Owning a Mule How to Approach Your Mule

[@boomer6611]

Fascinating how these animals are so keen and observant.

[@Balonishell]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@muleranch]

Thanks for taking the time to watch! I Appreciate it.

[@horsewisdom4790]

I think it's hard to explain equine body language to someone while simultaneously explaining their own body language and how it's impacting the relationship. Reading body language becomes instinctive but only after years of experience. Although you did a good job of explaining it to him, you're very patient, as a trainer should be 👍

[@horsewisdom4790]

Queen Valley Mule Ranch yes I used to edit the videos for another trainer, I'd sit through 3 weeks of footage and be asked to make the video 8 minutes long. It's a shame people can't sit through longer videos, they would learn so much

[@ironwolf6849]

1 thing that I like is that a lesson no matter how long, 30 min, an Hour or even longer is not just all about riding. The moste important part is the bond that you build with your equine friend and to be able to read the body language of the animal and actually understand it. It is totally fine if you did not ride that one lesson as long as at the end of that lesson you have improved yourself in that regard. Even if I have now been riding and learning for 8 years I know I have gained a vast amount of knowlage and I know im not even 30% there. And seeing people years older than me only starting to learn the ropes gives me so much respeckt and wisdom. even being the best rider in my school I still feel as if im just breaking the ice. RESPECT. I would like to see how he is doing now after 5 years.

[@LisaHouserman]

This is very helpful to a first time mule owner like myself. I bet I'm not the only one who feels like a failure when it comes to understanding the animal. I've been looking at videos, reading, etc. but there is nothing like first hand experience. I think we will be OK! I knew when we got him that I would not be leaping on him and riding wildly for as long as it takes to gain trust. Thanks for the advice. I think ground work is so important. I had horses for a long time over the years but it's a whole new ball of wax, as they say. Thanks again. (PS I bought one of your breast collars recently. Love the complimentary knife!)

[@ErikTheWiz]

I haven’t even started yet, I’m barely 19 and I’m still living in an urban area with my parents. I just can’t wait until I get a piece of land so that I can buy a mule, but until then for these couple of years I’m just gonna have to learn.

[@quarterhorsgirl]

She is beautiful! I have my first mule. She is a very sweet, loving, kind, demanding (of attention) mule. I've always had horses and still do but she is definitely different and I like it.

[@derekgargan5080]

Nice, I think this video gives the viewer a good idea what to expect and shows that going on a course is always a good idea

[@KJMudge]

I really admire your gentle horsemanship or in this case mulemanship LOL.😀 she is a lovely mule and responded beautifully to your interactions with her . I believe that people make mistakes when working wifh their equines because they want to rush and push their animals and they talk too much when the main basis of equine communication is body language and very little vocalizations!. People could learn alot from you in this video because your expertise can be applied to horses and donkeys also .

[@davidobrien487]

Thanks for the info. I need to work on this instead of only approaching her when I need to catch her to work her.

[@muleranch]

👍❤️🤠

[@Kenriots]

wow mules are awesome, i would love to get to know some.

[@muleranch]

They are!

[@rowan8474]

I’m looking into getting a mule but I’ve never had horses and I was wondering if I should start with that so I could learn gradually.

[@muleranch]

Howdy, great question! A mule is a GREAT first equine for anyone... would love to have you join us this wednesday for our live mule and donkey clinic Q & A... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpjGgZ-OfNaNb5Y

[@solveignotsch4830]

Honestly, i'm a horse person- I speak horse. I got a mini mule and had to learn a whole different language. They can be so loyal and wonderful, when they want to be. You could totally start with a mule!

[@rowan8474]

Thanks for the advice!

[@cicibradley2809]

I love and respect mules. Really surprised the "student" didn't get nailed a time or two. Mule had many opportunities.

[@cicibradley2809]

Queen Valley Mule Ranch I would never put a beginner in that panel set up and close quarters.

[@larryfisher5796]

I had a two year old mule he would see me coming and he would come right up to me ever time he was great

[@davidroache8655]

The mule is a beauty! I have around horses but never mules. I would love to be around one; under good circumstances (not this one) I have heard they are very sweet, loving animals who do great with kind, patient leadership.

[@MelodyJasper333]

Yea my 4 year old cousin rides his mule all by himself its very sweet mule

[@sohowsoon6652]

where can i send a tip to you folks for your good work?

[@muleranch]

No tip necessary - working hard to get everything out on KZbin before the good Lord takes me home.

