Mule Woman

10/13/2026

These animals take everything from me and then some, but I don’t know who or where I’d be without them.

10/13/2026

10/12/2026

Similar to mules, I also like to work smarter instead of harder. That’s why I put scary things down by the barn aisle to rest on. Good job, Big Hoss and his momma Mckinnley!

10/11/2026

I think she’s a bit taller than her mom now.

10/10/2026

It was a smaller crowd this year due to Hurricane Isaias striking the Gulf and bringing with it some gloomy weather down south, but nevertheless we showed out with the mules downtown once again! Thank you Ocala Metro CEP and The Horse Talk Show Network for another fantastic All Breeds Horse (and Mule 😉) Parade! It’s always awesome to connect with local mule lovers and introduce little ones to these awesome animals.

10/03/2026

Shangri La today — improvising with a truck blanket beneath the sawbuck because it’s just too hot and humid to use the wool pad.

09/28/2026

Today I took Bella on her first trail ride of 2026. I had to scroll back through my photos to make sure that’s right, because it sounds insane to say I haven’t trailered out my soul mule all year and it’s about to be October. But here we are, and it’s true.

As I was trailering out today with only Bella in the trailer I cried harder than I probably should’ve. I’ve had this mule nearly 8 years now, and it’s been so long since it was just the two of us trailering out to a new adventure. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was 21 and she was 12 and I hardly had any experience driving a truck let alone a trailer and I loaded this mule up and headed out west for New Mexico. Back then I played Already Gone by Sugarland and cried like a baby as we pulled out the gate.

Bella is the reason I love mules and advocate so hard for their well being and just treatment in the equine world. She gave me my start, has seen me through multiple relationships, moved me across the country FOUR times, helped keep a roof over my head when I used her for work, and has humbled me more than any animal I’ve ever owned. I owe her my all forever. I can’t imagine loving anything more than I love my sweet, beautiful, brindle belly Bella mule.

I got to spend some much needed time with the flock this weekend too. One of our laying hens hatched a chick a few weeks ago — her name is Little Llorona because she won’t stop crying. Mia has been in a a mental funk since molting last month but still wanted to hang out next to me as long as I stayed still and didn’t look at her. She’s the only one of my first four turkeys left, and I love her dearly. I hope she continues staying healthy and mobile for a long time since the broad breasted breed isn’t quite bred for longevity. Her boyfriend Chico is always close by but never did warm up to people since I bought him as an older poult.

Since my mother is now living at the Ocala farm full time while I work across the state we had one last uhaul shipment bring up all her plants from down south (she’s incredible at gardening). Oso appreciates his new shade spot before we move them all.

Lastly, mowed down the overgrown pastures and had a small bonfire.