March 2023
MULE CROSSING: Mule Conformation
By Meredith Hodges
As in any breeding program, when breeding jacks to mares to obtain mules, there are many variables to be taken into consideration that are basic and pertain to both the jack and the mare. However, there are some variables that are particular to each.
The ideal mule should have a head that is slightly longer than that of a horse, but proportionate to the size of the mule’s body. The features should be prominent and give an overall pleasant appearance. The ears should have length and be nicely shaped, and the eyes should be large, soft and kind, reflecting the mule’s health and intelligence. The forehead should be broad, tapering to a small and delicate muzzle, with a shallow mouth and well-aligned teeth, and the nostrils should be wide to allow for adequate respiration while working. Both the mare and the jack are responsible for the shaping of these characteristics, but the jack has primary responsibility where the length of the ear and the mass of bone are concerned. A jack with a longer ear will, more often than not, throw a longer ear to the mule, while the shape of the ear is determined primarily by the mare. The attractive or unattractive head of the jack can emerge in the resulting mule, so be sure to carefully consider the head on the jack to be used for breeding to produce an attractive head on your mule offspring. Standard-sized jacks and Large Standard jacks most often have a more refined head, while the head of a Mammoth jack may be less refined and possess 
thicker bone, particularly around the eyes and jaw line. In the case of saddle mule production, massive bone on an otherwise attractive head can be very unattractive, so using the smaller jacks would be better for a more refined look in your saddle mule (which is also true for the rest of the mule’s body).
The neck of the mule should have good length and come well back over the shoulders to the withers, with neither an excessive arch nor a u-shape. The withers should be apparent, but will not be as prominent as that of a horse. Many jacks have a characteristically short, thick neck. If it is passed on to the mule, this shortened and thick neck may inhibit the suppleness and agility of the resulting mule. Since donkeys tend to be rather flat over the withers, a mare with good wither development is also recommended to offset the tendency for this trait in the mule. It’s hard to keep a saddle on a mule with little or no withers, despite the use of cruppers and breeching.
The back of the mule should be slightly shorter than that of a horse and nearly straight with only a gentle slope over the top line and with strength over the loins. The croup should be nicely rounded with smooth muscling (indicative of strength and staying power), with the tail set-in neither too high nor too low. Again, the jack/mare combination must be considered in order to obtain a desirable saddle mule. Both the mare and the jack should have good body length to avoid a “boxy” appearance in the mule.
The shoulders of the mule should be at a nearly 45-degree angle, with a broad collar surface. Most mares will have this angle, but donkeys have a tendency toward short, steep shoulders, so, to insure that the mule has good shoulders and hips, consider a jack with good length and a lower angle through the shoulders and hips.
The curved ribs of the mule should be well sprung and separated around the torso, and extended (not flat and narrow), and should range close to the hipbone. The flank should be well set down from the croup and just above the stifle with a nearly flat appearance (not as indented as that of a horse). The hip, stifle, and gaskin should all have a smooth-muscled look, not bulging, as seen in many horses. The more bulky-muscled mare is generally crossed with the smooth-muscled jack to create a more bulky, yet smooth musculature in the mule than that of the jack. The contribution of bulk muscling from the mare provides more stability to the inherent smooth muscles from the jack and will enhance athletic performance in your mule athlete.
The chest of the mule should be deep and prominent, broad and well developed (it should resemble a turkey’s breast), with little or no line of separation (as is seen in a horse’s chest). Since jacks are generally narrower through the chest than are mares, the mare chosen for breeding should exhibit much width and depth through the chest to compensate for the lack of it in the jack.
The legs of the mule (as with horses) should be nearly straight, broad and clean, with adequate bone density for the size of the mule. The legs should be well braced at all four quarters and properly balanced underneath the mule’s body. The knee should be broad, deep and firmly set and the hock should be broad and muscular. Being slightly “cow hocked” in the rear quarters (with the toes pointed slightly outward) is common in mules and is actually preferred for performance (though not when showing at halter), but pay special attention to the straightness of legs in both the jack and the mare because being extremely “cow hocked” is not acceptable and should be minimized through careful breeding practices.
If a stockier mule is desired (as in the case of breeding for pack or draft mules), a stockier mare bred to a Mammoth jack will produce the desired thickness of bone in the legs of the mule. If a more refined Thoroughbred appearance is desired, the mare should be bred to a Standard or Large Standard jack in order to reduce the mass of the bone in the legs of the mule and retain refinement throughout the body. This does not affect the height of the mule, as the mare is primarily responsible for the mule’s height, while the jack is primarily responsible for the mule’s bone thickness. The forearm and stifle in the mule should be well developed and thickly covered with smooth muscle that tapers to the knee and hock in regular, well-defined lines. Again, these muscles should be thick and smooth, but not bulging, as in horses. The mare will compensate for the limited bulk muscling in the donkey jack, and the jack will contribute and maintain the smoothness of that additional bulk muscle in the mule.
