How old is old for mules????

B2Buckskins · 06-02-2008, 07:16 PM

I have been looking at a mule name Ruthie, she is an older looking mule but don't know a lot about mules, wanting to learn.
A friend has some mules and I really like 2 younger molly mules Rita and Cinnamon.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1212451370

this is Cinnamon she is 3 yr old she is around 15 hands, my son in the picture is taking her to a Brad Cameron Clinic In New Castle,Indiana October 10-13

this is Rita

what one do you all think looks best???

B2Buckskins · 06-02-2008, 07:32 PM

I need some input on mules and how to judge them, Let me know what you think of Cinnamon and Rita bad or good
I can take it I have shown dairy goats for years and you won't up set me, I need to know the good and bad on mules??? Just give me some pointers

scrapchick · 06-02-2008, 09:38 PM

I dont know anything about mules but these are darling!!!

Mule Fool · 06-02-2008, 10:26 PM

Mules are generally usable longer than horses. I've been to several Brad Cameron clinics. Your son will have a great time and learn alot.

B2Buckskins · 06-03-2008, 10:15 AM

Thank you -- I may bred my buckskin mare to the sire to these mules and raise it from the ground up, I have raised all of my horses and trust them with my life. I don't show big shows with the horses but would love to try the mule shows out, they look like fun, the Bay molly mule is out of a mustang mare and the sorrel is out of a QH mare.
The bay is very smart and I think she is pretty nice for what I have seen in most mules, good legs, feet and pretty head. I just need to know more about mules before I take one on as a foal. I get the Western Mule Magazine and love it, Does anyone know of any more good mule books or tapes????
The only reason I want to bred my Buckskin mare is I really like how her daughter looks and acts, she is coming 2 and is very easy to work with, My mare is Hollywood at Dawn, Old King Taylor and Continental King bred she is 97% National Foundation Bred.
On the Bay and sorrel mules whick one looks the best from the picture's I have ??? 3 yr old Bay molly is 15 hands and 4 yr old sorrel is 14'2
If you would want to Pm me and give me so good or bad, I would love to know what everyone on here thinks of these 2 molly's ???

fishing_trex · 06-21-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B2Buckskins

Thank you -- I may bred my buckskin mare to the sire to these mules and raise it from the ground up, I have raised all of my horses and trust them with my life.

I used to raise gaited mules (out of TWH mares and mammoth jacks). I had been around horses all my life, but mules -- well that was an eye opener! If you are thinking of raising them, I would highly encourage you to do some research on raising/training them. I loved each and every one and I think mules make some of the best trail mounts, BUT they are not horses and I think thing go better if the owner/trainer has some additional "mule know-how".

B2Buckskins · 06-21-2008, 02:40 PM

I have had 2 young ones here and a friend reises them, we never had any trouble with the ones I have play with and we are going to a Brad Cameron Clinic come Oct. My son is taking a friends mule Cinninom. there is just a few thing I would like to know, and every one who know my mare has ask to lease her for a mule baby. I have trained all my own horses for years and for other people(friends)
this is the one my son is taking
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1214077004
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1214077137

HorsingRound · 06-22-2008, 04:01 PM

With mules, attitude and tractibility is more important than conformation. That being said, if you're planning on riding a mule, look for one with good withers. The red mule in the photo appears to not have any withers to speak of. That makes it hard to keep a saddle in place, and you'll probably need to ride with a breeching.

Before breeding mules, may I suggest that you buy one that is older (at least over 10), already trained, and has an agreeable nature--this will not be cheap, because there are fewer of them than horses, and they are easier to screw up and harder to retrain, you cannot find a mule comparable in price to the same age/training as a horse with the same qualities. Plan on spending thousands, maybe even $4,000 or more, to get a really nice well-broke, easygoing mule. If you decide to buy a young mule, or "project," or get a "good deal" on a mule, make sure your health insurance is paid and up to date.

Mules are half donkey, and while a horse's main "defense" is flight, a donkey's main defense is to kick and fight. A mule does all of these things in reaction to unpleasant stimuli (e.g., training in some instances). The more you try to force them to do something, the more they will fight you, or get even later. And by "force them" I mean have them do ANYTHING that is not their idea. The trick to training a mule is to treat them like you would a man--make 'me think everything they do is THEIR IDEA.

