Opinions on mini mule

[Capriole]

Heard back from the vet's office....she can't do anything until he can be handled enough to keep him still .... that's going to be awhile....
I figured there was a way around that...I'm fairly certain I've read about BLM animals being gelded right off the range...

 

[Abby P]

They probably rope them and throw them...which isn't going to do much for trust-building. Only way would be if you had some kind of chute/squeeze so he could be held still long enough to be tranquilized, but even that might scare him.

 

[Capriole]

No, I wouldn't want to do that to him...I guess we'll just have to wait until he's ready.

 

[Taz]

I wouldn't worry about not being able to geld him right away, his personality isn't going to change now and he can't breed your mare. You could ask your vet about ace granules, it's a powdered tranquilizer, not knock them out strong but might calm him down enough to get an iv. You could try getting some from her and putting it in his feed to see if it would work well enough with you so she doesn't have to come out and waste her time if it doesn't, just a thought.

 

[LostandFound]

I believe the BLM uses chutes, they don't throw them. But If you can get something feed through into him, that sounds like the best idea. Some people say that a horse is back to normal immediately after gelding. But I've talked to a few that did "rescue" studs and said that after the gelding they were a little tired and sore for a few days and it made it much easier to work on halter manners and bonding with them.

 

[Capriole]

Somehow he managed to get rid of the rope....he's probably relieved....he's been dragging it around for months (according to former owner)
It wasn't stuck on anything just loose in the middle of the turn out pen....he seems ok....I don't think he's likely to hurt that thick neck just snapping off that ring...
I was planning on just hanging out with him a bit every day and letting him make the first move, so not having the rope doesn't really matter to me at this point.

 

[MaryFlora]

A beautiful and very sweet face and expression. Great photo!

He agrees with you I’m sure about the rope!

 

[HersheyMint]

He has such a handsome face to love I agree , a little each day and he will respond

 

[Willow Flats]

He looks like such a sweetheart!!! Nice portrait too. Will be so sweet the first time he puts that adorable nose on you!
You are very wise to be waiting on him, and it's going to be so worth it.

 

[Capriole]

Kazoo will approach me....he stops about 3 ft. away...and I still can't pet him.....
But, he did give me a little nicker/bray this morning

 

[Abby P]

He is so. freaking. adorable.

 

[Willow Flats]

I am in love with this guy. Just sayin! He is playing hard to get, but he's gonna cave!!! He's gonna be your little man.

 

[Abby P]

Capriole, it's been nearly a whole week, I think we need some more mule spam pretty soon here...

 

[HersheyMint]

He is so handsome❣

 

[Standards Equine]

@Capriole , I'm looking forward to your next update too!

 

[Capriole]

As you wish.....He's figured out he can avoid the flies by going into the stall when the automatic sprayer sprays, and he figured out the hay pillow.
Still doesn't want to be touched, but at least he can get some relief from the flies, since I can't spray him.

 

[Willow Flats]

Awww. He's a smarty! Looks like he is comfortable having you close by at least. ❤

 

[Capriole]

Today I offered Kazoo a treat from my hand. He came close enough to touch it with his nose (then jumped back).
He wouldn't take it from my hand, but, at least he came close enough to touch it (probably helped I was on the other side of the fence).
Baby steps....super small baby steps

 

[MaryFlora]

Great steps and great photos! His cuteness factor is still off the charts!

In the 1990’s, we adopted two BLM mustangs. One passed away at the age of 26, and our remaining mustang is 40 years old this year. I remember their extreme sensitivity to being touched ….anywhere. It took many thousands of baby steps.

Kelly, and, I think a few others, have posted photos of their cool obstacles with one being streamers to walk under. I can see this not being a great activity now but would a modification be a thought to help Kazoo get comfortable with touch?

 

[Capriole]

Wow! Forty years old! How lucky is he to end up with you!

I don't know if it's touch or humans ....or just human's touch....
Streamers are a good idea, though, just to get him used to different things in general. Unfortunately, right now the only place I could put them where he would have to walk through them would be the doorway to the stall and I don't want to discourage him from going into the stall because that's the only place he can go to get some relief from the flies...since we can't spray him or put a fly mask on him yet.