difference between horses and mules

[Oldmanindeepsnow]

I have two quarter mares am thinking of getting a mule colt out of.
I have heard you mule guys talk of the thinking of a mule as to the thinking of a horse.
can you please enliten me as to the way a mule thinks compared to a horse have been around horses all my life
My only experence with mules is I have seen them and even petted one thanks

[halfbreed]

well i;m no expert but i know you can whoop a horse on the butt and make it jump off a cliff . and you can beat a mule half to death and it ain't jumping .

[Benny G]

If you get a good mule, you've got something. If you get a sorry mule, you'll have the most miserable time of your life--if you live through it.

Mules remember ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!! If you get off on the wrong foot together, things could be he'll for a long time.

I'm not trying to be a downer, but mules aren't for everyone.

[pegleg]

That sums up a great deal. A great mule is a unbeatable mount in rough terrain and will open up some areas most horses get to nervous to be effective in. Some horses are out standing rock animals and are nearly as capable regardless of what some folks swear. The real difference in the best of the two is physical ability to control placement of rear hooves better for example. The brain part is mules don't spook the way most horses will. Not all horses will spook granted you ll go through a lot before you find one that just naturally won't spook given a unexpected chance. A sorry mule may spook just a hard as a horse and will make anyone prefer walking. they can be ruined pretty easy but getting them back generally takes more time and give n take then a horse. If you get a good mule you ll be sold on them. A sorry one will sure keep you watchful around them for years.

[Blammer]

[Mr.pacojack]

[LCK]

I don't know much about mules or horses, but have learned a few things. My mules do not hate dogs, they will jump off a cliff if asked, they do stumble and fall and spook and get in a bind just like a horse. You just can't make blanket statements about horses or mules because the second you do, either one will make a liar out of you.

I like a mule in rough country because they keep more contact with the ground, but having said that so do most of the horses I use. My mules tend to spend a bit more time deciding to spook or stand, giving me more time to GET THE HECK OFF, but then again so do my horses.

Probably the biggest difference I have found between my horses and mules is recovery time between hard miles. My mules recover faster and can be used longer than even my best horses. That is due to the fiborous muscle density compared to a horse. But in thinking about it, my horses recover pretty quick too?

So, my answer is this. Some folks just like looking through those big ole floppy ears, I do, so I tend to like a good mule. Having said that, I kind of like those little eared horses of mine too LOL.

[Big Mike]

I agree with everything said above and i'll add my 2 cents.

Its hard to say blanket statements about a horse or a mule because there is always one that will prove it wrong but here's a few things that i think will hold true 90% of the time

Mules are smarter than horse. This is a good and bad trait. You can run a horse to his death or run him off a 100ft cliff to his death and he will let you do it some call this the bravery in horses its really the lack of brains. A mule will never let you take him through something that they don't think they can handle and they wont let you work them to death. Ive jumped my mules off of 4-5ft ledges and had them sliding on there a$$ on slopes to steep for footing. The key is they feel they can handle it so they dont refuse. But I have also had the SOB's stare at a herd of elk for a minute until they feel ok to go on and there was no making them go. I just had to wait for him to make up his mind and then all was fine

Mules can handle more work than horses. When It come to riding in ruff country there's nothing better than a mule. They can handle the day after day pounding much better.

But if a guys is in a hurry and needs to cut cattle or go faster than a trot a horse is a much better choice. Some mules gallop ok but most dont.

Mules have better hoofs. There hoofs have more give in then so they dont break like most horses. Two of my mules I dont shoe and I ride them in as ruff a rock country as anyone, and they hoofs hold up day after day.

Horses as a whole rein better than mules. Mules tend to be more pushy and tend to plow rein

You can list a pile of goods and bad traits on both sides but a better question is about what you want to do with them. Mules need a full time job and the more work they get the better they are. If your going to only use them a little and let then sit in a pen or pasture for 6 months they will be a hand full when you decide to use them. Most importantly a mule needs to be started right. If you start them right they bond to you like a dogand trust you it makes the rest really easy.

I use to be a horse guy but after i rode my first good mule about 8 years ago i havnt rode a horse since.

[Machias]

If you have a short fuse, stick with the horses. Horses kick, mules aim. They have a personaility alot like a dog. I like my mules way better than my horses. They mature physically and mentally much slower than a horse. Don't start riding them babies until they are at least 3 and no real hard miles until 4+. Their knees develop quite a bit slower than a horses knees and there is an old saying that I believe is spot on. A mule shouldn't be born until he or she is 8 years old. I like to start the young ones out with a good mare, loading in the trailer, working on their feet when they are young, leading, standing tied, all this while they are manageable. I like the ones that are imprinted, but then not spoiled, you have to be firm but fair, make them stay out of your space. When they are 18 months old to 3 years I like to pony them on easy trails and for not big distances, trying to expose them to as many things as possible, water crossing, bridges, dogs, cars, atv's etc... At 3 they get more sacking out and they get introduced to a pack saddle. First few trips out they only carry the pack saddle. Then they only pack light items (sleeping bags and such) on easy trails. They're 4th year they pack average loads 100+/- and they go on extended trails and some tougher trails. 5 years old they get saddle training. Can you ride them before that? Sure but your doing some damage that will show up later on. These mules live for 30+ years, there is no rush and doing it right will give you a much more honest and sound mule.

[come-hunt]

[dan kluthe]

There's some very good posts here. A personal experience: My buddy and I went to Colorado elk hunting. He had no horse or mule so I offered to let him ride my mule and I'd take and ride my son's quarter horse (my son was active heeling with his horse - a fine strong horse). My buddy first thought I was putting the screws to him. As we headed up a steep and long trail up a mountain my horse started lunging - he couldn't handle it - I got off and led him up so I could keep my life. My buddy rode behind on his mule all the way up and laughed until every elk for three mountains around left the country. Now, it's true that the horse came from Missouri and was not acclimated to the mountains - Just like my mule!

[STUNTMAN]

Get a good mule, you got something
get a good horse, you got something
At the end of the day the trick is getting something good and being in the right place at the right time with a hunk of luck thrown in or a friend hooking you up. Other wise there is so much shit out there it take patience to wade through it when you wanted it yesterday. On a side note hay in the northwest is through the roof and allot of stock is getting let go way below cost. So some good deals out there.

[marty]

tough to add anything to big mike's post that about sums it up...another huge advantage to the mules is how easy it is to look after them in the mountains. Just have 1 mare with you and babysit her and turn the mules loose. I have a guiding operation in British Columbia and run 13 mules and 9 horses and havent rode a horse for the last 10yrs....tough to beat mules in the rough stuff.

[STUNTMAN]

Marty I have heard that with mares,that mules tend to stay close to them.

[marty]

ya 100%....i've heard it before but was a bit skeptical so i tried it out about 6yrs ago. Packed into one of my top camps for a 8 day mountain goat hunt had 5 mules and 1 mare and the weather was bad. So bad that we were grounded to the cabin about 6" of fresh snow and fog. If there was ever a time the mules would pull the pin this was it. I corraled the mare and threw her hay and let the mules go...no hobbles ..nothin. Each morning would get up and check and sure enough the mules stuck. Nose bagged them with grain and they were happy. Did this for 8 days and no one left camp. Cant say the mules would stick with a gelding but they sure do with a mare. Over the years ive done it several times and have never had to go looking for the long ears.....