19/06/2026
After much discussion and consideration, our very own ambassador Journey is being made available for adoption! 💙
Journey was born at LMMR on May 19th, 2021, and she has been handled from her first day of life. Journey learned early and correctly how to be friendly, catchable, led on a halter, how to pick up her feet, and load into a trailer. Her fundamentals are solid, and she has grown to be the most friendly and eager mule you can imagine.
This year we had Journey started under saddle professionally by Lazo Performance Horses, and her first 20 rides were flawless. Journey thrives on human attention and physical contact, so being ridden came very naturally to her. Unfortunately, her trainer became injured in an unrelated accident, so she returned to the Refuge with 20 rides over 45 days, and our plans for her were paused.
I have shopped without success for another reputable saddle trainer to finish her, and frankly, with the way the economy is going this year, it’s an expense that our rescue shouldn’t prioritize for now. As I watched Journey shining in the sun running amuck here in our grazing pastures today, I realized the best way for her to continue her path forward in life is to make her available for adoption. The right person can finish what we’ve started.
Journey has known nothing but gentle hands, excellent veterinary care and upkeep, and has been exposed to many different people, environments, and animals in her 5 years. She was not rescued, she was simply born here and hasn’t left. She has an excellent foundation and unlimited natural potential.
The person who finishes her training under saddle and commits to helping her reach her full potential will truly have a mule money can’t simply buy. She has the brains, the beauty, the height, and the heart for it all. With the right experienced mule person to finish and refine her on the ground and under saddle, she will be priceless. Her new owner will benefit from her intelligence, athleticism, and desire to please.
From her saddle trainer: “Journey began her under saddle career in January of this year and was a star student for her 45 day term in school. Before my accident, Journey was going confidently at the walk and trot and getting better every day at the lope.
She has the beginnings of an excellent stop, yields well to pressure to back and steer, and showed a great willingness to please, with no buck or rear.
Journey is still green and has now had some time off, so she is best suited for an experienced rider who can help build her confidence and skillset. In the right hands, she would make a fantastic performance mule. Journey has the movement, the athleticism, the mind, and of course, the looks to make it big in the show pen!”
Journey only has two real quirks — an intense obsession to chase or investigate arriving and departing trailers, and she can become very physically pushy with people for food and attention if good boundaries are not reinforced enough.
Journey does have a higher adoption fee than our typical adoptable mule because of the years of investments we’ve made into her care and training. We also want to make sure her adoption fee attracts a home to train a mule of her caliber. This adoption fee is low compared to what she would sell for privately without a “rescue” tag attached.
We love Journey very much, and this decision is made out of love for her and knowing it is truly what is best for her. I am excited to see her go on to reach her highest potential!
Journey is 15.1H and 5 years and 1 month old. She is UTD on Coggins, vaccines, dewormer, dental, and hoof trim. PPEs are welcome. **For this exceptional mule, we will ask that applicants only apply if they can provide an advanced background in mule saddle-starting, performance riding, and/or showmanship.** Journey will be adopted out with a right-of-reverter contract which means she can never be resold, and legally she must return to LMMR if the adopter is ever unable to keep her.
www.mulerescue.org/adopt 💙
