Ponies, Horses, Donkeys, & Mules: Everything you need to know.

[@muffinman8365]

Awesome video. Seeing all three in the shot was greatly helpful for understanding the differences. Your animals are so clean, healthy, and happy looking. The quality shows.

[@thelunarmom]

Right? Look at the shiny coats

[@tallblonde1976]

Love to see people who love and care for their animals.

[@mariepla1370]

I love your videos, they are informative. I grew up on a large farm, in Puerto Rico. We lived of the land. We had chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and guinea pigs. There were many fruiting trees, beans, vegetables, herbs and roots. We bearly had to go to the grocery stores. We traded with the neighbors. A farm is alot of work. All family members helped, from the time childre could walk, they were taught to do shores. I came to USA, at 15. I miss it. Thanks for sharing your live with us.

[@ltlredhen4177]

The closest bond I have ever had with an animal was with a horse, so I think the bonding is a matter of perspective, personality and effort

[@BeckysHomestead]

+Dizzy Angel True, I always say theirs one out there for everyone.

[@doggo_fam3126]

Indeed

[@anneteller3128]

My grandparents had mules that help them plow their small farms. They are a horse and donkey mixed. I believe it is a female horse and male donkey they mix. All mules are females and all are sterile. That is something she didn't mention.

[@blueraven2345]

Me too

[@Eio7]

@@anneteller3128 The mule on this video is a male!

[@meh.896]

I think the horse just didn't bond because of all of these roasts he had to endure😢😂😂Cutie pie.

[@pawpkitty]

I would definitely say a mule is for me. I'm gentle and loving with my pets and enjoy their shenanigans. I really admire their intelligence and honestly they are so strong and loving.

[@tilauncensored6799]

you made me tear up Ms Becky just the way you express yourself about your animals make me feel so happy... I can tell your a gentle soul... I love your videos 😪😿💗💗💗

[@BeckysHomestead]

+tila uncensored Thanks!! 💋

[@theineffablehomestead3378]

So nice to hear someone who actually knows mules discuss them. I look forward to getting mules for my homestead in a year or two after I build up my infrastructure.

[@benjamenYTDeadTheGamer]

Ever get thoese mules?

[@theineffablehomestead3378]

@@benjamenYTDeadTheGamer no not yet, but I'm thinking about it. Especially with the way gas prices are going.

[@summersmith8839]

"Make sure you don't get a horse that is too big for you.." I'm 5'2'' and the horse I ride is 17 hands and he's the horse I feel the most confident on. Lol

[@nerdyfellow7740]

Ami ok that’s cool, you’re welcome bro

[@lengoakathor2224]

U so short

[@joriealizabeth2899]

Lol I'm 5'0 and my horse is a 17hh paint gelding 😂😂 I feel ya

[@jonyemm]

17 hands.... And people say the "foot" is a bad.

[@ambrosiafarms]

i'm glad you mentioned the expense and time required for these animals. we make hay, and have lots of pasture. Those that have to purchase hay - should be aware of how costly it is. We adopted 2 wild horses, plus 5 quarter horses, and one pony. Keeping horses, mules, donkeys, ponies is truly a labor of love! Ponies are easy keepers... less manure...easier to muck out their stall. Less feed. It is nice to give children pony rides. Your videos are so cute and informative. Keep up the good work!

[@deanbarr5740]

That was a very good analogy Miss Becky. My brother raised Halflingers for years. Onetime he did some horse trading and took a Belgium on a trade. After a couple of winters he got rid of the Big Belgium, he said it was like having an oversized pickup truck. The bigger the animal, then it requires more fuel to keep it going. That makes a lot of sense to me. Good video, you always explain things so well.

[@Furturs]

Honestly, both horses and mules have a sense of self-preservation and are very intelligent in different ways. Also, if anyone is new to this please, god, don't get a horse off craigslist. Find a local riding instructor, take lessons, and then go from there.

[@cheriettejackson4248]

I'm fascinated by donkeys and mules, more so than horses. Lot of snobbery when it comes to horses. Mules are hybrids and almost always sterile, so you can't get mules by breeding mules! You need a horse and a donkey. But mules are the original "work horses"!!

