Résultats de recherche

Following a discussion with Chatgpt about animal abuse, obviousness returned to me: the border between theory and experience is sometimes a chasm. In the digital universe, the slightest slap given to a mule is immediately considered to be mistreatment. From a theoretical point of view, this is held: benevolence must take precedence. But what to do when an 800 kg mule crushes your foot? According to the AI: "Get in protected contact, then push it gently on the side so that it departs. »» In practice ... It is already the hospital guaranteed to treat the multiple fractures. This anecdote made me smile, but it perfectly illustrates the gap between logical reasoning and the reality on the ground. The two do not necessarily oppose: the theory sheds light, gives benchmarks, fixes essential principles (such as the refusal of violence). But it sometimes becomes blind to physical constraints, the reflexes of the body, in the emergency room of the moment. We find this tension in many areas: Theory vs terrain knowledge vs experience intellect vs bodily With the mules, this gap is glaring. The education of an 800 kg animal is not an abstract equation. It is a melee, a permanent adjustment relationship, where instinct, physical presence and concrete experience have as much as concepts. Theory is a precious tool. It allows you to move forward with more awareness, to avoid errors from the past, to offer ethical frameworks. But it becomes dangerous when it freezes in ideology, cut off from reality, at the risk of condemning what is simply a vital reflex or practical adaptation. Our role, as muleters, is precisely to maintain this link between thought and action. Remember that lived experience remains irreplaceable. Accept that the theory must sometimes bend before matter, weight, movement, bodily experience. Because deep down, the mule is not a concept. It is a concrete, demanding and terribly formative presence. She teaches us, at all times, that experience is sometimes worth a thousand theories.

Bob et Latigo des grandes Z'Oreilles Bob Smith's arrival in France is a fine example of collective and associative success, fully in keeping with the spirit of Mule Qui Peut: sharing knowledge, cultivating solidarity, and putting the mule first. Bob shared his valuable expertise with us with disarming simplicity. Despite a 24-hour trip, jet lag, repeated changes of facilities, contacts, and accommodations, and a real culture shock, he rose to the challenge brilliantly: always kind, welcoming, and approachable, with the sole objective of sharing his love of mules. A Long-Planned Adventure It all began two years ago when Dominique, president of Mule Qui Peut, discovered Bob at the Missouri Mule Makeover. Since then, regular exchanges have forged a strong bond. In December 2024, the challenge was issued: "Are you coming, Bob?" — "I'll get my visa!" And the adventure began... Implementing such a project requires an immense amount of upfront work. Bob generously granted us a special Mule Qui Peut rate, half of what he usually charges. Then we had to set up the project, a real challenge led by Dominique and Cécile, who did a colossal amount of work: financial planning, HelloAsso ticketing, communication, logistics, organizing the courses... all while managing the Muletier Challenge and the four days in Mulardie. The phones were full of energy and the inboxes were full 😁 Finally, a big congratulations to the partner organizations for their responsiveness and welcome: L'Écrin des Mules, the Belles Bourriques de Pont Loup breeding farm, and Frédérique Blanchard-Poil de Parole. Hats off to them! They had to juggle logistics for Bob and Chris, organizing the courses, meals, and accommodation for the participants... A challenge they met with flying colors, all on a voluntary basis. The big day: arrival in France Mais oui il l'a vu la grande Dame ! On Tuesday, August 26th, Dominique and Van woke up at dawn: they headed to the airport to greet Bob and Chris! After two hours of traffic, they arrived right on time. Ta-ta-ta… where are they? How is this going to go? You all know that mixture of excitement and nerves you feel when you meet someone in person. Then the looks, the hugs… It's definitely them! Friendship takes over, they meet up, and off they go for a tour of Paris. Yes, it's a beautiful city! After a lunch break, they headed to the Vallée des Cerfs, which was our host, arriving at 8:30 p.m. The day seemed long to us… but for Bob and Chris, it was about 36 hours without sleep! The rest, you know: four intense days in Mulardie, then Dominique and Van drive them to Hélène's place from Luchapt. From there, Vinciane, a friend of Hélène's, took over with Carole, who became their driver, translator, and tour guide for the remainder of the tour. She accompanied them to the Belles Bourriques breeding farm, then to Montpellier to Frédérique's. Bob and Chris greatly appreciated her invaluable and generous help. Finally, from Montpellier to the Paris region, TGV, thanks to the SNCF for keeping their promises and delivering them safely. Dominique and Van then joined them for a final meal of debriefing and friendship, before an early wake-up call: 7:30 a.m. departure for Roissy. Bob arrived home safely... and he'd love to come back! A collective adventure The Vallée des Cerfs group, the breeding of the beautiful Bourriques de Pont Loup, and the Domaine du Reganel with Frédérique Blanchard, the courageous mules from the Écrin des Mules, and Bob and Chris, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with us. An event like this is the result of a united organization, where everyone contributes. Mule Power! As president of Mule Qui Peut, I hope that Bob Smith's visit to France will not only be a unique event, nor a showcase, but above all a lever to help many owners. Our goal is to help change the way people view mules, with a fair, respectful, and enlightened approach. Together, we can restore the mule to the place it deserves. Dominique

