Gaited mule Buttercup is everything John said she would be, even more. I understand why John wants prospective buyers to visit and spend 3 days getting acquainted with his gaited mules and horses before he will sell an animal to an individual. John wants to make sure the animal and person are compatible and that a bond will develop between them. John is not a horsetrader, he breeds, trains, rides, and enjoys his paso fino horses and gaited mules. After he has brought the gaited mules and paso fino horses to their full potential, he tries to find good homes for his equines. My husband and I made 2 trips to Missouri to ride gaited paso fino mule Buttercup before we bought her. During those trips John rode with me daily giving me suggestions on riding techniques for gaited mules and observing how Buttercup and I worked together. Not only was John concerned about me being comfortable with Buttercup, but he was also concerned how his gaited mule would feel about me. The third time we drove to Missouri we brought pasofino mule Buttercup home.
When we first brought gaited molly Buttercup back to Colorado, she was a little standoffish compared to our younger mules who had all been imprinted from birth. However, it didn't take long for her to become accustomed to being touched, petted, and groomed and to look forward to human contact. At first pasofino mule Buttercup was a little illusive in the open, but she now usually walks up to my husband or me for a pet and a hug (or sometimes a cookie). She seems to get better each time we ride. She stands still when I mount and will stand until I queue her to move. Every so often, we do have to establish who gets to be boss for the day after I have mounted. However, so far she has always allowed me to be in charge. I think she looks forward to going for a ride. We head down the road and she easily moves into her pasofino gaits. When I first had her she would foxtrot more easily than paso, but now she moves into the paso gait with very soft and gentle queues. Usually I just raise the reins a little and give her a gentle squeeze with my legs. She is staying in the gait longer and longer.
My husband and I have ridden horses for over 30 years. Most riding has been in rugged terrain in Colorado's Mt Zirkle and White River Wildness Areas. Now being 60, we thought our riding would mainly be on jeep roads and open trails so we wanted smooth gaited and reliable animals. Thus we decided on Pasofino mules. Little did we realize mules are so stable and sure footed that we are now back in the rugged mountainous terrain of the Sangre de Cristo's bushwhacking through the woods. Most of our rides are in mountainous rocky terrain. I feel so secure on pasofino mule Buttercup as she is so sure footed and stable. She picks her way zigzagging up a sidehill and is very slow and stable on steep downhills when there are no trails to follow.
We have noticed that Buttercup looks for horse male companionship approximately once a month. During her heat cycles she will pace the fenceline seeking her prince charming. Even though we have 2 male mules here, it appears she is looking for something more. Finally after about 3 days she will settle down and enjoy her fellow companions in our field. We keep waiting for the day she decides to jump the fence in pursuit of love. Hope it never happens. We do make sure she is always with other mules. I thoroughly enjoy watching Buttercup gait in the meadow with the other mules. She has a beautiful stride. I am looking forward to many years with her.
Both Paul and I would recommend any prospective buyer contact John and consider one of his gaited mules before making any final decisions.
Karen from Colorado
Contact Us for More Information
John's cell 660-341-8568
Office - 660-665-1971
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