Life Lessons from a Rodeo Cowgirl

1994 World Champion Bull Rider, Melissa Phillips took life by the horns and rode her way to the top.

Her titles include:

  • 1985 Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association Best Dressed Cowgirl of the Finals.
  • 1992 Reserve World Champion
  • 1992 Rough Stock Rookie of the year
  • 1993 Women’s Pro Bull Riding Champion
  • 1994 Challenge of Champions—Invitational only
  • 1994 Reserve World Champion Bull Rider
  • 1995 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Nominee
  • 1995 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Rough Stock Champion
  • 1996 Producer of 5 Bud Light Cowgirl Classics held at the Allen Ranch  Bixby, Oklahoma dedicated to Domestic Violence Intervention Service
  • 1996 Bud Light Cowgirl Classic Bull Riding Champion
  • 1997 1st Woman Bull Rider on Super Bull Tour
  • 1998 1st Woman Bull Rider World’s Toughest Tour
  • 2006 1st Woman Bull Rider Longhorn Rodeo Tour
  •  Rough Stock High Mark Ride of 3 Finals

Read her life story – available at Amazon books. Life Lessons from A Rodeo Cowgirl: Taking Life by The Horns: Roberts, Cindy K, Phillips, Melissa Geller: 9781523664627: Amazon.com: Books

Life Lessons In the Saddle & Around the Manure Pile

Life Lessons in the Saddle & Around the Manure Pile

A collection of humorous horse and mule tales by Missouri cowgirl, Cindy K Roberts. Adventurous, true stories that took place on the trail, around the barn, and written straight from the heart. Hilarious recollections of mule antics that will keep you in stitches. Mule wrecks, stampedes, hair-raising stunts, and more! Available at Amazon – paperback or instant download! Life Lessons In The Saddle & Around The Manure Pile: Mule Tales of Whimsy from a Mid-Western Cowgirl: Roberts, Cindy K, Laura, Bronco: 9781469921105: Amazon.com: Books

Mule Girl Shenanigans

A collection of comical barn stories, mule antics, and tales of adventure with a humorous twist that will tickle your funny bone! Grouch tested; highly recommended for those with constipation. Add this to your collection for outhouse reading. (wink) Available in paperback and download: Mule Girl Shenanigans: Entertaining Tales That Will Delight Any Horse or Mule Girl: Roberts, Cindy K: 9798443202372: Amazon.com: Books Published by Every Cowgirl’s Dream.

Confidence Training for the Western Saddle Mule

Proven Techniques for the Trail Riding Mule! Retraining Apprehensive & Insecure Mules, Becoming the Confident Mule Rider Includes Training Through Feel, Assessing Your Mule’s Skill Level Factors Contributing To The Unconfident Mule Physiological Needs — Nutrition, Correct Saddle Fit For the Mule & Rider, Correct Saddle Pad Fit For the Mule, Proper Fit of the Bridle, Bits & Their Uses, Hackamores & Their Uses, Nosebands, Draw Reins, Martingales & Their Uses, Leg Wraps & Their Uses, Understanding The Mule’s Thought Process, Obstacle Training, Desensitizing, Trailer Loading, How The Reward System Works For The Mule, Becoming the Confident Mule Rider, Riding on Multiple Use Trails, Meeting Real Challenges on the Trail & MORE!

Available in paperback: Confidence Training for the Western Saddle Mule: Roberts, Cindy K: 9781729371749: Amazon.com: Books

The Naked Truth About Mules & Donkeys

Mule myths and untruths regarding the mule and donkey are dispelled, offering a thorough explanation of the origin and the true logical answer. Logical training methods are explained to develop the mule into a safe and willing partner on the trail. Quirks explained the mule’s perspective from his world, in full color. Available in paperback and Kindle download. The Naked Truth About Mules & Donkeys: Myths, Legends & Falsehoods Revealed: Roberts, Cindy K: 9781542984935: Amazon.com: Books

Thinking about owning a wonderful mule or donkey? Do you want an inside look at those loving and very capable long ears February 25, 2017 Have you ever contemplated the facts versus fiction on mules and donkeys? Author, Cindy K Roberts writes not only about her involvement but also shares other skilled mule owners and trainers’ hands-on experiences. You will find many owner testimonies and gorgeous photos of beautiful mules and donkeys that debunk those “falsehoods”! A highly recommended read for a comprehensive guide to the inside of those wonderful mules and donkeys.

  • Title: “The Naked Truth About Mules & Donkeys”
  • Author: Cindy K Roberts
  • Publisher: Every Cowgirl’s Dream
  • Color: Full Color
  • Availability: Available on Amazon
  • Key Points:
    • Myths and Facts: The text presents various myths and facts about mules and donkeys.
      • Myths:
        • A mule or horse cannot buck if you have a piece of broom handle clamped down under their tail.
        • Mules will hold a grudge.
        • A mule won’t hurt himself.
        • Mules will kill your children.
        • You can’t overload a mule.
        • Mules can’t compete at Mounted Shooting.
        • Mules won’t neck rein.
        • The only way to talk to a mule is to curse at ’em.
        • A mule picks you (when buying) and if he doesn’t, you are really in for it.
        • A mule will wait ten years to get even or kick you.
        • Mules are not fast.
        • Mules don’t have a heart like a horse.
        • Mules do not need shoes.
        • Mules are sterile.
        • Mules aren’t forgiving.
      • Factual Information:
        • The book provides an inside look at mules and donkeys, debunking common misconceptions.
        • It includes owner testimonies and gorgeous photos of these animals.
        • Recommended for those interested in understanding the truth about mules and donkeys.

