Question/Advice.

[brittanyanne]

For the past year almost I have boarded horses for my friends. I live on 40 arces and they like keeping their 1 quarter (and other horses in alternation) and 2 mules (all related somehow) because the sound of the highway and all that space is just great for them! I have a question about the mules. Our one mule Lola is a sweetheart no problems. I won her over with the brushing. Especially on her fore chest. Jasper on the other hand is just a one mule person. It seems or just is. His owner and him are like two peas in a pod. I consider him very dangerous to me. The other horses are more calm and easier to work with as far as catching them. What is one way I can win him over besides giving him treats and slowly approaching from the side of the gate. I so far have him where I can lightly brush his head. But other than that its a no win situation. Is this mainly how some mules are?

Also, I have a corale. And what kind of activities besides riding can I do with them for attention and excercise (shamrock and lola). Besides grooming. I have a yoga ball, will they play with things like that? I'm new to this all and learning so all is appreciated.

[ETO]

Hi I have 15 horses and one Burro. The mules are sometimes like that, they like one person, but you can win him over, but it will take time and LOTS of patients... They are very inquizitive, if you turn your back and fiddle with something , it would be a matter of time before their right there next to you wondering what-ya -doing? yes they would play with the ball, a bag, a rope anything around. They love being challenged, but it takes time, if you have it, its worth it!

[brittanyanne]

So far over the past month with working on grooming (other horses), Jasper is very interested. Probably jealous. :o) I got to the point where I can brush him through the gate down to his forechest. And sometimes he is like Lola where he will slide up against the gate for a little saddle brushing. But thats about it! Hey I will take what I can get right? He's still a tough boy. I don't want to haulter him up just yet. Or not at all. He is still 5050 with alot of things. But as the owner says " thats just jasper " - he's always been like that. So pretty much if I got his respect to be able to walk past him that's good enough. But as far as touching I will keep it where it is. He's the type where he backs off alot scared but then kinda wants to say HEy I am the boss! Funny guy. But I have seen him a few times where I was cleaning their water tank, or just picking up pieces of junk that just show up and he follows me aorund like hey what ya doing like you said.

We might be getting another horse here soon. The owner of the Qh is debating on bringing her other horse here for awhile. Should be fun! I cannot wait to meet Barney if she comes. So the whole order and just basically everything is going to be out the window. We'll see. Let the games begin. Woot! Another horse to spoil. :o)

[brittanyanne]

Update! Jasper is letting me haulter him and atleast brush him full body. Work in progress! Also he has a new Mustang sister that his owner won at a Wild Mustang and Burro Expo in Turlock, CA. How exciting! Another new pal to bond with. This should be even more interesting if she is brought here to graze.