[@49lucky]

Plus mules r fun to own .

[@cm.4828]

Good advice. Thank you for info on differences between each. I look forward to your next video.

[@Kjones238]

i think its just her opinion, and thats fine. but someone who is new to horses/mules/donkeys i hope they watch this knowing that not everything she says is fact its all personal preference and based on her experience

[@chloelott1150]

My bond with my mare is incredible. There is definitely NOT a standard for bonding. And horses are smart lol. The reason it is so easy to train some of them is because they are smart.

[@narniabusiness4474]

Mules have a more... I don't mean to offend but better bond. They're like dogs and get extremely jealous and attached to you, more than horses do.

[@nicolem376]

I am considering a mule or donkey and this was very helpful. Ty!

[@MAGApepe]

mules are best when you re drunk,,, they wont walk off a cliff :))

[@MAGApepe]

@Arrul Plays well when you re old enough to drink i will let ya know lol

[@subswithnovideos-fm8fz]

MAGA lol ok

[@MTHorses]

I love Becky and her vids, but i feel lots of stereotyping in this video...

[@jonmacdonald5345]

MTHorses well she is from the South!!!

[@cacatr4495]

"from the South" > What does that mean? Are you implying that people from the South always stereotype everything? that that's their pattern of thought? Maybe they do, I don't know > it's a sincere question.

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

prob is....they annoy me because they think they know everything and aren't ever wrong,, lol

[@roedoresdeoliveira]

Well it is a video talking about a general perspective, so steriotyping is kinda expected.

[@michaelcorsale2646]

I love your videos especially the horse/donkey ones

[@maqboolshah7856]

Michael Corsale xxx-xx

[@sylvieeberle2179]

me to

[@roedoresdeoliveira]

I agree with everything you say, also saying that one animal thinks before acting way more than another doesn't mean that other is stupid, in the wild being smart or not doesn't mean anything if get's you killed and that's why both horses and donkeys are still alive today, one flight and the other fight, mules are the perfect combination of both.

[@curiosity2314]

Well they all have there ways of being. I'm going to give the Horse a "Hands" up on this one though. They are pretty dang smart with the right trainer. They might be a little more skittish but that is natural not bred out. If I had my choice and during the 1970's I took care of many it would be the Quarter horse. Amazing , Smart, Fast breed... Your little Palomino reminds me of a small horse called Bluebell. She had a college degree and you knew it. Look up the movie "Bite the bullet" and trace it back to the stable the movie was promoted from... I went to Radio City Music Hall in NYC for the opening for the movie. It was an interesting time... I know a thing or two about Horses even as long as it has been since contact...

[@thelunarmom]

I have friends back home who have a wonderful mule..Strawberry, she is a gem🧡

[@KSLady22]

I'd love if you could do a video about setting up the right kind of fencing and shelter for them! We want to get a horse but have so many questions/decisions still.

[@keelanshorten336]

I love your videos! You have done very interesting, detailed videos about horses, chickens and hogs, but could you do some in-depth videos about the care of some of your other animals, such as call ducks, dairy goats, guinea fowl and Neal the pig? I would love to learn more about them, and thank you for making all these enjoyable videos.

[@gregsmegkregtv6180]

Lol 7:45 the pony and mule fighting in the background when she looked away😂😂😂

[@electronicflair7983]

Honestly, I feel like you're a bit one sided since you love mules more, don't get me wrong, I adore mules, but I've owned my draft mare for about 4 years and she and I are bonded. They're so smart, but they're boy different. I just feel you're a bit bias.

[@electronicflair7983]

Both*

[@cant.stopthehustle9573]

I completely agree with you!😃

[@lizbethmontijo3938]

Electronic Flair I agree

[@tobywhitley8216]

Your comment was almost completely bias 😑

[@lacylime3295]

We agree

[@adityaseptirino5532]

Hi, Becky. Thanks for your explanation.

[@Ross-ye3ep]

Anyone who thinks she is being biased has never known a mule! I love horses too but mules really bond in a deeper way and are definitely healthier stronger and smarter! There's a reason why the mule won the West.

