Mule question

[swk]

First of all I'd like to say how much I enjoy this section of the site, I love the pictures especially the ones from out west and always like to see pictures of horses actually getting used. I finally bought a new camera to replace my old, broken one so I hope to add to the pictures soon.

Now for my question. My neighbor is picking up a 3 1/2 year old mule tomorrow which he's going to keep at my place with my horses. She is supposed to be real gentle and of a quiet nature. She's halter broke and real used to people but other wise not started under saddle or harness. He'd like to train her for riding. I ride horses a lot but have little to no mule experience. I start colts but I know that mules are real different. He will probably eventually send it to a mule trainer but in the meantime I'd like to help him get it started or at least better prepared for the trainer. I'd sure like to hear any ideas and guidance for this. I've heard they don't take to round penning, ground work etc in the same way a colt would. So how does one go about getting them prepared for riding ? Thanks for any help you may have.

Steve

[Big Mike]

I have limited experience in breaking mules and horse but from what ive done and seen most of the same techniques that work on horses will work on mules.

My only advice is don't "cowboy" the mules, let them tell you when they are ready for the next step.

If she's real gentle natured and has those gentle eyes she should break pretty easy
They work just fine in round pens too

[pegleg]

I can't tell you how to make a mule but I do agree with the statement don't cowboy her if she's calm now the main goal will be to teach her as much as you can while keeping her friendly and trusting. I've seen more mules people turned mean then trained.

[R Severe]

I asked a freind with lots of mule experience for some help when I started my first Mule.
I had lots of colt experience as had he, but he'd started lots of mules also.

He had some basic observations and also good advise. He said a mule knows when you know what your doin and knows when you don't. No feeling your way like a horse will allow.
He used a Ray hunt sayin "fix it and wait" He said one of the big differences between the horse and mule is that a horse will choose the right thing several times before it really sinks in and becomes habit. You will wait alot longer for the mule to find the right way the first time, but that first time sticks. If you fix it up wrong and the mule chooses wrong and it works out for her, It's a habit.

Don't add more pressure on the mule, keep it constant and wait.

I found that advise, good advise. That first mule taught me more than a bunch of colts before her. I've started a few more since and had very good luck with the same advise.

One thing I would add to that advise-- Choose what your gonna work on thoughtfully. It may stretch into a long leason if the mules not ready for it. Remember if it turns out bad, once is a habit. Bad habits take a long time to correct in a mule, good thing they live long.

[guy54]

I have been around a few mules but I am hesitant to give advice because there are a lot of opinions out there and I don't want to start a marathon thread. However I feel safe in saying this, you love a mule and do not try and beat anything into it. I have had several old time mule men tell me this. Like was said earlier a mule never forgets. That does not mean that you can't be firm if needed but some people think the first thing you have to do is club a mule to get his attention. You will get his attention alright but things will go downhill from there and he/she will never be a friend. And when your out hunting in the middle of nowhere it is always better to be mounted on a critter thats a friend than one that is looking to leave you high and dry somewhere.

[Benny G]

Good point 54. My first mule was a learning experience for us both. I was riding her one day in the wind and she didn't like it, so she was constantly throwing her head. After a couple hours of this, I was tired of her behavior. With my index finger and middle finger, I tapped her between the ears when she threw her head up. That very small action, at least in my mind, started one heck of a battle of wills, control, and trust that lasted a full two years. She would never try the same thing twice, and I never knew what or when something was coming. I can tell you this, if I had ever let her "win" one of those confrontations, it would have been over for me as far as she was concerned. Today she is a trusted companion out in the hills or in the yard, and I learned my lessons as well!

[LCK]

I'm dang sure not a mule trainer by any means, but I am currently trying my hand with a 3 year old right now. I have started and finished many horses.

Round penning works just fine, don't overdo it. When they look to come in LET THEM.
Once learned, MOVE ON!
Repetition becomes boredom real quick and then defiance SOON follows.
ALWAYS stay calm, calm, calm. If they sense your getting mad, they turn OFF right now and if they become afraid of you, they absolutely will not learn and you are DONE with trust.

I have got to the end of my rope twice so far and called for advice. I was told the same thing both times "don't lose your temper and what ever you do, don't lose". Hard to do both but absolutely critical.

I am probably way to green to say this, but I am gonna. The mule I am working right now learns WAY faster than horses of the same age. It is VERY easy to miss the try and see the change because it can come so fast you don't expect it. If you miss the slightest try, you will go a LONG ways in the weeds before they offer it again.

[Dads dogboy]

LCK, and Benny are giving you very good advise!

Big Mike as well!

While he is a bit WINDY, Max Harsha has put out a pretty good handbook for begining Mule Folks to read and learn from (Max may have picked up these tricks, drills, and ways from others and failed to credit them but they are good none the less!); it is called "The Mule Skinners Bible". Google Max Harsha!

Main thing he talks about is being patient and NEVER EVER get Mad with your Mule!

I have had Mules for over 35 years and they can do anything that a Horse can do and some things better!(Dad is of the opinion that Mules and Potlicker Hounds are about the same, but when he bought the place in AR with ROCKY Mts, he was quick to call me and trade horses for some Mules!)

Merrideth Hodge also has some very good training tools out, Books, DVD's etc. A fellow by the name of Steve Edward in AZ as well as a young fellow named Cameron (not Craig) also have some training aids out. Again Google their names and links should come up!

Go slow and get educated before creating problems that can become bad for the Mule and Rider! Remember "Self Preservation" is number 1 on a Mules mind!

CJC

[BEAR HUNTER]

I've started lots of colts. Decided to try a couple mule colts. This is what I learned. First start out with a good mule. If its a sale yard Knothead leave him at the auction barn. second is don't start something if you don't have time to finish it. an example If you go to desensatizing him be prepared for a long spell. Mules in my experience took longer. If you give up and come back to it it is much harder.
Last advice the ones I worked with seemed to push back into pressure which can get a little dangerous if you have a small round pen or don't really know what you are doing.

[Machias]

Borrow, buy or rent Brad Cameron's mule training tapes, you'll never regret it. I won't say anything bad about Mr. Harsha, but he is mostly dealing with mules that have been mistreated or started poorly and he has had great sucess in "fixing" them...but if you have a mule that is a clean slate, just my two cents, but Brad Cameron's methods and patience can't be topped. If you can take the mule to one of his three day clinics, you'll be miles ahead. Good luck.

[liontracker]

I went and watched Brad Cameron for a day and he seriously knows his stuff when it comes to mules. What he can do with a mule in a short amount of time is amazing.

[swk]

Thanks for all the replies. If anyone else wants to add to it feel free, I'm always open to more help.
The mule arrived Sunday, man is she huge! She's about 16 to 16-2 hands. I look out in the morning and think a moose has wandered in the pasture. She does seem very gentle and definitely not very trained, she doesn't even really lead well. She will definitely be a project. I'll try to get a picture of her to post soon.

Thanks again,
Steve

[Benny G]

If that mule is already that tall, just wait another 4 years. They grow and mature slower than horses, hope you guys are young and tall! Good luck.

[dwalton]

Give the mule a lot of time to know. Mules need to be able to trust you. I don't start asking anything of them until they trust me. Positive training, if you get into a power stuggle with them , you have already lost. Mules learn quick, which can be the good or bad of it. Once they have a bad habit it's hard to change. With a mule you buy the disposition. The rest comes easy. If he has a bad habit leave him to the experts. Dewey

[Cowboyvon]