Mule Makeover

Mule Finds a New Family and a New Future

By Stanley Gaffrey

Carrie Moody of Full Moon Mule Co. competes on her mule, Summer at the 2018 Color Breed Congress®.

Photo by Angelia Higgins

As a full day of competition unwinds at Color Breed Congress® the sound of mule brays fill the air of Central Park Barn where one can be sure to find Full Moon Mule Company, their signature orange brand against a stark black background.

Down the aisle on the right, stands a mule whose story has taken many turns over her short four years.

“Summer was actually part of the Missouri Mule Makeover,” said Carrie Moody. “It was part of the Ozark Mule Days and was actually a Pinto sanctioned event this year.”

According to Moody, with seven mules and seven trainers participating in the event, they were given 120 days to completely transform the lives of these mules with the goal of setting them up for a successful future with new families.

“They really have complete free-range to train the mules in any way they prefer,” said Moody. “Summer was a rough start to say the least, but her and her trainer, Lori, did a great job at the show.”

At the end of the 120-day period, Mules and their trainers competed at Ozark Mule Days, a three day event with competitions like trail riding, handling and free style, said Lori Montgomery, summer’s trainer.

“I saw a post online about this mule makeover,” said Montgomery. “I made a comment about how it sounded like fun and the next thing I know, I’m getting a call from Less Clancy.”

According to Montgomery, trainers had a week to confirm if they were up to the challenge and were then given a date to randomly draw the mule they would be taking home.

“I was told that Summer always kicked and bucked off the saddle,” said Montgomery. “She may have been the only Pinto there, but I told my husband the day of the drawing, whatever you do, don’t bring home that mule…low and behold, here we are.”

Summer had a hard time trusting other people in those first few weeks of training, Montgomery said.

“It would have been easier to put a rattlesnake on her back,” said Montgomery.

Lori Montgomery competing on Summer at the Mule Makeover.

“The family Summer ended up with couldn’t have been a better match.”

Lori Montgomery Crittenden, Kentucky

“She was just horrified of everything around her.”

Montgomery said she has started close to 500 horses and 100 mules in her lifetime, but Summer was one of the toughest.

“She really did want to be a good little mule,” said Montgomery. “At the end she tried so hard to do whatever you would have asked her.”

At the Ozark Mule Days sale, Montgomery and Summer were second to be auctioned off, she said.

“The family Summer ended up with couldn’t have been a better match and they have done so awesome with her.”

Fast forward to the 2018 Color Breed Congress® and this is Summer’s second show with Moody.

“She’s young and green,” said Moody. “So we really just needed to find the best way to channel her energy.” Summer’s training finally clicked at Color Breed Congress®, she added.

“Summer and Carrie are a perfect match,” said Kathie McGee, Carrie’s stepmom.

Lori did a great job with Summer and we get to continue building onto that foundation, she added

“The only person in the world she ever trusted was Lori and so we needed to take baby steps,” said Carrie Moody. “She was a rescue who just didn’t have a good future, this was her last chance and now we love and understand each other.”