Tips for training Pony Mule to drive

[2DogsFarm]

My Faux Grandson (neighbor “kid” < 33yo) just got a pony mule.
She is 5, guesstimated 36".
Former owner only had her for year & kept her in a fenced yard - think suburban backyard.
I met her Sunday & OhEmGeeeee! She is a sweet thing :love-struck:
Nuzzled my hands, checked my pockets for treats & let him trot her up & down the aisle of his barn.
She had a brief Mule Moment, did not want to go back in her stall, but was easily persuaded.
I may be in LUV
He said she already calls for him & what I heard was neither bray nor neigh, but somewhere in between.

FGS drives Roadster & Pleasure Hackney Ponies, so I’m confident he can get her longlining, but after that she is totally Not-Hackney in movement.
I am campaigning to have him take her to the young Mennonite guy who has restarted & broken ponies for him before.
With the caveat that he ask if the guy has worked with mules.

I have mule riding friends who have advised that Mules do not think like horses & can bear a grudge.
Plus side is if Mennonite guy pisses her off, HE will be the one targeted for revenge.
But if she does not go, any tips for breaking her to a cart?

My intuition says she has the temperament & I’d like to have her get a good start.
I admit to Ulterior Motives :uhoh:
FGS most likely will not drive her as she is soooo not his style.
Which leaves {Surprise!} ME as a possible driver.
Admit I have already pictured her put to a wee Merchant’s cart for a Commercial Class :yes:
Flower Seller? Delivery of ???

[RMJacobs]

No suggestions as I’ve never worked with a mule, but I am so jealous!

Rebecca

[2DogsFarm]

@RMJacobs Introducing Lucy:

http://i.imgur.com/6qzR1o9.jpg

We are going to the Topeka auction Tuesday, and may be stopping at the Mennonite guy’s farm.
I will be planting the Lucy Seed if we do.
As Kathy Bates (Towanda!) said:
“I’m older, smarter & have more insurance” ;)​​​​

[Toblersmom]

Isn’t she adorable! Is her dam a Hackney pony? Hard to tell from the front but she looks more refined than most pony mules I’ve seen.

[SLW]

I’ve never trained a mule in any way but I did train my standard size donkey how to drive and when I bought her at age 3, she had never even had a halter on her. What she did have was 3 years of being a pet and loved on which created a base of trust. I also trained one of my miniatures how to drive and he took to it easy peasy, total saint

Lucy looks perky and has a kind eye! The “donkey” side of the mule will appear if Lucy isn’t sure of something, they will stop and wait.it.out. until they have an all clear. They AREN’T going to let themselves get hurt which is exactly why mules are used on the ride down into the Grand Canyon.

What I found with my donkey is that they don’t need and won’t like endless repetitions of something. Your driving the donkey and want to work on flexing at the poll, softening the jaw on a circle at a trot, well, you are going to get 3 or 4 circles then move on to something else and maybe revisit it again in 15 minutes. Donkey’s laugh at the Warmbloods down in Wellington being drilled and drilled. Donkeys.don’t.drill.

Think of it like this: Donkey’s are like kerosene, it takes a LOT to make them explode. Horses are like gasoline, way lower flash point.

[2DogsFarm]

“Donkeys Don’t Drill” :lol:
Got it!
Thanks @SLW :encouragement:
I will pass that info along.

@Toblersmom No info re: Lucy’s breeding, but her coloring & base-narrow front end do say “Hackney”, don’t they? :yes:
She is also very sweet-natured (so far) despite spending a year being taught zip.
So fingers crossed she takes to harness. :tickled_pink:

Sounds like we both won the Mini Lottery.
Another friend has a Work in Progress mini she is trying to train to drive.
“Trying” is the keyword here, as 4yrs later still not finished.
But she is a One Size Fits All & has other not-100% broke drivers, so…
​​​​​​​

[RMJacobs]

@2DogsFarm, she is absolutely adorable. And her coat and refinement remind me so much of Crackers, my beloved Hackney pony. I think you guys are right about her breeding.

Rebecca

[2DogsFarm]

:yes: Probably Hackney or Modern Shetland in the mix.
Now let’s hope I’m good on the ''tude - or lack there of.
AND on being able to take the lines

[skydy]

https://www.luckythreeranch.com/lucky-three-ranch-training/mule-facts/Here is a website that is all about donkeys and mules and their training. https://www.luckythreeranch.com/

[skydy]

This website has some information about the differences between horse training and training mules and donkeys. https://www.luckythreeranch.com/luck…ng/mule-facts/

[skydy]

Videos; https://www.luckythreeranch.com/lucky-three-ranch-training/video-training-tips-all/

[Wanderosa]

Accepting that the mule is smarter than you is key!

[2DogsFarm]

@skydy Thanks for the links

@Wanderosa :lol:

[skydy]

@2DogsFarm

@skydy Thanks for the links

@Wanderosa :lol:

You’re very welcome. I hoped the links might be helpful. I found the differences between training horses, mules, and donkeys, very interesting.

I know absolutely nothing first hand about donkey or mule training. I just remembered seeing the website and thought it might help.
Ms. Hodges (whom interesting enough is the daughter of Charles Schultz, creator of the cartoon “Peanuts”) is somewhat local to me and has a good reputation.

[CERT]

Meredith Hodges literally wrote the book on Donkey and Mule training.

I second the “donkeys don’t drill” sentiment. I’ve worked with two donkeys now and briefly with a couple of mules. They are also harder to find their “go” button and steering can be a bit of a negotiation to start because they have Ideas about The Way Things Should Be Done.

Enjoy!

[2DogsFarm]

@CERT Since she doesn’t belong to me (but I have a strong connection to owner) right now I am truly putting the Pony Mule before the cart

Went to the Topeka auction this week with a friend & FGS.
We saw THE perfect little wagon for her, but it needed a lot of work - hopefully only cosmetic - and the bid went up to $425 before we said Don’t Think So :no:

But I am planting seeds - told him if she gets trained, I will get a wagon like that & it will get a decal stating “XX & Son Hay Company” < he & his Dad are my hayguys.
The wee wagon we saw had a little platform on the back perfect to put a single small square bale on, perhaps tied with a huge burlap bow?
I see myself driving it in biballs & a straw hat,
Not ADS-worthy, but Costume Class, anyone?

[SLW]

@CERT

Meredith Hodges literally wrote the book on Donkey and Mule training.

I second the “donkeys don’t drill” sentiment. I’ve worked with two donkeys now and briefly with a couple of mules. They are also harder to find their “go” button and steering can be a bit of a negotiation to start because they have Ideas about The Way Things Should Be Done.

Enjoy!

This is my experience: Donkey’s are like kerosene, it takes a LOT to make them explode. Horses are like gasoline, way lower flash point.

Explode can mean to just walk forward. OTOH mine is so darn safe to work around and drive.