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I have noticed from time to time that people have a strange way of greeting animals. Some of them like to come up quietly and pet my face, or my shoulder, others seem to think that I need a slap on the butt. I'm not sure about you, but I sure don't like my butt being slapped (in case they hadn't noticed I have rather long legs that could reach out and touch them).

My favourite way to be touched is a quiet gentle stroke. I am meeting you for the first time, don't expect to touch my face, but my neck and shoulder area are great for a first touch. I do adore having my lower lip rubbed, but I reserve that for the people that I know and trust.

Walking up quietly to me, or any of the horses is also more effective that being quite noisy. You can call me to come to you, and I will for a nice pat and a treat of some sort. Should I be called and not rewarded for doing as asked I am not very happy. I believe in positve reinforcement for a job well done.

Some horses are head shy or a bit skittish that is a good reason why you shouldn't try to stroke their face before they have had a chance to get to know your smell and touch. Each animal has a different trust level and some may let you touch their face sooner than others.

Brushing is a good way to touch all of us members of the equine family. A nice body brush will take off the loose dirt, and shavings from the stall. It can be followed by the soft body brush (my favourite) and it is like a massage to us. 

I have favourite spots to be scratched as well. Along the shoulder line, on my cheek bone, and near my withers. These are areas that are hard for me to reach so I get my human to scratch them for me, or one of my horse friends and I sometimes do a mutual grooming session.

Well of to see what my pal Jagger and Comet are doing...remember no butt slapping, not my favourite and probably not politically correct in the human world either.

Tails are a necessity for all equines. They are helpful in the good weather as we swing them and hit flies from parts of our bodies. They are also very beautiful and can be different colours , thicknesses and lengths. I am told that some horses wear false tails when they go to shows.

Hello Friends: my name is Mary Francis and I am the official spokesmule of Rocking Chair Ranch. For those of you who have not met me, let me tell you something about myself.

I am a nice mule (mule is a cross between a female horse and mammoth Jack donkey), I stand about 16.2 hands high (hand is 4 human inches) and I am a sorrel mule with a flaxen mane and tail. I think I am either 7 years old or 8 years old, but who keeps track of that, certainly not me.

I moved to Rocking Chair Ranch in December of 2011 after I adopted Carol when she visited me at PrimRose Donkey Sancutary. I have been here ever since and having a great time. I am not owned by anyone, I choose my people that I like  although my human says I am owned by the Donkey Sancutary and live with my people here.

I carry a saddle and  Billy Bob, the stuffed overalls on my back right now, but hopefully my human that I adopted will start to ride me when her knee is feeling a little better.
I rule the field, protect the other horses and mini's by keeping out predators (and the neighbour's dogs). I love to meet new people and am quite friendly, although some folks are afraid of me because of my size. 

I will be sharing my adventures with people and my friends here at the ranch through this blog (although typing with hooves is somewhat problematic). Be sure to watch for my next adventure. Must go have lunch now, can't let everyone else eat it all!!

Mary Francis

Winter has been a bit strange this year with nice weather followed by crappy weather. Today is no exception. Wind is howling, snow blowing sideways, some horses blanketed others not. Thinking now that I should have blanketed more of them, but, it didn't feel that cold out earlier.

Mary Francis mule seems to think that her blanket is like a set of armour and goes off to pester Jagger who treats his blanket in the same manner. Both blankets have seen some repairs, nothing major, a bit of binding ripped off here, a tail flap removed there, as the pair of them enjoy playing around. Today, they are both without their armour, something I am sure to hear about when I feed them next. 

Blanketing is always interesting depending on the animals in the herd. I never had an animal that bothered blankets (ripping and damaging). Pokey loved to undo the surcingles, and play with velcro, but never damaged the blankets. The mule and her consort play hard and do a bit of damage so I will have to add a little preventative to the outside of the blanket.