtitle chosen by the first pubcute! Only friendly, calm donkeys, lisher didn’t really reflect that intention please. Normally the Salvation Army makes and worried it was misleading. Seasoned two hour time slots, but they are grate- mule owners will surely find useful inforful for whatever you do. In most cases, mation between the book covers, too. It will make a good reference book to have The Book of Mules (above) and author you will have to provide a venue (we Donna Campbell Smith (below) in any mule owner’s library. suggest feed stores, pet stores, farm Readers will find chapters on the origin supply stores, etc.) and then call the and history of the mule, types of mules Salvation Army to ask them to deliver a red kettle to that location at the time and their uses, how to care for them, health issues, raising mules, and some you plan on attending. Please contact me if you have prob- training principles. The text includes personal accounts from experienced mule lems when you try to set this up. Id’ like to be able to tell them the number enthusiasts as well as interviews with mule experts from across the country. of donkeys that will be out there, so Smith says, “While a good deal of please message me on Jack, The Bible what’s true of horses is true of mules, a Donkey’s Facebook page.--Yvonne good deal is different.” Kay and Jack, the Bible Donkey Smith updated some of the back-matter as websites come and go, and a few did go in the 11 years since the first publication, as well as farms and businesses. The biggest change in the book is a new chapter at the end titled “Some Mule Tales.” Smith added the mule tales because over the years, folks have shared their stories about mules they’d worked with on farms back in the days before tractors were the norm. Some stories are funny, and some are bitter-sweet. She says all are an important part of American’s heritage. The Book of Mules is illustrated with about 60 photographs. Smith says she wanted the photos in the book to be printed in color, but it would have made the retail price of the paperback nearly $30, therefore the interior is in black and white. All that being said, Smith says she is simply happy to have The Book of Mules: An Introduction to the Original Hybrid available for future readers. Donna Campbell Smith has worked as a professional in the horse industry as an instructor, breeder, and trainer for over thirty years. She earned an AAS Degree in Equine Technology from Martin Community College, where she also took extended courses in art and composition. She is a certified riding instructor and served many years as a Master NC 4-H Horse Program Volunteer. Donna is now retired from teaching and training. She writes from her home in Franklinton, North Carolina. The Book of Mules: An Introduction to the Original Hybrid is available for purchase at Amazon.com and mulesandmore.com. Jack the Bible Donkey
Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive
8 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
9 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Spotlight On: Courtney Spangler & Jasper Courtney Spangler is a full time registered nurse unit coordinator. Her husband Ethan is a farrier. They live in Seagrove, N.C. “I started riding and training mules about four years ago when I needed something different to trail ride besides my team of roping horses,” said Courtney. “I fell in love with the challenge of mules and how well they ride on trails.” In 2017, Courtney bought Jasper who was three years old at the time. “I knew he would make a good driving mule based on his attitude and willingness to do whatever I asked of him. He had been ground driven before and this really helps when making a good riding or driving mule.” Courtney and Ethan hitched Jasper to the forecart, which has brakes and is well built, after she ground drove him with a tire attached for a few days. “Luckily, he is a laid back, easy going mule and really enjoyed driving,” said Courtney. “I have only taught one horse to drive so I am still learning about driving. Jasper has been driven in parades, shows, a wedding, and on trails. We have a blast driving around the back roads where we live. I am looking forward to more driving and riding adventures with Jasper and my other mule, Jazzy, who I’m also training.”
Courtney Spangler and Jasper at the Great Celebration Mule and Donkey Show in 2019 10 • November 2020
Ethan and Courtney Spangler driving Jasper Mules and More Magazine
For Your Consideration:
Tri-color, coming 2-year-old john mule standing at 13hh. Talk about flashy! Casper leads, ties and bathes. $3,500 OBO.
Contact Connie: (563)316-1162 conbein9@gmail.com
11 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
From Across the Pond
Sweetheart’s Adventures by Donna Taylor
Due to this awful virus, we are all very much restricted to where we can travel. In August this year, my dear Nan passed away. My grandmother was 100 years old. The last five months of her life were utterly miserable because she didn’t get to see any of her family due to the restrictions that had been implemented in the nursing home. I couldn’t get to the funeral because anyone entering the United Kingdom from France had to quarantine for 14 days. I did see the service at the crematorium live on my computer, but I felt so sad not being able to pay my respects in person to this amazing lady. Colin and I, however, have just recently got away for a five day break. We obviously stayed in France and organized our own walking holiday. I’m looking forward to writing about it 12 • November 2020
in my next article because we had such a wonderful time walking in beautiful countryside and also staying in fortified medieval villages. In my last article, I told you about the story of meeting my late mule Sweetheart and bringing her back to England. I had four happy years having so much fun with her. I kept Sweetheart at my friend, Miranda’s home where she lived with three other horses. Sweetheart struck up a really good friendship with one of Miranda’s horses, Vulcan. I was lucky that Miranda had a horse trailer, which meant we would be able to go on lots of different rides. Together we did sponsored rides, endurance rides, cross country rides, Trek competitions (Technical Equestrian Riding Competition), riding on Her Majesty The Queen’s land (with permission, of course) in Windsor
Donna on Sweetheart and Miranda on Vulcan in Windsor Great Park (featuring the Castle in the background)
Great Park, and also general hacking around the beautiful countryside. Every month, I wrote in Mules and Mule about our adventures. I’ve just been looking back at some of the articles and thought I would include three abstracts from ones that still make me smile.
November 2004
I had some really nice rides this year. One ride, back in the Spring, was organized by the local branch of The British Horse Society (BHS). This ride, the Ten Mile Spring Pleasure Ride, was in Wendover in Buckinghamshire, about a 10-mile drive from Miranda’s. We took Sweetheart and Vulcan in the horse trailer. It was quite a cold day, so we wrapped up well. It was a beautiful trail along some wonderful tracks. On one part of the trail we could see our Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair’s country home called “Chequers.” When we completed the ride we were given a Certificate of Completion, which I have proudly
Mules and More Magazine
hung up on the wall in my office. As Miranda is the Bridleways Assistant of the local branch of the British Horse Society, she helped out in organizing the event. The day before the ride, Miranda and I drove to different parts of the ride and marked the route with yellow ribbon so that riders, hopefully, wouldn’t get lost. There were around 70 horses and ponies that went on the ride and everyone enjoyed the day. The main organizer of the event, Jan, is the Chairman of the Buckinghamshire County Committee for the BHS and wrote an article in the BHS Newsletter giving readers a report on the day. There were two statements that I found quite amusing and thought I would share them with you. She writes: “One thing really did make me giggle! We were aware that one group of entries hadn’t arrived and, as we had arranged for Miranda to ride last to collect up all the yellow ribbons on the route, we delayed her as long as possible in case they turned up. She had set off as last rider on her dun gelding Vulcan with her friend on her mount, and had been gone about 10 minutes when we saw a large lorry pull into the field. The people got out and began unloading their four horses. Two came over and apologized for arriving late. I explained that the “sweeper-upper” had already left and would be collecting up all the yellow ribbon markers. No problem, they said, they’d soon catch her up. What was she riding? I said that Miranda was riding a dun and her friend was riding a mule. ‘Oh, mine’s a bloody mule at times, too,’ said one of the riders. ‘No,’ I said, ‘This really IS a mule!’ The look of surprise on their faces was worthy of a camera shot!”
Donna pressing the traffic light button on muleback 13 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Surprisingly, not many people seemed to notice Sweetheart, although one person did say, on finding out we’d had a mule on the ride, that she’d seen a horse with amazingly long ears but hadn’t for one moment thought it could have been a mule!” As you can see, mules are certainly rare in this country. I think I will have to educate these horse owners in England about just how wonderful these mules are!
March 2005
My best day out riding last year was in the summer time. I belong to an organization that, once a year, arranges permission to ride in Windsor Great Park. The Park extends over some 14,000 acres including 8,000 acres of forest. There are many different trees in the Park, including oak trees that can date back 500 years and more. In the 1700s there was a great demand for English oak for the building of naval ships and the older oaks are not nearly as common as they once were. Many tourists love to visit Windsor for its Castle, the Park and the River Thames. It makes a perfect day out. There are also many other attractions within the vicinity, like polo matches, horse-racing, equine cross country events, beautiful parks and it is only about an hour’s train ride from London. So, our day started early and Miranda and I put Sweetheart and Vulcan in the horse-trailer and headed to Windsor. It took just under one hour to reach the park and there was an area designated for horse transport for us to unload the animals. We saddled them up and headed towards the park. First we had to cross a very busy road. To my amazement there were horse traffic lights. So all we had to do was to press the button at the side of the road, located at the correct height for a horse and rider, and the lights changed for us and everyone stopped. If only we could have horse traffic lights on all our rides, it would make our lives so much easier. When we got into the park it felt 14 • November 2020
like paradise. There were endless fields for cantering/loping. In most areas, dogs have to be on the lead, so there was no risk of dogs chasing us. The bridleways were immaculate and the scenery spectacular. There were also many deer in the park. We rode fairly close to Windsor Castle but unfortunately didn’t get to see the Queen. I would have loved the opportunity to show her my Grand Canyon mule. We rode in the park for several hours stopping for sandwiches and a drink. We were very lucky as the weather was very warm with blue skies. When we finished our ride both Sweetheart and Vulcan were quite tired and I think, quite glad to be going home. It made such a change to be able to ride in big open fields and the added bonus of having Windsor Castle in our view wherever we rode.
September 2005
Miranda and I did do one lovely ride together. It was fairly local to us but we needed to put Sweetheart and Vulcan in the horse trailer. The ride was nine miles long and included riding through a beautiful estate called “Hall Barn.” The Wooburn Saddle Club, who organized the event, received permission from the proprietors to let us ride on their land. Each group
of riders had a set time to start the ride and it took just over two hours to complete. When we finished, we received a rosette each. We were again lucky with the English weather as it didn’t rain and remained warm all day. As usual, Sweetheart received lots of looks from the stewards who were directing us on the ride or from other riders. Some would just say, “Is he a donkey?” No, she is a mule. “Ahh isn’t he sweet.” Yes, her name is Sweetheart and she is American. “Hasn’t she got long ears!” Poor Sweetheart, these British really should keep up with their equine friends! I have so many great memories of Sweetheart. She was so special. I still miss her so much. Sadly, I had to have Sweetheart put to sleep in the spring of 2007. She had arthritis in both knees and although I had retired her, and she had lots of treatment to help with the arthritis, she became very lame and the kindest thing we could do was to let her go. Her ashes are in a beautiful big wooden box under my bed. My passion for mules will always be so important in my life and I thank Sweetheart for teaching me so much about these incredibly intelligent and kind equines.
Mules and More Magazine
When Mules Ruled the Farm by Lonny Thiele
Mules were used for farming in this country roughly 1785 to 1950 or 165 years. Mule numbers peaked in the US at 5.8 million in 1925, but there were still 1.9 million mules in 1940, that included 209,000 in Missouri. Most of the material used comes from stories in the book, “That Son of a Gun Had Sense: Mule Stories From the Bootheel During the 1930’s-1940’s Era.”