B2Buckskins · 06-23-2008, 08:16 AM

Most of the training part of things we are good there for the last 3 yrs my son (18)and I been going to a friend place and playing with her mules. I have trained reject horses all my life and like people they all have a mind of thier own.
So far its like playing games, they are very nosey and like to know whats going on, the mules in the pictures are doing great they had never been haltered and now all come and want to be played with and loved on they have good respect and will follow my son and I any where, the bay is the youngest and she is very nosey, she is out of a mustang mare and all her babies are real nice and very smart. I have found out with mule babies everyone have different ways of raising them. I like to play with our babies a lot, most of our horse babies ride right off like they have always been rode.

Here is what I need to know everyones input on handling the foal at born and keeping them hands on?

LeahT · 06-25-2008, 12:27 PM

When I met my now husband he was breeding his mammoth jack to TWH, I had never been around mules but when those little ones are born they are the cutest things I have ever seen. Cruse our jack is going to be sold but before he finds a new home I am going to breed my gray quarter horse to him, she is a big girl and I think we should get a big baby, he has produced some big babies. My question is, Cruse is a red roan about 16.2 hands and Josie is a flea bitten gray about 15.0 hands, does anyone have any speculations on what color you think we might get?

cascy · 06-25-2008, 01:14 PM

My mule is in his early 30's and was still gives the kiddies rides around the yard....

He was still doing mounted shoots at 25..... so... They are pretty hardy animals for sure....

B2Buckskins · 06-25-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cascy

My mule is in his early 30's and was still gives the kiddies rides around the yard....

He was still doing mounted shoots at 25..... so... They are pretty hardy animals for sure....

Thank you that is 1 thing I needed to know I love the way some mules act more like a dog, they are very smart and never forget anything.
next spring I may bred my mare and raise my own little mule. My mare has had 1 foal and did a great job, she out preduce herself. And I am hoping she does the same with a mule foal.

cascy · 06-25-2008, 02:18 PM

Here is my grand old' man Jerry....

He could do anything! He hauled my butt all over the US, taught me how to do the mounted shoots, took my grandpa coon hunting, went swimming in the river with me, and even pulled our wagon in the parades!

I love mules

B2Buckskins · 06-26-2008, 08:43 AM

WOW he looks good -- I seen a leopard mule last night driving down the road and Man was she pretty, my friends mare Mouse had a appy John mule Tuesday and this weekend I am going up to see him

. This is Daddy

he is so sweet , loves people

fishing_trex · 06-26-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorsingRound

...
Before breeding mules, may I suggest that you buy one that is older (at least over 10), already trained, and has an agreeable nature--this will not be cheap, because there are fewer of them than horses, and they are easier to screw up and harder to retrain, you cannot find a mule comparable in price to the same age/training as a horse with the same qualities. Plan on spending thousands, maybe even $4,000 or more, to get a really nice well-broke, easygoing mule....

Thank you for stating this so well -- "easier to screw up" is exactly it.

Mules are very intelligent and remember things well, but I wouldn't say they are smarter than horses or have a better memory. Once a horse knows something, they know it. But mules approach things different because that flight response isn't dominant. They typically think first and run later. Horses are often the other way around (unless you've worked with them to get them to think first).

I was trail riding at Big Fork in TN and fell in love with some guy's molly mule. Her price? $8000. He had turned down $7000 from another rider the day before. She was big and she was gaited and she was beautiful, both inside and out. He let me ride her one day and told me NEVER to let her get by with anything, because as soon as she thought she was boss, the game was over.

