Mini mules...some questions...

[spacytracy]

HAHA! I am so excited to have him here. I am counting down! I wanted to bring him home this weekend but he was just gelded, and he would be put in with my pissy pony mare, so I’d like him to be more healed before I subject him to her!!

He also has lice (YUK) that we did 1 treatment on Monday, and have to follow up 10 days later. So I want to at least have a few treatments in before I bring him with my others.

[spacytracy]

IM GOING TO PICK HIM UP TODAY!!!

[King_Creole]

YAY!!! Can’t wait for pics!

[spacytracy]

Thanks!!! I have so much to say and ask and I’m so happy to have him. He’s going to be such a fun project!

Here’s a somewhat quick version of our trip home.

• When we got there, it took two of us to corner him to catch him, he’s sneaky but very food motivated. Once caught, he was fine.
• Hopped right on the trailer and I tied him with a lead rope, because I wasn’t sure the trailer tie would work - too short and he’s small.
• He pawed and reared and acted stupid and when I hooked up the trailer cam before leaving, he had hooked a leg.
• Got tied using trailer tie, somewhat high but at least he couldn’t get himself tangled.
• Pawed a bit and acted dumb and I brake checked him once or twice, and once we got moving, he was fine.
• Got home, he dragged me off the trailer, down the hill, and I almost fell on my butt!
• Put him in a stall and brought the other two in to get everyone acquainted over stalls. All went well.
• After the rain stopped I put him out (and introduced him to the chain lead, lol)
• Put the other two out, one at a time. All good, some chasing
• Resident gelding starts mounting mare as sign of dominance (see other post) so there that was. Has mostly settled since then.
• They seem to be getting along well in the field together!
• Brought them all in last night, all was well.
• I hung out in his stall a little, tried to brush him and he turned and tried (halfheartedly) to kick me. I quickly learned he is quite food aggressive. My mistake, I haven’t had a youngster in awhile. Still, butt towards me is NOT cool so we worked on that.
• Learned that halter and chain needs to be on when I try to approach beyond just a pat.
• All in all, he has setttled in VERY well, and I am excited to have a summer project!
  http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/spacytracy05/FDA52E2F-465D-412F-BE1E-6D3CA51B7172_zpsjmbplr0i.jpg
  http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/spacytracy05/78DD19EE-10DD-41B6-A88F-AD4D6DAB9414_zpsicdolhh5.jpg
  http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/spacytracy05/75C56455-A2ED-4E0D-AE49-938E142EA37F_zpsd1bjra6s.jpg
  http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/spacytracy05/8D9E0609-B8DC-479D-AA89-65EC047214AD_zpszho6fctc.jpg
  http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56/spacytracy05/CF9C235C-A508-4316-BAE2-84EB97F26F20_zps8bavcqb7.jpg

[King_Creole]

LOL sounds like he will keep things interesting! Glad he is settling in well

[Frog_Pond]

Gosh, he’s adorable! I have a wild-man mini who came to me as a very green, recently gelded 11 year old. He was always handled & lead with a chain shank and he was completely desensitized to it so it barely worked to give him brakes. He’d hit it so hard I worried about doing permanent damage. I’m now using a rope halter on him – nothing severe, just the regular with two knots on either side of the noseband – and he is much more responsive. Good luck with your guy!!

[spacytracy]

Thanks! I actually thought about the rope halter too. Good to know it works for others. I kind of hate the chain, only because its inconvenient

[GoForAGallop]

I had to use a chain on my semi-feral pony mule (although he is 13.2) for quite a while as he adjusted, too. It can come with the territory. Once they settle in, get to know you, and understand some of the rules, you can usually do without. My guy is now a very solid citizen, I only put the chain on for the farrier because he will just stand like a rock with it on, instead of fidgeting.

Once you’re “their person” the transformation is alarming. :lol: My guy is very different to handle for other people, although still overall a good egg.

[Alexie]

He’s sooo cute