[@cyberspino6277]

They are basicaly stronger smarter and a litle smaller horses

[@elizabethpendleton3421]

Charlie's coat is so beautiful and glistening!

[@BikingVikingHH]

Oh my god Becky, you are just the most wonderful person! I found this video trying to educate myself about mules And can see myself binging your channel in the future. You actually remind me of my mother if she was a great person, pleasant and had interests and skills LOL actually you don’t remind me anything of my mother. Want to adopt a 36 year old? 😂

[@Gigabitties]

I love Halflingers! There my favourite breed of pony!

[@cacatr4495]

Very good video. Thanks! (Concise but sufficient detail, clear, very good.)

[@jimmyjames1411]

I thought mules would be half the size of a horse. Amazed how big they are

[@SaturnineXTS]

I think mules are absolutely amazing, I'd get a gaited one and have a friend for like 40 years who can gallop faster than many horse breeds and leisurely gallop for miles without needing rest.

[@amansinghparmar9951]

Horse don't worry we still love you ❤

[@alexaregoord5509]

Look at the gloss on the mules coat! That must take a lot of elbow grease!

[@margaretwittman1912]

Very enjoyable! I've had horses, but not a mule, although I have met some that I really liked. ♡♡

[@bribango8981]

She out here hating on the horses intelligence 🤣

[@xenus3590]

Becky i L-O-V-E your video's. And i have a question, i am getting my very first horse soon. How do i know witch horse to choose, where do i have to look for. (I am 13 and i am now riding for 6 years.)

[@blueraven2345]

My horse and I were extremely bonded and he was beyond smart.

[@NikkiBrown4theLord]

Thank you so much for this informative video! I wondered if you knew the differences between their hair. I am very allergic to Horse hair. But my 5 children really want a horse. I wondered if the donkey had different hair. Maybe this would be a good idea for our family.

[@hannahmoore1054]

That mule is absolutely HANDSOME!!

[@bernardbarbour]

Becky, thank you. Just like the title says " Everything you need to know" and more! lol. Much appreciated.

[@savanna7473]

Becky, when you say mules are way stronger than horses....you are quite wrong..draft horses can outdo a mule any day. just because your mule is stronger than your horse...doesn't mean that it is stronger than all horses. Same with smartness...horses can be very smart..smarter than a mule...and mules can be smart too....

[@BeckysHomestead]

+Savanna Prince If you compare a draft mule to a draft horse the mules are stronger and tougher.

[@savanna7473]

+Becky's Homestead I have not thought of draft mules..sorry

[@chickenandhorsehelpguide737]

Savanna Prince lol

[@ladyren1575]

@@BeckysHomestead there's no such thing as a draft mule

[@hollygolightly9072]

I would like to offer an elaboration on your statement that "Ponies are easy keepers." While they may be, the ancestors of most modern ponies developed small stature because they lived on the margins of livable horse habitat, hence require a different and limited food supply than most owners currently feed them. Most pony owners overfeed and keep their pets out in pasture too long resulting in PPID (pituitary pars intermediary dysfunction, or Cushing's syndrome) whose physical symptoms are: overweight, ridged hooves, pot belly, severe laminar wedges in the hooves, etc. Ponies may also have problems with hyperlipemia. These little guys require half the hay for their weight and benefit from NO GRAIN. Over feeding and continual grass grazing is the worst thing one can do for ponies and horses. Ironically, our love and domestication of these wonderful animals are killing them. Thanks for your video. Enjoyed it!

[@Ross-ye3ep]

Great video thank you so much! your Haflinger is so adorable that your mule is such a stunner oh my goodness. I am hoping to get my first mule soon! They are such smart in Beautiful Creatures. Also, horses will break your bank in vet bills but a vet would go bankrupt if they only doctored mules!!!

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

I am definitely more of a mule guy. I am a New yorker(born and raised),but I know a little about equestrians being that I am a first generation American 🇺🇸 who’s parents are from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 and who’s mom is from a countryside in the beautiful province of Puerto Plata,where mules are actually more prevalent in the hilly little town where my mom is from. So as for me,a large part of my preference is cultural. In some parts of my parent’s country,horses are more practical because of the flat nature of of the town and or province,and thus more prevalent and more culturally accepted,and thus ubiquitous for the same reason. I think you can extrapolate this example, and for the same reason obviously throughout our beautiful planet 🌎. GOD BLESS YOU ALL ❤.

