Is mule training that much different than horse traing?
I have two weanling mule colts and was wondering if there are any major differences in the way a person would teach them to lead and do other basic things compared to training horses.
yes and im sure mule will give you a more detailed answer but mules and donkeys are very unique. With horses you can convince them very quickly that what you are doing isworht there while. Mules on the other hand are very intelligent creatures. If you think you have patients for horses you need triple that for mules/ donkeys. Sicne mules intelligence is greater than horses they need to think about there options. I trained some mini donkeys to pull a cart and i once sat there for ten minutes waiting for this jennie to make up her mind that she wanted to go forward. After a little coaking and some food she moved forward and we never had a problem with walking forward since then.
You can not force them with whips and "special devices" you must be VERY patient and really try to look from there point of view on what options you could take.
They also don't like change. For example if you start riding the mule in a say Circle Y western Trail Saddle and a egg butt snaffle don't plan on changing tack without some discomfort. Once they find tack they like they will want to stick with it. I met a woman who bought a Mule who was ridden western and she rode english. When she switched saddles to english she got some bucks out of that guy.
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April 11th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I have a friend who trains mules and horses both. He says you have to be a little more careful with mules. They are more stubborn, but you can't pick a fight with them. They require more patience, but once you get a good one, you'll like it better than horses. I've rode his mules, and they are nice, but I just can't see past the ears.
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April 11th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Extremely different. Check out the show Training Mules and Donkeys on RFDTV. You'll learn a lot
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April 11th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
The are much more stubborn. They cant really be trained like you would train a horse. They shouldnt be expected to let people ride them even with training. Just try to do some basic training and socializing so they will be good pets that enjoy peoples attention.
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April 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
O yes. Its not that they are stubborn, they are just smarter. Unlike horses, you can't fool or trick a mule into doing something because more than likely they will catch you in the act and hold it against you. they want to see how doing something for you will benefit them (besides making progress and making you happy!) you have to treat them with a lot a patience and respect.
This woman is amazing in her advances in training mules and donkeys. Look into it!
http://www.luckythreeranch.com/
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Worked with a donkey and got my butt kicked first lesson cuz i tried treating him like a horse!
April 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
yes and im sure mule will give you a more detailed answer but mules and donkeys are very unique. With horses you can convince them very quickly that what you are doing isworht there while. Mules on the other hand are very intelligent creatures. If you think you have patients for horses you need triple that for mules/ donkeys. Sicne mules intelligence is greater than horses they need to think about there options. I trained some mini donkeys to pull a cart and i once sat there for ten minutes waiting for this jennie to make up her mind that she wanted to go forward. After a little coaking and some food she moved forward and we never had a problem with walking forward since then.
You can not force them with whips and "special devices" you must be VERY patient and really try to look from there point of view on what options you could take.
They also don't like change. For example if you start riding the mule in a say Circle Y western Trail Saddle and a egg butt snaffle don't plan on changing tack without some discomfort. Once they find tack they like they will want to stick with it. I met a woman who bought a Mule who was ridden western and she rode english. When she switched saddles to english she got some bucks out of that guy.
References :