The old saying, “No Foot, no mule” is literally true, as it is in any nomadic animal. If the hooves are not trimmed and balanced properly, it will offset the balance of the equine’s entire body and can compromise longevity in the animal, because his entire internal structure will be compromised. The hooves of the mule will be smaller and more upright than that of a horse of equal size, and should be well sprung and supported, not contracted. They should have a smooth appearance and look sleek and oily. No ribbing should be apparent and the frog should be well extended, healthy and make adequate contact with the ground for good circulation to the hooves. When being trimmed, the mule should be left with more heel than the horse to maintain the more upright position that complements the shoulders and hips. The shape and condition of the hooves of the jack and the mare are both equally important when considering foot development in the mule.
The coat and hair of the mule should be soft and shiny, covering pliable skin. The coat should be soft to the touch, denoting good skin health. Length and thickness of the coat are contributed by both jack and mare. Since donkeys have a typically thick coat of hair, a mare with a thinner coat will balance this thick hair coat in the mule, making him look sleeker and more horse-like than his donkey sire.
Although the jack plays a part in the mule’s way of going, the mare plays a larger part in the animation of the mule’s gaits. Mules out of gaited mares will generally exhibit the mare’s way of going and will also be gaited.
Probably the most important trait of the mule is his disposition. This characteristic comes primarily from the mare. Much of the mule’s attitude is formed during his first days with his dam, at which time he will observe and then assume her behavior patterns. Although much of a mule’s attitude development is environmental, there is still an inherent general disposition, so avoid breeding to mares with a negative or sour disposition, as those traits will most likely be passed on to her mule offspring.
Keeping all of these considerations and guidelines in mind when breeding for mules can definitely increase your chances of producing an attractive, usable, and enjoyable equine companion.
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.
Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.
© 1986, 2016, 2018, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
MULE CROSSING: Looking Objectively at Your Equine
By Meredith Hodges
Before most of us learn anything about horses, mules and donkeys, we tend to initially perceive them as large, strong and durable animals that can safely carry us anywhere we want to go and can participate in any number of equine events. This is essentially true. However, there can be a number of pitfalls along the way if you do not educate yourself and practice good maintenance, feeding and training practices.
Equines, like people, are comprised of living tissue, bones, muscles and tendons that can often experience improper growth and development, which can compromise their performance. This is why it is important to feed your equine’s living tissue, bones, muscles and tendons a healthy diet and exercise him in a way that builds these elements using natural and non-stressful techniques that will help your equine to strengthen properly in the right frame, or posture.
It is also important to make sure the tack you use fits well and is adjusted properly. An equine that is experiencing soreness from ill-fitting tack will be distracted from his best performance. Improve your own skills by taking care of your own body as you observe and condition your equine. The person who eats healthy food, exercises in good posture and improves his or her own general conditioning, coordination and Horsemanship skills will not be out of balance and will not compromise the equine’s ability to perform.
Let’s take this one step at a time. First, make sure that your equine is stabled in a place where he has adequate shelter from the elements, plenty of room to exercise himself when you are not there, clean water and a good feeding schedule. When an equine is nervous or high strung, it can usually be attributed to this very elemental beginning. Many show horses are kept in 12-foot by 12-foot stalls with limited turnout during the day, usually only an hour or two. Think about this for a minute. The equine is a grazing animal and his natural health is enhanced by what he eats and the fact that he is moving with his head down most of every day of his life. The only time his head is truly raised is when he is on alert.
The equine that is stabled in a stall isn’t urged to have his head down for any more time than it takes to eat up the loose hay after his feedings. His body is forced to remain in a very small range of movement and he can become stiff and sore when asked to do things that require more flexibility in his work. When fed high protein feeds in this situation, he is not able to expend the energy to burn this feed, and it can manifest itself in nervous and anxious behavior. Therefore, it is critical to your equine’s health that he is not only fed the right kinds of feeds and supplements, but that he is able to expend this energy in a healthy way for his body to grow and develop properly.
Muscles in the equine’s body, like our own, are structured in distinctive layers and are supported by ligaments and tendons. These muscles need to be strengthened in a specific order for optimum performance. Whether he is a foal or an older animal, his athletic conditioning needs this taken into consideration. The first exercises should be passive and easy to facilitate the strengthening of the core muscles closest to the bone. This is done with exercises on the lead line. It is not as important that he learns to negotiate obstacles on the lead line as it is how he negotiates the obstacles on the lead line.
On the approach to an obstacle, your equine needs to be relaxed and comfortable. It is your job as his trainer to show him how to do this. When you lead in good posture, walk straight lines and make smooth, gradual arcs and turns, you will encourage your equine to do the same. Using short pauses between changes of pace or direction will help your equine to stay calm and receptive to training.
For instance, when approaching a bridge, walk with your equine’s head at your shoulder as if you were in a showmanship class. Stop at the foot of the bridge and encourage your equine to stretch his nose down and investigate the bridge in order to allay any fears he might have. When your animal has indicated he is not afraid by once again raising his head level with his withers, you can proceed. Face the bridge straight on, looking straight ahead and, while keeping his head at your shoulder, take the first step straight forward and onto the bridge, making sure he follows and places one front foot on the bridge itself. Next, ask him to place the other front foot onto the bridge, stop, square up his four feet (as in Showmanship) and reward. Continue forward in a straight line. Once all four of his feet are on the bridge, stop, square up and give him a reward. Then continue across the bridge maintaining your own good posture, hesitate at the last step, and then step off carefully, in good balance and with a coordinated effort. Ask him to place his two front feet on the ground while leaving the back feet on the bridge, stop, square up and reward. Your equine will learn to follow your lead and execute the task in the same balanced and coordinated manner and will be able to halt on command at any location.