Muleton de l'élevage des Grandes Z'oreilles As part of the Mulet Conference, the Mule qui Peut association was asked if we had any idea of ​​the number of saddle mules or small mules currently present in the country. Faced with this question, I recalled some work I had conducted during my studies: an analysis of equine births recorded by the SIRE department of the IFCE (French Institute for the Conservation of Animals and Animals). Some of this data is publicly available and provides an approximate picture of French mule production. I emphasize this approximate aspect: the SIRE data sometimes seems incomplete, even poorly reported. Documents Used For this brief overview, I relied on two sources: The first is the equine registration file from 1976 to 2024. It provides an overview of mule production, including OC and ONC. The second is the birth register by year and department, which seems to only include mules of known origin. Are you ready? Let's take a quick demographic tour of the world of the French mule. First database: SIRE records Let's start with a general overview. Between 1976 and 2024, the SIRE data recorded 10,835 mules, divided into five categories: Mule, ONC Mule, Poitevine Mule, OC Mule, etc. For simplicity, I grouped "Mulet" and "ONC Mule" together, which, after verification, appear to refer to the same thing. Here is the resulting distribution (see graph). A peak in births was observed around 2010, which then declined. It's difficult to say what this reflects: perhaps a microchipping campaign or an IFCE census? As for breeds, the very high proportion of ONC mules complicates the analysis. This category encompasses very different profiles: from the small pack mule to the large driving mule, including the riding mule. Starting in the 2020s, we have noted a slight increase in OC mules. This could correspond to the emergence of breeding operations outside of traditional breeding grounds, particularly with projects focused on the riding mule. A few other graphs also allow us to visualize: the distribution by sex (unsurprisingly, it's around 50/50), the distribution by coat, where bay, dark bay and black pangaré dominate. Second database: the birth register The second file covers the years 2008 to 2024 and provides a portrait of production by region. It lists 2,614 births. Only draft mules appear here, probably because the registration only covers breeds recognized during this period (Poitevins and Pyrenees). The same trend is observed as in the SIRE: a peak in births around 2010, followed by a decline that stabilizes on a plateau starting in 2014. The historic production regions still dominate: Poitou and the Pyrenees, with also some pockets in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, Ardèche and Aveyron. Conclusion It seems that we are currently in a phase of relative stability for mule production in France. Aside from the major historical breeds, it remains difficult to determine the predominance of any particular type of mule, particularly because of the "ONC" category, which encompasses a bit of everything. In terms of trends, historical breeds seem to be slightly declining compared to ONC and OC mules. The decline appears more pronounced for the Pyrenean mule, while the Poitevin mule is roughly maintaining its proportions. Conversely, OC mules seem to be on the rise, perhaps thanks to the rise of the recreational mule and new uses. So here are some suggestions based on this data. But be warned: these conclusions remain debatable and are more a matter of curiosity than exact science. After all, this is just the analysis of a guy in his underwear behind his computer... Thanks for reading, and see you soon! Source: First dataset – Equine file (March 27, 2025): https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/fichier-des-equides/ Second dataset – Number of equine births in France (March 27, 2025): https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/nombre-de-naissances-d-equides-en-france-30378678/#/resources/9b2cac00-f43d-4d66-b0fc-86fb60d3d381 Operating script – Analysis and visualization (Python, Google Colab): https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1k2nSbopzcH9_rMgVgJwd5oteZae0FiR8?usp=sharing_]()