Thad Snow Mules: Part 2
This is the second part taken from the book From Missouri An American Farmer Looks Back by Thad Snow. Last week’s column left off after mules were brought in to sale barns where people could come by and look them over. Mules were practically all sold on credit—nothing down-- and one year to pay. Almost anybody could buy a team on those terms. Such generous terms were all right for the dealer, because he sold them unbroken as three or four -year-olds and if the farmer took them out and broke them to work and kept them in good shape they would be worth $50 to $100 more as five year-olds, in case the dealer took them back for non-payment.
Almost always work mules ran loose in the barn lot and were not tied up at all. They did not have stalls as horses commonly had in the North. Usually hay was fed in racks in the sheds of the barn and the corn fed in troughs out in the lot, and most often the mule lot was a big one. There are several reasons for handling and feeding them this way. A mule likes to eat a bit of corn, and move over and eat a bit of hay, then go to the water trough and drink a little water. He thinks this deliberation in his eating and drinking is good for his digestion, and I guess it is. Mules are particular about their toilets and sanitary arrangements. You bring a mule in from work and the minute you take off his harness he flops down and rolls, and curries his hide. If the lot is good and dusty so much the better. The dust absorbs sweat and he shakes it all out of his hair after each roll. He may want to roll a half dozen times during the noon hour. But he must roll on clean ground. He likes it dusty, but it must be clean. So, by common agreement, mules always choose one corner of their lot for their ‘out back.’ They go there every time. This is an admirable thing to do, but it is sometimes amusing to watch a mule solemnly leave his food trough and go to the corner to attend to his business. This gives another mule the same idea, then he walks over, and so on and so on. The whole lot of 20 or 30 mules may go through the routine, one after the other. There is no crowding, no confusion, and no embarrassment. The 298 page Son of a Gun book sells for $24 (includes postage). Mail check to Thiele at POB 884, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902. Ph. 573-300-3085.
Canadian Donkey and Mule Association Canada’s only national registry and association for donkeys and mules. Our quarterly magazine, Canadian Donkey and Mule News, is included with membership and offers news and information for longear enthusiasts across North America and worldwide. Editor: Jan Loeppky-Mackay Email: editor@donkeyandmule.com Annual membership in Canadian funds: Canada: $45 (family $55) USA & foreign: $55 For memberships, send international money order in Canadian funds to
Canadian Livestock Corporation, 2417 Holly Lane, Ottawa, ON K1V 0M7, Canada
Subscriptions now available! (no member benefits) $35 to Canadian addresses, $47 to US addresses.
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Make the Jump Into
ADVERTISING with We can help you connect with mule and donkey owners ∙ Contact: mulesandmore@gmail.com or (573)263-2669 15 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
Nancy Sluys and Jet’s Danny Herlong Conquer the Big Horn 100 Endurance Ride photos and story by Merri Melde
A sudden urge to buy a mule ultimately leads to a rewarding finish in the iconic Big Horn 100 endurance ride
16 • November 2020
Mules and More Magazine
“Riding mules is literally the best thing I’ve ever done for my horsemanship.” - Nancy Sluys Since 1990, Nancy Sluys has ridden more than 6000 NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference) miles, and for the last 17 years, she’s ridden more than 4800 AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) endurance miles, aboard Arabians and Appaloosas. And despite competition and trail riding for 25 years with a dear friend and mentor, Garrie Bates, who rode mules, Sluys, 64, had never even entertained the thought of riding a mule herself. Endurance is a long distance riding sport, covering 25 to 100 miles in a day, and it’s dominated by Arabians. While there have been some very successful mules that have competed in endurance, they are few and far between, making up less than one percent of the registered equines in the sport. “The one time in all those years that I was on the back of a mule was when Garrie carried me out when I had a bad wreck on a four-year-old horse and went headfirst into a tree,” Sluys says. “But that’s it. I knew what their personality on the ground was like, but I never really considered it at the time that I would want a mule.” Four years ago, Bates died. “Three months later I got an overwhelming urge to get a mule, and the next thing you know, I thought about Jody Buttram and her half-Arab mules.” Buttram is a long-time endurance rider from Alabama who’s been breeding a successful line of endurance horses for decades. “When Jody bred these mules, her idea was, ‘I’m going to breed these Tevis mules!’ [The Tevis Cup is one of the toughest 100-mile rides in the country, a Holy Grail for most endurance riders.] They all go back to this Petit Jets Shadow, her ‘Jet’ line. That whole family has multiple 100 milers and lots of two and three thousand mile horses.” Sluys originally inquired about the mare mule April; however, Buttram 17 • November 2020
Nancy and Jet’s Danny Herlong Mules and More Magazine
wasn’t willing to part with her. She pointed Sluys toward ‘little Danny,’ who was lounging in the pasture of endurance rider Danny Herlong. Herlong was unable to ride Danny because he’d had knee surgery, so Sluys talked him out of this 8-year-old mule in September of 2016. When Sluys registered him with AERC, she gave him the name Jet’s Danny Herlong, because he was from Buttram’s Jet line, and because there are a number of good endurance horses with the last name Herlong that folks got from the human Herlong. Sluys sent her new mule to a trainer in January of 2017, and in March, she rode him in the Leatherwood Mountain Challenge 25-mile endurance ride in North Carolina. Later in the year they did the Biltmore 25, also in North Carolina. “We lived through both of them,” Sluys laughs, “but because there were just certain times when I knew that he was doing stuff that I wasn’t familiar with, I knew I needed to know more.” She started taking Danny to Ty Evans clinics. “He’s a wonderful mule trainer, and that’s where I really started clicking with Danny and getting somewhere. I’ve been to probably four or five clinics over the past three years, getting it right!” Virginia’s Old Dominion No Frills was Danny’s first 55-mile endurance ride in April 2018. “We took a wrong turn, so we actually did about 62 miles. And that’s kind of how I knew that he was probably a 100-mile mule,” Sluys says. “I hoped he would be, because he just looked like a million bucks at the end of that ride.” Sluys set her sights on June’s Old Dominion for Danny’s first 100 this year, but the ride was cancelled because of COVID-19. That’s when she decided to capitalize on a longtime dream and venture out West for the first time, to take on the Big Horn 100 in Wyoming on August 1. Sluys lives in Westfield, North Carolina, and also owns property in Cripple Creek, Virginia, and she has not often ven18 • November 2020
tured outside of the Southeast region for rides. No stranger to 100-mile rides (she had completed 13 of her 18 attempts), Sluys knew the reputation of this challenging big-loop hundred through the Big Horn Mountains, where much of the ride is above 8,000 feet over rugged terrain. “I really went into it totally openminded. I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know if I was going to have an embarrassing mule moment or not!” In a great coincidence, for much of the ride, Danny shared the trail with two of his aunts. Joni Burden - Jody Buttram’s daughter - and her friend Laura Marshall rode two mares of the Jet line bred by Buttram, who are sisters to Danny’s dam. The Big Horn threw everything it had at Sluys and Danny: excessive morning heat, which made the climb to the 40-mile vet check near 10,000 feet a slog; a hailstorm in the mountains; boulder fields and slickrock; pure darkness when the moon was obscured by clouds and Sluys’ headlamp ran out of juice. Additionally, after 50 miles, the altitude adversely affected Sluys, though her mule steadily stuck to business, negotiating the tricky footing. “It was a hard ride. It seemed like climbs are a lot longer than the east coast, and of course the Big Horn mountains are bigger and higher. We do a lot of rocky terrain in the east, so the rocks didn’t really bother us. Probably the most challenging footing was the slickrock towards the end. Danny did really well on it. I tried to get off and walk a little bit at first, but I was tired and felt like I was going to twist my ankle, so I got back on my mule.” Sluys wasn’t sure how Danny would handle his first 100 mile big-loop ride, but she needn’t have worried. “It was almost like he got the pattern. He got it that we were going through one vet check and off to another and we were doing a big circle. I could see how his mind was working. And there was no time that I left the vet checks that he
was balky. Even the very last check, he charged out of there.” Danny also seemed to intuitively understand the pace he needed to maintain. Sluys explains, “It seems like when I’m riding my horses, they have their optimum pace, and maybe in a situation where it got to be really high altitude, they’d probably still be going that same pace. And then maybe they’d reach a point where they were like, ‘Oh man, I’m really winded.’ “The mule just figured it out that if he just ramped everything down a few degrees, and he just expended a tiny bit less energy, he could still keep going steady. So when we came into the vet checks, he was cool and recovered, and we didn’t need to spend any extra time pulsing down. And then when the trail started dropping in altitude, I could feel him picking up his pace. When we got back down to the bottom, he pretty much trotted and cantered those last miles back to camp in the dark, which was amazing to me.” The pair finished right at the time limit of 24 hours. “It was the most beautiful ride I’ve ever done. I knew that we were there to enjoy the ride, and experience the Big Horn and everything about it. We had no expectations of being any certain place in the ride. We just wanted to enjoy it to its fullest and I guess we did!” Sluys describes Danny as very strong-minded with a very dynamic personality. “He’s very social and likes to hang out with people. He’s a character. And, he’s like a star - star quality!” Sluys was so sure about her decision to own a mule, that a year after buying Danny, she bought April, Danny’s full sister, who was then available. “I guess I am a mule person! I really am in love with these mules. And for endurance - oh my gosh. They’re just amazing.” Danny taught Sluys a lot, and April is doing the same. “Riding mules is literally the best thing I’ve ever done for my horsemanship. It’s made me be so much more precise in what I ask Mules and More Magazine
and what I want. “Danny was a clean slate. April’s kind of the opposite. I’m kind of undoing some bad habits that she has. She was the one I bought because I thought I’d just be able to get on her and go, but it’s taking me longer to un-train certain things than it did with Danny to begin with.” April started her endurance career last year; Sluys has also used her as a pack mule on a Forest Service project in the backcountry. “Danny, on the other hand, doesn’t pony very well, so I don’t think he’ll be a good candidate for packing. He’s too strong minded to pony.” Right after the Big Horn, Sluys precisely summed up her Big Horn experience: “I was so proud of my mule for finishing what felt like the hardest and most beautiful ride I’ve ever done and bringing me back safely. I knew in my heart what we had done and how great my mule was and I will hold that thought forever in my mind and heart!”
