'My Kind of Honky Tonk': Renowned Austinite Takes Mule on Wild Bar Crawl

A man from Texas caught attention at an Austin bar’s dancefloor over the weekend when he showed up with an unconventional dancing companion—a mule. Once a clip of them began circulating on TikTok, local residents identified the distinctive fellow as Austin's famous "Santa Claus who rides a horse."

A TikTok user who recorded the incident shared in a post made on Saturday, May 17, that they were preparing to exit the establishment when the duo passed by the entrance of the venue. The footage rapidly attracted attention, as viewers commented that such an event could only occur “in Texas.”

"That’s right up my alley for a honky-tonk," another user commented.

In the video, 63-year-old Samuel Grey Horse from Austin is shown riding his mule, appropriately called Mula, within. The Friends Bar located on Sixth Street Although certain customers might not have initially spotted him, Grey Horse is quite renowned in the area as the equestrian version of Santa Claus.

A member of the Mescalero Apache tribe named Grey Horse has been traveling through Austin on horseback dressed in his red suit Since 2014, as a professional vocalist, he continues to perform at nearby locations wearing his outfit during the entire season.

Although he definitely draws attention every December, Grey Horse remains actively involved in the community throughout the entire year. In April, he cruised around Austin. costumed as the Easter Bunny Earlier this month, he went with Mula to Lockhart for a celebration. opening ceremony for the Chaparral Cantina a newly opened establishment featuring drinks, small plates, and live entertainment.

On any other day, he would probably showing people around Austin , writing music , or at a modeling gig For outdoor clothing labels such as Levi's and Patagonia.

I've undergone a transformation. Now, I compose songs based on my experiences and convey that vitality," Grey Horse shares with The News Pulse. "To some extent, I’ve become somewhat of a minor public figure—I wasn’t aware of this. I genuinely believed that people weren't interested.

He remarked, "I was born here and have witnessed the city transform over the years. When I was growing up, there were no cellphones. Nowadays, we have scooters everywhere, and we even have to purchase water. The world has evolved significantly, and I feel fortunate to have been a kid during those times."

The grey horse and the mule have a significant past together. At the age of eight, he saved her during a visit to Mexico. Currently 25 years old, she has turned into one of his main means of transport following an severe injury he sustained in 2010.

Grey House recounts his experience working at a racetrack where he had to groom the horses before an ongoing race when someone dropped out. He mentions, “They asked me to participate instead.” Continuing with the incident, he says, “During the race, I failed to properly secure my saddle. At around 150 yards into the run, the saddle slipped sideways, causing my feet to get trapped inside. As a result, for about 200 more yards, the horse dragged me upside down beneath him.”

The incident put Grey Horse into a coma lasting almost two weeks. He mentions being declared deceased on June 12, 2010, and only regaining awareness on June 26—a day he has come to regard as his second birthdate.

When I had that accident, my small mule became my vehicle," Grey Horse remarks. "Everything else is simply a part of my routine, but my true purpose is looking after them; otherwise, they would face hardship.

Grey Horse Previously mentioned to The News Pulse That his appearances serve not just to create excitement, but also to inform locals that riding horses is legal in Texas provided they do not enter the city limits with firearms. Additionally, he views these events as an opportunity to reconnect with his Indigenous heritage.

Although Grey Horse has achieved iconic status in Austin, he aims to broaden his excursions to include San Antonio. He has made multiple visits to the city before, such as when he performed at the Blues & Soul Festival held at Stable Hall and also during a tour with the group. Black Pumas In the time ahead, he aims to visit this place once every month.

“I’m excited to share my story with San Antonio,” he says to The News Pulse. “I aim to begin performing and introduce my style of music to our kin out there… I want to convey who we truly are. Many aren’t aware of the rich history within our community.”

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