trouble with mule and goats

[roscosrokons]

Hey guys I am desperate for some good mule advise. I had always been wanting to get a mule and finally did. She is a 5 year old molly that is broke to ride supposedly but I haven't rode her yet. I just got her yesterday but I am already running into a little problem. I have two pack goats that have been here for a few years now and I really like them. These goats are as friendly as can be. I introduced the mule to the goats at the gate and she wanted nothing to do with these goats at first sight. I figured that she probably just needed to get use to the goats so I turned her out with them anyway. Well all day yesterday she just stayed away from the goats. She didn't want to get close to them. But today is a different story. Now she won't leave them alone. I got a corner that the goats can run to to get away from her and thats where she prefers them to be. If they try to come out to eat or greet me she runs them right back to there corner. I was hoping that they would get along so I can keep them all together but I am starting to have my doubts. She acts like she wants to eat these guys. Do you think that she will come around or do I need to figure out some other arangement. Thanks for any input. Ross

[Doogie]

I'm supprized you haven't been talked in to butchering those goats yet, figuirin the guys that you hunt with lol

[Shorty]

I'd give it a few more days. Just make sure the goats have feed and water. Sometimes it takes animals awhile to learn to get along. This is all new to the mule and she might enjoy the chase. She may get boared with it and give up chasing them around.

[roscosrokons]

Well I put a divider between the goats and the mule. The goats can get in with the mule if they want but the mule can't get to the goats. I am going to give it a few days and see how things go. I really hope they can get along. This mule is just the right size for me and she seems to be put together real well. I haven't introduced her to my dogs yet. I really hope she works out otherwise I'll have to find a new home for her and start shopping for a different mule that can get along with the whole crew. Ross

[Machias]

I'm amazed your goats are still alive. Mules normally do not do well with small animals like that. Most mules will kill goats, sheep, dogs etc in the pasture. Very few mules will tolerate goats. There are two good mule sites that I know of, if you'd like I can post you a link. One is a club I belong to, www.nismc.com That is the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club and the other is the muleskinner's forum, I'll have to post a link to them tonight.

[Machias]

Another good site for mules: http://www.mules.org/forum/