Mules are half donkey, and donkeys are, well, different. When I lived in Iowa we had a neighbor with a donkey that was used to train bulls to lead. He would tie the donkey to the bull for several days and by the end, the bull would lead. This was a little donkey, but he knew his job and apparently loved what he did...really. One day, he tied the donkey to a new bull that outweighed the little guy probably by two times. The bull took off down the hill pulling the donkey, who fell and got dragged. At the bottom of the hill, the bull stopped. The donkey got up, shook himself off, and turned around and kicked the snot out of the bull. No more problems after that.

lottie · 07-18-2008, 03:49 PM

For a 1 st time mule - get one at least 10 years old - mules are very rideable into late 20's - some 30's , make sure to try it out on trails at least once. ( do not buy over internet sight unseen) Once you ride a good mule , you will want one . LOL . Read up on them before you get one , too .

B2Buckskins · 07-19-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lottie

For a 1 st time mule - get one at least 10 years old - mules are very rideable into late 20's - some 30's , make sure to try it out on trails at least once. ( do not buy over internet sight unseen) Once you ride a good mule , you will want one . LOL . Read up on them before you get one , too .

I have friends that want me to play with thier mules to see if I can train them like my horses to do anything, I love playing with my friends mules, they are very smart and I love thier ninds, I have rode all my life and trained all my own horses, a friend is paying my son way to go to a
Brad Camron Clinlic, I am not green with horses at all I have retrained burn outs for years and horses no one wanted and are now showing in barrels and doing pretty good, I like mules because they are not dumb bells and have good minds, I want to start a mule of my own from the time it hits the ground. I dont want some ones head case and I know mule are so easy to mess up. My one friend has a field of mules that have problems and she get them to give them a new start my son and I are going to start working with them to see if we can help them over come thier problems.
We will find out if I can help these mules with thier people trouble or not --I think it will take a little more time than a horses but so far they are doing great all they all need is a little TLC. I dont give up very easy. Come spring I am breeding my buckskin mare to John Becker, my friends Jack, he puts real nice babies on the ground and is very easy to work with, his foals are born very tame and willing

warmbloodsx3 · 07-20-2008, 07:38 PM

Mules are harder to train than horses.
When training a younger mule they will try to get away with all kinds of things. You have to always be super careful of what you're doing with them.
Let one thing slide, and they will continually do that to you thinking you will let it go again. And if you punish them or are mean to them, you will certainly get it back in one form or another, same day or three months from then, they will remember. They are extremely intelligent animals, and will usually not do something unless they think it is safe, hence the stubbornness. It is also a lot easier to lose patience when training them as it can take longer, but on the upside they will also catch on pretty quick to. All depends which one you get. I've seen puppy dog mule babies been played with and let little things go, they get older and bigger and disrespect people. Mainly you just always have to be aware of the situation.

I have found mules to be a better companion and more reliable than most horses. It's harder to come around a good mule than a great horse. So many people don't know how to correctly train a mule and end up making them worse than they are. If you're wanting to buy a good mule, expect to pay the money, at least 3000-3500 for just a good all around trail mule. And if you want color you can tack on an extra 500 as most mules come in browns and blacks.

The upside is, they dont hurt themselves nearly as much as horses, and will not put themselves in danger so the vet bill is usually less expensive.

I have found the Saddle Mule series by Brad Cameron affective and imprint training is also a good method.

Good luck with the future mule baby!

leslie645 · 07-21-2008, 08:18 AM

There was a show on RFD-TV that was alll about mules. The trainers name was Meredith Hodges. She taught her mules Dressage, Reining and H/J.
She has training DVds. Here is her website: www.luckythreeranch.com
If click on the history tab on her site the picture on the right will start changing and show pictures of her at different show doing different disciplines.

Her mules were Gorgeous!!! It was a trip seeing a mule do dressage. And she had one doing a reining spin.

Mules have what is called hybrid vigor. Because they are horse/donkey they are usually very healthy and long lived.
They are very smart.

L

B2Buckskins · 07-21-2008, 12:45 PM

Thank you for the info, I have watched all the show and tape on training mule, I never push hard when training, I train on the trail to keep my horses happy and wanting to go, all have thier own minds and I train them all in ways they under stand. I think you get what you put in to them, my horses
are my friend and partner.

