I'm not sure those are mules.
I don't think they are myself--ears are too 'horse like.' Mules have 'rabbit ears.' The picture is still labeled as it is by the LoC and how to locate it later.
I'm not sure those are mules.
I don't think they are myself--ears are too 'horse like.' Mules have 'rabbit ears.' The picture is still labeled as it is by the LoC and how to locate it later.
I tried enlarging it.....the near hind horse does look a bit more mulish, but the others totally don't (and I don't really think it is, either). I agree.....but what do you expect the LoC to know about horses?
...or Mules
M. E. Wolf
Really had to hold that mule down like that just to shoe it? Must of been one really, REALLY, stubborn mule!
More likely just trying to protect itself. They are prey animals, and taking away their ability to flee by grabbing their feet isn't natural. It takes training for them to learn to accept it, how to balance themselves, etc. But by trying to force it on them, you may get it done, with a lot of dust stirring and possible injury to yourself and the mule, but you're training the mule that being shod is a dangerous and frightening experience -- thus you have to get rougher and rougher to get it done because you're training the mule to fight you. With every bad experience, the behavior becomes more and more ingrained.Really had to hold that mule down like that just to shoe it? Must of been one really, REALLY, stubborn mule!
very true kMore likely just trying to protect itself. They are prey animals, and taking away their ability to flee by grabbing their feet isn't natural. It takes training for them to learn to accept it, how to balance themselves, etc. But by trying to force it on them, you may get it done, with a lot of dust stirring and possible injury to yourself and the mule, but you're training the mule that being shod is a dangerous and frightening experience -- thus you have to get rougher and rougher to get it done because you're training the mule to fight you. With every bad experience, the behavior becomes more and more ingrained.
Much easier on all parties in the long run to do it right in the first place.
Really had to hold that mule down like that just to shoe it? Must of been one really, REALLY, stubborn mule!
Evan,
I had a horse that had to be shod that way--it was from being 'roughed up' by a farrier/blacksmith. Until a farrier came the horse was sweat and gentle. Any farrier come near him, he would peel inside out and try hard to flee and get free. The horse was deformed in the head where the hammer or whatever was used on him. The farrier had to battle my horse along with me due to corrective shoeing as to preserve the hoof and soundness. The horse remained unshod for the rest of the time. It could have been the farrier pricked the 'quick' causing pain and didn't immediately remove the nail and leave that spot alone. Whatever happened, it was a terrible memory for that horse and the consequences were all the future owners and farriers to deal with.
Even with me trimming and picking out his feet, that horse was a nervous wreck.
Unfortunately, there was no way to ascertain this horse's story--it was saved from slaughter put in a rent-a-horse stable where I first met this horse.
Those new 'crocs' for horses though--and glue on horseshoes are the ticket for these kind of abused equines but, they weren't available in my time. Those rubber boots that had those wire tension gizmos to keep them on were just starting to be known-- (pre-Internet) through racing circles.
M. E. Wolf
At least my horses aren't like that! I just got thinking... imaging castrating a horse or mule that's nervous like that! I don't even think the Mennonite method (my area Mennonites: horse in crossties, ropes around back legs and two men hold tightly- another snips away) would work!
I've seen the same things too M.E. and it does bring back memories. We use the Vet now for our horses but still the use rope dally'd around the saddle horn for calves..I've been around cattle being castrated by cowboys who just used ropes, horses (saddles wrap rope around horn and horse keeping taunt - usually called "roping horses" in my day) and a razor, with alcohol to sterilize with. Haven't had horses castrated without having the vet putting them out first, on soft grass then stuffing clean sheets all around the area and more surgical methods.
Does provoke memories!
M. E. Wolf
There mules........ did you guys also notice the kick chain on the back right foot on the front mule on the right??? Sorry Ive been off in la la land one of my clients had to put her 30 year old horse down, Ive shoed that horse for 26 years, all you guys who shoe, know how every ones horses become part yours over the years. Ive been through this a 100 times,some people just can bear to be there, so they call me to fill in because they know I loved them too, As most of you know, you can break my bones, kick me in the head, knock me out I wont cry, but if it touches my heart IM done, I hate it a 1000 times over to be there,but I"d hate my self more if I wasnt there to let that horse know, he meant alot to somebody.Some times being a shoer can take your breath away, even when your not under a horse.
Thank you for your kind words Wolf , your right it never leaves you. You sound a lot like my dad who was also a cop for almost 30 years, he would come home and tell us the grosses story's at the dinner table,but couldn't deal with a hurt animal.My condolences Custers Luck ... there are those critters that you have a personal relationship every time you're taking care of their shoes/hooves. I agree--I can go through autopsies and gross scenes on the job as a law enforcement officer but, I'm mush when it comes to horses and many a time petted a dear creature as the fatal dose was administered and its still twisting my heart decades later.
R.I.P. to all those creatures I loved.
Saw the "kick chain" in the drawing in the original post -- often these kick chains were used on horses, ponies and not just mules or donkey sorts. I'm surprised they didn't use "figure 8s" on the hind end...a bit more length than hobbles (which are usually on the front legs), where there is a kicker, to kick they knock their own front legs out from underneath themselves.
M. E. Wolf