Mule going to USDF finals -- History in the making!

[RTF]

A very good trainer told me that training a horse was comparable to training a dog, and training a mule was like training a cat.

I have huge respect for anyone that has success with mules. I had one once as a project, he came to me with issues, and I was unable to fix him. I sent him to a very experienced trainer, that also was unable to fix his issues

None of my horses were bothered by him, they actually were quite happy to hang out with him. I will say though, if they get screwed up…they are very hard to fix. A mule needs to be trained right the first time. I know people that have well trained mules, and they love them. Those owners though are very experienced riders, and there is a reason why they do well with them. I think it’s awesome that one is going forward to the finals!

[exploding_pony]

Honestly I think it’s just the braying that is an issue.

When I’ve shown against Laura, one mule is very quiet and the horses could care less. One mule is very loud (in the stabling, not while being ridden) and that does really unsettle the horses.

[Gnalli]

[QUOTE=GoForAGallop;7797726]
Like another poster said, I imagine most of the bigger ones are out of TBs.

I have a little pony mule we strongly suspect is out of a Morgan. (Came from Amish county, adorable movement, has the Morgan coloring.) See:
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/316722_10150811150505215_1053328640_n.jpg?oh=49e78995ebb3c32a6f225ce063516fd0&oe=54F7487D

I should get some photos of him under saddle. He really is the fanciest little bugger. I wish I had more time for him because I would definitely campaign him in the local dressage shows.

I’ve really never had any issues with my Henry and other horses. But as I have mentioned before, I have mostly had him out and about with QH/working horse types, not the dressage horses who are umm…allowed to get away with a bit more drama. :lol:

Mine knows which dogs are his, but yes, will likely kill anything that walks into his pasture otherwise. I’ve seen him take off after a fox before, and he gave a leaf bag a good pummeling once. They don’t fight like horses…all teeth and front feet with mules, it’s a sight!

Mine is not the alpha, but he is a perpetual pest to anyone, alpha or not. But I don’t know whether that’s the mule in him, or the pony. :lol:[/QUOTE]

he is very cute!!!

[Gnalli]

[QUOTE=Hippolyta;7800387]
One of my students had a horse that he had pastured with a mule. He swears to me mule taught his QH to jump out of the pasture over super high fences.

I saw a 4H mule project jumping contest. The littlest bugger won.
go mule![/QUOTE]

I’m not sure how they do it, but they can. We had one tied fairly short to our outside barn wall-which was a converted chicken house, so only half wall height. I left him there, and came back a little bit later, and he was INSIDE the barn, still tied, but line twisted. I typically don’t give more than 24-30 inches MAX legnth, and mostly only 18". No one was there to have put the little booger in the barn, so I don’t know how he did it other than jumping. He could also jump really high under saddle when he did the run buck jump snort fart…

[enjoytheride]

Videos of this mule please

[katarine]

[QUOTE=stoicfish;7798308]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_guhCo17qnE

I swear he was trying to not to let his ears bounce.[/QUOTE]
LOL I think you’re right

He’s adorable!

[Kadenz]

Several years ago, my trainer had a client who rode a mule, and she came to a few shows with us. Our horses didn’t mind him so much, because they were used to him - but many other horses in the stabling would get VERY riled up whenever he brayed. And we’re talking about horses in stalls, so their riders weren’t the problem!

We got some complaints from the other horses’ owners but what can you do? Stop a mule from braying? :lol:

[Bristol_Bay]

[QUOTE=exploding pony;7803577]
Honestly I think it’s just the braying that is an issue.

When I’ve shown against Laura, one mule is very quiet and the horses could care less. One mule is very loud (in the stabling, not while being ridden) and that does really unsettle the horses.[/QUOTE]

They were stabled at my barn temporarily one year. The double takes at first were hilarious, but everyone got used to them. Their stalls were in a high traffic area, so everyone could see them every day. I didn’t get to see her ride much, but we enjoyed the diversity.

[mooremules]

Half?

[QUOTE=csaper58;7796946]
So they are half donkey, and half ? Are they warmblood, thoroughbred, or other?
Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

They can be whatever you want them to be. The mare is the horse and the sire is the donkey. The mule Laura is showing at the finals is a paint. She also has one out of a thoroughbred and also a quarter horse. All are super movers and she has been doing really well with them in California.

[Kyzteke]

[QUOTE=mooremules;7824808]
They can be whatever you want them to be. The mare is the horse and the sire is the donkey. The mule Laura is showing at the finals is a paint. She also has one out of a thoroughbred and also a quarter horse. All are super movers and she has been doing really well with them in California.[/QUOTE]

Are they all sired by the same donk? I wonder if someone is breeding Mammoth Jacks with auction trots ?