The 2025 Mule Race in the Vallée des Cerfs A real challenge... The kind of situation that sometimes makes you want to give up everything. Between the bad luck that struck some of our coaches—including Camille Navillod, one of our favorites, breaking her rib just a week before the final—and the lack of motivation of others, we only had one finalist present on the day, Julie Lagraulet, aka Amazone Lune. She arrived in a state of stress and anxiety that was particularly difficult to manage. We therefore chose to adapt the Challenge to her emotional state, to allow her to experience the best possible experience. Le stage A first for Mule Qui Peut! Inviting a professional muleteer from the United States—one of the countries where mules are most widely used—was a bold gamble. And Bob Smith-Natural Elements Horsemanship rose to the challenge brilliantly. It was also a first for him: his very first steps on the European continent... and in France! The exchange was incredibly enriching. Bob is a great man, simple and authentic, with that certain something that makes you feel like you're meeting an old friend—almost from another life 🤭. Bob is a true expert: an extraordinary experience, calm and simple, humor and kindness, a clear and respectful teaching style, both for mules and humans. The atmosphere of his workshops? A real pleasure! He observes, suggests an exercise, then guides each participant with precision and gentleness. His principle: speak like a mule—that is, communicate through body language and intention, just as they do with each other. No stick, no flag, no treats: just body language. For us little French people, it's a real adjustment process and it challenges some of our certainties... but what a rich learning experience! After the ChaLenge final, Bob continued his tour: stopping at the Écrin de Mules, the Belles Bourriques de Pont Loup breeding farm, and finally Montpellier with Poil de Parole. A huge thank you to Carole Drogoul, who served as driver, translator, and tour guide. The Final A challenge brilliantly met by the Mule Qui Peut team! Organizing a final with just one coach... a real challenge, right? Fortunately, we could count on two key allies: the training camp with Bob Smith, organized just before the final, so he was there, and the presence of our adorable Argentinian muleteer Lucia Fournier. Thanks to them, we were able to offer the public a superb demonstration of their respective approaches: respect, tact, and teaching skills were all present. A highlight of this edition! Other key moments of the day! Ju Micamb shared her approach while working with a young mule from Anne Van Aubel. The Poitou mules were out in force thanks to Nicolas Seguier-Formul'Ane, Timothée Brisson, and their companions from the Poitou mule breeds: a memorable encounter! Aurore – AC Custom Saddlery presented her saddles specially adapted for mules (a demonstration unfortunately held on Friday evening, with no possibility of reproducing it for the public on Saturday). Our old friend Joshua Mini, accompanied by his faithful companion Fany, offered us a wonderful experience with a roping demonstration. Pascal showed us his Sambu and Cabrest saddles on his Sabbah dummy. The program was somewhat disrupted by the competition and the unpredictable weather on Sunday, but everything ran smoothly and in a friendly atmosphere. The audience left delighted, with many new discoveries about our fantastic animals! The competition The competition – yet another innovation from Mule Qui Peut! Brand-new rules, designed and created by Carole Drogoul, Muriel Herion, and Bob Smith: the Mule Trail. And what a success! More than 22 participants took part in this very first edition… A figure we couldn't believe! The atmosphere The weather wasn't on our side on Sunday: rain and wind were forecast, which disrupted the program. Some of the competitors therefore arrived on Saturday afternoon. In the end, everything went well. Sunday morning, the weather was rainy but still acceptable. The results: 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 – 𝐚𝐮 𝐬𝐨𝐥 Caroline Lefèvre & Lasco – 78.7 / 80 Audrey Dulondel & Noisette – 77.6 / 80 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 – 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Caroline Lefèvre & Lasko – 64 / 80 𝐃𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞 Audrey Dulondel with Sabbah (ridden) & Noisette (right) – 90 / 90 Carole Drogoul with Alpha (ridden) & Beauty (right) – 85 / 90 Nicolas Séguier with Houblon (ridden) & Canopée (right) – 83 / 90 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝é𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 – 𝐚𝐮 𝐬𝐨𝐥 Cécile Rohart & Friquet – 106 / 120 Thomas Duguy & Julbo – 105 / 120 Catherine Vezzosi & Fidèle des Granges – 93 / 120 Pénélope Friand & Julbo – 88 / 120 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 – 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Nicolas Séguier & Canopée – 84 / 120 Pénélope Friand & Julbo – 78 / 120 Maélis Clausse & Mr Mulet – 76 / 120 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 – 𝐚𝐮 𝐬𝐨𝐥 Audrey Dulondel & Noisette – 156 / 160 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 – 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘀 Audrey Dulondel & Sabbah – 155 / 170 Joshua Mini & Fany – 154 / 170 Nicolas Séguier & Houblon – 142 / 170 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬 Thomas Duguy & Julbo – 91 / 110 Nicolas Séguier & Houblon – 82 / 110 Pénélope Friand & Julbo – 78 / 110 Jean Arnaud Dinaud & Jazzy – 50 / 110 Another great moment of sharing in Mulardie, thank you all and Mule power!!!!

