Mules grow a mane but it sticks up off their necks at crazy angles and doesn’t lay down nicely like (most) horse manes. Therefore, I prefer to keep Ted roached. I think most mule owners find it looks tidier.
Someday I’ll own a trail mule, or four. I just love their long ears and sweet disposition.
I haven’t made it trail riding yet with my mules, but I will this summer. I have 3, they are 7,coming 6, and coming 5. And these are my first mules. And I can tell you that there is no rushing the maturing of mules, take everything you know about horses and add at least 2 years to that. My 7 year old is just now getting pretty steady, I have had her since birth, and we have gone through many stages, some not so pleasant : ) Same with the 6 year old. The john that is coming 5 has been really easy all along, but he has a totally different temperament. I have been waiting for him to grow into himself because he is currently around 16.1. So if you go out to buy one, spend the money on one that has some time and experience, because otherwise you will be putting in the time, and getting lots of experience…
I love my mules, I started raising them to sell, but it is going to be really hard to pick which to sell, so I am getting them all broke, and then I will see which ones I will keep.
[QUOTE=katarine;6221079]
They are just ‘different’ and they are not simply long eared horses. I am pretty sure we CAN agree on that :)[/QUOTE]
They are different. Of my two guys, my horse is so much easier to deal with…more compliant and I can effect his behaviour a lot more. A smack on the butt can get him over a multitude of scary things. I can “make” him do stuff so much easier than my mule. I can be a bit lazier with him.
Which one would I give up if I could only have one equid? Probably my mule since my horse has been trained in more areas (hunter/jumper and driving horse…plus he’s faster!)…but I’d truly miss my mule’s personality and his “your mine” attitude.
Kind’ve like horse breeds…I love TBs and their brightness, Saddlebreds too and Arabs…Trakehners too of course! I’ve also had Shires…all breeds a lot of people go, “Yuck!” about. Oh well, add mule to my mix.
[QUOTE=muleygirl;6221605]
I haven’t made it trail riding yet with my mules, but I will this summer. I have 3, they are 7,coming 6, and coming 5. And these are my first mules. And I can tell you that there is no rushing the maturing of mules, take everything you know about horses and add at least 2 years to that. My 7 year old is just now getting pretty steady, I have had her since birth, and we have gone through many stages, some not so pleasant : ) Same with the 6 year old. The john that is coming 5 has been really easy all along, but he has a totally different temperament. I have been waiting for him to grow into himself because he is currently around 16.1. So if you go out to buy one, spend the money on one that has some time and experience, because otherwise you will be putting in the time, and getting lots of experience…
I love my mules, I started raising them to sell, but it is going to be really hard to pick which to sell, so I am getting them all broke, and then I will see which ones I will keep.[/QUOTE]
What kinds of saddles have you had success with?
[QUOTE=Teddy the Mule;6221401]
Mules grow a mane but it sticks up off their necks at crazy angles and doesn’t lay down nicely like (most) horse manes. Therefore, I prefer to keep Ted roached. I think most mule owners find it looks tidier.[/QUOTE]
This is one thing that my guy does right!! He actually has a nice mane and except for the small piece at the top that falls the other way ( i have tried to train it). I leave it natural.
LOVE my mule! He is an 11 yr old QH cross and yes, has a nice mane but the part up closest to his bridle path does indeed flop the wrong way. I have had Henry a year in January and he and I are just starting to make a real team. By that I mean he is just now starting to trust me when I ask him to do or walk by something a little scary. Mud was our big issue, he is VERY particular about footing. He is also a radar unit on trails, knows where all the deer, dogs, birds, people are.
We have done some pretty steep trails and it was such fun. I would have been extremely nervous on a horse but as has been said, I just leaned forward, grabbed mane and off we went. Though I will admit I was a bit nervous sliding down the steepest trail that had washed out at the bottom so we went from butt sliding to a hop over the wash area. All was fine!
Take your time mule shopping, ride them more than once and if possible take a trial period. Be sure the mule can be caught, some are bad about this and be sure they will not pull away. If they want to go, they are gone. The folks I bought my guy from in NC are great! They have teens and spend their time riding and camping with the mules then sell them. They know what they have and can tell you what you need. I would never buy a mule through a sale.
CandyAppy- So far I am using a Watson Continental and a Montana Mountain Horse Mule saddle for my guys. Also have used my Wintec Pro and Isabel for some arena riding. It has not been easy to find saddles that really fit, my 3 have 3 different backs. Most horse saddles have way too much rock for them. I have seen some mules with more horselike backs, but mine are pretty straight, plus they don’t have any withers to speak of. I will use a crupper or britchen as needed. I do want to try something like a Circle Y Topeka, or other Flex tree saddle. Anyone out there using them on their mules?
I am fascinated by the different horse breeds that are being used. Somehow I expected that there would be one favoured cross.
So is it the donkey half that makes them all so similar in temperament? Are some crosses less opiniated than others?
