Protect Yourself From the Unexpected

We want you to stay safe on the trails this summer. 

*And now, a public service announcement from Jenny, Maxine, and Madge.*

My husband and I were driving through the country today when we saw people riding a moped. They were wearing helmets, but their arms and legs were bar, as they were enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.

"Oh, all I can think about is all the chaffed skin if they crash," I said.

"They say that when it comes to motorcycle crashes, it's not if it happens, but when it happens," my husband replied.

"Sounds kinda like horseback riding," I quipped.

Horse accidents happen to the best of us, so it's important to be prepared when they do. I know that not everyone can afford a full-blown health insurance plan, but many of you may not know about something called catastrophic health insurance. This is insurance that is generally cheaper than a regular policy because it has a high deductible. The point of catastrophic insurance is not to help with day-to-day check ups, but to protect you when the unexpected happens.

Many of my horse friends have Life Flight coverage and Good Sam-type coverage as a precaution. Catastrophic health insurance is just another form of protection for those of use who enjoy high-risk activities.

To find out what options are available for you, contact a local health insurance agent. You can find one online or in your phone book. You can also visit eHealthInsurance.com for basic information.

A coworker reminded me about this type of coverage when I told her about a recent horse-related accident, and I thought it's something every one should know about. I'll get back to the fun stuff, soon. I promise!

A Friend in Need

A friend of mine, JoLinn Hoover, was in a horse-related accident this past weekend. She's doing well, but will need some medical attention to fully recover. Unfortunately, she doesn't have medical insurance, so her recovery will impact her life in more ways than one.

To help raise money for her recovery, I've created a drawing just for her. I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the prints and cards that use this drawing to her medical fund.

The donation will be made in your name, and I'll include a copy of the donation receipt with your purchase.

"Get well soon, JoLinn" products include:

• 8"x10" print for $20 ($20 donated to her medical fund)
• 5"x7" print for $15 ($15 donated to her medical fund)
• Note card for $15 ($15 donated to her medical fund)

In addition, I will donate $1 from any other item purchased at MostlyMules.etsy.com through Monday, April 30. Simply type "Get well soon, JoLinn" in the notes field when you make your purchase.

Why Maxine is Priceless

I was wandering around YouTube tonight, watching some of my old videos. While watching this video of my husband Travis, it really hit me how priceless Maxine is.

When this video was filmed, Travis had probably ridden fewer than 15 times. Nevertheless, he rides with confidence because of his trust in Maxine. He's relaxed and happy. Heck, he even has softer hands than many long-term riders.

Truth is, he and Maxine have formed an amazing bond. Maxine likes and appreciates me, but she adores him. When I ride Maxine, she's sweet but always thinking. When Travis rides Maxine, she's protective. It's endearing to watch.

A few years ago, I suggested that Travis try taking Maxine through a novice in-hand class at a local trail show. Maxine followed him through the course like a love-sick puppy. They did such a good job together, they one the blue ribbon--three days in a row! Since it was a championship series, he officially won a champion ribbon. Not bad for his first time in the show ring.

Travis has never shown since. "One and done," he jokes whenever I bring it up. I don't mind, cause he's one hell of a show groom. But I make sure he rides Maxine for fun whenever I get the chance.

Video: Travis and Maxine riding the 2007 Northwest Trail Championship course during the practice session at the end of the show.

Mostly Mules Open for Business!

After years of looking for fun mule items online, I've found that most items depict realistic mules. The artwork is lovely, but it just feels like I'm putting up a picture of someone else's mule. I'm looking for something whimsical. Something fun.

So, I decided to create it myself. Motivated by a friends with successful shops, mostlymules.etsy.com is now open for business! My store features unique, handmade gifts for mule lovers. I now have two products available, a toasty warm scarf with a mule silhouette and cute note cards that depict Madge with a butterfly on her nose.

I don't know how popular my shop will become, but I'm mostly doing it for fun, so I'm not too worried about it.

If you like mules, check it out.

