About Us
A journey to long ears.
01
Who are we? The Brief Intro
Who is the handsome, long-earred son-of-an-ass that is the inspiration for this blog? Why that is the one and only Palmetto Bug. Also named Roach.
Roach is what's called a cracker or sugar mule. Pretty much he is grade mule from a riding horse (grade Quarter Horse in his case) and standard jack. He is 14.1 hands and has all the pretty primitive markings.
I'm a 30 something year old homeschooling mom. I've been riding all my life and after owning a crazy horse, I decided breed had no meaning to me. That's how I found my mule. He has reinvigorated my passion for equestrian sport. If want to hear me talk more about us and go more into why a mule and what we do, read on.
Photography by Cara Swift at Fast Horse Photography
02
A mule is a hybrid animal. The mother is the horse where he inherits his athleticism and speed. His father is a donkey from whom he inherits strength, agility, and intelligence. These animals are beautiful and valuable in their own right, but when combined, they create something better. Heterosis is the proper term for the phenomenon known as hybrid vigor. The mule is stronger than either parent, has greater endurance and stamina, tougher hooves, more disease resistance, and more intelligent than either the donkey or the horse.
"From these, altogether, I hope to secure a race of extraordinary goodness, which will stock the Country. Their longevity and cheap keeping will be circumstances much in their favor. I am convinced, from the little experiments I have made with ordinary Mules, (which perform as much labor, with vastly less feeding than horses) that those of a superior quality will be of the best cattle we can employ for the harness.
And indeed, in a few years, I intend to drive no other in my carriage: having appropriated for the sole purpose of breeding them, upwards of 20 of my best Mares”.
-George Washington, 1st President on the United States of America, 1788
Instead of me telling you everything in a boring block of text, watch the video. Now, I'll be honest, I didn't go out looking for a mule. I stumbled across him on the internet. But I think all the facts are pretty cool and the more mules I meet, the more I think I'm never going back to horses. So watch the video to learn the differences. Then we'll get on to the next most common question I get asked: "Why the hell is he named Roach?"
03
When a lot of folks see Roach's Christian name, Palmetto Bug, they don't know what I'm referring to if they arn't from Florida or the South. This is a Palmetto Bug, also known as the Florida Woods Cockroach. It's a larger cockroach and LOVES hanging out in cabbage palms (hence "palmetto bug") They don't usually come inside unless its cold. If they are inside, they've usually travelled on something you brought in. The most startling thing about them? Well, they fly and folks find that terrifying.
How did MY Roach end up being Palmetto Bug? I don't like it when people give me unsolicited opinions. I'm a big Witcher fan. I've read the books and played every video game. And lets not forget Henry Cavill playing Geralt of Rivia (yum). His horse is named Roach. Every horse he ever has (and its fantasy so he's long lived) has been named Roach. His horse is usually a mare, stubborn, mean but faithful. The bond is so strong, that for the Netflix series Cavill was able to pick his own "Roach" and develope a bond before shooting began to accurately portray the importance of this relationship in the books and video games.
Anyways, despite Roach being a gelding and not a mare, I was in the process of trying this name on when I first bought him. Someone gave me their unsolicited opinion. "WHY WOULD YOU NAME HIM AFTER SUCH A DISGUSTING CREATURE?! NAMES HAVE POWER!!!"
Well, lets follow that rabbit hole, Karen. He's small, brown, has long antennae, is hard to kill, and is an indiscriminate eater. Sounds pretty fitting now that you mention it! Let's get together in a year and see who's racked up more vet bills. My Roach vs your Prince.
I leaned pretty hard into it after that. My tack room has a painting of a roach with Roach with "The Roach Hotel" on it and I ordered custom leather slobber straps with a roach design, that I created, tooled on them.
And that's how Palmetto Bug "Roach" Koechle came to be. Don't tell me what I can name my animal, Karen. You won't like me when I'm angry.
The Real Palmettor Bug
Geralt and Roach in the video game The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
Geralt played by Henry Cavill and Roach in the Netflix series, The Witcher
Custom slobber straps designed by me and made by RachelFailCustomTack on Etsy
Mules can do anything a horse can. They won't beat a horse at speed events, but they will try anything you set them to. We compete in Endurance, Ranch, and plan on Western Dressage. We've played in jumping and he really enjoys hunter paces. He also is a bang up lesson horse and is used in our barn's quick draw shows.
04
Showing Ranch Photography by Seeing Spots Photography
Giving lessons at our barn
Waiting for his English rider in our barn's Quick Draw Show
Riding at FITS 2023 Photography by Maria Phillips