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06-02-2008, 07:16 PM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	How old is old for mules???? I have been looking at a mule name Ruthie, she is an older looking mule but don't know a lot about mules, wanting to learn. A friend has some mules and I really like 2 younger molly mules Rita and Cinnamon. http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1212451370 this is Cinnamon she is 3 yr old she is around 15 hands, my son in the picture is taking her to a Brad Cameron Clinic In New Castle,Indiana October 10-13 this is Rita what one do you all think looks best??? __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

06-02-2008, 07:32 PM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	I need some input on mules and how to judge them, Let me know what you think of Cinnamon and Rita bad or good I can take it I have shown dairy goats for years and you won't up set me, I need to know the good and bad on mules??? Just give me some pointers __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

06-02-2008, 09:38 PM
scrapchick Seasoned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 4,860	I dont know anything about mules but these are darling!!! __________________ Better living through chemistry.

06-02-2008, 10:26 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Mules are generally usable longer than horses. I've been to several Brad Cameron clinics. Your son will have a great time and learn alot.

06-03-2008, 10:15 AM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	Thank you -- I may bred my buckskin mare to the sire to these mules and raise it from the ground up, I have raised all of my horses and trust them with my life. I don't show big shows with the horses but would love to try the mule shows out, they look like fun, the Bay molly mule is out of a mustang mare and the sorrel is out of a QH mare. The bay is very smart and I think she is pretty nice for what I have seen in most mules, good legs, feet and pretty head. I just need to know more about mules before I take one on as a foal. I get the Western Mule Magazine and love it, Does anyone know of any more good mule books or tapes???? The only reason I want to bred my Buckskin mare is I really like how her daughter looks and acts, she is coming 2 and is very easy to work with, My mare is Hollywood at Dawn, Old King Taylor and Continental King bred she is 97% National Foundation Bred. On the Bay and sorrel mules whick one looks the best from the picture's I have ??? 3 yr old Bay molly is 15 hands and 4 yr old sorrel is 14'2 If you would want to Pm me and give me so good or bad, I would love to know what everyone on here thinks of these 2 molly's ??? __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

06-21-2008, 02:40 PM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	I have had 2 young ones here and a friend reises them, we never had any trouble with the ones I have play with and we are going to a Brad Cameron Clinic come Oct. My son is taking a friends mule Cinninom. there is just a few thing I would like to know, and every one who know my mare has ask to lease her for a mule baby. I have trained all my own horses for years and for other people(friends) this is the one my son is taking http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1214077004 http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...g?t=1214077137 __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

06-22-2008, 04:01 PM
HorsingRound Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 7	With mules, attitude and tractibility is more important than conformation. That being said, if you're planning on riding a mule, look for one with good withers. The red mule in the photo appears to not have any withers to speak of. That makes it hard to keep a saddle in place, and you'll probably need to ride with a breeching. Before breeding mules, may I suggest that you buy one that is older (at least over 10), already trained, and has an agreeable nature--this will not be cheap, because there are fewer of them than horses, and they are easier to screw up and harder to retrain, you cannot find a mule comparable in price to the same age/training as a horse with the same qualities. Plan on spending thousands, maybe even $4,000 or more, to get a really nice well-broke, easygoing mule. If you decide to buy a young mule, or "project," or get a "good deal" on a mule, make sure your health insurance is paid and up to date. Mules are half donkey, and while a horse's main "defense" is flight, a donkey's main defense is to kick and fight. A mule does all of these things in reaction to unpleasant stimuli (e.g., training in some instances). The more you try to force them to do something, the more they will fight you, or get even later. And by "force them" I mean have them do ANYTHING that is not their idea. The trick to training a mule is to treat them like you would a man--make 'me think everything they do is THEIR IDEA. __________________ A good horse is always the right color.