In the beginning, your equine may be fearful and nervous about going over the bridge or any other obstacle. It is enough at this time that he gets over his fear and just crosses it, whether it is done with finesse or not. Once he is over the fear of crossing the obstacle, you can begin working on his ability to cross with finesse, balance and coordination. The longer you work on perfecting the negotiation of an obstacle in a balanced and coordinated way, the stronger the participating muscle groups will become and the more comfortable and automatic the movement will become until it develops into a habit.
The part you play in all of this is very important. You will discover that if you are not in balance and coordinated in the way you move with your equine, the less balanced and coordinated he will be. If you don’t walk straight, then neither will he. If you are not confident in your approach, then he won’t be either. Even something as simple as the tack you use will play a big part in your equine’s performance. If the halter is too small or too large, it can cause irregular pressure on your animal, preventing him from complying with your wishes. How you move your equine’s head with the halter and lead line can affect his performance. Pay attention to how hard you need to pull to get even the smallest response and be ready to release pressure immediately upon compliance. But again, when releasing pressure, just give him enough slack to release the pressure and not so much that you have a lot to take back later. This will help him keep his attention on you and the task at hand. Keep this minimal degree of pressure-and-release throughout his work. Even if he backs away from an obstacle, just give little tugs followed by a release to allow him to back and then encourage him to re-approach the obstacle by coming from another angle or by coaxing him with the promise of a reward upon his attempt. Another approach is to go to the end of the lead rope, keep the rope taut and invite him to come forward by revealing the oats reward he will get when he complies. Take up the slack as he approaches. Avoid resistance at all costs!
Halters that are too loose allow too much lag time between the time you ask by giving a tug and the time the equine receives the message. This usually results in an over-reaction from your equine and then an over-reaction from you as you try to correct the mistake. A halter that is too tight can be a distraction because it can create sore spots—the equivalent to a headache and no one likes to perform with a headache! The lead line typically should be a length that you can easily handle and that will give your equine some room to move away, but that can be reorganized easily, usually about six to eight feet long.
No matter how careful you may be, there will always be times when your equine will experience some kind of soreness from playing too hard in the pasture or from kicking in a stall, to any number of daily hazards. How he is negotiating his obstacles and how he performs certain movements will give you clues to how he is feeling. Learn to watch every step your animal takes, how his feet are placed, how his body is moving and the look on his face as he performs a given task.
This is when it can be beneficial to know the basics of equine massage therapy. There is a lot that you, as your equine’s trainer, can do without a professional equine masseuse, but you should always consult with a professional for lessons on how you can do your part. Make sure that the equine masseuse you decide to use is a person who knows equines and has at least 500 hours experience with equine massage therapy. Once you learn some massage techniques, you can often alleviate minor soreness exhibited by your equine. When your equine senses that your goal is to make him comfortable as well as successful in his work, he will be much more willing and able to comply.
The specifics of training techniques covered in this article can be found in the Equus Revisited manual and DVD.
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.
Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.
© 2004, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
MULE CROSSING: Mules Accepted by U.S.E.F. in Dressage!
By Meredith Hodges
It’s 2004 and “You’ve come a long way, Baby!” The movement to have mules accepted by major equine organizations began with the United States Dressage Federation in 1986, 17 years ago! There was still the hurdle of being accepted by the most prestigious equine organization in the country at the time, the American Horse Show Association that sanctioned all upper level shows and competitions. Since then, the mules’ participation in significant horse events was a long, uphill climb and membership in the A.H.S.A. was only a dream. Even though they were accepted at the schooling level back then, there were still many areas that were unwilling to comply with the United States Dressage Federation’s acceptance at this level and mules continued to be discriminated against in many shows and competitions.
However, our undaunted mule riders persisted in their quest for perfection and showed the mule as a competent Dressage and Combined Training candidate. Bishop Mule Days rewarded their efforts and added Dressage classes at Bishop for these dedicated people and their mules. As more riders began using Dressage as a basis for training, and A.H.S.A. judges were being used for the classes at Bishop, even more professional equestrians began to see the competence of our beloved mules and our riders’ dedication to excellence.
The same kinds of things were happening in the disciplines of Competitive Trail Riding, Endurance, and Driving. The first discipline of the United States Equestrian Federation (formerly the American Horse Show Association) to accept mules was in Endurance Riding, and was then followed by their acceptance in Driving through the valiant efforts of Dave Ketscher and his mules, Mariah Carey and Jeremiah.
Dressage rider, Carole Sweet, began her quest for acceptance in the U.S.E.F. Dressage Division several years ago and has single-handedly become the proponent of a major rule change in the Dressage Division of the U.S.E.F. This was no easy task as it was critical to take this through proper channels just for consideration! The culmination of all her hard work and persistence was rewarded in December of 2003, when she was notified that the mule issue would be on the agenda for a final decision during the U.S.E.F. convention to be held in January of 2004.