19 • November 2020
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Minnie Pearl and Huckleberry
Caring for Fall and Winter Babies
by Angie J. Mayfield, Loogootee, IN Last year, we had a very hot summer in Indiana. One mare did not come into season and our jennies didn’t take. We finally gave up and turned them out into the pasture, deciding our jack, Thomas Jefferson, could decipher their cycles better than we could. In October, with cooler temperatures and rain falling heavily, our jenny decided it was time. Yes, we look forward to those spring babies, but a fall baby suited us just fine, too. Sadly, the jenny I thought was due first wasn’t pregnant at all. She began leaking fluid and was suddenly much smaller. We checked her and no baby. 20 • November 2020
It was a false pregnancy, and I was so disappointed. But then we confirmed that our older donkey, that always looks pregnant, was in foal. Amazingly, out of two spotted donkeys, a coal black little jack was born last month. Color is always a crap shoot when it comes to mules and donkeys. We arrived home from camping late on a Sunday night and when I went out to feed Minnie Pearl, four sets of eyes met me at the gate, one set much closer to the ground. Wet and woolly, he was the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen. There’s just nothing sweeter than a baby donkey. I named him Huckleberry. Our friends Anthony and Cathy McAllister had one of their jacks escape from his pasture late October
one year, and three of their jennies became pregnant in one day. Sometimes Nature does take its course, accidents happen, or plans are changed, but we love our long-eared babies just the same no matter what time of year they are born. When I posted my September mule baby, Persimmon, a few years back, one “horse” woman on Facebook chastised me for breeding so late and said, “I hope you’re prepared for all kinds of problems.” I wondered if she meant my poor molly missed out on not being exposed to pestering flies, ticks, and mosquitoes for months at a time, or perhaps the fact that the baby missed Fourth of July fireworks? Or perhaps she just didn’t realize that mules and donkeys are hardier than
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horses with a strong self-preservation instinct. We each benefit from different opinions, education, and experiences. However, Mother Nature usually knows best and has the last word. With some common sense, late season babies thrive just as well as spring babies. And we can also dress winter babies up with Santa hats – at least I know that’s one advantage my eccentric long ear sister, Deb Kidwell in Martin, Tenn., is thinking. She loves her late season babies, too, and Lake Nowhere Mule and Donkey Farm’s American Mammoth Jackstock PCF Genesis, Asher, and Simon have been known to produce some real beauties who don’t mind the cold weather at all. Deb said she sees more issues with summer babies than fall and winter babies. We don’t clip our animals, but Deb said another advantage of late babies is that she can wean them in late spring and body clip them at the same time. The greatest benefit of fall and winter babies is not dealing with bugs and extreme heat, which means less chance of infections, dehydration, pestering flies, irritated noses, and thinning hair and bug bites, especially on their hocks, noses, and ears. Huckleberry and Persimmon were born prepared, with a thick, woolly coat. Within a few days, both were nibbling at hay and grain. Huckleberry is enjoying this cool weather, running in circles at top speed through the pasture and rolling in his favorite muddy spot in the corner. For foals born in colder climates or mid-winter, however, there are a few precautions to consider to ensure that winter baby stays happy and healthy. First, in cold climates, never let a mare foal outside. This might sound obvious, but sometimes either by accident or ignorance, one may not realize when the baby is due. My jenny and mare were fine in September, but I also have a mare due in February, so I will stall her at night closer to her due date to be sure the new mule foal doesn’t freeze to death or end up with 21 • November 2020
frostbitten ears in freezing temperatures. The barn doesn’t need to be heated, but shelter and good bedding are important. Drying the foal off will also help. We use wood shavings and/ or straw on the floor and make sure the mare or jenny has plenty of water and good hay in her feeder at all times. Some of my friends have cameras in the barn. My friend Deb goes on foal watch and spends the night with her pregnant jennies. I just check on mine every few hours because a watched pot seems to take longer to boil. Mother Nature takes care of later foals, and they are born with long hair, especially if the mare has been outside. However, if you pamper the mare too much and she has been stalled in a heated barn or under lights, the foal may have smooth hair and take longer to adjust. Mules and donkeys are tough, and a late baby is more rugged in its overall strength, especially if the mama is use to the weather. Spoiling our children too much often has repercussions, and the same goes for our animals. Poor ventilation and confinement can become more of a concern for new foals than cold weather. Foals need fresh air, and ammonia is hard on their lungs. Any barn, no matter how clean, can have ammonia buildup from urine in the stalls. Since ammonia is heavier than air, it rests close to the floor, right where foals spend a lot of time. Breathing in that ammonia can set them up for pneumonia and other respiratory problems. In a heated barn, there can also be moisture buildup, which creates an environment for bacteria to grow. An exhaust fan or barn dryer can help decrease humidity and ventilate the area. No matter how well-ventilated though, nothing beats fresh air. We also ensure our equines have plenty of clean water in the winter. We have a freezeproof, automatic waterer but if I have babies I also have a smaller tub with a floating heater in it so they have warm water they can reach easily.
Foals do need shelter – and wind protection is most important - but they also need exercise. If it isn’t snowing (precipitation can cause a foal to become chilled), or icy and windy out, the mare and foal should be outside in the fresh air during the day. A foal needs exercise and room to roam and play to stimulate those legs and allow bones to grow and muscles to strengthen. The more they’re out, the more acclimated the baby becomes – and it happens very quickly. Our mules, horses, and donkeys like a windbreak from the strong North wind, but they prefer to be outside and go in and out of the barn at their own discretion. We’ve never blanketed them and never stalled one unless it was ill, expecting any day, or had just given birth. Within 24 hours, they are running around exploring the pasture. We need to stop applying human characteristics to our animals. God designed them to roam around in cold weather. We just need to apply some common sense. If it’s going to be zero degrees with a 30 mph winds, a mare and foal certainly need shelter. On a frigid, snowy day - our horses are usually standing in the barn eating and the mules and donkeys are standing outside at the round bale with not a care in the world. Like us, they are individuals with their own preferences and comfort level. So enjoy that woolly winter baby and just smile and wink at the naysayers. It drives them crazy. Happy trails and healthy babies to you! I’ll see you out there. Angie J Mayfield is an author, professor, and lifelong mule owner and rider. She can be contacted at profmayfield@yahoo.com Huckleberry at 3 days old
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photo by The Livestock Conservancy
Count Me In:
The Livestock Conservancy Launches First American Poitou Census The first U.S. Poitou donkey census is currently underway at The Livestock Conservancy. More rare than Black Rhinos and Giant Pandas, it’s estimated only 70 purebred Poitou donkeys are left in America, and fewer than 500 remain throughout the world. Documenting the American population is the first step in developing a successful recovery plan for this critically endangered equine breed. With shaggy coats and affectionate natures, it’s easy to see why Patrick Archer and Christopher Jones of Texas Poitou Donkeys in Grandview, Texas, love this rare breed. “Spend one hour with a Poitou, and you begin to understand why this breed is so special and deserves a future,” Archer said. “They are gentle, affectionate, and somewhat goofy. Foals want to crawl in your lap from day one, and even our intact jacks are calm and gentle.” Archer and Jones own the largest herd of Poitou donkeys in the U.S. and are generously supporting The Livestock Conservancy census. Their love of the breed is contagious, and they 22 • November 2020
hope to find other breeders who are just as passionate about safeguarding this genetic treasure for future generations. The Archer/Jones Poitou Donkey American Census will develop an accurate list of Poitou donkeys in the U.S. based on scientific procedures. Participants will collect a mane or tail hair sample on every animal identified, both purebred and crossbred. DNA testing of the samples will identify lineages and bloodlines, confirm parentage, and determine the genetic health of the American Poitou population. Genetic testing will also allow The Livestock Conservancy to identify introgression, or crossing, with other breeds for individual animals. New genetic markers specific to Poitous and currently in use by Races Mulassières du Poitou (the French Poitou Association) will be key to this process. “For years, we struggled to find other Poitou in the U.S., as well as reliable resources regarding Poitou husbandry,” Archer said. “The census will give us a much better handle on breed
numbers in America. It will be a great starting point to plan for the coming decades using the genetic information collected in the process. We also hope to build a strong coalition of U.S. Poitou owners and work together with The Livestock Conservancy to take an educated approach to future breeding and Poitou husbandry.” The second step in saving Poitou donkeys from extinction is to develop a breed standard. This means translating the French breed standards into English with translation approval from the French Poitou Breed Association. The breed standard defines the phenotype, or observable characteristics, of ideal Poitou animals, and determines the characteristics necessary to establish an American Poitou studbook, inspection criteria, and breed association membership. An ancient French breed, the Poitou was historically valued for large mule production. In the U.S., they were used to develop the giant American Mammoth Jackstock breed, another critically endangered donkey that was partially developed by George Washington, as well as improving other donkey breeds. Poitous are critically endangered in both the U.S. and France. Developed for the specific purpose of breeding with large farm horses called Trait Poitevin Mulassier, Poitou donkeys are both large and tall, with long heads and ears. Poitous stand 1415 hands (56-60 inches) at the withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades) and weigh 750-950 pounds. They have large feet and muscular bodies with heavy bones. Brown or black, without a dorsal stripe, Poitous are most known for their good nature and long hair, which hangs in cords from their entire body. The French Poitou breed standard was developed around 1700, and the modern Poitou studbook was established in 1884. In France, Poitous are referred to as “Baudet du Poitou. Baudet,” which translates to “sire of mules,” and is distinct from the term Mules and More Magazine
“âne” that is common for a donkey. The French mule breeding industry was a highly developed and lucrative enterprise. Poitou jacks were bred to mares to produce mules for both riding and work. While mules were promoted across Europe, the breeding stock was closely held in the Poitou region of France. The breed nearly became extinct after World War II, when the demand for mules collapsed. The next step in the breed recovery plan is to register American Poitous and put them back to work as mule producers. Registered Poitou donkeys promote genetic authenticity and prevent price gouging or opportunistic animal predators. The Livestock Conservancy met with representatives of Races Mulassières du Poitou in the Spring of 2020 and received their endorsement of the American Census. Centralizing U.S. records with an independent and reputable nonprofit organization like The Livestock Conservancy certifies the validity of individual animal documentation for livestock in need of registration in European herdbooks. “We have chosen to work with The Livestock Conservancy because we cannot successfully ensure the U.S.
Poitou survival alone. We are grateful for their expertise in genetics, breed registries, and rare breed husbandry, in addition to their wide reach as a respected organization that preserves and promotes heritage livestock,” Archer said. “We know how amazing this breed is, but to surround yourself with others that share this passion for ensuring U.S. Poitous have a future is exciting and comforting. It is going to take a village to move the needle in a positive direction, and we feel The Livestock Conservancy is the best partner for what we hope to accomplish.” Future steps in the American Poitou breed recovery process include developing a veterinary foal care protocol, documenting the American history of the breed and master breeders, and creating an American Poitou Breed Association. Archer, Jones, and The Livestock Conservancy hope to present the census findings and future conservation strategies at a Poitou Owners Summit in 2021. To participate in The Archer/Jones Poitou Donkey American Census, contact The Livestock Conservancy by email at info@livestockconservancy or by phone at 919-542-5704.