[@MsGroovalicious]

You are the coolest gal in town! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us dreaming gals! I'm gonna get out there by all things great and good :-)

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

1:23 Hey horsey horse, I'm the mule brain here. She just called you stupid. 🤣 That is a Haflinger. Very lovely! But, if you ask me the mule is absolutely beautiful too. I have no experience with mules. Horses, yes, mostly Thoroughbreds. I'm greatly curious about Standardbreds. Maybe you might get one to feature here?

[@gabyl9771]

"The dumbest mule is smarter than the smartest horse" lol

[@Iluvrocket]

Your mule is very pretty and he loves you!

[@kenkarentwo9946]

Thank you for sharing your opinions on these different creatures. Different animals will behave differently and display a variety of behaviors to or with different people. After 55 years of experience with different horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, breeds, personalities and training, etc. we find that a good bit of what you've shared incomplete at best. Do please come back and share your updated opinions in a few years - will be interesting to hear what you've learned.

[@saveme6816]

I go to horse back riding once a week. I usually ride the smallest horse... Uh... Pony there named Gypsy. I have only gone on one other besides Gypsy. And even though I don't know Gypsy that well, I can feel one hell of a bond. I love that pony to death. She is stubborn, a foody, pretends to be lazy and stops, sure, but they are extremely smart. She is a school horse, after all. She can tell when someone has improved and so she acts better over time. Another thing. From what I've noticed, with a horse it could take a little to gain trust and form a bond with them. And when you have that bond, you have to hold onto it. I've seen horses go from good to bad because of a few mistakes. In other words, don't say horses just have the looks! Sure, mules seem to be the better choice for YOU, but others they lean towards horses more than mules.

[@6inthestix]

you need to come meet my mare if you think horses aren't as smart or easily bonded with. she's amazing & can learn anything a donkey or mule can + more in no time! she's a warmblood, with amazing feet, I've also got a brumby who is braver than brave and a pony whose feet are crap haha!

[@6inthestix]

+Applewood Acres Homestead I do, she's amazing :)

[@merrileeread347]

My haflinger and I were adopted by the mule up the road from me, I was told by the owner I would never be able to get near her. As you can see in my profile, they were so wrong, I love her to the moon and back.

[@hargersadventures]

You should make some videos on the basics of training a horse. Just like you did for trimming the hoofs. Very well done! Thank you! :)

[@southink9122]

What a great video. Thank you!

[@sergiolobato1798]

look at the beautiful​ coloring of that mule.

[@mohawkdog7295]

Whats the difference between a hinny (stallion and donkey hybrid) and a mule (horse and donkey hybrid)

[@MaiKaeomii]

“If you don’t have enough time” I am moving to a homestead because I have to much time(lol)

[@frank4245]

I love all of them 🌹

[@SephirothWaifu]

Ahh, horses are still my love :D and all so way beautiful

[@myequinepassion1337]

My great grandpa was a rodeo clown with a mule that did tricks. He is in the cowboy hall of fame.

[@raelee1588]

Hi Becky, I Love your Animals & Homestead ! Do you know if the above animals are eaiser to Train once the are Gelded/Spaying ? Thx GB

[@BeckysHomestead]

I think unless you are a breeder, just geld all males, animals are with us for a long time, so it’s best to just not have to deal with the sex drive part of an animal. ☀️❤️☀️

[@Larry342516]

Nice video Becky.

[@noravana9573]

Everything she says is a lie. She is giveing one sided info. Please do not listen to her. My friends and I own horses and we have such a strong bond with them, they never show any aggression but the mules have. Mules horses and donkeys are all smart and strong. Horses are strong, beautiful, stubborn, gracefull, and friendly. This video makes me sick.

[@IrisMG]

Nora Vanasse you wasted ten minutes then.

[@narniabusiness4474]

Mules have a way deeper bond with us then Horses. Literally a fact.