Thursday, August 28 & Friday, August 29 Workshop with Bob Smith Only 1 spot remains for August 28. Two days of learning and sharing with Natural Elements Horsemanship Saturday, August 30 – Finale of the “ChaLenge Muletier” This year, the finals truly live up to the name: a real challenge taken on by a single trainer—Amazone Lune—with her mule ChaLenge Merlin des Grandes Zoreilles. Immense respect for her dedication! Morning (starting 9:30 AM): Ju Micamb : behavioral workshop – learning to recognize subtle signs of discomfort in a mule. “The real ChaLenge!” : performance by Amazone Lune and Merlin. Nicolas Seguier ( ForMule’Ane ) ) : demonstration with his Poitevine mules focusing on education, harnessing, and animal traction work (including pulling a wooden log). Aurore Cachera (AC Custom Saddlery) : presentation on the thorny issue of mule saddles – a must-see for mule enthusiasts, saddles, and the public. Supported by L'élevage des grandes Z'oreilles Afternoon (starting 2:30 PM): Bob Smith & Lucia Fournier : not-to-be-missed demonstrations! Muriel Hérion won’t be able to participate for health reasons but will be available to answer questions. Timothée Brisson : a short performance with his two young Poitevines. Joseph Villecomte de la Mangouste : a “magisterial” intervention. Pascal Garnier : mule harnessing using selles sambu  and bridles, followed by a talk on the history of mules in France. Closing : debriefing with Muriel Hérion. Please note: the order of appearances is guaranteed, but schedules remain flexible! Sunday, August 31 – Special Mule Competition: “Le sentier des mules”  🏆 9:30 AM : Presentation by Julien Joukje  with mule Mulane . “Le sentier des Mules” competition : a unique moment, organized without any federation, with rules created by our members and collaborators. Expect a large turnout! Location : Vallée des Cerfs, Vienne (86). Event organized by the Mule Qui Peut  association🤠 💡 Location  : Vallée des Cerfs – Vienne (86)📌 Événement organisé par l’association Mule Qui Peut pour faire jolie en prémiére page Exhibitors and Partners:   Mule Qui Peut La Brasserie Tête de Mule  – artisanal Poitou brewery, with us from the very beginning. SAFE HP  – our first partner; unfortunately, will not be present on site. AC Custom Saddlery  – producers of mule saddles and bridles; well-known and present on site. Tjt etho  – makers of head-collars tailored for our mule heads; will not be present. Randoline  – saddle-pack manufacturer; on site to offer advice. Sellerie Boucle d’Or  – offers great trekking saddles with mule-specific tree options; unfortunately not present. Nathalie Rami , from l’élevage des grandes zoreilles , will be on site to talk about mule breeding with her usual benevolence. La sellerie Hiponna  – Perrine will be present with a stand of small leather items—newcomer in the field. Elise RC  – will be there! With or without her Italian-made chaps. Of course, also the Mule Qui Peut  booth, where you'll find books, T-shirts, cookies, cookie-cutters, flyers about breeders, record books, informational materials, and old equipment brought by Pascal Garnier. Not present on site but available via special “Mule Qui Peut” rates: Equirelax  and Hippigo equine transport

The 4 days in mulardie From August 28 to 31, 2025, go to the Vallée aux Cerfs (86) for a unique event around the mules: internship, final of the Muletier Chalenge, competition ... Here is all the information to remember The program Thursday 28 & Friday August 29 Internship with Bob Smith -  Natural Elements Horsemanship   Work on foot or mounted, relationship, finesse, method ... There are 2 places left on 28, 3 places on 29: Inscription No limitation for free candidates Saturday, August 30, final of the Muletier Chalenge A day full of emotion, progression and sharing A surprise demonstration not to miss an international meeting with demonstration of three big pro! Sunday August 31, 1st Pro Mule competition: MULES STRIGER technical course on foot or mounted, test noted Inscription It's great but where is it? At the deer valley, at Anne and Patrick Van Aubel (Vienne, 86) Exact location: ICI How do we get there? Train: closest stations Montmorillon Poitiers Limoges By car: easy access Carpool: A dedicated platform is in place! Caroster It's not complicated: you have room, car or van, you register your journey and the number of available places (human or mule). Looking for a journey ?, You register in the waiting list and voila, you