When Snicker's mom, Lady came to the farm, she was supposed to be open (not pregnant).  Well, about March she started to develop a hay belly that didn't go away.  By May it was a pretty sure bet we were going to have a foal.  Question was, "Who's the daddy?"  I called the former owner and he couldn't be sure.  He has a large ranch, and any number of horses could have sired her foal.  I figured she got pregnant just before I saw her.  He said to call back when she foaled and we'd check back on the dates and see who was around.

Well, on May 20, 2001, I got word early that morning from an inexperienced farm hand that Lady had given birth to a beautiful bay filly with long ears.  I  didn't think anything of it at the time, but walked out to the pasture to see the new baby.  As I got closer, I could see the silhouette in the morning sun -- legs and ears.  I thought, "What is that?"  It was early, so I rubbed my eyes and took another look.  Then I saw the tan muzzle.  We had a mule.

I explained to the help that we had a mule and that the father was a donkey.  "No." he said.  "She's just premature."

I said, "No, things won't change if you stick her back in and bake her a little longer.  She is a mule."

I called the former owner, told him Lady had her foal, and asked if by chance he had a donkey on his place.  He said, "Sure. I've got the Jack (male) right here."

"Well,"  I told him. "On the question of the daddy, I think we narrowed down the field some."

The mule, Snickers as I named her, still lives on the farm.  I consider her a gift.  I didn't know anything about mules except how you got them, but I figured she would teach me how to be even better with horses.  She is named Snickers because she is chocolate, caramel, very sweet and is sometimes a little nuts.  She is the guard of the pasture keeping out all unwanted dogs, cats and coyotes.  A very valuable job.

She is to be trained to ride and anything else she shows an aptitude for.  She is a constant joy (except to my trainer) and has given us many memorable stories to laugh about especially regarding her training. 

For instance, through her we have created a new event called Mud Skiing.  It was created the day someone tried to take her to the barn, making her leave her favorite friend.  It had been raining so the ground was very muddy.  Snickers took off with the hired help creating a wake of mud as the person slid on one tennis shoe while holding onto the lead rope.  Needless to say, by the time Snickers stopped, the person was covered with mud, but she stayed up the whole time.  Now that's talent!.

People are continually surprised when they come to see the horses and spot "the different one."  In Lady's short life, she apparently came to give me two special creatures, Snickers and Cowboy, the mule and the stud prospect.  Snickers will always be an enduring part of the story behind the farm and its beginning.  I don't know that I'd change my program over to mules, but I'm glad I've got this one.

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