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I have a 3 year old mule that I'm currently breaking. He is 16 hands and can cover some ground when he walks out. He is out of a Tennessee Walker mare and a gaited jack. He is a little clumsy and I always figured he was bored and on auto-pilot when he stumbled or misstepped. My other theory was that he may be a little younger and clumsy due to how large he is at a young age. This is my first experience with a young mule and in breaking one also. On my ride today he seemed well alert and I was riding down a flat gravel road when he tripped and stumbled bad ending up on both front knees with me standing on the ground in my stirrups above him. He calmly got back up and returned to walking as if nothing had happened. It was a first for me and now I'm concerned if my mule is a clumsy idiot and that I have wasted my money and time on him. You always hear how sure footed they are and I have ridden some nice ones in the past. Any of you guys have an idea of what could be going on or experience with a mule like this your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Once again he's a gaited mule 16 hands and I don't shoe him and his feet are not long or due for a trim. I ride him everyday and his hooves are just about perfect length. So there really is no obvious reason why he is so clumsy. - Lance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzmoqY-Eh4

Lance, if he's a 16 hand, 3 year old mule then he's still growing.
His bones and cartilage have a bit to go yet.
Just give him a bit more time I'd say.

He is young and growing. Some mules grow until they are 7 years old. What angle is he trimmed to. Most mules need to be fairly straight up, 60 to 62 degrees. Dewey

He is still a young mule. He is still learning and maturing. He is like a big dumb teenager. The fact that he fell to his knees and he didn't miss a beat is a good sign. He has still got some growing and maturing to do in his joints so don't ride hi to hard.

Thanks for the replies guys. I figured he was still a little young and needed some time. I'll just take it low and slow with him. It impressed me how calm and collected he was after he went down I was expecting him to jump up and be stirred up a bit. He's never been trimmed so I don't know what angle he's standing on. He looks fairly straight up to me. I like him and think he'll finish out nice but that was a little too much clumsiness today. He is gentle and good around my hounds so it should pan out. I'll post some video of him on here later so you guys can get a look at him. He is big.- Lance

Lance, every mule I have tried, out of a T.W. horse has been just as you described. I hope yours grows out of it. Good luck

The bone structure of a mule takes much longer to mature than that of a horse. I personally don't think a mule should be ridden real hard until they are four. Some are ready to go at two and most are good to start at three but four is a good safe age to start givin her hell. It sounds like your mule is having a hard time growing in to himself. It also sounds like he might not be quite ready to carry a heavy load. How is he in a halter with no weight on him? Clumsy? He may be huge but he's just a baby. Although his muscles may be developed enough to carry a load, his joints and bones may not be. Your vet could tell you real quick if his joints are developed enough for hard work. Take it easy for awhile and give him a chance to develop so he doesn't end up lame. Also you can never rule out that gravel road. Sometimes it just freakin hurts to walk on.

Sounds like he just needs some time to get his balance built up, be patient he sounds like he will be a good one for ya.

Not an exspert on gaited horses and mules but have ridden a few of both.
Their gaites are smooth but are clummsy walkers, part of the time.
Not bad mouthing them just my own observations.
For what it is worth.
Not wanting to start a pissing match, that is why i am e-mailing you!

Lugnut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lzmoqY-Eh4
Here's some video of my lil' mule. He is doing better and not stumbling as much. I believe he will turn out to be a good one.-Lance

I think if I was you ,I would be getting a new farrier. A good one could help you out alot with the stumbling deal.

Your Ferrier should be able to answer those questions no problem, don't know the guy but just my opinion

It is a good looking mule though

I had a old mule guy tell me one time that mules shouldn't be born until they were six years old. LOL!

Yeah that farrier was a joke and will not be used again. Lugnut has been doing better. I think with time and a little age he'll be just fine.- Lance