It was at this time that Carole Sweet requested the assistance and support of anyone who could help at this convention. Linda Pitman from the American Mule Association, Leah Patton, administrator/editor of the American Donkey & Mule Society, and I (Meredith Hodges), longtime longears promoter, judge and animal inspector for the A.D.M.S., descended on the convention, attended appropriate meetings, and lobbied every chance we had in between meetings to make sure that the people involved were informed of the mules’ valuable assets to their organization. It was an exhausting three days, but on January 18, 2004, at the General Board Meeting, the rule was approved with consideration. In the U.S.E.F. Rulebook, it now reads:
GR125 Horse.
1. The term “horse” as used in these rules denotes either a horse or a pony. 2. In all levels of all Federation recognized Driving and Endurance Competitions and in the
Case of any other federation Rule as it relates to the Driving or Endurance disciplines as The context permits it, the term “horse” shall also include a mule. See DC111.4, EN104.2.1 a. Mules are also eligible to compete in dressage classes with the exception of (1) USET Championships, USET qualifying and selection trails, and observation classes. (2) any other classes designated as qualifying or selection classes for international or international high performance competition, and (3) championships where such participation is prohibited in the championship selection procedures. See DR119.1 BOD 1/18/04. Effective 4/1/04
There were concerns from the Safety Committee, but they approved with the stipulation that they would be keeping an eye on the competitions to make sure that the mules would not pose serious safety concerns.
“The ‘Vision’ of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of it’s horses, and embracing the vision to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.” In keeping with their vision, they have seen the mules as a valuable asset to the Federation and it is both a privilege and an honor to become part of this prestigious organization.
As viable members of this organization, it is now our responsibility to go forward and participate in these events in a considerate and productive manner. Any problems that arise at competitions should be dealt with fairly and through the proper channels. Understand that we will be dealing with people at all levels of Horsemanship, with varying levels of comprehension and ability. The principles of good sportsmanship are paramount as we set the example to beginners and the young riders of the future. No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated and could result in the revocation of this privilege.
More and more mules are getting into dressage after Carol Sweet’s, Leah Patton’s and my work over eighteen years of petitioning for the acceptance of mules into the United States Equestrian Federation! Shown here are Meredith Hodges and Lucky Three Sundowner, Meredith and Lucky Three Mae Bea C.T., Laura Hermanson and Heart B Dyna, Audrey Goldsmith and Heart B Porter Creek, Sammi Majors and Buckeye and Vicky Busch and Slate. I am so happy to see so many young riders taking advantage poof all our hard work and they are doing so well! We hope even more dressage riders will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity with their mules!
So, fellow “Mule Enthusiasts,” go forward and bask in the sunshine of opportunity that has been so graciously given to us all! Take the opportunities provided to improve your skills and marvel at your own progress! Take advantage of the new comrades you will meet along the way that share your interests, so we can all take our equines into the future with pride and dignity together!
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.
Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com
© 2004, 2016, 2024 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Diesel is his name!
This is an update from All About Equine Rescue.
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc.
DIESEL
This cute little guys is Diesel. He came to AAE with two of his buddies way back in 2016. Of all of our adoptable horses, Diesel has been here the longest waiting for his person to arrive. He’s about 10 now, and he’s such a cute lil’ guy. His situation is challenging as he has some baggage. First, some history.
The trio was originally part of a herd in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico, and they were rounded up and moved around by the US Forest Service. Some of the gathered horses were adopted and a small group who weren’t adopted in NM were transported to Solvang, CA for a wild horse gentling program at Monty Roberts International Learning Center (MRILC). They group was rather sickly when they arrived. After the program and much improved, some of the horses were adopted but Diesel and his two buddies were not. The USFS considered their stay at MRILC their third adoption attempt and third strike. They found their way to AAE, instead of being listed on Craigslist for $25 (as was requested by the USFS).
Diesel returned to MRILC in 2017 to participate in another program. Unfortunately, he became lame in the hind end, so his stay was cut short. He returned to AAE, and he was put on stall rest for a few weeks. Sadly, on his follow-up vet visit, Diesel was diagnosed with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis or EPM.
Diesel was treated, but the EPM caused irreparable damage, and he has residual neurologic deficits that make him unsafe as a riding horse. That said, he’s still a spunky yet kind young man. Sadly, he’s still untrusting of humans, but he has quite the playful and curious personality that makes him a fun liberty horse! He’s terrified of ropes and 1st touches. We joke lightheartedly about his 5,940,392 first dates. When he’s in a small area, he’s halterable with a slow approach. When he’s worked with consistently, he improves. He’s been living in a herd situation, and he regresses quickly when turned out. That said, he’s always one of the first to show up when someone’s in his pasture. He wants interaction, but fears it. Given ample time, patience, and persistence, he’ll come around. Once he does, his sweet personality will shine ever so bright!
Diesel is current with vaccines, deworming, and hoof and dental care and he has a microchip. He’s so ready for a person of his own.
Diesel is a wonderful horse. As a non-riding horse with special needs, Diesel has had a more difficult time finding the perfect home. He needs someone who is patient and willing to give him lots of love and daily interaction. Consistency and continuity are key. A mustang experienced person is a must.
If you think you and Diesel would go together like peanut butter and jelly, please visit his page to learn more, and submit an “Adoption Inquiry”.
Can’t adopt? Sharing his story is so helpful, too! Maybe your family member, friend, or co-worker would be his perfect match!