photo by Patrick Archer of Texas Poitou Donkeys
photo by The Livestock Conservancy
23 • November 2020
About the Livestock Conservancy The Livestock Conservancy is America’s leading organization working to protect over 150 heritage breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Included in its mission are: donkeys, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. Founded in 1977, the non-profit is a pioneer organization working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in U.S. livestock. The Livestock Conservancy’s mission is to protect endangered livestock and poultry breeds from extinction. Why is genetic diversity important? Like all ecological systems, agriculture depends on genetic diversity to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Genetic diversity in domestic animals is revealed in distinct breeds, each with different characteristics and uses. Traditional, historic breeds retain essential attributes for survival and self-sufficiency – fertility, foraging ability, longevity, maternal instincts and resistance to disease and parasites. As agriculture changes, this genetic diversity may be needed for a broad range of uses and opportunities. Once lost, genetic diversity is gone forever. What Are Heritage Breeds? Heritage breeds are traditional livestock breeds that were raised by our forefathers. These are the breeds of a bygone era, before industrial agriculture became a mainstream practice. These breeds were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well-adapted to the local environment and they thrived under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different from those found in modern agriculture. Heritage animals once roamed America’s pastoral landscape, but today these breeds are in danger of extinction. Modern agriculture has changed, causing many of these breeds to fall out of favor. Heritage breeds store a wealth of genetic resources that are important for our future and the future of our agricultural food system. Mules and More Magazine
Laurie Wilson and Toby Jack Photo by Jennifer Bishop Photography
Working Equitation The Perfect Hybrid Sport For the Perfect Hybrid Animal by Laurie Wilson
I couldn’t believe that someone had created a sport that combined two of my biggest passions - Dressage and obstacles! I have always said that dressage folks need to play with more obstacles and obstacle folks need to learn some dressage... and everyone could use a little cow work now and then! This is especially true, I believe, in the mule world. These amazing hybrid creatures are often trained with a single focus that does not showcase the true versatility of the breed. Their amazing brain, combined with superior athleticism, makes them the perfect candidate for Working Equitation. Focusing on the Dressage train24 • November 2020
ing pyramid (Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, Collection) helps build an elastic mule with uphill carriage (which all mules could definitely benefit from). Correct obstacle training works directly on targeting the mule’s brain to get specific on where their feet and body are in relation to each obstacle. To put all four feet on a small pedestal or walk across a narrow balance beam, they must be focused on keeping their feet and balance correct at all times. Obstacles give mules and their riders a specific task that requires teamwork to achieve. They must learn patience, like standing still so the rider can open the gate, and bravery to advance through a scary curtain or a water obstacle. When we combine the two training disciplines together, we create the perfect brain and body workout.
So just what is Working Equitation?
The discipline of Working Equitation (WE) was created to celebrate the partnership between an equine and their rider, with a focus on classical horsemanship and use of the equine for ranch work. The aim of the sport is to preserve and perpetuate each country’s type of equitation, as well as the various working equestrian traditions and the tack and attire which each nation brings to the sport. Working Equitation was pioneered by four countries - Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France with the first International competition being held in 1996. In 2004, the World Association for Working Equitation (WAWE) was established to govern the sport internationally.* In the United States, Working Equitation competitions offer five performance levels to accommodate Mules and More Magazine
equines and riders at various stages of training: Introductory, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Masters. Each level has its own dressage test, and in the Ease of Handling/Speed round, gait and obstacle requirements.* All breeds of all ages with western, English, Spanish or other matching tack are welcome. The dressage tests are designed to test the horse and rider, as well as to serve as an aid in training. The movements at each successive level build upon movements of the previous levels and coincide with the type and difficulty of movements expected in the Ease of Handling and Speed trials at the respective levels. In the Ease of Handling Phase (EOH), there are 23 Working Equitation obstacles that may be used in competition in the USA. Not all of the obstacles will be used on every course, and the length of the course will vary depending on the performance level. The Speed trial uses many of the same obstacles in Ease of Handling, but rather than being judged on the quality and smoothness of the performance, the event is timed, with the faster times placing higher. In the cow trial, the objective is for each rider to individually sort, cut, and herd a pre-selected cow from the herd and then as a team herd the selected cow into a designated pen.* Unfortunately, in Georgia where I live, the sport of Working Equitation was pretty much non-existent (despite a couple former failed attempts), so I decided to take the reins and created WEGA (Working Equitation Georgia) a non-profit group whose mission is to promote and grow this amazing sport. Since we launched in 2019, WEGA has hosted a variety of clinics, play days and schooling shows, and we hope to have some rated shows in 2021 in Georgia. In our first schooling show, my mule Toby Jack and I placed first in all three phases (Dressage, EOH, and the speed) and were overall champion in Intermediate A Division. In this division, simple changes are required in both the dressage and EOH trials. The Dressage test introduces collected gaits, as well as the medium trot and medium canter in preparation for the upper levels. Canter is required between obstacles and while performing most obstacles in EOH. Lead changes are only allowed through the walk. Sitting trot is required and you are allowed to use two hands on the reins. Toby Jack and I look forward to attending some recognized competitions at the end of this 25 • November 2020
Julie Sweeten and Solar Eclipse
Shana Kelly and Rafter Boomtown (aka Virgil) Mules and More Magazine
year and in 2021 as everyone continues to recover from the pandemic. In my research regarding mules and Working Equitation, I found three mule owners that have been competing in this awesome sport. Julie Sweeten has been competing on her mule Solar Eclipse since 2017 in the Intro Division. In 2019 they moved up to Novice A. Julie said “It’s not about winning ribbons, it’s about the partnership with your Mule.” Jo Teter has been competing with two mules, Teters Copy of Bandy and Teters Dazzle in Novice A and Novice B. In 2019, Dazzle was Novice B champion at the Confederation National show, and before moving up to Novice B, Bandy was number one on
the National Leader Board at Novice A in 2018. Jo, who has competed in Working Equitation for five years, said “I’ve found it a fun addition to real life work that my mules get to do. I like that the movements used are of real value out in the pasture. I’m no different from a kid, my favorite part is the speed round!” Shana Kelly competes with her mule Rafter Boomtown (aka Virgil). They started in 2019 in the Intro Division, but in 2020 advanced to Novice A and ended up over-all champion/ reserve champion. Virgil has also competed at USDF second level recognized Dressage shows and they are halfway to achieving their bronze medal. Shana explained “I tried work-
ing equitation and found it an absolute blast. Love the atmosphere at the shows. All the competitors have been friendly and supportive.” I highly encourage you to spend some time researching more information about this amazing hybrid sport for your amazing hybrid partner. For more information on Working Equitation, visit weunited.us or confederation.us. If you would like to check out Working Equitation Georgia, you can find us on Facebook. Laurie Wilson is a trainer/clinician in Georgia. www.naturalleadership. biz, Facebook: Mule Academy, Natural Leadership Horse Training. *Source: Weunited.us
Jo Teter and Teters Dazzle 26 • November 2020
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“Mule Power” License Plates 12” by 6” $7.00 Online: mulesandmore.com By phone: (573)263-2669 By mail: Mules and More, PO Box 460, Bland, MO 65014 27 • November 2020
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2020 National Championship Chuckwagon Race Results
photos by Porch Pig Productions
Big Mules Champions Dumb & Dumber, Wilburton, Okla.
Classic Champion B & B Farms, Bryant, Ind. Oklahoma Land Rush Wagon Champion: Say Win, Beebe, Ark. Buckboard Champions Full House (Brad House, Kevin Hill and Herbie Versmells) Benton, Ark. 28 • November 2020
Oklahoma Land Rush Outrider Champion: Dawn Caylor, Bryant, IN Snowy River Race Champion: J. D. Pennington Mules and More Magazine
Mule Race Champion Leslie Ballard, Cabot, Ark.
4 Up Mules Champion S & S Express outrider Janice Sumler
4 Up Mules Champions S & S Express (Kyle and Janice Sumler and Brent James), Benton, Arkansas. S&S Express is pictured above in the lead, followed by Sue’s Pawn and Time Machine. 29 • November 2020
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Bronc Riding Champion Dakota Hrabal
The Wild Bunch Horse & Mule Co., Mark and Jennifer Bailey
The flag drill team at the National Championship Chuckwagon Races is a beautiful tribute to the flag, year after year. It’s a mainstay of the pre-show performance. This year, after one youth had a spill and came out of the saddle, two very interesting things happened. “The hard work and dedication these kids put forth each year is always evident, but it’s even more noticeable when things go wrong,” said the event’s Facebook page in a post containing a video of the show. “Notice how the rider immediately grabs our American Flag from the ground and exits the track. No time to keep Ole Glory in the dirt - an immediate reaction, an immediate response of respect.” The second interesting thing that came from this was that the horse who lost it’s rider finished the drill without the rider and stayed in formation, staying in it’s assigned spot and continuing on with the routine, until it’s rider is returned to finish the performance! 30 • November 2020
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A New Perspective in Clinton, Arkansas by Angie J. Mayfield
2020 has been a tough year on all of us, including equestrian events and those who make their living from them. Mule rides, stock shows, sales, rodeos, and gatherings everywhere were cancelled due to pandemic fears, costing people millions of dollars and broken hearts and dreams. But Dan and Peggy Eoff in Clinton, Ark., fought hard to continue to keep their annual event open, despite obstacles, naysayers and liberal outcry. In the end, they won and the chuckwagon races went on as planned with just as 31 • November 2020
Angie and Goldie
many attendees as always. Only the heavy rainfall caused problems once the week began. I was proud to see all the die-hard fans who showed up to support them and who handled the swollen river and muddy camp with a positive and courageous attitude. When I first started attending the National Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Arkansas in 2015, I planned on it being a one-time bucket list adventure. The wild and western event was notorious for crazy contests and “OMG” spectacles so I had to check it out. Then I started competing and became addicted. In 2019, I won fourth place in the Snowy River endurance race,
the first mule to ever place since the races began in 1986. I was beyond ecstatic, but I was also so exhausted from the three-day brutal competition that I couldn’t enjoy many of the other great attractions at Clinton. This year, I took the time to really explore the full spectrum of activities on the ranch and soak in the awe of this amazing week prior to Labor Day. Many of the campers have been attending for 20-30 years, and this year I realized why. Clinton Chuckwagon Races isn’t just a big cowboy party. It’s a tradition that highlights the rural and western way of life. It’s a celebration of values, bravery, hard-work, and talent. And yes, it’s one of the largest gatherings of equestrians in the US all in one place, a vast ranch owned by Dan and Peggy Eoff. Although the races are Thursday through Sunday, the gates open the Saturday before with activities each day and live entertainment every night. It’s $35 per day for adults and $20 for kids, and since that includes camping and all events, it’s a steal. If regular campers don’t show by Wednesday, anyone can claim their spot, so I wanted to arrive early for shade and a creek. I also wanted to see country legends Collin Ray and Aaron Tippin, who were performing Wednesday night. So I cancelled my classes for the remainder of the week and headed south. After an 9-hour drive, I was exhausted and grateful to run into Jerry Croce of Arkansas on his beautiful blue roan horse as soon as I came in the gate. He said his brother and son weren’t coming this year and Tucker and I were welcome to camp by him, so we followed him to the grassy area past Buffalo Rock along the creek. Jerry’s son ran in the Snowy River Race with me last year, and I still remember when on the third day it was pouring rain and Jerry stood at the starting line and said to his son, “Gonna be a lot of sliding and wrecks today. You may have trouble. But Angie won’t on that mule.” He was right. His son’s horse and two others went down on the hill, Mules and More Magazine
