Horse vs mule?

enigma · 11-16-2007, 02:22 PM

My "nonriding" DH (since we had to put his horse down) has been vaguely, in a round-about sort of way, looking for a new mount. He's considering either a reg TWH or a mule. My concern is that I'm not smart enough to train a mule, and that DH isn't patient enough. I may put him on my high-test warmblood mare while I work with green breaking a baby, but that's less than ideal on several different levels. Do they make "husband horse" mules? What do I need to know that would push us in one direction or another?

Any input appreciated!

cascy · 11-16-2007, 02:31 PM

If he wants a mule, it's best to find the right mule... They do make husband safe, and kid safe mules... Just like horses though... gotta find the right one.

If he's not patient, then a mule might not be for him... You are not gonna force a mule into anything, thier survival instincts are way to high for that... Of course that could go the same for horses too...

enigma · 11-16-2007, 02:35 PM

Thanks! I haven't told him yet that they make gaited mules....

Just didn't know if they would be okay as "husband horses." What should I be looking for or at or whatever that would be different than looking at a horse?

cascy · 11-16-2007, 03:36 PM

Just find an older been there done that mule, go check them out, ride them, watch the owners pick up all the feet, walk around the mule, watch them ride the mule... Every thing.. Have a vet check done etc.

Here's a couple that sound alright

http://www.luckythreeranch.com/classifieds.php

Mule Fool · 11-16-2007, 06:41 PM

I'm sure there's husband safe walker mule out there for your husband. Just a matter of finding it! Cascy's got great advice on getting a real broke been there done that type. She's also right it won't do a bit of good to either lose patience or your temper with a mule. It will also help if your husbands got a sense of humor. It'll come in handy. A friend of mine went over to Idaho last month and got just that kind of mule for her husband and they are doing great. she went to a place that had alot of those kinds of mules and they took great pains to match the rider to the mule so it would be a good match. if you think you might be willing to go to Idaho I could find out the ranch. I know they have a website but can' remember it off the top of my head. i think that Lucky three Ranch is in CO so that might be a good place to start.

enigma · 11-17-2007, 03:16 PM

Thanks, guys! We'll see what we come up with. Not ready to buy now, b/c of minor details like winter, but would expect to be looking hard toward Feb.

That said, he'll probably come home with one tomorrow.

enigma · 11-17-2007, 03:16 PM

MF - did the place in Idaho have gaited?

Mule Fool · 11-18-2007, 07:25 AM

Here's the webs site for the place in Idaho. www.northwestmules.com. they only had one right now that was gaited and he only packs as far as I can tell. but they've sure got a bunch of nice mules. You might call and tell them what you're looking for, they might know of one. Keep us posted!

paso_lover · 11-25-2007, 09:10 AM

"Glory" looks to be a good choice. $8500 seems steep but it sounds as if your gonna get a good quality mule. I like her look too.

LuvLongEars · 11-26-2007, 02:24 PM

Just chiming in to say I bought my 2 gaited mules from Bob at the Missouri Mule Co almost 3 years ago. Both are very nice mules and we couldn't be happier. You might want to check out his stock too http://www.missourimuleco.com

Mule360 · 11-26-2007, 07:49 PM

I started my non-riding husband on one of my Dad's quarter-type mules. He and Bailey got along great for the year he rode her. He now has a gelding and a mule (my avatar). See below for a pic of he and Bailey. Sorry for the pic quality...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mule Question! Attention mule lovers!	Nynx	General Horse Advice	12	03-17-2007 12:16 PM
Need mule help!	Kahlua_Twist	General Horse Advice	5	10-29-2006 07:54 PM
Need some help with mule	thumpersgirl	General Horse Advice	26	09-20-2006 04:21 PM

11-16-2007, 02:22 PM
enigma Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 415	Horse vs mule? My "nonriding" DH (since we had to put his horse down) has been vaguely, in a round-about sort of way, looking for a new mount. He's considering either a reg TWH or a mule. My concern is that I'm not smart enough to train a mule, and that DH isn't patient enough. I may put him on my high-test warmblood mare while I work with green breaking a baby, but that's less than ideal on several different levels. Do they make "husband horse" mules? What do I need to know that would push us in one direction or another? Any input appreciated! __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

11-16-2007, 02:31 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,006	If he wants a mule, it's best to find the right mule... They do make husband safe, and kid safe mules... Just like horses though... gotta find the right one. If he's not patient, then a mule might not be for him... You are not gonna force a mule into anything, thier survival instincts are way to high for that... Of course that could go the same for horses too... __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

11-16-2007, 02:35 PM
enigma Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 415	Thanks! I haven't told him yet that they make gaited mules.... Just didn't know if they would be okay as "husband horses." What should I be looking for or at or whatever that would be different than looking at a horse? __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

11-16-2007, 03:36 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,006	Just find an older been there done that mule, go check them out, ride them, watch the owners pick up all the feet, walk around the mule, watch them ride the mule... Every thing.. Have a vet check done etc. Here's a couple that sound alright http://www.luckythreeranch.com/classifieds.php __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

11-16-2007, 06:41 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I'm sure there's husband safe walker mule out there for your husband. Just a matter of finding it! Cascy's got great advice on getting a real broke been there done that type. She's also right it won't do a bit of good to either lose patience or your temper with a mule. It will also help if your husbands got a sense of humor. It'll come in handy. A friend of mine went over to Idaho last month and got just that kind of mule for her husband and they are doing great. she went to a place that had alot of those kinds of mules and they took great pains to match the rider to the mule so it would be a good match. if you think you might be willing to go to Idaho I could find out the ranch. I know they have a website but can' remember it off the top of my head. i think that Lucky three Ranch is in CO so that might be a good place to start.

11-17-2007, 03:16 PM
enigma Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 415	Thanks, guys! We'll see what we come up with. Not ready to buy now, b/c of minor details like winter, but would expect to be looking hard toward Feb. That said, he'll probably come home with one tomorrow. __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

11-18-2007, 07:25 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Here's the webs site for the place in Idaho. www.northwestmules.com. they only had one right now that was gaited and he only packs as far as I can tell. but they've sure got a bunch of nice mules. You might call and tell them what you're looking for, they might know of one. Keep us posted!

11-25-2007, 09:10 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,439	"Glory" looks to be a good choice. $8500 seems steep but it sounds as if your gonna get a good quality mule. I like her look too. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

11-26-2007, 02:24 PM
LuvLongEars Newborn Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 7	Just chiming in to say I bought my 2 gaited mules from Bob at the Missouri Mule Co almost 3 years ago. Both are very nice mules and we couldn't be happier. You might want to check out his stock too http://www.missourimuleco.com

11-26-2007, 07:49 PM
Mule360 Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northeast Arkansas Posts: 200	I started my non-riding husband on one of my Dad's quarter-type mules. He and Bailey got along great for the year he rode her. He now has a gelding and a mule (my avatar). See below for a pic of he and Bailey. Sorry for the pic quality...