You can also sponsor him to help cover his care costs until he is adopted. Sponsorships help give us the stability and flexibility we need to make sure we can take our time finding the right home for each of our adoptable horses.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
[Progress Update] All 8 burros safely made it to Mustang Camp! 💓
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We’ve got two updates for you today — The first one is on our progress fueling up our Rescue Fund, and the second’s on how our eight sweet rescued burros are doing in their new home! 
Rescue Fund Rebuild
Yesterday, we set out to raise $20,000 by midnight tonight to fuel our Rescue Fund, because as you may have guessed, funding this burro rescue along with the mustangs you heard about yesterday has significantly depleted it.
Since kick-off, we’ve raised $8,461 — a solid start! But if we’re going to make it to $20,000 in the next 12 hours, we’re going to need more folks to pitch in and keep this momentum going. If you can, will you donate now to bolster our Rescue Fund so that we can save more wild horses and burros from slaughter?
Burro Rescue Update
Just a few weeks ago, we shared with you one of our recent burro rescues — a group of eight we saved in the nick of time from the slaughter pipeline. Well, we are happy to report that they have safely arrived at Mustang Camp in New Mexico, where the staff has been giving them top-notch care and helping them acclimate to their new home.
The burros all have been given names – Marco, Nelly, Amelia, Giovanni, Ferdinand, Drake, and Vasco – and are getting to know their new caretakers through daily “Burro Happy Hours,” which involve staff offering all of them “shots” (of alfalfa and pellets) from behind the “bar” (a water trough) 
. Click here to watch a clip of this burgeoning burro pub scene!
We both know just how important it is that we’re able to spring into action and help to rescue these animals at these critical moments. So, with almost 12 hours left until we have to reach our $20,000 goal, will you make a donation to help us refuel our Rescue Fund ASAP?
Thank you for your support!
AWHC Team
Chilly Pepper – BABY 911! – Orphan WILD FIRE is at the Emergency Vet Hospital RIGHT NOW! 2 MORE HORSES DUMPED! We need you now!!
The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:
Catcher called!
IT’S GO TIME! I got the call for Our FIRST orphan of the season.
He was found alone, and one of my contacts reached out. No one knew how long he was out there alone, but he is deydrated, needs a Plasma Transfusion, fluids, Selenium, Vitamin B Complex and will be receiving Foal Lac via stomach tube after his plasma transfusion is finished.
His vet bill will most likely be over $1000 before I even take him home. Luckily Doc is amazing and agreed to admit him anyway, even though my balance is still over $3500.
We need Foal Lac Powder, Foal Lac Pellets, Omolene 300, Baby Wipes , and all the normal baby supplies.
The remaining 8 horses from the 20 starved are going through over $500 worth of mash a week.
Trailer is ready, and truck is still in need of funds to finish the repairs.
It’s Definitely GO TIME!
I am on call this weekend for 2 more, possibly starved, Dumped Horses as well.
WILDFIRE is a TRUE ORPHAN, NOT one “ordered”. The CATCHING SEASON HAS STILL NOT BEGUN, but Chilly Pepper is doing what we always do. We are working WITH the Yakima Nation and answering the call for help.
PLEASE HELP WILDFIRE and the rest of the Chilly Pepper kiddos.
Your support makes the magic happen.
There are still no roundups at this time of year, but we need to be ready in the next month or so. I need that trailer and truck ready to go.
Thank you for helping save so many lives!
Rescue is so expensive, but so many of the cases God sends us are end of life and need to have their suffering ended.
Thank you as always!
Doc’s number is 509-773-0369 if you want to help with the vet bill.
Thank you for your continued help with these precious lives.
I know God keeps sending us lots of emergencies, BUT IT IS TRULY LIFE AND DEATH for these horses. It is not just grabbing the cute ones, or the easy ones, or creating orphans so you can fundraise. It is stepping up and figuring out how to do the impossible. YOU, MY CHILLY PEPPER FAMILY, are the ones who do that. YOU are doing the real rescue for the horses with no other options. Let’s do it again. These horses are absolutely precious and deserve every good thing for the rest of their lives.
AS ALWAYS, We will take actual orphans, or the injured etc. The gentlemen I work with normally don’t even start rounding them up until June to give the babies time with their Mama’s.
Chilly Pepper will continue to do exactly as we always have. Be there for the real orphans, and horses in need, to the best of our ability.
If you want to help with the Vet Bill, call Goldendale Veterinary at 509-773-0369.
I appreciate every single one of our Chilly Pepper Family. God has truly blessed this rescue!
Have a safe, blessed and life saving 2023!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KEEP HELPING US SAVE MORE LIVES, YOU CAN GO TO:
-<You can go to gofundme<-
You can go to Paypal<-
PLEASE NOTE – Paypal shows Wild Horses in Need, as we are dba- Chilly Pepper
if you would like to help these horses.
->You can donate via check at: (PLEASE NOTE NEW PO BOX #)
Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang,
PO Box # 233
Golconda, NV 89414
You can also donate via credit card by calling Palomino at 530-339-1458.
NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL – WE SAVE THEM ALL!
