Muffin the mule dies at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk

Staff at Redwings Horse Sanctuary announced on Monday that Muffin the mule had died after 36 years at the rescue.

Muffin was rescued as a foal from slaughter in 1987 with his mother, a pony called Doris, and homed at Redwings Caldecott near Great Yarmouth.

Muffin with his best friend April in the late 1980s (Image: Redwings Horse Sanctuary)

Doris died shortly after their arrival due to a stomach ulcer and with Redwings' support, Muffin became one of the charity's most well-known animals. 

Lynn Cutress, Redwings chief executive, said: “It's left a huge hole in the hearts of all the staff here at Redwings and we know our supporters will feel that too.

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"Some families sponsored him for generations and were delighted by Muffin's friendly nature and mischievous ways for more than three decades, as of course were the staff who cared for him day in and day out.

"We all loved him dearly."

Muffin was one of Redwings' oldest adoption stars (Image: Redwings Horse Sanctuary)

In his later years, Muffin was diagnosed with Cushing's disease (PPID) which made him prone to a hoof condition called laminitis.

Redwings retired him from the adoption scheme in 2017 so he could enjoy a quieter life.

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Health complications led the rescue centre to take the difficult decision to put him down. 

Muffin was put to sleep at 36-years-old (Image: Redwings Horse Sanctuary)

Laura Starkey, Redwings Caldecott equine centre manager, added: "Muffin was one in a million, such a patient, calm boy.

"He loved his feed, and would often stand waiting by his bowl, 30 minutes before time, with a face that said: ‘What’s been keeping you?’.

"He took life at his own pace and you certainly couldn’t rush him.

"He has been here since the beginning of Redwings Caldecott and we will miss him terribly."