NEW RIDE FOR CAROL              

 DIXIE DARLIN'  7 Yr ARABIAN Molly Mule 14-3/15hh, Bay Black points, Born 3-12-98

July 21 2005 

With the recent loss of Carol's horse RAZ in June 05, she at first thought she would just ride one of my aged mares. But alas, the mare was not 'hers'. Real riders need a horse of their own.

Not a horse- but a MULE. We had a small mule for 25 years, never trained to ride or do much other then baby-sit the foals we raised.  We sort of understood the 'mule' owner relationship issue.

As Carol was looking for another Arabian, she could not find one that she really liked, that was suitable, somewhat local and priced right.

A Goggle search landed on an Arab-Mule named DIXIE. Thus began her search of mules in the SE. We went to a Mule show in Shellbyville TN and spent a day looking and learning. Made phone calls to other trail riders who used mules in the sport. 

Her initial call was to the breeder of this arab cross  (Dixie) as well as the previous owner. Since she was a young 7 yr old and not really super broke, we were not real sure.. We had been advised to look at an older more settled one and she was not 'really' for sale. We spent days doing web searches and talking with good quality mule dealers. We were going to look at a full bother to DIXIE, but he was only 5 and real green. We decided to keep looking

Our search lead us to two older molly mules in AL. We went to look at them. Both were not acceptable. 

However in the week proceeding, we were advised DIXIE was for sale. Turns out she was within 10 miles of the other two in AL. We drove over just to look. :)

She was in a yard with another horse - right with the house. We came into the 'pasture' and within a few minutes she was in our face. She was as gentle as could be. A very soft eye. After basic introductions, I picked up her feet - all 4 -and did a DIY vet exam. She stood there with no halter while both of us went over her. Like no other mule I have known. She followed us around and waited to be petted. A real people mule. She did her 'arab' imitation and trotted/cantered/head toss all over the place. Yep- sound and moved great.

We saddled her with Carol's saddle and Carol rode her around the place. I put on an aussie saddle (owner) and walked trotted her around. Reasonably trained. A bit 'hard', did not give to the bit like we are use to, aka Clinton Anderson and John Lyons, but she would walk, trot and STOP as well as turn. 

Reason for sale - rider wanted one that was more settled and better trained for a basic trailer rider. Seems she popped over water and ditches on the trail. She had been trail ridden for many miles but not really worked hard.  Lacking solid trail experiences. We felt she was so easy to work with we should not have any problems with the schooling she needed.

SOLD. Now I DID violate my first rule of  "never buy a horse without  vet check". I did the flexion test and joint range of motion tests. Based on her previous use, I did not expect there would be any problems. Also she was not suppose to be used for Endurance/LD.. only pleasure trail riding.

We picked her up 2 days later. Took about 15 minutes of easy effort to load her in the two horse BP straight load trailer.

She ate wet hay all the way home. We stopped 3 times during the 6 hour trip. She did not fight ,kick or paw the whole way home. We arrived home in the evening with plenty of daylight to get her use to the new place. 

Next day I put my horse Omni with her. He was OK for an hour then found out he could push her around.  Kicked her one time and he was out of there. Next day he was put up with her again  and now gets along well, not great but OK. He has been with her since. He still does not really like her but now has a buddy who does NOT chase him. She is a good pasture mate.  She did not give him a second chance to kick her. She nailed him 2 times. He got the message. Don't mess with the sweetie long ear.

We have been on trail for 4 rides now for about an hour each time. She sure was NOT use to the hills we have here. A flatlander from east AL. :)

Today she gets new shoes. We are doing all 4. She has been shod. After a few more rides around here, we plan on going camping. Carol 'MAY' try her in an LD next spring.

Well, she was suppose to get shoes, shoer did not  have a mule shoe sized to fit and had no 000 to cut down. So we are going to order a mule shoe from a forge in CA. Now have to ride barefoot and stay off the rocks for  a few more weeks.

The only problem we have to date is the papers. She is suppose to be a registered 1/2 Arabian. The previous owner did not get the papers from the breeder. We are now attempting to acquire them.  Update she is NOT registered 1/2 Arab. AHA does NOT do that.

With good weather this weekend we hope to get in a longer ride.

7/29/05/ Updates 11/05

Pictures at http://imageevent.com/vmaxept

Pictures from previous owner webshots   http://community.webshots.com/album/243718059cYeEUF

Nov 05

She has been on 3 camping trail rides. Has done just great. I will write up the adventures of  Omni and Dixie later.

She is one nice mule - I think this will be Carol's last ride -- at 7 she will be going down the trail for many years.