SAVING GOD’S CRITTERS – FOUR FEET AT A TIME
Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang, WIN Project – Rescue & Rehab
We are now part of the WIN Organization
WIN (WILD HORSES IN NEED) is a 501c3 IRS EIN 55-0882407_
If there are ever funds left over from the cost of the rescue itself, the monies are used to feed, vet, care for and provide shelter and proper fencing for the animals once they are saved.
eNews: Fascinating new research sheds light on the origins of our beloved burros!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We’ve got a lot to share with you in this week’s edition of eNews, including an opportunity for you to speak up on behalf of our cherished wild herds, an article discussing groundbreaking new research into the origins of our beloved burros, and AWHC’s exciting new partnership!
Read on to learn more! >>
Tell Congress: Protect Wild Horses and Burros with the FY24 Spending Bill!
Photo: Tandin Champan
From defunding the Adoption Incentive Program’s cash incentives to implementing humane in-the-wild fertility control vaccines, there are several ways Congress can enact reforms to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) — and save taxpayers money while doing it. But to enact these policies that protect our cherished wild herds, we need you to speak up. Call on your members of Congress now and request wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill!
New York Times: At Long Last, a Donkey Family Tree
Photo: Tandin Chapman
“I guess that we simply forgot the importance of this animal, probably being blown away by the impact of its close cousin, the horse.” A scientist and director of the Center for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse in France hopes his new study will jump-start research on the donkey and restore some of its dignity. Be sure to check out this fascinating read below!
AWHC and Stablewest Partner to Champion the Horse
The American Wild Horse Campaign is excited to partner with the Santa Fe-based brand Stablewest, in celebration of their concept Champion the horse™. Champion the horse™ recognizes the relationship between human and horse, and the incredible impact horses have made on our progress as people. Its limited-release capsule promotes the spirit of the wild horse and the freedom intrinsic to the landscape and heritage of the American West. As part of this partnership, 10 percent of each item sold goes towards our work to Keep Wild Horses Wild.
Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros!
— AWHC Team
Joyous News: Blondie and his herd are coming home!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
I’ve got some exciting news about a famed band of wild horses that will hopefully bring all mustang lovers relief and happiness!
My name is Alicia Goetz. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) and founder of Freedom Reigns, a nearly 4,000-acre sanctuary located in San Juan Bautista, California.
Freedom Reigns is home to more than 500 horses, most of them mustangs, rescued from the slaughter pipeline or cruelty situations. You may recall a few like Amelia, a young pregnant mustang recently saved from a kill pen in the knick of time, or the beloved mother-daughter duo Diamond and DeeDee captured from the Onaqui Herd Management Area (HMA) in Utah.
Well, I’m thrilled to announce that Freedom Reigns will soon be welcoming Blondie — a foundational stallion from the Fish Springs range in Nevada — and all 17 members of his family after they were captured by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at a bait trap operation last month.
Photo of Blondie and his herd by Troy Wright Photography
When Blondie’s family was trapped and loaded onto trailers, three known generations of beloved wild horses were ripped from the Nevada landscape at once, leaving behind a fractured legacy and a huge hole in the hearts of all that loved them. We are all too aware of the horrific fate that can befall wild horses and burros once they are removed from their home on the range. What would become of them when they enter the BLM’s system? The possibilities were heartbreaking to think about.
Photo of Blondie’s herd in captivity by Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates
The Pine Nut Wild Horse Advocates, the local group that stewards the Fish Springs herd, worked tirelessly to find placement for the horses, but came up empty and asked AWHC for ideas. So, when AWHC came to me with the news that there were no other options for keeping this family together, I knew I had to act — and quickly.
Blondie and his family will soon join 15 other Fish Springs wild horses who were removed from their habitat and found safe haven at our sanctuary – including Shadow, a blue roan, who might be one of the smallest mustangs at our sanctuary but has garnered the largest herd!
While I feel so fortunate to be able to provide a place for these deserving animals, I know that they are just 18 of more than 62,000 wild horses and burros currently confined in government corrals, at risk of injury, becoming victims of disease outbreaks, or worse, ending up in the slaughter pipeline. Advocating for those wild horses and burros – and addressing the systemic issues driving the removal of wild horses from their homes on the range – are the reasons why I joined the AWHC Board of Directors.
Together, we are proving there’s a better way to treat and manage wild horses and burros and I wholeheartedly believe in the work AWHC is doing. I am encouraged by the progress we are making toward better protection and preservation of our beloved wild horses and burros.
Thank you for supporting our work.
Alicia Goetz
Freedom Reigns Equine Sanctuary, Founder
American Wild Horse Campaign, Director
PS – If you would like to follow the arrival of Blondie and his herd and learn more about the horses at Freedom Reigns, please visit our website and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Speak UP! Tell Congress to protect wild horses in the 2024 spending budget
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We know that when American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) supporters band together and raise their voices, change happens: After all of our hard work last year during the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Appropriations process, Congress passed legislation once again that included important language to divert $11 million in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding away from helicopter roundups and instead towards humane management tactics like fertility control vaccines.
But now, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Appropriations process has officially begun and U.S. members of Congress in both the House and Senate are submitting their priorities for the year ahead. We urgently need your help to ensure they include funding requests for humane, in-the-wild management strategies on behalf of our beloved wild horses and burros. Call on your members of Congress now and request wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill!