will receive notifications And where do I sleep? Cottage or rental nearby Truck Camping on site possible (toilets and water point) How do we eat? Only the Saturday noon meal will be organized on site For coaches and stakeholders: common pot Possibility to eat together, but notify us very quickly! (logistics & financial participation requested) I have questions? For any questions: contact us via the site form or by private message. By email mulesquipeut@gmail.com We can't wait to meet you for this great moment around the mules! Exhibitors and partners La brasserie tête de mule de Beres Artisanale du Poitou, by our sides from the start SAFE HP Our first partner, present on site AC Custom Saddlery , stools and bridles for mules, we no longer present it, her work speaks for her. On site Tjt etho , halters studied at our mule heads. Cannot be present Randoline , a manufacturer of a building, will be on site to advise you Sellerie Boucle d'Or, upholstery, which unfortunately cannot be present, but super hiking stools with option arches mules Nathalie Rami of the l'élevage des grandes zoreilles she will be on site to speak to you breeding with her usual benevolence La sellerie Hiponna   upholstery will be present with a stand of small leather objects, small news in the business Elise RC   will be there! With its chaps made in Italy And of course the Mule Qui Peut can where you will find books, t-shirts, shortbread, pieces, flyers on breeders, registers, info, and old equipment brought by Pascal Garnier they will not be present but you could call on them, special mule price that can Equirelax Hippigo transport d'équidés

Diferenciado Why the PEGA donkey ???? To make a mule, you need a mare and a donkey. In France we have a beautiful Mulassière tradition and some beautiful donkey breeds. But they are mul -working mules, rather heavy. During the preparation of our trip, we had a hard time finding saddle mules. And when we get back, we said to ourselves that "gaits" mules* would have been interesting to travel ... These fast and comfortable equines for the rider have special looks, known for centuries by riders who want to travel far comfortably. So we want to produce "gaits" saddle mules, and we are turned to the producing countries, on the other side of the Atlantic. To maximize our chances, it takes appearance mares, as well as donkeys ... Some donkeys in all breeds have movements resembling the Amble, but it is very individual and the transmission of this characteristic is random. We have chosen the PEGA because it is selected for these specific looks, and produces mules of appearance in Brazil! So we left there to meet breeders and Perform our knowledge of this race. Donkey Pega is a Brazilian race. There have been donkeys in Brazil since the 1500s, but the PEGA was created and selected from the 1800s. It was at this time that the mining in the Minas Gerais developed and that the need for mules for transport was felt. It was therefore natural to establish donkeys for the production of mules in the Minas Gerais valleys. At the origin of the PEGA race, there are iberic, Egyptian, Andalusian and Italian donkeys. The particular environment of Minas Gerais and the selection of breeders shaped a race with very specific characteristics. It is an essentially mulassic breed in Brazil. Donkeys are not used for work, the mules are preferred to them. Diferenciado The PEGA donkey crossed with a mare gives an excellent product, the mule or the mule of an undeniable capacity for work, the saddle or leisure, which, thanks to its strength, its agility, its rusticity and its sobriety, has a great advantage over its competitors. Today, the PEGA race is the pride of Brazilian national farming. This breed is distinguished by a charismatic physique and special looks. In Brazil, there are Breeding competition (conformation) and gait competitions. We first recognize a PEGA donkey in its slender and slender conformation. It is like "air under the belly". His head with a busy profile is trapezoidal, especially not triangular. We also notice its long lanceolate ears, which sometimes have the tips that touch. Its size is average, up to 1m40. It is a very docile and lively donkey, close to man. He has special looks, the "Picada walk" and the "Batida merchant". The first is similar to the Tölt, and the second is a kind of trot without suspension time. Both are fast and comfortable for the rider. Crossed with appearance mares, we get the