We haven’t had a Mule Tale for a very long time, so I’m really pleased to say that there are a few waiting to be told – and we’re starting with this tale from the Remus Horse Sanctuary (Facebook) about their little mule, Jess. Remus not only cares for equines, but for many other animals such as cows, cats, goats and sheep; providing them with a lifetime home where they can recover from the ill-treatment of their past and live out their days in safety.
It costs in excess of £400,000 to run the sanctuary every year and Remus are entirely funded by public donations and their own fundraising activities. There are many ways you can help, such as sponsoring one of the animals who live there – including Jess! Have a look at this page for more information on how you can support the sanctuary’s fantastic work.
Sue Burton, Sanctuary Founder & Manager, shares Jess’ story with us…
1. Please introduce us to your mule!
This is Jess – she is adorable and very full of her own self-importance. She is three-years-old and has slight Equine Metabolic Syndrome, brought on our Vet believes as hereditary from her mum.
2. How did she come to be at the sanctuary?
Her mum – Grace – was rescued after being found roaming loose on a busy road where she had been for some months. She was heavily pregnant, feral and blind! It took twelve of us four hours to catch her because of this, and there was the busy road and a lake to fall in. Eventually she arrived back at the Sanctuary and gave birth to Jess a month later. We think Jess was her first foal, as she walked out of her stable with a deep bed and gave birth on the concrete and then walked away from the foal. She was a good mum but couldn’t produce milk so we had to hand rear Jess.
At the same time as getting Grace we heard of Holly who was in the same predicament in Wales, so she too came in and gave birth to her foal a month after Jess. Holly is a Blagdon Cob and clearly Holly had had many babies as she knew exactly what to do, but baby Bracken was born deaf with slight brain damage, no menace reflex, and was unable to control her body temperature. She has thankfully grown out of this as she has grown up. Jess and Bracken get on really well together and love each others company. Sadly, expert ophthalmologists have confirmed that both mares were deliberately blinded. Words fail me!
3. What are your plans for the future with her?
Plans are that she will live at the Sanctuary and be the eyes for her mum.
4. Can you share a story that you feel sums up Jess and/or your relationship with her?
There is a closeness between Jess and I as I hand reared her. Also with her mum who knew I was helping her foal and let me share their special bond.
5. What’s the most important thing she’s taught you, and what piece of advice would you give to someone new to mules?
She’s not a donkey!! She has so much more character and is so much more switched on! They are a challenge but great fun!
If you would like your mule to be featured here, or if you have a mule story that you would like to tell, then please contact me either via this blog, message me on my Mulography Facebook page, or email me at: herecirm (at) gmail.com. I would love to hear from mule owners anywhere around the globe! To read more Mule Tales, don’t forget to check out the archive here.