Photo by Tandin Chapman
With the removal of more than 20,000 wild horses and burros from the wild last year, these innocent animals need your voice more than ever! But we can’t do this alone: We need as many people as possible to echo our message and urge Congress to enact a pro-horse and burro agenda for 2024. Will you be a voice for our country’s wild horses and burros, and call on your members of Congress to support wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill?
From defunding the Adoption Incentive Program’s cash incentive to implementing humane in-the-wild fertility control vaccines, there are several ways Congress can enact reforms to the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program in FY24 — and save taxpayer money while doing it. But to enact these policies that protect our cherished wild herds, we need you to speak up. Call on your members of Congress now and request wild horse protections in the FY24 spending bill!
We’ve got an exciting update on our latest burro rescue!
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We’ve got amazing news about our most recent rescue.
As you may recall, we recently helped rescue seven Bureau of Land Management (BLM) burros just days before they were supposed to be shipped to slaughter. As soon as we found out these poor animals were in grave danger, we quickly paid their bail and worked with our partners at Auction Horses Rescue (AHR) to rescue them from a horrible fate.
When our partners found them, they still had BLM tags around their necks.
But our friends at AHR just got in touch with us to share an exciting update: we actually rescued eight burros, not seven! They alerted us that one more BLM burro was dropped off at the lot – and no burro is getting left behind on our watch. Soon, he will be loaded up on the trailer with the other seven, and they will all be heading to Mustang Camp to be trained and adopted out to their new homes!
This rescue would not have been possible without your support. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to prevent countless wild horses and burros from being shipped off to their brutal deaths in foreign slaughterhouses. But right now, it’s more important than ever that we keep our Rescue Fund fueled. Oftentimes, our team has to leap into action at a moments notice to save the lives of mustangs and burros, but we can’t do that unless we have the resources to do so. Can you make a donation to power our Rescue Fund today?
In addition to funding the rescue of animals in danger of being shipped to slaughter, your support also enables us to help our partners sustain their rescue programs. With the increased cost of hay, the effects of the ongoing drought, and the general increase in the costs of running a horse rescue, AWHC has stepped up to provide them with grants for hay, fencing, farm maintenance, and other necessities.
These grants help empower local rescues to build up their facilities and increase their ability to provide sanctuary to more animals in need – but we can’t keep these grants going without your support. So please, help us continue supporting the rescue of hundreds of wild horses and burros by donating to our Rescue Fund today!
Thank you,
AWHC Team
Granger Needs A Home!
This is an update from All About Equine Rescue.
All About Equine Animal Rescue, Inc.
GRANGER
Granger came to AAE in July 2022 after law enforcement’s intervention with a neglect situation. He was malnourished, having to fight for food in a herd of eight other horses.
Once at AAE, he was started on a refeeding program with soaked alfalfa pellets, and he received long overdue hoof, dental, and vet care, including vaccines, bloodwork, and a microchip. (He tested positive for Cushings and is on a daily medication he takes without issue.) Over the past several months, Granger’s weight and overall health has improved substantially.
Granger is an oldie, late 20’s, maybe 30, but as long as you don’t look at his teeth, you’d think he was much younger. He’s a handsome guy, but tries to be a cranky old man. Once you call his bluff, he usually agrees and enjoys some attention. He’s buddies with Elliott, and the two play like two young geldings, rearing, chasing, and bucking it up. Uncle Granger is pretty darn cute!
All said, he’s got a hitch. He can be defensive around food, like many starved horses can be. Early in his stay with AAE, he kicked at humans, defending his food. Unfortunately, he connected a couple times, but fortunately, no major injuries. He’s learning to be more respectful with humans, and we haven’t had any issues since. However, humans have also been more aware with him, reminding him humans are not an acceptable target. Once you understand this guy, he’s pretty sweet.
Granger is looking for his forever home. This old sweetheart was reportedly used on a ranch for trail rides in his previous life, but is now best suited as non-riding companion horse. That said, with appropriate evaluation, relearning, and rebuilding, he may be rideable.
He is easy going, and well mannered (as long as food isn’t involved). He does well in a herd environment (but should be fed separately to assure he gets what he needs). His ground manners are generally good, he’s good with the farrier, and he loads and trailers well.
If you are interested in learning more about Granger to see if he’s a good fit, please visit our website.
We’d be so happy if Granger could find his forever home!
If you think you sound like a good match for Granger, please visit his page to learn more and submit an “Adoption Inquiry”.
Can’t adopt but want to help Granger? Share his story with your friends, family, co-workers, and other horse people in your life!
You can also sponsor him to help cover his costs of care until he finds his perfect person.
Thank you for your support helping horses each and every day!
Your donations, volunteering, adopting, and social media shares & likes allow us to make this work possible!
SPEAK UP: Give Nevada’s wild mustangs the recognition they deserve >>
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
On Tuesday afternoon, the Nevada Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard SB90, a bill to recognize the wild mustang as the official state horse. Like the original wild horse and burro movement in the 1960s, the effort was supported by Nevada’s schoolchildren with over 100 kids showing up to attend the hearing! The students eloquently expressed their support for the wild mustangs who call Nevada home and we are so grateful for their passion.