shape mules that am upset, tend or use the Batida merchant, according to mares skills. In Brazil it is the Mangalarga Marchador who are mainly crossed with these donkeys. Icaro et Isabela la relève To be informed of breeding news, do not hesitate to subscribe to our free newsletter: https://framagroupes.org/sympa/subscribe/news-globe-crotters?previous_action=info * Mule / horse "of gaits": equine which has, in addition to the step, trotting and galloping, specific additional looks, for example Tölt, Amble, Marcha Picada, Merchant Batida, Saddle Rack, Amble Rompu, Running Walk, Singlefoot, etc. These looks do not include suspension time and are generally side, except the Batida merchant, which is a slightly broken trot. Anouk and Dominic, their site: Les belles bourriques du Pont- Loup

The months of April and May were treacherous for our trainers. No dropouts, but forced breaks. It's true that a lot can happen in a human's life in seven months! And when that human is accompanied by animals, as our trainers are, it can sometimes multiply the obstacles. The good news: no dropouts! And even the arrival of a new trainer... a rather unusual one! Ju Micamb She had to limp along (due to a serious sprain) in the rehabilitation of Athos, the little devil who suffered from previous handholds. The pace is slow, but progress is evident. Athos had a huge problem with hand contact... Today, he comes to seek contact on his own. Click to see the Playlist Xavier Gravelle Xavier had some big personal problems from the start of the Challenge, but he warned us: "I'm not giving up!" And here he is again with the beautiful Grelot, for whom this break was ultimately beneficial. He stayed in the herd for three months, a necessary adaptation time for him: to adapt, to settle down, and to go from being a complete wild mule to an almost domesticated gelding. This adaptation time is sometimes essential. Click to see the Playlist Amazone Lune A true warrior, Julie! Faithful to her role, with her precisely crafted vlogs, she shares her daily life with Métisse and Vampette—a concentration of humor and tenderness. But let's not forget that her true Challenge mule is the handsome blond: Merlin with the big ears. Julie has had it all in two months: pony breeder (magnificent foals, by the way...), a catastrophic birth, foaling complications, piroplasmosis in her stallion, colic, a flood... And yet, here she is, standing tall, and fully committed. Click to see the Playlist Camille Navilod Also faithful to the post... except when her phone is broken! She shares a very educational work with Filou, impressive in his stature, but who seems overflowing with good will. Click to see the Playlist Julien Joukje He too wasn't spared, but he shared with us some great videos of Kalypso's work, where we can sense the knowledge and rigor, but also a great deal of respect for Kalypso. Most recently, a good friend of Kalypso's, Napalm, lost his sight. He's the pilot fish, and it's going to be impossible to separate Kalypso from his blind friend. Julien will do what he can. Click to see the Playlist Iloa Cuccilino Our youngest, as young as she is, has had her share of personal problems, but she's back in the race, that's a promise! Click to see the Playlist Nikita And yes, our new trainer is none other than Nikita the mule, who's back in the race. This time, she's the trainer! She's brought Maëva, aka Mae-Equus Anima, a truly amazing human, into the adventure. Another stroke of luck from the great Mule, who organized a wonderful encounter: Nikita, true to form, has undertaken to educate this human, a novice when it comes to mules, and no other, to reveal to her the secrets of the muleteering art. She will be marked down harshly, especially if there's any human abuse involved! Click to see the Playlist Natural Elements Horsemanship the bonus! Bob indirectly participates in the Muletier Challenge. Still relatively unknown in France, he now publishes a video every Friday for the French-speaking public, so that everyone can discover his philosophy and approach. He will arrive in France at the end of August to lead a short tour of workshops, in conjunction with his participation in the Challenge finals. To learn more, click on the photo. To learn more, click on the photo See you in early July for new adventures! A big thank you to all the dedicated coaches, without whom none of this would be possible. Your passion and commitment make all the difference. See you soon!

