I was privileged to attend a mule skinners rodeo out in LaGrande Oregon some years back. There were old white men riding old white mules and beating their granddaughters in the the barrel racing, and there were impeccably turned out hunter-jumper mules and there were adorable young halter mules.
My dream “horse” is a gaited mule. There are also gaited saddle donkeys, big as regular horses, somewhat more refined than Mammoth Jacks.
I have ridden a mule once, bareback. I was a kid and used to riding ponies and draft horses bareback. Got on the mule and laughed so hard I almost fell off. The feeling was completely different from being astride a horse or pony–no detectable backbone. Felt exactly like sitting on a log covered with nicely padded upholstery.
To Aspenlucas: Be braced to have trouble finding tack that fits.
And of course the best part is naming the mule. Personally, mine will be “Move ASSide Sista” or something of the sort.[/QUOTE]