Mules vs. horse

 

Question
I have worked with hundreds of horses and consider myself a horseman.  However, I have never handled a mule.  I have heard all kind of stories about mules being smarter than a horse, meaner than a horse, less forgiving, more accurate kickers, etc.  My main questions is when training or handling a mule, are the same principles applied, herd behavior, higher pecking order, movement equals respect or is it completely different training principles?
thanks

Answer
Remember each mule is different depending on how much horse he inherits and how much donkey he inherits.

Having said that:
1. They appear smarter than horses because the donkey is not a flight animal.  Donkeys stay and fight rather than flee.  Consequently, "smart" may mean they size up a situation and react to it rather than leave the scene.  So in your training remember that.  For example, jumping seems stupid to the mule when he can go around the obstacle safely and with less energy.  You'll have to encourage and support the mule and make if fun for him to reject his own evaluation of your stupid request to jump something it's easier to go around.

2.  They appear meaner than a horse because, again, they are not flight animals.  So,you best not pick a fight you can't win because you can't bully a mule like you can a horse.  In the donkey world a bully, a cougar, is something to be fought and vanquished, not something to run from.  A mule can transfer that attitude to you.  Remember, they mature later than a horse (legs close at 3, mentally a baby until 3 or 4, physically grow until 6) so if you are asking them to engage in collection for long periods of time, longer than they can physically and mentally handle it, they'll resist and can do so with great strength when perceived as put upon.  Always help a mule in collection (harder for them since the donkey is a long trotter as opposed to a runner............they do not work as well off the rear end in the horse disciplines).  If you help the mule, remember they mature later and that they work less off the rear end than a horse, you'll not have any problems.

3.  They appear less forgiving because the donkey is a fighter and, therefore, must remember successful attempts at warding off predators.  Horses simply run and only have to remember flight.  Consequently, mules will remember harsh treatment quicker and longer because their nature is to rebel and fight rather than give in.  Try not to loose your temper and force a mule to submit like you can a horse.  Break lessons down into increments more than you would a horse.  You'll also find mules will worry more about certain maneuvers that are difficult for them.  i.e. If you do not take your time with lead changes (again working off the rear end) you might encounter resistance from your mule.  Again, take your time.

5.  They are more accurate kickers!  i.e. I had a 6 month old colt kick a clipper out of my hand without even touching or injuring my hand.  That's pretty accurate.  My response?  Picked up the clipper (luckily it still worked) and continued the body clipping without incidence. what you have to remember with a mule is that their attitude can be described as "It's worth a protest once just to see if my owner will back down."  I can tell you a million stories over the years.  But, bottom line, I've never been hurt deliberately by my mules, but I have been challenged.  I choose my fights before hand; engage only in those I can win; if I can't win, I rearrange the scenario so I can and come back and try it again.  Also, you'll see a lot of kicking and pretend aggression in a group of mules together, but generally no one leaves marks or injures another mule.

6.  Sometimes herd behavior and hierarchy do not apply because the jacks don't run a herd and the jenny's argue everyday whose in charge for the next ten minutes.  Your mule may not understand your herd etiquette; in fact, probably won't.  The donkey side looks at you like you're crazy when you expect the mule to accept you as leader. Instead, you have to convince the mule the smart thing to do is to cooperate with you. 

7.  Movement doesn't transfer to respect because donkeys aren't flight animals.  However, the horse part can kick in here when you use movement to tire a mule and give quiet as a reward.  Mine work on the lounge line and in the round pen just fine.  But, again don't over do anything with a mule or they'll get sullen and resentful.  Get them tired, but not exhausted.  If they are getting exhausted, they'll save just enough energy to retaliate.

8.  Important suggestions: start them in a snaffle, keep lessons short, don't expect them to work off the rear end like a horse, build musculature and muscle memory for complex maneuvers, reward should be the chance to rest, stop on a positive note, don't pick a fight you can't win, because you'll loose and quickly.  Keep a sense of humor because your mule is always thinking ahead of you.  Don't get mad, just quit a lesson that has gone sour and start up again tomorrow.  By forcing a mule to do something with a sever bit, tie downs, etc.; you won't instill trust, you won't make lasting changes, you'll interrupt the learning process and you'll work up a sweat before the mule will.  ;)

It's not exactly completely different.  It's understanding that the mule will inherit some attributes of the donkey and some from the horse.  Sometimes those attributes are diametrically opposed, but workable.  Some are more donkey and some are more horsey.  It depends on the individual animal.  You're already a horseman so you understand horses.  It helps to be around donkeys as they'll give you clues to what is going on with your mule both mentally and physically.  

Dennis Lee broke most of my mules.  And, he had no knowledge of mules before he worked with mine.  He was a rancher in Montana and believed, since your life can depend on your horse, you have to be honest and not trick them.  When he moved to TX, he then trained reining horses so he understood collection.  With those attitudes, he was able to be most successful with starting mules in the right way.  Although, they took more time and more thinking, once trained they never went backwards or forgot.
Good luck.  Just by your asking and contemplating the difference I'll be you'll do just fine.  Keep me posted.

Source: http://en.allexperts.com