[@klaudia711]

I'd really like a mule and a horse when I'm older, and also goats. I'd like a homestead like yours!! Also of course guinea fowl, turkeys and dogs.

[@aliciaclampet8088]

I love your show, but this episode kinda insulted me! I am a horse parent and I have raise donkeys and mulls. You saying that horses aren't as smart is your lack of understanding and clearly lack of bonding! Your animals are well taken care of that is clear to see, but you need to bond better with your horse.

[@BeckysHomestead]

+Alicia Clampet We have owned Thunder for over 16 years. We are as bonded as he can get.

[@ambrosiafarms]

I've bonded with many many animals over the years, and I agree with Becky. Horses are the less likely to bond. They certainly form bonds with other horses, tho. www.quora.com/Do-horses-get-emotionally-attached-to-their-owners-like-dogs Lack of bonding does not make us love them any less. Horses, after all, are the most beautiful of the animal kingdom.

[@kcequus2879]

Donkeys and mules are smarter then most horses. I also own a horse she's a Ottb and she's brilliant but almost every mule I've met has been smarter then her.

[@nitromav]

I don't think that's what she meant by "smart" Sometimes (especially in the dog world) Being smart doesn't mean easy to train, or bond with. Sometimes it's quite the opposite, like smarter animals often don't want to do things unless you give them a very good reason. (in the dog world: But what if I don't WANT to sit?) So smart doesn't always mean what you think it does. And there's the fact that every horse, donkey, mule etc. is different.

[@springvalleyranch2892]

I agree with u I worked with my horse and we have the best boned but it took a year

[@destinationaddictionsamsar7894]

I really want a mule to be my first equine.😅 I've been researching them for months now.

[@tammyliptak7354]

Just read your reply you gave 1 year ago about mules, wondering if you ended up getting one, and if you did how did it work out? I'm thinking of getting one too and was just wondering out it worked out for you.

[@nicolem376]

There is an exception I think to the size of a horse. I was scared to handle/ride horses (not scared of horses or being close to them) and then I was in a position to rescue two Belgian draft mares from a friend of mine who needed to rehome them. One came injured & nearly emaciated because of it. She was given a death sentence by my vet and the surgeons at Oklahoma State Equine Internal Medicine and Surgery due to a split corona band. Luckily I found a farrier who gave it a go and with custom shoes & supplements/treatments she healed up against all odds. It took months and I got a crash course and had to overcome my fear but draft horses really are gentle giants. They were both easy riders tho I never rode Lady because of her injury and fear of aggravating it. These girls did not have the temperament of regular sized horses. Lady was 17 hands and at least 2000 pounds after she recovered. She was a big Belgian. One day she took a step backward when I was grooming her and stepped down on my boot. As soon as she felt my foot under her she froze. She didn’t step down or lift up. I ended up on my ar$e but all I had to do was lift her leg. She waited on me to do something. I didn’t even get a bruise. They can be resistant but not much and not reactive, more just not moving until you let them know you’re boss. They aren’t jumpy and are 99% laid back. My girls were sweet companions and I miss them. That’s my experience anyway.

[@Ace-ke7fq]

All I can say is ''So beautiful'',.I am a big horse fan,.

[@nancyk3615]

Or they buy a horse based on it's beauty not disposition, then they fall off and say they got 'bucked" off and that horse gets lost in the pipeline. Thanks for this,. Do you have a video on hoe to train the donkey or pony to pull carts? Thanks

[@ningslife4450]

Mule is crossbread of horse and donkey? Correct me if Im wrong

[@migdaliarodriguez1335]

What type of pony is that one? I like it alot

[@carariela]

I Love Mules too!!! It's a Trust thing for me, as much as I love Horses I Trust the Mule over a Horse..it's a Trust thing for the Mule too we're of the same ilk. It's True Horses are Stunningly Beautiful !!! I'm a wimpy rider too!!! God Bless you all 🙏 Can you breed a Heflinger (larger Pony) with a Jack Donkey? ...& would that produce the opposite of a Draft Mule?

[@meowpurrr]

What is the best as a first, what is the smallest, and how much space do they NEED

[@narniabusiness4474]

If they have a small space, take them out on daily runs. Jog with them daily.