Aaron Tippen and Collin Raye Tucker and Booger
A camper making the most of the mud
Tucker and Booger in the mule race Photo by Porch Pig Productions 32 • November 2020
Sonny trying to get out of racing
but my sure-footed mule didn’t miss a step. Jerry used to rodeo with owner Dan and has been coming to the races and training horses for decades. I brought electric fence this year to set up a corral for the mules, and it made our stay much easier with less hay needed, more content mules, and more sleep without them tied to the trailer. Many people also put up tie lines. This year I also kept the daily schedule of events in my horn bag so I knew what was going on and where. And having friends there with a wagon was also a wonderful change so I could rest my mule some and ride around and visit. However, the river was impassable the first two days due to the rains, so we drove around to the other gate in the truck. Always be prepared with a Plan B! Some people weren’t as smart and had their wagons or animals swept down river. Fortunately, none were badly injured. By Friday though, we were able to ride through the river to the races, which made the event more enjoyable. Collin Raye was incredible. He sounded the same as he did in the 90s. Tippin’s voice didn’t weather as well, but they sat together on the stage, entertaining the crowd and playing all of their old hits. They even signed Tucker’s cowboy hat after the show. He was thrilled. We didn’t go to the other concerts. We enjoyed a more personal concert sitting around the campfire with Tucker playing the banjo and singing for us. Tucker also competed in goat roping and the mule race. His 32-year-old mule Booger tried her best for him, finishing in seventh place. Tucker was just happy not to be last. Sonny took off without me the first day, but we did well on Saturday. Tuck and I both agreed we need some younger, faster mules next year – that aren’t so buddy sour. I’m getting too old to run the track without a mount! Most people go to Clinton for the races, but it’s a scenic area with great riding on the ranch as well. We took part in the wagon ride and trail ride this year for the first time and saw Mules and More Magazine
some beautiful country. Then, across the road from Buffalo Rock is a short ride to an old family cemetery that includes headstones of a father and two brothers who died in the Civil War, as well as a female relative who lived to be 106. When Dan bought the property, he created an access road for the family to visit. Jerry Cruce said, “That’s just the kind of person Dan is. He’s the real deal.” To organize an event of the magnitude of the chuckwagon races requires patience, tolerance, attention to details, and a whole lot of help. We also attended Loren Basham’s mule clinic, the pasture roping, and the horse/mule pull on Friday and Saturday. It was awesome seeing mules do so well in the roping event, and we met some hard-working teams with loads of heart at the pull. There were at least 20 other events I hoped to attend, but there wasn’t time or energy for it all. We did take time to drive the few minutes into Clinton and eat a good steak at the Sizzler and visit the Bar of Western Store, where Tucker picked out a new western shirt and got a kick out of the mounts, including four stuffed raccoons playing poker. I saw a whole showroom of gorgeous western furniture I want someday. It was a fun trip and more relaxed and less stressful than trying to coordinate several races each day. Some of the racers have been competing for 20-plus years, so it tells you we’re never too old, and there’s a sense of self-worth and kinship we feel by
Tucker and Jerry Cruce crossing river 33 • November 2020
participating. We all need to feel good about ourselves, and some of us are appreciated more by our animals and our audiences than by our own family. Tucker is fortunate to have both. The greatest thrill for my youngest at these events, however, is visiting with old friends we haven’t seen in a long time and meeting some new ones. By day two, 11-year-old Tucker was smitten with a freckle-faced Arkansas barrel racer and they were off swimming in the creek, riding around camp, perusing the vendor booths, or headed to concerts – without me. I was reminded he’ll be grown up before I know it. He even bought her a knife, so I guess it’s as serious as a long distance relationship can be at age 11. But through Isabel, we met the whole Craig family, plus the Bowdens and the Burches, creating lifelong friendships that will endure even if the cute pre-adolescent couple doesn’t. There are so many wonderful people who attend these events and who, just like us, are passionate about riding, equines, America, rural living, and just having fun and making the most out of what you have. It gives a person a whole new perspective on what’s important in life. Happy Trails! I’ll see you out there. Angie J. Mayfield is an author, professor, and lifelong mule rider. She has ridden mules in all 50 states and 6 countries and logged more than 10,000 trail miles since 1999. For questions or to tell her about your favorite events and trail riding destinations, email her at Profmayfield@ vinu.edu
Crossing the Little Red River
Civil War cemetery on Bar of Ranch’s property
A team waits for their turn to pull
Tucker playing cards with some shady characters at the Western Store in Clinton Mules and More Magazine
Mule Crossing: Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Part 1 by Meredith Hodges I first saw Rock and Roll at the National Western Stock Show in January of 2010. The two Belgian draft mules looked enormous in the 12' by 12' stalls in the holding area. They had been rescued from slaughter at an auction in Kiowa by my two friends, Fran and Larry Howe, owners of the Bitterroot Mule Company in Bennett, Colo. My friends explained why they couldn’t resist trying to help the two draft mules. They were the largest mules any of us had ever seen. Roll was supposedly 16-years-old at 17-1/2 hands and Rock supposedly 17-yearsold at 18 hands. Both mules were severely underweight. Rock had recently been treated for abscesses, which required the removal of two molars. The two draft mules stood quietly, seemingly unaffected, as we stared in total amazement. A rescue attempt was certainly worth trying. In August of 2010, I saw Roll again at the Larimer County Fair. Larry drove him in the Single Hitch classes and, when I was able to speak to him, he and Fran told me Rock could not come to the show. He had come up 34 • November 2020
lame. Roll had put on weight and was looking better than he had looked in January however, he still appeared to be stressed. Longears have been known to die from depression, so one of my main concerns was if Rock died, Roll could become depressed and might not live very long. Fran and Larry decided that this rescue was more than they could handle and asked if I would be interested in taking the pair. I agreed, and after we had quickly made a suitable space for them, Rock and Roll were delivered to the Lucky Three Ranch on December 5th, 2010. One look at the way Rock was moving and we knew this was going to be difficult at best. Rock and Roll were obedient, but suspicious animals. Their eyes lacked expression and were cloudy in spots, and their coats were oily and dull, something that is not apparent in photographs. Their hooves looked irregularly trimmed and out of balance, with prevalent stress rings on all four feet of each mule. They had clearly been foundered more than once and their bodies were riddled with scar tissue.
Roll listed to the right and walked with a twist to the right hind foot. Rock had to lift and swing his right hind leg to the side in order to walk forward. The leg appeared calcified and restricted in every joint. Neither mule could freely reach forward through the shoulders and hips, nor place each foot in a regular rhythmic fashion. There was muscle atrophy throughout their bodies, and their bellies hung from the spine, with no apparent musculature in the abdomen or over the top line. There was hope for some recovery with Roll, but when my well-respected equine masseuse, Joanne Lang, C.M.T. and I assessed Rock, we knew there would be limitations as to what could be done for him. We both knew we might be setting ourselves up for a broken heart, but for Roll’s sake, we agreed to try to make Rock comfortable for as long as we could. Before beginning therapy, Joanne and I gathered all the information we could on Rock and Roll. This was not an easy task, as there were no registration or health papers, only the information that Bitterroot Mule Company could provide. The pair was not eating very well, and by the way he was turning his nose up at the feed, I suspected Rock might even have ulcers. Fran Mules and More Magazine
and Larry told me what they had fed the mules. I promptly took them both off the feed that would clearly be, in my experience, too rich for them and put them on our standard equine diet. Because both mules were branded, we were able to identify the brands as coming from the Hunt Limousine Cattle Ranch in Elizabeth, Colorado. We later discovered that the Hunt Limousine Cattle Ranch had obtained Rock and Roll when they were just three years old from an Amish Family in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Both Rock and Roll were out of sister Belgian mares, and by the same jack. Rock and Roll mostly pulled a wagon for birthday parties for 6 yr olds at the ranch. They also pulled the wagon for a nearby church so they could sing Christmas carols in the towns of Elizabeth and Kiowa, Colorado, and were also used to pull Grand Marshalls and other dignitaries in local parades. Rock and Roll, along with two other teams were well taken care of and loved deeply by the family who cared for the ranch. A ranch wife to one of the hands took the responsibility of scheduling routine farrier appointments and vaccinations for them and ten other ranch horses. Unfortunately the ranch was eventually in a position in 2002 when they had to be sold. The family who cared for them was “heart broke and sad.” At that point, they were healthy and weighed 2,500 pounds each. What happened afterwards is still a mystery, but one thing was tragically clear—they were overworked, out of good posture and not properly fed. Many people just don’t realize that even big draft mules need the benefit of a healthy diet and a specialized exercise program, especially before starting work in harness. Within days after changing their feed to our crimped oats mix with Sho Glo, Mazola corn oil and grass hay only, the two mules’ appetites improved. There was a drastic change in their coats and their eyes began to come alive. We gave them a small turnout area just off their runs and 35 • November 2020
along the county road, so they could watch the people going by and the cattle grazing on the other side. Rock would go into the corner of the pasture and just stand and stare for hours, not moving until he was called back in. I noticed that Rock did not lie down or roll, but considering how neglected they had been, this didn’t really surprise me. Because of the muscle atrophy in his right hip, we decided that we should get started with Rock immediately. So, the very afternoon they were delivered, Rock got his first massage. He was tolerant of the massage, but we soon discovered that touching his face was out of the question. Both mules would shy away if anyone so much as raised a hand or made any small abrupt movement in their presence. We also noticed that Rock had a perpetual and distinctive worried “V” in his eyebrows over both eyes. A health check with our veterinarian was scheduled and we continued equine chiropractic, using the same equine chiropractor that was used when Fran and Larry first got Rock and Roll. After a couple of months of chiropractics, regular farrier and vet visits with massage and physical therapy done on a weekly basis, Rock was finally able to get down on his left side and roll. He and Roll then began to play! Our farrier Dean Geesen came out to the Lucky Three and gave both mules their first official trims. Our support team agreed that it would be a long time before their feet would begin to look normal. During a farrier visit in March, we discovered that Rock had two old abscesses in his left front hoof. Dean was guarded about whether or not Rock’s hooves would ever be okay again. But Rock was a real trooper and although it was very difficult for him, he managed to yield all four feet when asked. When our veterinarian Greg Farrand checked his eyes, he found cloudiness and thickening over the corneas. He was put on a regimen of eye drops three times a day to stave off chronic abrasion of the eye. Within days, Rock
was chasing bunnies around the small turnout pasture—no more standing in the corner! Greg also did a walking palpation to see if he could determine what was causing the lameness in Rock’s right hip. He thought he felt a fracture on the face of the pelvis, but there was no way to really tell exactly what was going on. To find out for certain, Rock would have to be taken to Colorado State University, sedated and turned upside down in order for any necessary radiograms or ultrasound tests to be performed. We all agreed that this process would be far too traumatic for him. We opted to just be very careful and not to do any manual range-of-motion movements on that leg for fear of making it worse. Instead, I discovered a way to have Rock do range-of-motion exercises on his own during physical therapy and my adjustments worked well. Rock and Roll continued to improve. Roll even graduated from the leading core muscle exercises to the round pen core muscle exercises. Rock and Roll began to play and argue with each other. The pair seemed to be gaining strength and proprioception (body awareness), and both seemed to be feeling much better overall. After a very short time, both mules complied—on verbal commands alone—to correct their own balance and square up at every halt… because it felt good! In mid-March, we had Rock’s feet x-rayed and it was found that there was 45 degrees of rotation in both hind feet. There was no rotation in front, although the front feet did have multiple stress rings, collapse of the hoof wall and were starting to exhibit seedy toes. Rock couldn’t stand on the four-inch blocks the vet used to x-ray him, so we made do with a couple of two-by–four boards. Even when the farrier worked on him, we would have to put Rock’s rear feet on an equine jack stand to trim him. After learning to successfully execute his balancing pattern during physical therapy, we noticed that the soles of Rock’s feet were beginning to wear away. When Mules and More Magazine
