News stories
Unusual mule arrives at Redwings
A very unusual equine has recently arrived at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk – a Poitou Shire Cross!
Aside from his unusual breeding, Molasses is also unusually tall for a mule; at 16.1hh he towers over our famous adoption mule Muffin, who stands at just 10hh! Molasses is the 10th mule currently calling Redwings home but is our first ever Poitou donkey cross and we all love him already!
Like his namesake, five year old Molasses is a rich chocolate brown colour and incredibly sweet. Sadly his owner could no longer care for his beloved mule due to long-term illness and, because of the careful handling and special care that a mule needs and Molasses’ unusual size, we decided to offer him a permanent home.
Molasses is settling in well at Redwings
Molasses owes his height and heavy build to his breeding as his dad is a Poitou donkey and his mum is a Shire horse. Molasses’s Dad is named Douglas and is a very famous resident at Banham Zoo in Norfolk - he is a huge hit amongst visitors and even has an official fan club!
Poitou donkeys are incredibly rare. They are over 14hh in height, heavily built with very shaggy coats and originate from France. Twenty years ago the Poitou faced extinction but fortunately their numbers are on the rise, although there are still only around 40 in the UK today. Even the Shire horse is at risk of becoming a rare breed, according to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, so Molasses is a very special and unique young man.
Despite being so large, Molasses is a gentle mule blessed with a very sweet kind nature, explains Communications Manager Nicola Markwell. “His previous owner has told us that Molasses’ favourite treat is to lick honey off a spoon and that he loves to be in human company. He has certainly bonded with all his carers and he has been enjoying the Spring grazing here at Hapton with his new horsey friends.”
Molasses makes a horsey friend!
Due to Molasses’ need to have lots of human contact and fuss, we hope one day he will be be able to live at our Caldecott Visitor Centre near Great Yarmouth so you can all come along and meet him but don't forget in the meantime you can meet him at our Hapton Open Weekend in July!