[@kathleenkayk]

Steve, For the sake of mules, please do some real time videos on gentling, haltering, picking up feet, general handling of totally green mules. Record as it happens so newbies like me make fewer mistakes. When people tire of their mules, they dump them at auctions. Those mules that people don't take a chance with go to slaughter 😥. I would welcome voice over dubbing, pauses to explain, whatever you want to do to get mule speak into my head for those big Aha moments. Appreciate you.

[@muleranch]

We’ve got a bunch of these videos on the channel from earlier years. Also the video we send folks with the ground foundation starting kit is 100% what you’re talking about. Thanks for watching Kathleen!

[@isawondfl1]

Why do people always want to rush into things? How many times did you tell him to watch the tail and he still didn't get it. Rushing is a people problem.

[@muleranch]

Hi isawondfly1 - thanks for takign the time to watch, and yes, got to take the time and go at the mule's speed.

[@isawondfl1]

@@muleranch I have trained horses and dogs for over 50 years. I do "gentle" training. Everything is about the animal. I can't tell you how many times I have had to have People step away from the animal and take deep breaths to relax them. The animals were fine and responsive. I get so frustrated when I see people not relaxing with their animals. Thanks for the reply.

[@jcarroccio7844]

there was lots of negative tension going on. lucky that guy didn't get nailed. the voice of the trainer had quite a bit of tension, small area, too much anxiety for that mule! slower is always better. build trust first.

[@brandicartee999]

It's the same with most animals including people. He's too eager for her to submit. When it's actually a relationship

[@madelineluvspugs5141]

Great 👍🏻 work !

[@angieharguess974]

Why was that center gate left in? Makes it hard to move the animal with out being too close. And not realistic for most situations.

[@everettamador9885]

been kicked and bitten by a Jenny years ago while helping a friend with a horse that was sick..Didn't do a damn thing to this mule...Another friend criticized me for doing something to piss her off and my friend said it was my fault...two weeks later that same Jenny that attacked me, attacked and kicked the friend that said it was my fault for what happened me...That mule in kicking him had given him a broken collarbone, 3 ribs fractured and a concussion...The funniest and real sad part was in coming to see him at the hospital a day or two later...He told me to get the hell outta the room as his brother escorted me out...and back to the parking lot...Never said a word and barely saw him in that room...But I feel better years later realizing that some friendships were never meant to last or start...And he never talked me again and moved out of state a couple of years later...strange things happen in your life...Rhis was one of them...

[@cicibradley2809]

Everett Amador Your "friend" couldn't handle the truth.

[@angieharguess974]

Jenny was probably protecting horse/friend from stranger. Why donkeys and mules are good herd protection.

[@vicdelange2634]

do you also train the handler? Mules as you do know, also feel vibes from handlers, like scared, meanness, kindness, you get the idea. its as important is it not?

[@muleranch]

Hi Vic, we talk about it here, kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4inpK2umZyEZ8U

[@amberblyledge7859]

Horses prefer rubbing too!

[@muleranch]

Thanks for watching! 🤠👍

[@cassandrakimball6262]

What is the best way to teach a mule to let you touch and rub the lips?

[@muleranch]

Hi Cassandra, great question! Take a look at this video. While the symptom we were correcting was the mule trying to hit the girl, the behavior is the same. Notice how she has the come-a-long in one hand and is rubbing all over the mule with the other hand. The second the mule thinks about doing anything but being straight... bump. You can see their body language. Perform this exercise where you're not getting the calm straight behavior you want and use the come-a-long rope to say, "You stay there. I am going to do whatever I want and you're going to stand still. And if you don't, your nose is going to pay the price." let us know how it goes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHfUl6l-gZJrpqs

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Now if they always put there rear to you put on three legs. Move them around till they want to stop and face you. Stop pet release repeat as needed.

[@diesel4135]

Maybe the mule has limited vision in the R eye.

[@Ingridiqueralt]

90 % of horses , donkeys and mules are left eyed , so exactactly their R eye has limited vision. mind you 99 % of horsemen don,t know that.

[@jamesadams-bb1gz]

If the mule bucks, why not take it to the sand hills or muddy area and buck it all she will go and then some to show it that she can't get you off?Even the old 1944 US Army manual says to pick mule men who are patient, kind and firm.

[@plips71755]

The guy is good though the owner is awful. The trainer kept telling him to watch her takl but he kept moving and never looked at her rear. He said no noises, and yet what did he do. I think after 50years of owning horses, he’d have trouble with horse or mule. You always watch a horse or mule -the tail and the ears, and the eye next.

[@MrDeicide1]

Queen Valley Mule Ranch, Steve Edwards Or... some people are just stupid and forceful

[@Jreddygo]

Any dummy can approach a broke mule....how about a green mule

[@muleranch]

Howdy Huckleberry, you'd be surprised just how green this mule is.