Hi There,
We are Dan and Laurie Hoffman, the new owners of The Mule Store!

Dan is a full time farmer and we live on a third generation farm.  He has farmed his whole life and loves the farming aspect but frustrated with the lack of rain part of the whole gig.  He feeds cattle, and grows various crops such as corn, wheat, soy beans and OF COURSE HAY!  His family was one of the first in the area to grow asparagus and they had it for 60 years.  Recently it has been too difficult to find labor so we have fazed that out of the farming operation.  His most recent purchase of a mule has helped us get to this new venture.

I have been a teacher for 20 years now.  I taught Home Economics for most of that time until the school system discontinued offering it.  I now have been teaching Physical Education for the past three years and love it.  They actually pay me to play horse shoes with  kids!  I have coached many sports along the way also.

I have always been the equine owner and when I met a farmer to marry, the rest is history.  I showed horses for many years and helped my step-daughter show at breed shows to 4-H.

So you ask why Mules now?  If I ever show again it would be dressage.  I really enjoy the trail riding and just the basics of it all.  My neighbor has the coolest donkey named Hank and I am just drawn to his personality.  We have a nice dressage mare that we bred to a Jack last summer and I am anxiously awaiting my first born mule.  My dad and I have been sharing the whole research and magazine subscriptions for the past year and are really liking what we see.

SOOOO when Dan bought this mule for himself I figured it was a sign to move to the step of the store purchase.  We are seeing in time that farming just can't be the future and we need to gradually move on.  He is reading the how to train mule books and it seems to be a nice hobby we can enjoy together.  The portrait on the web-site is our new boy Sam.  What a great personality he has!

We are wanting to continue with these wonderful long ear items that Pat has and have now added over 50 new items and constantly looking for more.  Our 2008 catalog is finally done and ready to send out.  Oh ya did I mention we have a nine year old boy at home also!

Please share some ideas with us any time.  We are currently working on some suggestions from a lady in Texas for Mud Flaps for her truck but guess they are unique in how to put a design on.

(March08)  We just purchased a 20 year old pony mule for our son and another draft mare that is in foal for a mule.  That will soon be four mules for us!  Does anyone else multiply mules like us?  Enjoy the web-site and let us know how we can help.

Thanks so much!

Dan and Laurie Hoffman


This page was last updated 03/26/2008