Results from Web:

  • Author’s Perspective: The author, Cindy K Roberts, shares her own experiences with mules and donkeys.
  • Other Owners and Trainers: The book also features insights from other skilled mule owners and trainers.
  • Debunking Myths: The text aims to dispel falsehoods and myths surrounding mules and donkeys.
  • Comprehensive Guide: A highly recommended read for anyone interested in learning more about these wonderful animals.

Summary: “The Naked Truth About Mules & Donkeys” provides factual information, owner testimonies, and beautiful photos to debunk common myths and offer a comprehensive guide to understanding these remarkable creatures. 🐴🐾

How to Measure Greatness

Greatness: The quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent. Dang! Double Dang! I had to leave the mule corral on this one, Do you realize if mules focused on developing greatness, they would be unstoppable? That would keep me in the bleachers for a long, long while. This is what I found in how we, as humans, measure greatness. And interestingly, I also found some of the same qualities in mules:

  1. Authentic – A hybrid is a hybrid, so that clarifies a mule is a mule.
  2. Brave – typically, mules are going to save their own ass, however, there is one mule that comes to mind that rode into danger. General Crook and his mule “Apache” captured the great warrior Chief Geronimo.
  3. Decisive – Once a mule has made up his mind, there is no changing it.
  4. Goal-oriented – This is a good one. Eat in the pasture all night under the moonlight, chase a coyote out of the pasture, play with the cows if they are around, head to the water trough in the morning, roll in the dust and bask in the sun during the daylight.
  5. Humble – If anything, you will learn to be humble when hanging out with mules.
  6. Inspiring – This is where your true test of character will come in. You have to be able to inspire mules.
  7. Justice – A mule will teach you this from day one. Remember, the punishment must match the crime. All mules are different as are their sensitivity levels.
  8. Listener – Mules are great listeners.
  9. Motivating – Mules will teach you motivation. You will spend a lot of time thinking of ways to “convince” or convey a new thought or task to your mule. It’s their job to question your resume or sales pitch. Your mule wants to know why he should hire you? If you can motivate mules, you are doing well at achieving greatness.
  10. Encourage – Mules require this encouragement thing. Keep moving, increasing and growing, and pioneering new frontiers.
  11. Trustworthy – No doubt about it, a mule requires all humans that come into their domain to be trustworthy. They know deceit when they see it, coming from a mile away.
  12. It takes a confident and good mind set to work through challenges that will come along in your equine training program. And, working with mules will no doubt, make you into a better person. The kind of person that has a deeper understanding in how mules and donkeys think. You will have respect for those you work with and will develop a better temperament… and that my friends, is the path to greatness.

Know Where To Hang Your Hat – Status Is Everything

An interesting concept is status. Mules being as independent as they are, know where to hang their hat. They mingle, hang out, and move around in the paddock and pasture, to where it benefits them. They figure out herd dynamics quickly and make it all happen for them. For the mule, it’s all about him or her. Mules get this. They get the status thing and use it to their advantage. Dang! How cool is that?

So, where you hang your hat, is crucial for mental and physical health. So yes, status is everything.

Understandably, prolonged periods of feeling like you’re low status can thus lead to illness and depression. If your serotonin remains diminished for a long enough time, you’ll also become angry and may even feel the urge to violently lash out at others. This is not cool. You really need to take a time out and hang with the mules.

So, this status thing…unfortunately, there is a fair share of unscrupulous “business people” that muddy up a sector of the mule industry. This is nothing new, so watch yourself.

Just as you have an ingrained desire to seek status, others do too, and part of that drive is to connect with high-status people. As your confidence grows, your network of friends and peers will reflect as being positive growth. Remember, status isn’t just about looks or wealth, so this isn’t a purely superficial attraction. Both men and women want to befriend and partner with a guy who brings all kinds of valuable things to the table, whether that’s intelligence, wit, loyalty, or skill; everyone wants high status and hardworking people on their team.

And the mules; don’t want a deadhead on their team or a troublemaker. They go by their rules of conduct in the pasture and around the barn. Mules are good about the status thing. I admire mules that can detect dishonorable intentions faster than the stagecoach that left the depot.

Running an equine business is a challenge. Just remember, developing status leads you down the trail of success; to making new friends, finding romantic partners, and building a rich social network.

And that is why I like working with mules. They will teach you to look deep into your heart and soul; they will humble you and allow you to have a deeper understanding. That’s the deal breaker right there. I think I will hang my hat, right here.

Mule Talk the Podcast

It’s a kick in the pants! Bringing stimulating content about mules and donkeys to you from Mule Talk! Featured guest, Meredith Hodges and Host, Cindy K. Roberts are making a difference, thanks to you our listeners on Mule Talk Podcast (On IHeart Radio) or wherever you listen to your podcasts.