06-23-2008, 08:16 AM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	Most of the training part of things we are good there for the last 3 yrs my son (18)and I been going to a friend place and playing with her mules. I have trained reject horses all my life and like people they all have a mind of thier own. So far its like playing games, they are very nosey and like to know whats going on, the mules in the pictures are doing great they had never been haltered and now all come and want to be played with and loved on they have good respect and will follow my son and I any where, the bay is the youngest and she is very nosey, she is out of a mustang mare and all her babies are real nice and very smart. I have found out with mule babies everyone have different ways of raising them. I like to play with our babies a lot, most of our horse babies ride right off like they have always been rode. Here is what I need to know everyones input on handling the foal at born and keeping them hands on? __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

06-25-2008, 12:27 PM
LeahT Newborn Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Inddiana Posts: 6	When I met my now husband he was breeding his mammoth jack to TWH, I had never been around mules but when those little ones are born they are the cutest things I have ever seen. Cruse our jack is going to be sold but before he finds a new home I am going to breed my gray quarter horse to him, she is a big girl and I think we should get a big baby, he has produced some big babies. My question is, Cruse is a red roan about 16.2 hands and Josie is a flea bitten gray about 15.0 hands, does anyone have any speculations on what color you think we might get?

06-25-2008, 01:14 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,088	My mule is in his early 30's and was still gives the kiddies rides around the yard.... He was still doing mounted shoots at 25..... so... They are pretty hardy animals for sure.... __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

06-25-2008, 02:18 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,088	Here is my grand old' man Jerry.... He could do anything! He hauled my butt all over the US, taught me how to do the mounted shoots, took my grandpa coon hunting, went swimming in the river with me, and even pulled our wagon in the parades! I love mules __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

06-26-2008, 08:43 AM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	WOW he looks good -- I seen a leopard mule last night driving down the road and Man was she pretty, my friends mare Mouse had a appy John mule Tuesday and this weekend I am going up to see him. This is Daddy he is so sweet , loves people __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses

07-18-2008, 03:49 PM
lottie Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 10	For a 1 st time mule - get one at least 10 years old - mules are very rideable into late 20's - some 30's , make sure to try it out on trails at least once. ( do not buy over internet sight unseen) Once you ride a good mule , you will want one . LOL . Read up on them before you get one , too .

07-20-2008, 07:38 PM
warmbloodsx3 Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southeast IN. Posts: 256	Mules are harder to train than horses. When training a younger mule they will try to get away with all kinds of things. You have to always be super careful of what you're doing with them. Let one thing slide, and they will continually do that to you thinking you will let it go again. And if you punish them or are mean to them, you will certainly get it back in one form or another, same day or three months from then, they will remember. They are extremely intelligent animals, and will usually not do something unless they think it is safe, hence the stubbornness. It is also a lot easier to lose patience when training them as it can take longer, but on the upside they will also catch on pretty quick to. All depends which one you get. I've seen puppy dog mule babies been played with and let little things go, they get older and bigger and disrespect people. Mainly you just always have to be aware of the situation. I have found mules to be a better companion and more reliable than most horses. It's harder to come around a good mule than a great horse. So many people don't know how to correctly train a mule and end up making them worse than they are. If you're wanting to buy a good mule, expect to pay the money, at least 3000-3500 for just a good all around trail mule. And if you want color you can tack on an extra 500 as most mules come in browns and blacks. The upside is, they dont hurt themselves nearly as much as horses, and will not put themselves in danger so the vet bill is usually less expensive. I have found the Saddle Mule series by Brad Cameron affective and imprint training is also a good method. Good luck with the future mule baby! __________________ Heaven is high and earth wide. If you ride three feet higher above the ground than other men, you will know what that means. -Rudolf C. Binding

07-21-2008, 08:18 AM
leslie645 Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 84	There was a show on RFD-TV that was alll about mules. The trainers name was Meredith Hodges. She taught her mules Dressage, Reining and H/J. She has training DVds. Here is her website: www.luckythreeranch.com If click on the history tab on her site the picture on the right will start changing and show pictures of her at different show doing different disciplines. Her mules were Gorgeous!!! It was a trip seeing a mule do dressage. And she had one doing a reining spin. Mules have what is called hybrid vigor. Because they are horse/donkey they are usually very healthy and long lived. They are very smart. L

07-21-2008, 12:45 PM
B2Buckskins Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 452	Thank you for the info, I have watched all the show and tape on training mule, I never push hard when training, I train on the trail to keep my horses happy and wanting to go, all have thier own minds and I train them all in ways they under stand. I think you get what you put in to them, my horses are my friend and partner. __________________ B2BUCKSKINS Foundation Quarters Horses