This somewhat unusual post is a living database dedicated to the history of the mule, in France and elsewhere. You'll find PDF documents that we regularly update or add to: articles, book excerpts, archives, stories, testimonials... all valuable resources to better understand the place of the mule in our agricultural, military, cultural, and everyday heritage. Whether you're passionate, curious, a student, an amateur historian, or a professional in the equine world, this evolving library is for you! Feel free to let us know of documents to add or share your findings: the history of the mule deserves to be known, shared, and collectively enriched. The use of mules in the Landes de Gascogne

Maeva De Hemricourt: a journey in a backpack to achieve your dreams, that's not common! At 19, Maeva De Hemricourt chose to dedicate her gap year to an unusual adventure: a two-month trip alone with her rooster Nuckie. A student of animal osteopathy, Maeva gave herself the means to live this unique experience, working from September to April to save money, tinker with her equipment, and prepare her mount. A Lifelong Passion Maeva has been riding horses since the age of 4, with her first horse at 10. Over the years, she crossed paths with Muriel Herion, aka "Mumu," and Nuckie, a 13-year-old brown bull. This encounter marked a turning point: Maeva dedicated herself to rebuilding the animal's confidence, having suffered from early breaking-in and an unsuitable rider. Noucky: A Resilient Mule Nucky is about 1.40 m tall and weighs 450 kg. She was mistreated in her youth: a severe bit injured her mouth, a rider who was too heavy and fell on her knees, and a daily life confined between a box and the riding school. Taken in by Muriel, she spent three years in the field, far from any demands, before Maeva began the gentle and patient work to rebuild the relationship. The Beginning of a Journey, Day by Day After two to three years together, it was time for the big departure. Without a specific itinerary, from "Point A to Point B," Maeva set off with Nuckie on a journey at the pace of the sled, improvising every day. The beginning of the journey was surprising: Nuckie displayed great endurance, having covered 28 km in the first few days, strong feet, and a strong independence. The Itinerary Equipped with an old Belgian gendarmerie saddle, the rooster seems at ease. She has few fears, has toughened up with training, and shows no injuries. A close friend of her human, she remains close, even though another mare shared the beginning of the journey. The separation didn't seem to upset her, except for a few vocal calls: Nuckie is above all attached to Maeva. "Nuckie and I both got into a rhythm of traveling, it became our way of life: traveling the roads during the day, arriving in a new place in the evening, making it our own, settling in, and then leaving the next day."

Who are we? Founded in October 2023 by enthusiasts committed to the recreational use of mules, the Mule Qui Peut association is the first of its kind in France. Starting from scratch, it now boasts 55 members and numerous supporters spread across the country. Our goal is clear: To rescue the mule from oblivion. To unite all stakeholders in the mule world—breeders, artisans, professional users (portage, animal traction), leisure enthusiasts, competitors—and to foster dialogue across different uses: from agricultural work to hiking, from outreach to living heritage. Visibility given to harness and saddlery artisans, support for mule trainers, and recognition of the diversity of French mule lines, whether the Poitevine mule, the Pyrenees mule, the Seyne mule, or the Massif Central mule. Solidarity among muleteers is at the heart of our approach: supporting novice owners or experienced owners facing difficulties. Recently, our work has also taken on an international dimension: at the end of August 2025, we will host an exceptional workshop with the American, Bob Smith Natural Elements Horsemanship, renowned for his gentle and respectful teaching of mules. This will be an opportunity to strengthen exchanges between enthusiasts around ethical and progressive education methods. We have also entered into a collaboration with the Associazione Italiana MULI, which works to promote the mule in Italy. Together, we are laying the foundations for a European network of cooperation and promotion around these hybrid equines. They are talking about us: France 3 Périgord Cheval Magazine , Sud Ouest France Bleu On social media: where we are regularly cited as a reference for mules Article au sujet des MulInades 2025 Our Actions Mule Qui Peut works to reclaim the value of hybrid equines: mules, mules, and hinnies. Our constantly evolving projects share a common goal: to reconnect humans with these fascinating animals, restore their place in our shared heritage, and pass on muleteering skills before they are lost. Versatile, intelligent, hardy, and loyal, mules have long been essential partners in farming, portering, and transportation. But in the 1970s, mechanization led to their near-extinction, taking with it a precious legacy of skills. In a year and a half of existence, we have already organized two Mulinades, friendly gatherings between muleteers, as well as our first event, the RMMO/MMO, to be held in 2024 at the JNR Ranch in Dordogne. For 2025, the Muletier Challenge is underway! We also maintain a regularly updated website, translated into four languages, as well as active pages on social media, primarily Facebook and YouTube. Our association strives not only to promote mules in contemporary disciplines (hiking, TREC, endurance, mountain trail running, etc.), in their traditional uses, such as portering, animal traction, and logging, but also to preserve their heritage through historical research and to support the professionals who work with them. For the first time in France, we organized the visit of an American professional muleteer to France to offer a training tour throughout France. We are continuing our innovation with the creation of a competition specifically for mules, The Mule Trail. Les Mulinades Le stage avec Bob Smith Le sentier des mules, concours Furthermore, through our Facebook group "La Foire de Mule Qui Peut" (The Mule Fair Who Can) and our support and advice network, we work actively to rescue and rehabilitate mules in difficulty, connecting owners, adopters, and trainers. This chain of solidarity allows some mules to find a second chance in a caring and appropriate environment. Whether it's breeding, training, animal traction, packsaddle, or outreach, we build bridges between generations, territories, and practices. We believe in the educational, sporting, cultural, and heritage value of the mule, and in the strength of the muleteering bond between passionate humans and exceptional animals. Our Helloasso  page allows us to self-fund basic expenses, but does not allow us to reimburse trainers for their participation.