the x-rays came back, they showed that only a quarter of an inch of sole was left on the bottoms of each of his rotating hind feet. We then immediately got shoes on those back feet! We began a regimen of Thrush Buster and Rainmaker hoof dressing by Farnam on both mules’ hooves in order to help the hooves to begin to grow back in a healthy way. By April, Rock had grown three-eighths of an inch more sole on his hind feet and was actually trotting over his ground poles! Now that Rock was feeling better, the worried “V” over his eyes began to disappear. He was actually getting up and lying down, but due to the diffi-
36 • November 2020
culty he had, he began to get sores on his hocks that needed to be wrapped and tended with Panalog ointment. Although the sores were obviously very painful, Rock allowed me to wrap them and doctor them with little complaint. Once wrapped, he happily munched his oats reward for his stellar behavior and gently placed his forehead on my chest in a clear gesture of gratitude. In Part 2 of Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Rock’s roller-coaster progress of victories and set-backs continues, as Roll slowly comes out of his shell and learns to trust us and— even more importantly—himself. Our
regimen of compassion, patience and therapy goes on as Rock and Roll touch everyone’s soul by proving that they are ready and willing to give it everything they’ve got, right from their hearts. To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive allbreed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. © 2012, 2016, 2020 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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THE AMERICAN BEAGLER MAGAZINE – The Magazine Ahead of the Pack: Published monthly for Beagle owners and gundog enthusiasts as well as upcoming trials and results for competition hunters. The American Beagler is $24.00 for one year, $44.00 for two years, and $66.00 for three years. You may order the magazine on our website: www.theamericanbeagler. com with paypal, call 573-859-6866 with a debit or credit card, or mail your payment to: The American Beagler, PO Box 957, Belle, MO 65013. Find us on Facebook. WE WANT YOU IN THE PACK! tfn
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Joe and Ruby’s Big Adventure by Chris Pifer
It all started with a phone call in June from Joe McGougan, a retired mortgage banker from South Carolina. Joe had received my contact information from a mutual friend who told him that I had been blessed with four good riding and pack mules (Ruby, Annie, Cotton and Katie). He was wondering if I would be willing to take him to the mountains for a backcountry elk hunt. Obviously, my first question was, “Do you have any experience riding mules?” He replied that he had never ridden a mule, but was fascinated with the idea of doing so on a true back country elk hunt, despite the fact that he already had a cushy hunting place he could go with a much higher likelihood of harvesting an elk on private ground and sleeping in a warm bed. Although we had never met, it was clear to me he was willing to do whatever it took to make this elk hunt happen. Having been to the mountains many times elk hunting, I was leery of going unprepared. When I hung up the phone, I found myself neck deep in preparation for an exploratory trip to Colorado three weeks later to look for good hunting ground for November’s hunt. Before I knew it, Joe was standing in my central Missouri driveway after a 14-hour drive, grinning ear to ear and brimming with excitement. Thirty minutes later, the mules and gear were loaded in the trailer and we are off to Colorado, jamming out to Marty Robbins’s “Big Iron,” my lucky song I always listen to when I leave the house for the mountains. Eight minutes later, the rear axle broke on my trailer and we blew a tire. Joe took the whole thing in stride, looked over at me and said, “So much for your lucky song.” I explained to him it was a lucky song because we broke down just a 40 • November 2020
Crickett Scheerer showing Ruby and Annie where to go on the trails
few miles from home instead of in the middle of western Kansas. Twenty minutes later, I was on my way to Rick and Marge Tremplemire’s to pull out a last second favor of borrowing a trailer, and their generosity was much appreciated! Eighty minutes later, we had swapped over all of the gear from the broken trailer to theirs and were jamming out to Marty Robbins’s, “Big Iron” once again. By the time we had crossed Kansas, we had covered nearly every subject you can imagine,
and Joe became well-acquainted with classic country music. The first morning at the trailhead near Cimarron, Colo., the weather was perfect for Joe’s first tutorial on how to saddle mules. He was eager to learn and soaked up the information like a sponge. As Joe was swinging his leg over Annie, the most solid mountain mule I have ever been around, I remember thinking, “This guy’s in for an adventure of a lifetime!” and how grateful I was to have the opportunity Mules and More Magazine
to introduce him to the joys of seeing the mountains looking through the ears of a mule. When we set out on the trail, I spent the first 30 minutes trying to rein back my three-year-old molly mule Ruby, who was full of spit and vinegar. She is what you call a ‘forward moving mule,’ and gaited to boot! After a while on the trail, we found ourselves in a sea of downed timber, stopping approximately every 100 yards to cut our way down the trail or get off to jump the four mules over whatever fallen timber we could jump without having to cut. We sure enough put some miles on my Wyoming handsaw, though! This process went on for the next six hours until we made our way up above the tree line, and then another three hours back down the other side to the stream below. It was a real baptism by fire for both Ruby and Joe! Annie, Cotton, and Katie were no worse for the wear; they’re “been there, done that” kind of mules. The next morning, as the sun was coming up and the dew was lifting, we spotted a small group of elk grazing 250 yards from our tents. What a beautiful way to start the day! Although the day before had proven to be quite challenging, Joe was no worse for the wear, with the exception that he was little sore, and it looked like someone had taken a blowtorch to his lips. The combination of wind and sun scorched his lips to the point of being cracked, swollen, and blistered, but he remained positive and undeterred. Ruby, on the other hand, had woken up to a sea of giant granite rocks all over the valley floor. She was quite certain these rocks were all mule eaters out to get her and she was wired for sound. While she and I were working through the imaginary mule eaters, I called on Joe to lead the pack mules. Without hesitation, he was eager to give it a whirl, so we dollied the lead rope around the Erickson saddle horn under Joe and off we went. Joe channeled his inner cowboy and did an amazing job! We never had a single wreck. After about an hour, I'm 41 • November 2020
pretty sure his chest had pumped up to twice its normal size! A few days later, Joe and I were at another trailhead heading out to look at some new country when we ran into a young lady hiking down the trail and carrying a pair of cowboy boots with spurs attached on her backpack. Cricket Scheerer, a wilderness ranger in the Ouray district of the United States Forestry Service and a bona fide, dyed-in-the-wool mule lover, was on her way to pick up a string of packhorses to pack out gear from the forestry crews that were working on clearing the trails. We talked for over 20 minutes about our mules and our mule adventures. She also helped us get acquainted with that area. Next thing you know, she pulls out a map and starts showing the mules where to take us. Turns out Cricket speaks mule! After picking out a few spots for the November hunt, Joe and I loaded up the mules and gear and headed back to God’s country (central Missouri) with a decent hunting plan for November, some good training for my new mule, Ruby, and what is sure to be a lifelong friendship with Joe. I'd like to give a special thanks to Freeman Law for selling me two of the best mules I have ever swung a leg over! You're a good friend, brother, and I love you!
Joe McGougan riding Annie and leading Katie and Cotton in Colorado
Freeman Law with Ruby at Shelbyville, Tenn.
Crickett and Chris with Ruby and Annie
Mules and More Magazine
Granny’s Adventure Continues
Fall, Flu, Fire, & Foals by Anna Arnold As we welcome in Autumn, I am hoping the coronavirus is starting to get under control. My adventures for the last few months have been pretty sad, just going out to the barn to feed the animals and make sure the little hummingbirds, bees, and such, have their juice filled. I’m doing good but I sure miss my adventures! My chickens have been coming out of their hiding places with little ‘chicken nuggets’ by their side. I love to watch the old hens fuss at the others when they get close to the babies. I have two rather large flocks. I call the ones out in front the ‘UpFronters,’ who consists of three roosters and quite a number of hens. I whistle when I take the chicken feed and food scraps out for them. Some of them are still nesting in the big pepper tree just outside my bedroom window. The roosters are quite the alarm clock. Their first calls lets the mules and donkeys know I'm up, and then they start calling for me to come feed them. My ‘OutBack’ flock, as well as my mules and donkeys, all get fed, cleaned, and all the waters checked. And so my day begins. I don't have but a few visitors as I am being as safe as I can. But once in a while, I do like to talk to a real person. I told my friends and family I was going to put a paper plate out on my gate with a note saying “STOP AND TALK TO THIS OLD WOMAN.” I have good neighbors who wave and bring me my mail. My daughter Julie and my friend Karen Frank do my shopping and errands. I sure do miss that simple stuff and I hate to rely so much on others. If I do go out to the feed store, I call in my order and they bring it out to my truck... but then I have to unload it back home. I do have my 20 bales of hay delivered and 42 • November 2020
stacked though, which lasts me about a month. I see the chuckwagon races and barrel races still happened, but without me. I love that some of us can still get out and play in areas that don't crowd people in. And most of all, I missed all my mule friends that I see at these events. Linda McAdoo received her 30 year participation award at Clinton. Another great lady, Helen Hicks missed the races, she was spending time in the hospital. Helen is now thankfully recovering at home, though. And most of all, I miss my buddies and Mules and More readers at Bishop. Speaking of Bishop, one of the things the crowd comes to see are the packing and wagon events. This year, our packers were busy removing animals from the huge fires that have been burning for weeks through that whole area. They do so much work behind the scenes and get very little recognition. But all of them, and all the animals they use, are heroes through and through. Here on the West Coast, we have been on fire from Mexico to Washington. Restrictions on logging and grazing combined with years of drought have left our forests open for big fires. We must put people in charge of our land who are capable of managing and balancing all of the public lands, not just protecting trees. What we’ve been doing sure isn’t working. I could fill pages of what I think of the people who have no idea of what it takes to preserve our lands along with our freedoms. Back to our men and women who work for packing outfits, along with all the animals they use. I have talked to several of them about what they do when a fire breaks out in their areas. Mules have been used long before the forest service began, helping with construction, packing equipment and fire-fighting. These people and their animals are grabbed up when firefighting begins and are used for many, many things. They don’t even know
what they’re headed for, but they head in, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Yes, they are heroes. Michael Morse and Lee Roeser are well-known and long-time packers in the Eastern Sierras who regularly respond with their crews and their animals whenever needed. Most of the areas they work in can only be accessed by foot so they pack in whatever resources firefighters need, like fire hoses, health supplies or other materials for firefighters. The mules are able to get in where no machinery can. They work 12-hour days, moving up to 20 miles, tirelessly, day after day. Another packer friend, Trent Peterson, does the same, packing bags and loading mules to get in where helicopters can’t. He says technology can have it’s place, but nothing beats a string of mules. I think he’s right. Sometimes to move forward, you have to move back. The old ways are sometimes the most reliable. Trent and his crews have been packing in wrap for ranger stations and cabins in the backcountry, risking their lives to protect camps and buildings and support firefighters. There are just not enough words to thank these unsung heroes. I’ve heard so many heroic stories. There are so many stories of saved properties, saved animals and rescues that seemed impossible. There was even a UPS driver who filled his truck with people and animals just to get them to safety when there was no other way out. Thank you to all the great men and women who work these fires, to the packers and animals who bring in supplies where others just can't get to, and to the everyday people who help their neighbors and find ways to get the job done and keep people, animals and property safe. How they find ways out and get hikers and campers out to safety is beyond me. I hope by the time this goes to press these horrible fires are under control and we can all find a safe way to get through this virus. Pray to God we don't lose any more friends, family, land, homes and Mules and More Magazine
