Mimi is still looking for a new permanent home, but in the meantime her education will continue here.

As she came off the lorry, both my horses – who have never seen a mule before – were astonished at her. Especially when she talked, as she sounds like nothing they (or I) had heard before – eyes on stalks all round at the big-eared girl with the voice of a hoarse dog!

She arrived late afternoon, so due to fading light she was kept in a stable overnight to allow the meeting with the others to take place under supervision. She was quite taken with the shavings bed, and seems to have spent most of the night ensuring she wore a covering of them at all times. Mucking out is going to be deeply joyous!

Out into a temporarily fenced off separate paddock, and away she went showing off her flash trot whilst trying to find a way to escape – I can see this is going to be fun!

Next step a chat with horses, the look on their faces was priceless!

Especially this one –

I’ve never dealt with a mule before, and already the differences between mules and horses are obvious. She is highly inquistive and very brave – the minute I turned the tap on in the barn to fill the trough she came charging in to see what the noise was, whereas a horse would have been far warier about entering an enclosed space. She’s wary and defensive at human contact, so that will need addressing, but is keen for attention although on her terms at the moment. She will have a week or two to settle in before any work starts.

All seems quiet and settled now, so hopefully in a day or so I’ll be able take down the temporary fencing to turn her out with the horses.

Watch this space for those pics!