The magic of the mare

One of the coolest parts of this trip is the magic of the mare. Jake has 25 mules up here and 1 horse, a mare named Charlotte. She is a former saddle bronc who was named Xstasy. She has been renamed Charlotte and has become the mare of the mules.

The mules are all in love with Charlotte, even the girl mules. They want to be around her, fight to be near her and follow her anywhere she goes. This works out really well at camp. Instead of having to tie or corral the mules, Jake and his crew simply tie Charlotte to a rope and let the mules free. They won't leave her so they stay wherever she is.

They put bells around all the mules so you can hear them jingling in the distance from camp. The bells help tell where they are and if there is any trouble. They are also a lovely noise when the mules come trotting into camp, following Charlotte (who is being leg by Dusty). Dusty simply grabs Charlotte, brings her into camp, ties up the mules we are riding for the day, then leads Charlotte out again. The rest of the mules follow her like love sick puppies and we can saddle the riding mules for the day.

Jake says the meaner the mare, the more the mules like her. It may be a memory of their mothers, because all mules are born from a mare and a donkey. But whatever the reason, they follow that mare like magic. It makes taking care of the mules incredibly easier and it is impressive to sit in camp and hear those bells ringing. So cool.....

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