Packers bringing supplies to firefighters on the front lines and packing wrap to cover historic ranger stations and cow camp cabins. “Technology can have it’s place, but nothing can beat a string of mules. Sometimes to move forward, you have to move back.” These amazing photos are by Trent Peterson. Find more at ‘The Wild In Us’ on Facebook
animals. Protect our firefighters, please bring each and every one of them home safely. In the month of October, we had two full moons. The second one, a rarity, is called the Blue Moon, hence the saying, ‘once in a blue moon.’ This saying seems to apply to an ongoing conversation about molly mules that can actually foal, and that the fact that some mollies, and I would guess hinnies, are actually fertile, not infertile like so many people believe. For any foal to go full term, everything has to go just right, and the mule/horse/donkey chromosome thing can work, but there are still lots of other things that have to happen right to get a live mule foal. A really smart friend of mine, Dr. Amy McLean, does some great work with our long ears. Despite long held beliefs that mules cannot have foals, it does occasionally happen. She shared 43 • November 2020
that the reason they don’t normally carry foals is because the eggs (or ovum) usually don’t mature due mostly to the chromosome numbers, but it does happen. Most mules and hinnies that have had foals were bred by jacks, so the offspring is actually 3/4 donkey and 1/4 horse. But it is possible, and there are more stories all the time about this happening. I have heard of several over the years, and I did actually see one that proved to me that, in fact, mollies can produce foals. And lately another Facebook post showed an example of this. The one I witnessed personally was a foal with her mule mother right after its birth. I had the owner take the mule and baby to Bishop Mule Days and he took them in the parade. We later went over to the UC-Davis stables, thinking they would really be interested in them, but as it turned out, they talked to the owner and mostly
dismissed it. Now, maybe because of the internet, we hear more and more stories of mollies having foals. Another interesting thing I was told about them was that these foals do not look like a mule - a mule doesn't have a mule foal, but instead, the foal resembles what she was bred to, a horse or donkey. I’m looking for adventures anywhere I can get to and still be safe. Until I can see you again, take care of each other and support those that support us. Support the unsung heroes and everyday people who work their rear ends ends off to keep us safe. We are all Americans living in one big, fine ol’ country. Let’s be proud of that and come together instead of finding reasons to split up. So when we get to that next event, watch for me. I’m the granny with a big hat, a fine mule and nice red boots. Mules and More Magazine
Stop That! by Jerry Tindell
I just returned home from a 5-day ride with about 90 head of horses and mules. There was everything from beginners to seasoned riders on personal and rented stock. We had a great time, and all went smoothly, but I did notice some things that were unsafe and seemed to be very common among the riders and their stock. The biggest concerns that I saw and the most easily missed by both the green and seasoned handlers is the herd bound behaviors that the stock showed. Although these are natural behaviors for mules, horses, and donkeys, they can become unsafe when the human is involved. In their natural environment, herd bound behaviors are essential to mules, horses, and donkey’s survival. They feel comfort and safety from the herd. They can become unsure and distracted when they are away from the herd. It is easy for them to become afraid, concerned, or lonesome when they do not have the comfort of the herd. They also learn to protect themselves in the herd. They use their non-spoken language to communicate with each other. Pinning their ears, kicking, biting, and chasing each other - moving their feet - from the herd are all forms of communication in their natural environment. But when the human is put into the equation, and now the animal is in the human’s world, they can no longer act on their natural tendencies when they are in a herd setting, like a group ride. This natural behavior for our animal is something that we must always be aware of. We must learn how to control and stop our stock from acting on these natural tendencies. Mounting and dismounting, for example, can be one of the most dangerous situations for the human. We all have seen or heard about someone getting dumped or dragged 44 • November 2020
as they are trying to mount or dismount. Their animal takes off before they are ready because they are trying to catch up to their buddy or they just feel like they are getting left behind. When they are fearful of being left behind, they become dangerous to the human. I want my animal to stay put when I get on. I do not want them to walk off or move around in circles. I want them to be completely still and wait for me to get on and for me to ask them to leave. I know that all sounds simple, but it can be difficult for the human to do. We need to learn how to “Stop That!” to stop them, and I mean dead-in-their-trackswhoa! Don’t take another step. I also don’t want them to be continually searching or needing to be with the group. I don’t want them to be walking purposely to their buddies or long-lost love that they met on the trail five minutes ago. I need them to be able to ride by themselves in a group. I need to be able to “Stop That!” negative behavior. Here is another natural herd bound behavior that will get you in big trouble on a group ride: when your animal wants to be with the group so bad that they don’t listen to the bit or move off your leg, and they run you up the backside of another animal and you get kicked. You need to be aware of the pinning of the ears, on your animal and the others in the group. You need to be aware of the stock that bite or kick. You need to “Stop That!” negative behavior. And know that these things will lead to other problems down the trail, literally and figuratively. It is so important to understand our stock’s natural behaviors and tendencies within the herd. We need to be able to understand them, so we can help them not need the comfort of the herd. We need them to find comfort in us. We need to become the herd and “Stop That!” negative behavior. I want my stock to stop when I ask, go when I ask, keep their focus centered, quit moving their head left and right, stay between my legs and stay with me at all time! I am trying to be more aware today where my animal is and be aware of where they are going. I want them to stand still, follow direction, move forward, move back, move left, move right, give to the bit, have a soft body and mind, lick their lips and sigh. And to do all this, we need to practice and get better every time we ride. We need to stop those negative behaviors today. We need to be early and active. We need to “Stop That!” before it is too late. There is a lot of good information out there today on Mule/Horsemanship, so there is no excuse for us to get better. Please feel free to call me at (760)403-3922 or email info@jerrytindell.com if you have any questions. I’d be happy to help anyway I can. Be very observant, remember and compare. Always enjoy spending time with your mule, horse, or donkey. Where else could you go and have more fun! Stay safe. Mules and More Magazine
Calendar of Events...
October 28-30 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Huntington, UT (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com (see back cover) October 29-November 1 Boyd Ranch “October Fest” Mule Ride, Wickenburg, AZ www.boydranch.org beckyridesamule@gmail.com October 30-November 1 Donkey Welfare Symposium, UC Davis, Davis, Calif. October 30-November 1 Gold Country Mule and Donkey Show II, Lincoln, Calif. October 31 - Halloween Boo Bash, Von Holten Ranch, Mora, MO www.vonholtenranch.com November 1-7 - Mule Days at East Fork Stables, Jamestown, TN www.eastforkstables.com (931)879-1176 November 7 - Tindell’s Horse and Mule School Ranch Workshop: Open, Oak Hills, CA (877) 820-0233, https:// jerrytindell.com/ November 14 - Reese Bros. Tennessee Mule Sale, Westmoreland, Tenn. (615)452-2544 or www. reesemules.com (see page 7) November 12-15 - Equine Affaire Virtual Event equineaffaire.com (740) 845-0085 November 14 - Tindell’s Horse and Mule School Ranch Workshop: Open, Oak Hills, CA (877) 820-0233, https:// jerrytindell.com/ November 14-15 Camp Creek Ranch Mule Classic, Mariposa, Calif. November 29-December 6 - Caney Mountain Winter Mule Ride, Big Flat, Arkansas, 870-688-1047, www. caneymountain.com December 5-6 - Tindell’s Horse and Mule School Ranch Workshop: Cow Working Clinic, Oak Hills, CA (877) 820-0233, https://jerrytindell.com/
2021
January 3 - Advertising Deadline for the Jack Issue of Mules and More (573)263-2669 mulesandmore@gmail. com January 6 - Carter & Higgins Spring Round Up Draft Horse & Draft Mule Sale, Hopkinsville, Ky. (931)561-4519 (270)726-0991(see page 5) January 8 - Reese Bros. Tennessee Mule Sale Traditional Colt Sale, Westmoreland, Tenn. (615)452-2544 or www. reesemules.com (see page 7) January 28-30 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Fort Pierce, FL (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com (see back cover) February 4-6 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Winnie, TX (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com (see back cover) February 11-13 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Sahuarita, AZ (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com (see back cover) February 17-20 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Cave Creek, AZ (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com February 24-27 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Sedona, AZ (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com March 5-7 - Equifest of Kansas, Salina KS https://www. facebook.com/Equifestofks/ March 9-11 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Wickenburg, AZ (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com March 13 - Reese Bros. Tennessee Annual Riding Mule Sale, Westmoreland, Tenn. (615)452-2544 or www (see page 7).reesemules.com March 31- April 2 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Huntington, UT (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com April 6-7 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic, Salmon, ID (801)598-7465 www.tsmules.com April 16-18 Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic at Midwest Horse Fair, Madison, WI (801)598-7465 www.tsmules. com
Want to see your event listed in Mules and More’s Calendar of Events? It’s an easy and free way to get the word out about your upcoming event! To submit your event information, fill out the form at mulesandmore.com/calendar-of-events or call us at (573)263-2669 We will include your event in our Calendar of Events in the print and digital edition of the magazine and online for FREE. The earlier you submit your event, the better.
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The Old and the New by Chief Noel Stasiak U.S. Navy Seabees, Ret.
I attended the Boone County Draft Horse and Mule Sale in Sedalia, Mo., in September. It was refreshing to see so many young people involved in all it’s activities, but I also relished talking to the old timers that make up the foundation of this great hobby, business and past time. The weather was a little damp with some rain off and on, but it didn’t dampen any spirits. Enthusiasm was as high as ever. The attendance may have been slightly off because of the invisible demon that lurks amongst us, but the people that did attend were in the mood for their fall fix of mules and other equines. To me, no matter how I feel - happy or depressed, sick or well - when I first get sight of the mules, donkeys and horses, all my negative feelings seem to drift away. I love just being around these impressive animals. I decided to start making donkey milk soap about a year ago and had plans to sell my products at mule festivals and mule sales. Since things have 46 • November 2020
been shut down for a while, this was only my second time setting up my wares. I was so surprised when people who had bought soap from me in the spring came up to my table. They all had good things to say and wanted to buy more. I also sell Mules and More subscriptions at my table, so there is always somebody wanting to chew the fat and talk. It’s a fun way to pass the time, meet old friends and make new ones. I was fortunate to be able to set up next to Ron Richards and his wife Mary, who I met at the last Boone County sale. They sell harnesses, tack and hardware, and they know just about everybody in the mule industry. He’s the go-to guy if you have any questions about mules and their tack, or if you want to just have some friendly conversation. Mary is a good listener and much easier on the eyes than Ron. Erwin Henson purchased a subscription from me. Erwin was born and raised in Texas and now lives in Gravois Mills, Mo. He’s the person everybody calls when something breaks or goes awry at the sale (I don’t know what his official title is).
