SAMULE
John Mule
Age: c. 30
Arrival: September 22, 2025
Current status: Sanctuary/Hospice
RECENT SPONSORS: John K., Carla D.
ASSIGNED VOLUNTEERS: Sue K.
History: Samule - formerly "Muley" - came to us as an owner
surrender from Mountainair, together with a large brown donkey we
named Finnegan. He was reported to have been a pack mule at Grand
Canyon National Park in his earlier life before being sold or given to
his previous owners. At intake he was very thin with overgrown feet,
severe arthritis in his front fetlocks, and a loose tooth. It is likely that he never had veterinary care in his life prior to coming here. We started tending to his feet and gave him two veterinary exams, first with our local veterinarian Dr. Beu of Western Trails, who did a dental, pulled Samule's loose tooth, checked vitals, and did a blood panel. The blood panel revealed high calcium with simultaneously normal kidney values, which indicates cancer. He was then examined a second time by Dr. Thal at Thal Equine in Santa Fe using ultrasound and x-rays. While the exam did not directly detect a mass in his torso, it revealed a condition called hypertrophic osteopathy in his front joint, which according to research is very likely secondary to cancer elsewhere in the body. (The cancer was not detected by the ultrasound exam because it was either in an early stage or hiding near the heart base.) That means that all we can do for Samule during the rest of his life is make him as comfortable as possible. And this is part of our mission. Samule has experienced hardships and, unfortunately, neglect in his former life, he has served his humans well, and he deserves a retirement in peace, comfort, and dignity.
Personality: Samule is a very sweet, gentle old guy. When he first arrived he still had some anxieties, especially about things being draped over or thrown on his back (such as a winter blanket). He likely was not always treated well, but he has been adjusting well to life here at our rescue and enjoys human interaction and good food. Like all mules, he loves horses and is currently accommodated next to Wyatt, our only horse, and Roscoe for that reason. (Wyatt is protective of Samule and has sort of included him in "his" herd.) Samule also likes to visit the adjacent herds of donkeys. However, if he is accommodated inside a corral with other equines he won't eat enough, and so he has his own area with shelter along the driveway, where he has close contact with other equines but is not disturbed whenever he wants to enjoy a snack.
Diet: Samule is on hospice care because of his cancer diagnosis, and he is a hard keeper. Because of that, he is on free-choice everything. He especially likes bermuda grass hay, leafy alfalfa, and senior feed. He also is on 2 grams of phenylbutazone per day for pain management. Sponsor Samule here!