[@gigid9606]

can you show and give any info on what to look for in a barn, show your barn etc/Do you leave all three of these animals in the same barn? Is it an open barn or do you close them up at night

[@kLeo20Toes]

Thank you Becky Ive never seen a mule

[@jckytc]

Thank you for the insight!

[@jenb8258]

Have you had Herdbound issue with your mule?

[@hollygolightly9072]

Oh! Thank for your video. May I ask where you got that metal cart in the beginning of your video?

[@believeliveloveandlaugh3844]

Good video, Becky.

[@catsjavachat6565]

By the way, I just read all the comments below this video. I cannot believe how cruddy some people are and how disrespectful some humans are to other humans. (there is just no need to be this cruddy of a person) Makes me sick. Do not let bad people affect you Becky, okay? Just because people have different opinions from each other about any topic in life, does not give someone the right; to the speak and treat another person as I have read in the comments section on here. Shame on you for behaving this way viewer.

[@barbaravick5634]

Hi. I really need to differ with you concerning a couple of things. Firstly, horses, while all of them are not always the brightest critters, ARE very intelligent in their own ways. Thus the term, 'horse sense'. And in this context, mules are very much the same. They are after all, half horse. I've had several horses, some seemed dumb as a stump UNTIL I realized I was actually being manipulated. They knew exactly what I wanted of them, they just played dumb to avoid doing it. Now that ain't stupid, that's VERY smart. And as for bonding, wow. You really do sound a bit oredjudiced. I've had two horses that bonded with me, and the whole family, like big puppy dogs. One even seemed to laugh with us. And don't warn people off big horses like that. My sister used to ride a huge old white Percheron when she was 3 or 4. Her little legs would just stick straight out. And big people, pardon me, like yourself and myself need to ride stronger, bigger horses. A little Arab cross would look absurd under us and eventually could breakdown. And ponies are not always the temperament for children. Sorry, but I've seen a raft of mean assed ponies I wouldn't trust with a child any further than I could toss it. And you said most of them were trouble free feet wise. Most ponies will founder very easily. They tend to be a little piggish and given freedom of choice they will eat until their toes curl, literally. Laminitis is HORRIBLE. It's why they had to put Secretariat down. A horse, not a pony, but the disease is the same either way. And there was probably no better animal in the world better cared for than Secretariat. Sorry I wrote a novella, but go easier on the horses. And a lot of mules ARE gaited, by the by. Many people use a gaited mare, a Tennessee Walker or Missouri Foxtrotter, something along those lines and breed to a good donkey, I personally prefer giant jackstock. You get a gaited mule that is strong enough for ANYTHING. Have a great one. I'm so envious of you. I wish I could figure out a way to do what you're doing.

[@narniabusiness4474]

Yes, they're 50% but that literally doesn't mean anything.

[@alexm66]

Is the mule the one in the middle/ Sorry on the left?

[@gracegardner6865]

Your pony Thunder is so pretty! I love horses like him!

[@thepalacemaid]

I love my horses and my mule 💖

[@vrotties]

My school mascot is a mule. It's not as embarrassing as I thought.😊

[@kristinarment8323]

Becky you should do a meet and greet in southern Ohio I would definitely be there!!

[@sarahschickens3358]

wow you have some beautiful animals!!!

[@Womanwithblackdog]

Wonderful video. Your affection for your animals is obvious. Can't agree with your horse theory. Arabians, for example, are very smart and they do bond. But you have made me wish for the mule experience. It was very amusing to see Charlie and the pony bickering behind your back like jealous children!

[@kajalmalik9148]

How to know which are the horse?

[@pawpkitty]

Now I want a mule

[@binnysmallbrown1996]

hey becky, i saw an ad for a molly mule that is 3 years old for $900, does that sound okay?

[@fyodor8008]

I love your channel

[@jadedmastermind]

My grandfather was a farmer from Oklahoma. He had 4 mules and they were VERY smart! The only farm animal that is smarter than a mule is a pig.

[@CherishEaDay]

very informative...thank you!

[@eddiegastellum6000]

Could you show us how to load horse in trailer

[@IrisMG]

Very informative!