Australian author,  Ann Walker, sent in this exclusive series for me to share with you about her mule, Pepita

Sometimes my heart breaks about the treatment meted out to equines – horses, donkeys and mules. All such powerful animals physically, so intelligent and sensitive. Most times when humans get hurt it is the result of fear and misunderstanding or self defence on the part of the equine.
I have known and loved many wonderful ponies and donkeys but my greatest friendship and deepest relationship was with a wonderful little mule called Pepita. It lasted for twenty eight years. I bought her from her breeder just before her 4th. birthday and she died a few weeks before her 32nd.  Over the years as our friendship deepened so did my ability to communicate with her. I have to admit to being the dumb one in the beginning. We had a Donkey & Mule Club meeting at our property one weekend and at the lunch break I hitched Pepita, to the fence in the shade of a large red gum. Far from relaxing and enjoying the spell like everyone else she displayed obvious signs of anxiety. Even refusing to eat a sweet biscuit, one of her favourite treats. Throughout the lunch break she stood tense and totally unrelaxed; her large eyes larger than ever. I walked over to her several times and told her she was being silly in a soothing sort of voice that totally failed to soothe. It was not until we packed away our lunch things and everyone saddled up again for the afternoon activities that she returned to normal.

The next day Pepita was relaxing in the paddock about a hundred yards away from the place where she had been tied the day before when I came out of the back door of the house; almost as I did so there was a creaking, a rending and a crash and in the still, warm, summer air the gum tree I had tied her under the day before split in half; and the falling part crashed onto the fence in the very spot I had tied her the day before. We both watched from opposite sides but about equal distance from it, simultaneously we turned towards each other. I have never forgotten the look she gave me. “Now do you believe me?” The message was as clear as if she had shouted the words in English to me. Feeling chastened I walked over to her to solemnly and very humbly, admit that it was I, not her, who had been the stupid one the day before.

GARDENING WARNING

Cocoa mulch is sold at various nurseries and box stores, like Target. It is highly attractive to dogs and also deadly. Don’t use this mulch anywhere around animals that might eat it.

 

CUTE PHOTO

This is a 14-year-old Dachsie named Tessie, whose Mum, Cornelia, really loves her.

YOUR STORIES

Stacy Berger sent me a question asking how to get the horses in her herd to listen to her and stop being agro. We discussed it a bit and then she went out and tried some ideas. Here was the result.

I have been meaning to drop you a note to give you an update on my horses.  It is kind of a neat story, and you won’t think I am crazy, so I am going to share it with you. After we talked, I decided to have a heart to heart with Chance and find out what he needed to stop attacking and accept Cocoa. I had all four of the horses in stalls in the barn to get their evening supplements.  Chance just didn’t want to talk.  I was a bit frustrated and thought I was going to need to call you to help.  Then I realized that Rusty, my oldest horse and the herd leader, was the one who was talking.  He was assuring me that he would help.  I put Rusty and Cocoa in my round pen that night and had Chance and my other horse in the pasture.

The next morning after feeding, I got Chance and brought him up to the round pen.  I went in the round pen with Chance on a halter and lead.  I allowed Chance to go where he wanted and I would tag along ready to jump in where needed.  Every time Chance put his ears back, Rusty got between Cocoa and Chance and carefully herding Cocoa away.  Rusty would allow Chance to sniff Cocoa, but as soon as Chance started to get pushy, Rusty stepped back in.  I did this with them for about an hour, then took Chance out.

Chance and Cocoa

The day after that, I did the same, but this time in the pasture with all four horses.  Rusty continued to help diffuse the situation.  I felt confident enough to take the halter off Chance and stay in the small pasture with him.  They did great for the two hours I stayed with them.  I asked Chance if he was ok, and he looked at me and I got a distinct only-being -good-because-you’re-here feeling.  I stepped away to go tell my husband how well things were going, only to come back and find Chance chasing Cocoa.
So I took Chance out and put him in the round pen.  I told Chance that he had to accept Cocoa or he could not have his herd together.   He would have to continue to live with one friend at a time and the other would have to live with Cocoa.  The next day, Chance said he wanted his herd as one and he would stop trying to keep Cocoa separate.   
Since that talk, my horses have been living peacefully together. I have even seen Chance and Cocoa sharing a pile of hay together on several occasions!  Thank you for helping me to think this through.Your book and your example have helped me immensely to be open to hearing what my animals are communicating.     Stacy

 

A WORD FROM POOH ABOUT THE FLU

I do apologize but you are about to be subjected to my idea of humor.

 

  PASS IT ON

Hey, if you think of someone who might like to read this blog each week, pass it on. Thanks! And send in your stories, photos, links, recommendations, information….anything you would like to share.