Joe The Mule

08/30/2026

'Probably no animal has been the subject of more cruel and brutal treatment than the mule, and it is safe to say that no animal ever performed his part better, not even the horse. In breaking the mule, most persons are apt to get out of patience with him. I have got out of patience with him myself. But patience is the great essential in breaking, and in the use of it, you will find that you get along much better. The mule
is an unnatural animal, and hence more timid of man than the horse; and yet he is tractable and capable of being taught to understand what you want him to do. And when he understands what you want, and has gained your confidence, you will, if you treat him kindly, have little trouble in making him perform his duty.'
--The Mule, H. Riley (1867) thecorrector.net

08/30/2026

So many Texas characters and so little time to write about them. This is Arizona Bill on his b***o "Tipperary," shortly before Arizona Bill died in 1940 at the age of 94. Bill, whose real name was Raymond Hatfield Gardner, spent the last six years of his life in San Antonio. His life is like something out of a movie. Among other things, he was a scout for General U.S. Grant during the Civil War as well as a scout for General Custer. He also performed in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for awhile. When he died at Fort Sam Houston in 1940 he was buried in an unmarked grave because the Army could not locate his records. But because of the efforts of one man, a veteran named George Miller who had met Bill at San Antonio in the 1930s, the VA finally located the old scout's records in dusty archives and, on Veteran's Day, 1976, Bill was reburied with full military honors in the Sam Houston National Cemetery. Incidentally, as Bill neared the end of his life, his greatest concern was for what would happen to Tipperary after he passed on. Military restrictions mandated that Tipperary be removed from Sam Houston but Bill secured a place for him with donkeys in Brackenridge Park. "But he is considered an aristocratic donkey and it costs 10 cents to ride him while it costs only 5 cents to ride the others" wrote Thomas J. Jenkins in a "Frontier Times" article. When Bill passed through Burnet, Texas, in 1929, the "Burnet Bulletin" newspaper described him as "perhaps the last noted Indian Scout of the old west" and reported that Bill, then 83 years old, camped in the city with Tipperary in order to deliver a lecture to the Boy Scouts.

08/24/2026

Yeah, I know, I'm not an American Quarter Horse but most of my pasture mates are!!! For the most part equine events draw no attention. Taylor Sheridan, of Yellowstone fame, had a brainstorm to bring equine sports into the public eye and it worked!!! From wagontrains to trail riding, from roping to reining equine athletes are out every day with their human companion to preform at their best ability. If you get a chance watch it on CBS or Paramount+. Sorry, I hate to disappoint but I'm not in it.... maybe next year!!!

08/09/2026

🫏🎶 SAVE THE DATE! 🎶🫏

The American Mule and Bluegrass Festival is coming to Shelbyville, TN, September 24–26, and NASMDA is proud to approve the mule show!

📅 September 25–26
📍 Cooper Steel Arena – Shelbyville, TN

The showbill is here, with more information coming soon on entries, patterns, and all the details you need to get ready!

But the mule show is just part of the fun! 🤠

🎶 Live bluegrass music
🔥 Chuck wagon/cast-iron cookoff
🫏 Mule competitions
🎉 And plenty more!

🫏 WIN “MOSES” THE MULE!

Get your tickets for a chance to take home Moses, the 2026 giveaway mule! Proceeds benefit Mission Mules through Mountain Mule Packers. The festival raised $10,000 for Mission Mules last year, so this is a great opportunity to have some fun while supporting an important cause.

And for all of you following the Big B***o Shootout—the pickup for the challenge will happen right here at the festival! 👀🫏

This is one you don’t want to miss!

👉 https://www.americanmuleandbluegrassfestival.com

***oShootout

08/09/2026

Did you know President George Washington is credited with helping create the American Mammoth Jackstock donkey? This historic U.S. breed was developed to produce strong, reliable draft and riding mules. Gentle, intelligent and steady, they’ve been an essential part of American farms for generations. Listed as Critical on The Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List, these donkeys need our support to thrive!

Learn more: https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/american-mammoth-jackstock-donkey/

08/07/2026

I, of course, have the coolest personality of ANY mule!!!

🫏 Mule Fact Friday!

Did you know?

Every Mule has its own personality!

Some are playful, some are serious, some are stubborn and some definitely know they’re in charge!

What’s the funniest personality you’ve seen in a mule?

08/07/2026