I’m Luke Summerhayes and I love Mudbray.
We often call dogs Man’s Best Friend, but in many ways our most important ally over the years has been the old reliable horse. While wild horses once roamed most of the world, it was in Asia that horses were first domesticated. From there, the hordes of Genghis Khan ran rampant, the samurai of Japan and Knights of Europe rode gallantly, and eventually the cowboy crossed the Americas and Australia. Mighty stallions carried messengers, pack horses travelled great distances, and cousins like the donkey carried precious loads through mountain passes.
For as important as horses are in real-world human and animal partnerships, they went under-represented in Pokemon. The first generation tapped into the mythical Unicorn with Ponyta and Rapidash, while close relative the Zebra was represented by Blitzle and Zebstrika in the fifth generation. Eventually we would get two mythical steeds in Galar with a king to ride them, but before that we saw hard-working horses in Alola.
Mudbray is a ground-type Pokemon which resembles a well taken care of donkey. Its feet are caked in mud, sure, but it has nice rich hair and a simple, gentle face.
Donkeys are related to horses but a little smaller, generally do small to ride but ideal for carrying or pulling supplies or farming equipment.
Ultra Moon
Possessing mighty power, Mudbray can be loaded with 50 times its own body weight and will be totally fine.
Donkeys cannot be trained to be as obedient as horses, and will refuse to be walked into danger in the way a horse will go. On the other hand, their stronger instinct for self preservation means they can be trusted to navigate dangerous footing and undertake trips a horse might not.
Moon
It has a stubborn, individualistic disposition. Eating dirt, making mud, and playing in the mire all form part of its daily routine.
Ultra Sun
It loves playing in the mud. If it isn't showered with mud on a daily basis, it gets stressed out and stops listening to its Trainer.

Shield
It eats dirt to create mud and smears this mud all over its feet, giving them the grip needed to walk on rough terrain without slipping.

The end of the name Mudbray comes from braying, the sounds of donkeys. For once the Japanese name does not use onomatopoeia – Dorobanko combines doro, mud, with ban, a draft horse, and ko, child. A baby mud horse- very on the nose.
It stays a baby for a long time. Many children grow up initially thinking small species of pony and donkey are just infant forms of larger horses. Eventually, in this case, they would be proven right as at level 30 Mudbray evolves into Mudsdale.
Of course, while donkeys almost always carry supplies and horses are very often ridden, neither case applies 100%. Jesus was said to ride a donkey, after all, and there are many horses which are bred to be draft horses, moving supplies or pulling farm equipment. One of the mightiest breeds is the Clydesdale, with its bulky build and famous feathered legs.
The Japanese name Banbadoro is not so specific, meaning mud pack horse, but Mudsdale definitely resembles a thick Clydesdale horse, with the mud of Mudbray now replicating the leg shape of the real animal.
Ultra Moon
It can trudge mountain roads without rest for three days and three nights, all the while dragging a 10-ton load.

Moon
Its heavy, mud-covered kicks are its best means of attack, and it can reduce large trucks to scrap without breaking a sweat.
In action, Mudsdale does have immense physical attack. It doesn’t have good speed- appropriate for a draft horse – but it has the bulk to survive, set up its moves and then

Scarlet
This Pokémon has been treasured not just for its physical labor but also because it produces high-quality mud used for making pottery.

Humans have been making pottery even longer than they’ve been riding horses, but there are ample examples of our noble steeds preserved forever on ceramics. As machines and technology take many of their roles in both peace and war, I hope humanity remembers its debt to our other best friend.
Music for Luke Loves Pokemon was composed by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork for the show is by Katie Groves. Funding is by supporters at patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.
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I love Mudbray. And remember, I love you too.