The thought of a mule born of my (mulishly) opiniated arab mare gives me pause, lol.
i have a ridng mule and a riding donk, large standard…have had horses for about 30 yrs, and feel rather disloyal saying that now i know mules and donks, i prefer them to horses…they are a much more liesurely ride…noooooooo rushing if they want to amble along…but, age and several accidents have changed my opinion of a “fun ride”, so slow and steady is what i wantd…saddle fit is a real bugger, esp with the donk, but britchen and breastplate saves the day…i LOVE my morgan mare, have had her since she ws a babe…but the donkey personality reminds me of a cat or a cuddly dog…extremely affectionate, can stand for hours having his head cradled and loved on…the mule is a bit more reserved…she calls as soon as she sees me, just like the donk, and wants to be close, but is not one for cuddling…and it surprised me, but she is NOT top dog…instead ,she is the lowest rank out of 4 equines…
both mine were well trained by previous owners, so no kick, bite, runaway…i really really enjoy them, and of course can never go for a ride without some exclamation from others about what i am riding…lol…
I had a mule for 31 years. Got him as a two year old, started and trained him myself. What an experience. Wouldn’t take anything for it but have no desire to do it over again.
John was a very different sort. His whole life independant but we learned to work together well. I don’t think he ever loved me but he came to respect me as I did him.
That sucker could jump the moon from a stand still and our fences were nothing to him when he decided to go walkabout which he did regularly until he was well in his teens.
He could not be beaten as a trail horse and judges were always amazed at his p & rs. More than one has said he had to check again as after a hard long climb this mule isn’t breathing and his heart isn’t beatings.
:lol: that doofus never worn out or down but lost sooooo many placings at rides because he would NOT trot in hand. Once had a judge have his steward get behind us with a whip and John still wouldn’t trot. Judge said “what is wrong with this mule I know he’s not tired. I’ve watched him all day.” Steward replied “he’s a mule.”
He taught me so much, more really than all the horses I’ve had put together but
one John is enough.
One curious note is that although I had him for 31 years he never one time would take a treat from my hand. Not once.
When the time came that his mighty heart started failing him I had him put down. I didn’t know that I loved him as much as I did til then. When it was over I went completely to pieces the loss felt so great.
Now, even three years later I sometimes hear that weird bray that started off like a horse and finished like a donkey that he had and just for a second I forget he’s not here.
Someone once said to me that he’d be waiting at rainbow bridge for me. I had to laugh…naw, he isn’t waiting. That booger hit that bridge at a gallop and is off walkabout exploring all of heaven and having the best time.
Great story, PJ!
I had a Thoroughbred cross ex-racing mule that I rode on trails. And I’ve ridden many other mules over the years. I love they way their ears flop as you ride along. They sure are adorable creatures.
My advice: You get what you pay for. Don’t scrimp on price! Buy the nicest, best trained mule you can afford because there is not much in between a nice mule and a lousy one. There are lots of horses that are sorta okay or have one or two workable bad habits, but NOT with a mule. If it has one bad habit, it might as well have a hundred bad habits 'cause even if it doesn’t, that one bad habit will drive you to drink.
A horse might be neglected or abused but then come around with kind and patient treatment. A mule never forgets bad treatment and waits for the right moment to exact revenge on whichever human it can.
I am going to disagree with the opinion that you cannot change a mule’s habits. It can be harder to do than with horses, but it can be done. I bought a yearling mule several years ago, I was her third owner when she was just 11 months old. I don’t know that the people did anything bad to her, but she just did not trust people at all. She has been the most difficult animal I have ever trained, since she was both fearful and tried to be dominant. It took several years before she really turned around. Now however, she loves attention, is super smart, learns very quickly, and gets annoyed if I work someone else before her.
Would I pick one with those problems now, probably not, knowing what I know now. But even if they don’t have any issues, they still take more time than a horse to bond to you before you really know what they are like. And I think to some extent they will test you more than a horse will, even after they are broke, that is just the mule opinion coming through.
But I love my mules, and they have made me a better trainer because of their complexity. I think the real talented trainers are those that train riding donkeys : )…
I love mules. It is all that we ride when we’re out in Montana, and it’s all that my uncle will ride on pack trips as well They’re thinkers. They’re analytical. They’re athletic.
“Why should I go that way when this way is better?”
“Are you SURE that’s what you want me to do?”
“You do realize that if you are ASKING me to jump this…I will…so HANG ON!”
Surefooted? Most definitely.
Spooky? Not hardly.
Of course, all mules are different, but shhhh…I’d prefer a mule on rocky long-distance terrain than a horse.
Age for mules is a biggy.
I did all the wrong things…I got my mule when he was 3. Not bright. The Mollies brain “clicks” when they’re 4, the boys…well, 7 is more likely for a touch of maturity little-light-bulb. So I had 4 years of slowly reducing “twit” times. When he hit 7 (and he’ll be 8 come May 18th) I could really see a difference in his behaviour.
I suggest an 8 year old mule gelding…just to make sure their brains are in gear.
[QUOTE=muleygirl;6228112]
CandyAppy- So far I am using a Watson Continental and a Montana Mountain Horse Mule saddle for my guys. Also have used my Wintec Pro and Isabel for some arena riding. It has not been easy to find saddles that really fit, my 3 have 3 different backs. Most horse saddles have way too much rock for them. I have seen some mules with more horselike backs, but mine are pretty straight, plus they don’t have any withers to speak of. I will use a crupper or britchen as needed. I do want to try something like a Circle Y Topeka, or other Flex tree saddle. Anyone out there using them on their mules?[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info!!