Unfortunately, the opposition also came out in full force. Nevada ranchers who graze their privately-owned cattle and sheep on public lands used their testimony time to blame horses for range degradation. Each rancher who spoke made the hearing about wild horse management and not about the naming of the state horse. The hearing ended with no vote, as committee members discuss next steps.
We need people from all over the country to speak up about the mustang’s historic importance and the tourism resource they are for the state. Smithsonian Magazine even named Nevada the number one place in North America to see wild horses! As a potential visitor to Nevada, your voice matters, but it will only be heard if you act now!
Call each of the five committee members and ask them to support SB90.
All you need to say is: “Hi, my name is [NAME] and as a tourist who visits Nevada for its wild mustangs, I am calling to ask that Senator [NAME] support SB90 to recognize the wild mustang as Nevada’s state horse. Thank you.
- State Senator Julie Pazina: (775) 684-1462
- State Senator Melanie Scheible: (775) 684-1421
- State Senator Edgar Flores: (775) 684-1431
- State Senator Pete Goicoechea: (775) 684-1447
- State Senator Ira Hansen: (775) 684-1480
Thank you so much for your help. Over the next couple of weeks we will have further actions for you to take. We hope we can count on you!
– AWHC Team
TAKE ACTION: Protect North Dakota’s only wild horse herd >>
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
We have a timely opportunity for you to speak up for the Teddy Roosevelt wild horses of North Dakota!
We just received word that this Friday, March 10, the North Dakota House Agriculture Committee will meet to hear SCR 4014, a state resolution that urges the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve this cherished wild horse herd.
As you likely already know, the NPS is currently considering a management plan that would result in the severe reduction or total eradication of these mustangs and the Longhorn cattle that call the Park home. The Governor has already spoken out against this plan and the legislature is now following suit!
You can provide written and/or in-person testimony that will be considered for the record. (Please note that SCR 4014 does mention livestock grazing, this refers to both the mustangs and the Longhorns — NPS designates them both as livestock). Here’s how you can help:
- Open a Word document and draft your comments/testimony (see our talking points linked below).
- Click here to access the submission form.
- Scroll down to Agenda Items and find 9:00 AM | SCR 4014.
- Click, +Add Testimony.
- For Testimony Provided, select “In support of.”
- Select your preferred option for how you will submit your testimony.
- Finally, select Browse files to upload your Word document or PDF with your comments.
Here are some talking points to get your started, but personalizing your letter is going to be most important. Try answering the question honestly: Why do you want the Teddy Roosevelt wild horses to stay protected in the Park?
Thank you for taking action for North Dakota’s only wild horse herd, Meredith. We’ll keep you posted on the results.
– AWHC Team
Why I hike 5-10 miles a day for wild horses
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
Allow me to introduce myself — I’m Tandin, AWHC’s Utah Conservation Operations Manager. For the last nine months, I have spent most of my time living on public lands in my travel-trailer, tracking and documenting a remote herd of wild horses that needed our help in Utah’s Cedar Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA).
This is a very special population of wild horses that was subjected to a large helicopter roundup last year. They live in an area where water availability has been an issue and the horses are very wild, difficult to find amongst mountainous terrain, and unaccustomed to human presence.
DONATE NOW TO KEEP OUR FIELD PROGRAMS RUNNING!
Prior to the roundup, I had come to know many of the bands that make up this beautiful herd, and it was heartbreaking to watch so many of them lose their freedom. However, it fueled my commitment to work toward a better way to protect the horses who remained on the range. And so, when the capture operation was over, I returned to the field.
AWHC is committed to the boots-on-the-ground work necessary to shift wild horse management from reactive solutions (like roundups) to proactive solutions that keep wild horses wild. Will you continue powering their work with a donation today? As the group that operates the world’s largest fertility control program for wild horses in Nevada, we know firsthand how important fieldwork is to successful conservation programs.
Each time I go out, I hike between 5-10 miles to locate horses to identify and enter into our database. So far, I have documented and identified approximately 500 individuals. (Post-roundup, about 390 wild horses remain in the HMA.)
- I’ve documented 65 bands with an average of 5.98 in each. The largest band I’ve found has 13 members.
- Bachelor stallions make up 16.3% of the population.
- 30.3% of the horses are Pintos, 15.5% are Buckskins, and 14.2% are Bays — making this one of the most colorful herds in the West.
I have also identified every water source in the HMA and have been working with stakeholders in the area to come up with solutions to ensure water continues to flow.
This job is very personal to me. It’s been an opportunity of a lifetime to get to know and spend time with these amazing horses — watch the bands tend to their young, the bachelors spar, and the lead mares tell everyone what to do.
DONATE NOW TO KEEP OUR FIELD PROGRAMS RUNNING!
All of AWHC efforts in the field — from assessing the condition of wild herds and their habitat, to documenting any violations during roundup and capture operations, to implementing humane fertility control programs — helps us further our work to end the traumatic roundup and warehousing of wild horses and burros in holding facilities.
I’m proud to be part of AWHC’s work to shift wild horse and burro management in a humane and sustainable direction that keeps these animals in the wild with their families where they belong. Will you make a donation today to continue AWHC’s field work in our fight to keep wild horses and burros wild and free?
With your support, we can ensure these magnificent mustangs that I have come to know and love remain wild.
Thank you.
Tandin Chapman
Utah Conservation Operations Manager
American Wild Horse Campaign