JUST A REMINDER TO STAY FOCUSED TO STAY SAFE...a couple of weeks ago, while loading up to come home from the Great Mule and Donkey Celebration, in Shelbyville, we (youngest son, Jordan and myself), had loaded everything except the mules in the trailer.

We have a rear tack, 3 MULE slant, trailer...He loaded his mule first, then walked around the truck, making sure all was secure...I went to load Solomon, my 16 hand, 1100 lb. App "heart" mule...as I stepped up into the trailer, with him RIGHT behind me, the toe of my boot caught the floor in the opening of the door...now, bear in mind, the tack compartment door is closed and all you riding friends, know the width of the loading door...ALSO, as a side note, the trailer had been parked, where the floor was about 18" off the ground, so Solomon was ready to do a little jump, as he went in...soooooo, as my toe caught the floor, I went down with the 8' lead rope in hand.

The praying began instantly (unless there's a faster description)...as I fell to the floor, on Solomon's left...my first prayer request was that I DIDN'T jerk the lead line as I fell, so his head wouldn't put him off balance and he might possibly join me on the floor, actually on top of me...remember, that door width??? When I hit the floor, my second prayer request, was that I wasn't laying on the lead line, for the same reason, as the first!!! All I could think of, in these milliseconds, was to roll out of his way...not to be...let's not forget the tack compartment, that's directly behind my back!!! Sooooo, next begging prayer request..."PLEASE, don't let him step on me!!!!!", as he maneuvered (in somewhat of a leaping manner), his massive weight through a foot wide path...(yeah, my svelte figure was taking up about 2' of the doorway!!)...as I lay there, I watched as his front legs stepped over me, then observed how beautiful the underside of his belly was, noticed that his sheath might need cleaning and then, THANKED MY GOD, as his shod back feet, daintily bypassed every major organ I possess, including my head!!!

As I said, this happened so quick...as I fell, I hollered, Jordan came running around the end of the trailer, asking why I was sprawled in the floor? Solomon was standing, patiently waiting to be tied, looking around like, "What's going on? Is it time for a nap? I thought we were going somewhere!!!"

The only body parts extended from the trailer, was my legs, from the knees down...had on shorts, so, there were scuffs on the side of my left knee, where I went down.

In case, you didn't notice, I was a little flippant with this description...in all seriousness, I could have easily been killed. Solomon would have been faultless, I would've been faultless OR would I have been?? I should have been more aware as to where that floor was and be assured, I WILL BE FROM NOW ON!!

Sharon.....so glad that it all ended well. Solomon is a smart mule.

Life is never dull is it?!

I identify! But critters will go to any extreme to NOT hurt their human!

I have 5 horses (one is a large pony) and 5 donkeys (all standard or larger). I have fallen twice in their midst. Once was in summer in a constricted part of the barnyard. That fall netted me a dislocated elbow that healed faultlessly. The second time was during winter when I slipped on ice in another part of the barnyard while bringing in hay to put into their feeders. I was amazed at the fact that even though everyone was scrambling, not a single hoof touched my prostrate body!

After the second incident, I built a new barn where feeding hay in the winter involves walking along the other side of the feeders from the critters, all under a roof cover. No more slip 'n' sliding while 10 much larger critters are milling about! I call that self-preservation. Building the new barn was overdue anyway and I can say honestly that it was the best spent money in many years. Has made my life easier and so much safer!

Your example is a good reason to train your mule to load himself. Several of the trainers just throw lead rope over the neck and they go in. Glad you was not injured.

As Renick said, I like to teach my equines to load while I stand outside the trailer, but I also have teach them to follow me in since we use a long stock trailer. However, to increase safety, I teach them to wait outside until I invite them in, and always have a loose rope. Helps prevent this type of issue from occurring!

They don't do it not to hurt anyone. They do it so as they don't step on unsound footing. Saying any animal won't hurt you because they don't want to isn't sound judgment.

I hear a lot of "a mule takes care of it's rider".What it actually is they take care of themselves and the rider gets the benefit of it.

Glad you are OK Sharon

Well his name is Solomon, a very wise mule and I know you are very glad he lived up to his name in this case. Thankful it turned out ok.........Mark wv.