A survival communication Equines and other mammals living in groups have developed their own communication, a subtle, silent way of communicating, all while remaining vigilant. Feeding a mass of 200 to 700 kg on nothing but grass takes time! There's no point in chatting with your nose in the air: you have to eat while keeping an eye on your surroundings, on the lookout for the slightest sign. A simple change in attitude, a muscle tension, a micro-emotion... and the entire herd is alert. We see it in some documentaries: a sated lioness crosses a group of zebras, no one moves. A few days later, the same lioness, hungry, passes by again. This time, there's panic. Her body has spoken, despite herself. A sixth sense... not so magical And us? We've retained a vestige of this archaic sensitivity. We feel it when someone looks at us or when someone "rings a bell." This famous "sixth sense" is nothing supernatural: it's a keen reading of the body and intention, stemming from our hunter-gatherer past. Our archaic brain, via the amygdala (the emotional center), detects inconsistencies before we even become aware of them. When the mule looks at us... The mule doesn't just look: it reads, it captures our tensions, our contradictions, our real intentions. If what we show on the outside doesn't correspond to what we feel inside, it knows it. The interaction then becomes a silent mirror of our own emotional coherence. Two Readers of Silence This is where the human-mule relationship becomes fascinating: two species, one expert in silent reading, and the other one that has somewhat forgotten it, learning to read each other. Brain Waves: A User's Guide The human brain operates in waves: – Beta (13–30 Hz): mental activity, reflection, stress – Alpha (8–13 Hz): calm, alert, relaxed, present Horses, on the other hand, naturally live in alpha waves when they are serene. Present to themselves, they perceive what cannot be seen: intention, tension, incoherence. While for humans, beta waves represent our normal daily functioning, for equines they are a function of excitement, fear, and play. Mumule, that great analyst But be careful: the mule is not a horse. She's everything more: more astute, more lucid, more vigilant. Beneath her introverted exterior, she's a true human ethologist. And she sets her own conditions: Are you trustworthy? Can she rely on you for shared decisions? Do you have your degrees... and your psychoanalysis bills? For her, we bipeds are often too talkative, too vague, too incoherent. So Mumule stays in her field. Alone. But... she gets bored. So sometimes, she plays along—for a scratch, or a treat. Self-work: mandatory These big-eared geniuses force us to work on ourselves. Arrive relaxed. When humans also shift into alpha waves (through breathing, presence, relaxation), connection becomes possible. "Less mind. More body." Being aligned between what you feel and what you ask for. "Get in the van, or not." Yes, Mumule knows how to get in the van. She learned, but today, she's not riding! Why? Because your body is saying something else. It's saying: stress, fear, tension. And Mumule thinks: something's fishy, ​​I'm not riding, seriously. You have the right—and even the duty—to tell her: "Today, Mumule, I'm sad. Tired. Tense. Angry. We're just going to stay here together and do nothing." And Mumule will say: Yes... A coherent human, finally! Mule-speak: quite an art When you speak to a mule, you have to be precise. No theatrical gestures, no tense voice; ideally, not even speaking, all those words make a deafening noise. A blank face. A finger on the seam of her pants. A well-placed look. And then... it works. And sometimes it's still good to swear; she'll try to understand you, feeling that you're authentically coherent in your request... Not easy, eh? 😅