The BLOG

What is an Equine Aficionado?

If you are here, and we are glad that you are, YOU are probably an equine aficionado!  An equine aficionado is anyone who is a fan of horses and strives to know more about them.  We are devoted specifically to the lifestyle that comes with owning and loving mini horses, mini mules and mini donkeys.  So, grab a shirt, wear it proudly and join us for information and apparel that celebrates you and the miniature equine!

Can Miniature Equines Speak German?  Mine does.....

In the fall of 2025, I faced the heart-breaking loss of my long-time riding horse, Mickie.  My miniature mule Sandy was grieving right along with me at the loss of his best friend and pasture mate.  I knew that I had to find Sandy a best friend fast.  My online search located a miniature mule in Ohio that appeared to be a good prospect.  I took the long drive north to meet him at a farm that is an intermediary for Amish sales horses and mules.  I was told that he was skittish, a bit head shy and had problems picking up his feet.  All that certainly was true, but he pulled a cart beautifully, so I brought him home.  My new miniature mule had been raised by an Amish family, and the Amish speak a dialect of German, aka Pennsylvania Dutch.  A few weeks later, I ran across information on the internet explaining that Amish-raised horses are trained heavily using verbal commands so that even their children can handle large draft work horses.  A light bulb lit in my brain! Could my new mule "speak" German?  Was that the bridge I needed to build a better relationship with him to overcome his nervousness?  Fortunately, I remembered enough German from school to speak to an equine.  The next time I was at my barn, I spoke to my mule in German.  It was like magic!  He instantly understood me and his behavioral problems melted away.  Today, his barn name is "Guter Junge" because he is, indeed, a good boy.