He’s the one that makes everything run smoothly, whether it’s to do with the stalls, the arena, or the outside grounds. He’s been the fix-it man for about nine years. He also raises spotted draft horses and is getting into spotted mules. He has a hay business there and a carriage company. He was in the excavating business for 20 years and at one time was a bull rider for five years until he got hurt. He certainly is an interesting guy and a great organizer. When you look around the arena, the staging outside, all the activity that’s taking place at once; it’s because of his expertise that things run like clockwork. I think he should get a raise. I got to meet Arnold from Gentry, Ark., who spoke with me about the National Championship Chuckwagon Races in Clinton, Ark. I was there the year before and did a story about the wild and crazy times they have there. He was there for the most recent races and was telling me about all the rain they had that made the creek rise and how he watched a women attempt to cross the creek with her wagon and pony and got swept away with the current. Some heroic cowboy lassoed the pony and pulled them to shore as the pony was bobbing in the water and actually went totally under water several times. He said it was quite dramatic, with people running in all directions trying to help. The experience left both lady and pony a little shaken, to say the least, but the crazy part is that after all the excitement was over, another man, wagon, horse tried the same thing... and you guessed it, they went floating down the creek, too. Fortunately, they made it across but things were pretty hectic with people yelling and shouting. Arnold said the horses ingested a lot of water and were given a shot of penicillin, but were otherwise unharmed, thank goodness. Maybe the people at the sale just seemed younger because I’m older, but it was refreshing to see young people taking an interest in our passion. I met Anna and her mother CaroMules and More Magazine
lyn Haselhuhn from Stockton, Mo., when they purchased a subscription and I couldn’t help but be impressed at Anna’s excitement and enthusiasm after they won the highest bid on a young Mammoth donkey. They plan to breed and I could tell by the sparkle in her eye she couldn’t be happier. I’m sure her and her donkey will be part of the future of this equine pursuit we all love. Speaking of young people, I saw a lot of little munchkins on ponies and driving wagons during the sale. There were a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs” as they went parading by, all looking so cute. I thought of how lucky they were to be introduced to this fondness towards the animals at such an early age, hopefully it will last for many years to come and they pass that emotion on to their children. Watching them gave me confidence that this business/sport/ hobby has a bright future and will be in good hands. I love meeting people and hearing
47 • November 2020
their stories, especially mule stories. I was fascinated by an old mule skinner and horse trainer from Freedom, Wyo., who was quite the character. He kind of reminded me of Festus from the old “Gunsmoke” television show, as he was a dead ringer for him. We talked for some time and he related to me how he has a special knack for training. He professed that when he gets close to his mules and horses there seems to be an understanding between them, something like mental telepathy, and they communicate. He said he was proud of the fact that he could do things with mules and horses that other trainers can’t. The Mule Whisperer? Maybe. He invited me to come up to his neck of the country for a visit; I may take him up on that. There were a pair of fine looking sister Jennies that I fell in love with. They looked like royalty, like two princesses, and their beauty was impressive and dignified. I would love to have them, but six mules and a donkey
is all I can handle. I haven’t done much with my team thanks to COVID and they deserve better. Fortunately my Amish friend is working them at his farm and keeping them healthy and happy. I saw a lot of beautiful mules at the sale; sometimes they would walk right by my table of soap and take a sniff. Maybe I should come up with a donkey milk soap for mules, sounds like an idea for more research. Well, I smell autumn in the air, which means some great riding is just around the corner. If we meet along the trail, at a mule sale, a mule festival or at the tack store, don’t hesitate to say hello. If you’re young and just learning about mules, I’ll tell you all I know, which isn’t much. And if you’re old like me, I’d appreciate all the advice you can give and if you have a good mule story I’m all ears, whether it’s old or new.
Mules and More Magazine
NASMDA President’s Pen Dear NASMDA members, On behalf of the association, I have asked our Zone 1 and 2 directors to identify a worthy emergency program that is helping with equine rescue, or as an evacuation center in areas currently being effected by the terrible fires that are sweeping the west coast. Specifically I wanted one program to be selected in the states of Oregon, California and Washington. Within 24 hours our west coast team selected the following programs that are not for profit and are 501c, certified charitable programs. Washington: Washington State Animal Response Team PO Box21 Enumclaw WA, 98022
Oregon: Jamie Cheslock HART Rescue 15500 Highway 47 Yamhill, OR, 97148 California: WKRP Stables Evacuation Center 1683 N. Del Rey Ave. Sanger, CA, 93657 I asked the board of directors to approve a $1,500 one time donation to be divided equally between each program, with each adoptive program to receive $500 from the association. I am happy to report the board has voted in favor of the donation and I will be requesting that the checks from the association general fund be sent as soon as possible. I have personally spoken with each selected entity. Each of our adoptive programs is small, local and will greatly benefit from our assistance. I am now reaching out to you the membership to ask you to donate to anyone of these organizations to help
them as these fires rage on. Our own director Joyce Stratton was with her animals at an evacuation center as she worked on this project, having no idea what she would be going home to. We have many longear friends and family on the west coast who are currently living this disaster. Please feel free to donate directly or if you choose to, you can send your donation to our treasurer who will then divide these donations equally and send them on to the three charities that we have adopted. Please identify on the memo line of your check “NASMDA Fire Relief.” Checks can be sent to: Denny Myers NASMDA Treasurer 111 Hidden Falls Ct Rutlege, GA 30663 We are all longear strong! --Candace Shauger, NASMDA President
Shop mule and donkey merchandise at www.mulesandmore.com
Back in stoc k! Burlap and black
“Home is where my mule is” 13 oz. Ceramic Campfire Coffee Mugs $14.95
Silver & Brass Mule Head Conchos 48 • November 2020
Available in all antiqued silver OR silver with brass mule head and dots. Please indicate preference. $7.00 each
Perry Mule and Donkey Suspenders Won’t come off until you take them off, easy to attach and even easier to remove, and won’t damage your pants or belts. $22
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South Texas Trail Ride Update
“Though not officially cancelled, at this point in time, The South Texas Trail Riders are unsure of whether we will be able to hold the annual South Texas Trail Ride, scheduled to be held January 28, 2021 through February 5, 2021, from Corpus Christi, Texas, to San Antonio, Texas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are waiting on a decision from the San Antonio Livestock Expedition if the San Antonio Rodeo will go on or not,” said President Ray Garcia. “We feel this is for the safety of our membership.” If changes are made, announcements will appear on the group’s website, www.STTR.net, and in future issues of Mules and More.
2021 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Cancelled
The executive committee of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo voted unanimously yesterday to cancel the 2021 Show scheduled for January 15 through February 6. “This is a heartbreaking decision for our leadership and was not made lightly,” said Stock Show President and General Manager, Brad Barnes. “We wanted to find a way to safely hold a Show for our 1.2 million guests, exhibitors and competitors. Unfortunately, the challenges we face to create practical and enforceable protocols and procedures to comply with COVID-19 guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are extremely daunting.” More than 30,000 animals are typically exhibited in 3,770 classes for horses, livestock, poultry, rabbits and ag mechanics in addition to approximately 2,300 participants in the art contest, judging contests, rodeos and many other competitions and exhibitions. Each event and competition represents what’s unique and important for every participant and guest. Consequently, the decision was made to cancel all FWSSR events and features as opposed to allowing some to be held at the expense of others. Daily Stock Show attendance can exceed 140,000 people that crowd into buildings at the Will Rogers Memorial Center to see livestock, shop, dine, enjoy the carnival-midway and petting zoo as well as watch the many shows and competitions. Each year exhibitors typically travel from approximately 235 of Texas’ 254 counties and 40 states filling the various barns where they work in close proximity preparing their animals for exhibition. Consultations with infectious disease professionals and public health professionals indicate the Stock Show would rank as a “very high risk” for spread of COVID-19, potentially impacting populations and healthcare systems. The only other time a Stock Show was cancelled was 1943 near the height of World War II. “Today we’re in another war with an enemy that’s invisible and quite deadly,” said Barnes. “We feel a responsibility to be proactive, in order that COVID-19 is brought under control sooner rather than later. ” 49 • November 2020
Advertisers Index
A.D.M.S.................................................................. 15 Bein, Connie............................................................ 11 Bonnie Shields, Tennessee Mule Artist...................... 27 Canadian Donkey & Mule Association.................... 15 Carter & Higgins Draft Mule and Horse Sale..........5 Jasper the Mule ....................................................... 9 Lucky Three Ranch/Hodges........... Inside Back Cover Midwest Leather Co................................................. 14 Mischka 2021 Mule Calendars................................. 27 PairADice Mules...................................................... 3 Reese Bros. Tennessee Mule Sales............................. 5 Shop Talk!................................................................ 11 Small Farmer’s Journal............................................... 11 TS Mules/Evans, Ty..................................Back Cover Tuskers ..................................................................... 27 Wagner’s Saddle & Tack........................................... 11 Western Mule Magazine............................................ 11
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Cook’s Corral by Vickie Upton Thank goodness fall has finally arrived, because everyone is in need of a break this year. I hope you’re out enjoying the weather and riding mules. We’ve not got to ride very much because the Shawnee has had an unusual amount of ground bees, but the cooler weather we’re having now is making riding much more pleasant. Nothing picks up a trail ride like riding through a nest of bees! With the cooler weather, what is better than a nice, hearty bowl of soup? This chicken chili is amazing and super simple to make. Serve it up with corn bread or a dinner roll and you’ve got a hearty fall meal. Finish up with a serving of this apple crisp pizza topped with ice cream and caramel sauce and enjoy. As always, “If you’re lucky enough to be riding, you’re lucky enough.”
Cream Cheese Chicken Chili 2 chicken breasts 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn, undrained 1 10-oz. can Rotel tomatoes w/green Chilis, undrained 1 package ranch dressing mix 1 tsp. cumin 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 cup water 1 8-oz package light cream cheese
First, place chicken in crockpot. In another bowl, combine black beans, corn, Rotel, ranch dressing mix, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and water. Mix and pour over chicken. Put cream cheese on top. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir and shred chicken.
Apple Crisp Pizza
Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches) 2/3 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 4 medium apples (like Gala, Fiji, Braeburn, Empire) peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces Topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup salted butter, softened Drizzle: 1/2 cup caramel topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll pastry to fit a 12 inch pizza pan; fold under edges to give the pizza a bit of a raised crust. Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add peeled, diced apples and toss. Arrange the apples in a single layer over the pie crust to completely cover it. For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Cut into pizza slices and serve warm with ice cream. Makes 12 servings.
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Come to a Ty Evans Mulemanship Clinic in 2021! January 28-30 • Fort Pierce, FL February 4-6 • Winnie, TX February 11-13 • Sahuarita, AZ February 17-20 • Cave Creek, AZ February 24-27 • Sedona, AZ March 9-11 • Wickenburg, AZ March 31- April 2 • Huntington, UT April 6-7 • Salmon, ID April 16-18 • Madison, WI (Midwest Horse Fair) April 21-23 • Ferguson, NC (Mule Days at Leatherwood) April 28-30 • Wainwright, AB May 3-5 • Tropic, UT May 12-14 • Huntington, UT May 20-22 • Dunnigan, CA May 27-29 • John Day, OR June 2-5 • Creston, WA
52 • November 2020
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