Photo: One of my first products - Madge note cards.

Maxine, the Shameless Beggar!

See what happens when I try to eat lunch in my tack room on lesson day?

Maxine has no shame. She'll eat practically anything that gets within a foot of her lips. You'd think she was starving to death.

At the end of each ride she always gets a treat or two. Usually we stick to horse treats, apples, peppermints, or bananas (her favorite). However, she does have a few guilty pleasures that she gets once in a blue moon, including french fries, Mountain Dew, and brownies. Can you blame her?

Photo: Maxine tries to grab a bite of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I can't lie—she definitely ended up getting a bite... or two.

Today was a Good Day

Somebody's Teething

I've been neglecting my blogging duties, I know. It's just that this summer has been so jam-packed with activities, it's been hard to find a moment when I not too occupied--or too exhausted--to write a post.

No worries. I promise to catch everyone up on the summer's adventures.

As you know, when you have a baby--though it's difficult to call a 15.1 hand mule a baby--you get to experience a lot of "firsts." One of our most exciting "firsts" this year was Madge's first camp trip to Graham Corral near Sisters, Oregon.

Shortly after arriving at the campground, I unloaded the girls and tied them in the corral. Each mule was tied to the fence, where they'd stay for the weekend. After setting up water buckets and tossing some hay to get them settled in, I wandered over and visited with friends.

An hour or two later, the camp host asked if I'm move my rig to another location, a request I was happy to oblige. I hopped in my truck and drove around the campground circle to my destination. As I passed the corral where the girls were tied, I noticed Madge kicking her heels and racing around. A very short, wet lead rope was dangling from her halter.

No need to panic, I chuckled to myself. She was still confined by the corral fence, so the most she would do is pester the other mules who were now jealous of the only longear no longer tied to the fence.

After parking the truck, I grabbed an extra lead rope and headed to the corral. Madge trotted over as soon as I entered the pen. I quickly clipped on the lead rope, thankful that I wasn't going to have to chase her around the corral. I tied her tight to the fence post and headed back through the gate. As I closed the gate, I looked up to see her standing with the new lead rope already in her mouth.

"Drop it," I hollered, taking a firm step in her direction.

Madge promptly dropped the lead from her mouth, only to pick it up again within seconds. Needless to say, we're still working on the longevity of the "drop it" command.

Knowing that I don't carry an endless supply of lead ropes in the trailer, I started to consider my options for keeping her safely tied for the duration of the camp trip. I had a few stud chains in the trailer, so I grabbed one and headed back to the corral.

Madge patiently waited as I shortened her lead line and bridged the length between the rope and halter with the stud chain. As soon as I dropped the chain, it was in her mouth. She looked at me quizzically, knowing this definitely wasn't something she could chew through. Fortunately, she was only concerned about the length of line near her mouth. The rest of the rope was safe.

"She must be teething," said my trainer when I told her about Madge's antics.

"I don't doubt that," I replied with a laugh, and sat down to relax.

Madge was a doll the rest of the trip. You'd have never guessed it was her first time in the wilderness. She followed us down the trail like a champ, ponying quietly behind Maxine. Well, there was that one time she decided to take a nap (i.e. lie down) on the trail when we stopped take a quick break, but she was just making effective use of her break time.

She also provided us with a lot of entertainment by kicking her heels in the air whenever she was left alone in the corral or tied to the trailer. The first day or two, she was probably reaching the ten foot mark. By the end of the weekend however, her kicks had lost their steam, and her heels barely cleared two feet.

Maxine was much less entertaining. She stood quietly tied when she wasn't steadily carrying me down the trail. Maxine is priceless.

At the end of the trip, I loaded my two tired mules into the trailer for a long, satisfying drive home.

Photo: Madge, Me and Max, and Travis and Micah, the wonder donkey. I was so excited that Travis came up to ride with us for the day. I'm also thankful that my trainer let him ride her mom's steadfast donkey. It's so fun to have my husband along.