S5 E8: The path to mules - with Ellen Cochrane

I’m delighted to welcome Ellen Cochrane back to An Equine Conversation. We heard from Ellen in Season 4, talking all about equine agility and The International Horse Agility Club. This episode is something quiet different: We’re hearing about Ellen’s journey to and experiences in working with mules, both her own mule Inara, and her voluntary efforts in supporting humans working with mules in Morocco to improve welfare outcomes for animals and people. I get tingles even thinking about this episode & what Ellen has been involved with. I hope you find the episode as educational and inspiring as I have. Ellen Cochrane:Ellen Cochrane is from Worcestershire, England. She is a positive reinforcement trainer who works with a variety of equines and their humans through her business Gaia Horsemanship and as part of her work with the International Horse Agility Club - listen to Season 4, Episode . Ellen works mostly with horses in England but she has a huge passion for mules which started in 2014 when she started working to improve mule welfare in Morocco. Ellen works in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco helping muleteers to improve the welfare of their working mules by improving knowledge and communication and using kinder equipment, plus Ellen is the UK ambassador for Moroccan-based equine rescue charity, Jarjeer Donkey and Mule refuge. Ellen has her own mule, Inara, who has gone from unhandled and fearful of humans to Horse Agility World Champion.  In this episode we discuss: 1:26 - Merry Christmas!3:10 - introduction to today’s episode & guest7:26 - Ellen’s horsie origin story10:20 - how positive reinforcement came into Ellen’s world12:20 - Ellen’s herd18:09 - conditions & context22:15 - what’s haylage?25:04 - how Ellen got involved with mules - a request to go to Morocco27:46 - the work done by the mules in the mountains of Morocco30:18 - where the work with mules & humans began32:33 - what even is a mule & mule breeding36:41 - what happened after the first trip, working alongside muleteers42:00 - how does the communication happen: language & gender roles45:28 - engaging effectively with the male muleteers as an English woman46:59 - the primary things Ellen helps muleteers with52:54 - being sought out & the muleteers ‘paying it forward’, a story showing how amazing mules are55:26 - mule social needs56:28 - the amazing work of the Jarjeer Mule and Donkey Trust1:00:36 - trips to Morocco now & contrasts1:02:32 - getting a mule back at home1:09:26 - going back to Morocco1:12:42 - tips for working with mules1:16:47 - finding out more & supporting1:19:35 - huge thanks to Ellen for all her efforts1:23:24 - wrapping up this episode & Season 5 of An Equine Conversation Links from Ellen:Gaia Horsemanship Website: www.gaiahorsemanship.co.ukGaia Horsemanship Facebook: www.facebook.com/gaiahorsemanshipIt’s A Mule’s Life Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsamuleslifeJarjeer Donkey and Mule refuge Website: https://www.jarjeer.org/Jarjeer Donkey and Mule refuge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarjeermules Our links mentioned this episode:  Please share with us, your thoughts on S5 of An Equine Conversation Sign-up to our email listAbbey's Run Equestrian websiteAbbey's Run Equestrian on Facebook Thank you to Matthew Bliss for podcast production & consultation. If you'd like him to help with your podcast, get in touch by email at [email protected]