A Mule Of A Different Color

STEPP

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 1/20/2016 at 18:37:18

The Newton (IA) Daily News
May 1994

A MULE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
(Article in the newspaper clipping also included a photo by Dan Ehl)

Earl Stepp of rural Kellogg has been trying to breed an appaloosa mule for 20 years by crossing a donkey with an appaloosa horse. He finally did it in a big way. The first 16 colts produced by his mares, Stepp said, were either black or different shades of brown. Appaloosa is a term applied to a breed of horse developed in the Southwest that usually has brown spots on the rump. Two weeks ago his mare, that has parents with appaloosa markings, gave birth to a colt. Not only was it white and brown, it also has black spots, making it very rare. Stepp said he plans to keep the colt and break it himself. Mules, he added, have an undeserved reputation as being stubborn and mean. The Kellogg farmer claims they are easier to break and ride. "It's like riding in a Cadillac," he said. "You can talk to a mule and they kind of understand you." he said he has raised and showed horses for over 30 years, but became hooked on riding mules 20 years ago when his son, Philip, invited him on a raccoon hunt where the participants were riding mules. "It spoiled me," Stepp said.