what to charge for a mule broke to ride and drive?????

pauldonnelly · 08-26-2008, 09:54 AM

Im at a loss i have a 16yr old mule i bought for my son he decided to tell me a year later he didnt really want him the mule is broke to ride and drive we hooked a cart to him and rode around all day thru town and traffic.

Then we put a saddle on him anf rode on a all night trail ride till after 4am he never faltered or refused. He is gelded and very well mannered.

Heres my problem i dont have to sell him as i have more than enuff land for my animals but i dont want him to be wasted as a pasture ornament and babysitter even though thats not a waste. I dont want him to be bored with nothing to do So what should i charge if i sell him to ensure he is going to good home and not a trader??????

ToveroMom · 08-26-2008, 11:10 AM

Paul I tell you what-bring him down here.

How big is he? mules are sometimes shorter than what some folks like...even though they are up to toting an adult.

**gbarmranch** · 08-26-2008, 11:20 AM

If he would fit my husband, about $100 - delivered..

Just kidding.. I do know that a healthy, big, well built mule that is quiet to ride is worth about $2500 here - add the driving into it, and you could get as much as $3500...

ToveroMom · 08-26-2008, 11:29 AM

3500! Then you better send it to TN...LOL

**gbarmranch** · 08-26-2008, 11:30 AM

There are a couple of places that have mule days... and auctions.. A couple of years ago some friends of ours went.. and there were mules going for that price, as well as more.. I couldn't believe how much they sold for.. apparently a lot of packers out in the west, and pacific west, will pay high dollar for well broke mules..

pauldonnelly · 08-26-2008, 05:40 PM

Well if i dont sell him he will be our new babysitter out there with our 30yr old
and also im gonna ride him in our frontier days parade. Im not selling him to make money i would rather he live happy and have a job otherwise i have a nice tree to bury him when the time comes and his days will be spent munchin hay and grass

pauldonnelly · 09-02-2008, 07:24 AM

hers a update to big johns story i have decided to keep him he will spend the rest of his days babysitting and giving kid rides right here on my farm here are some of his pics

and a cple more

short_kid · 09-02-2008, 08:38 AM

Is there more to Big Johns story?

pauldonnelly · 09-02-2008, 08:58 AM

not a whole lot except i was gonna sell him so he could have a job and home for life but changed my mind and gave him a job here with me and people had asked for pics i paid 70 dollars for him because i figured he would die soon in the auction circut he looks ten times better no believe it or not

**seerfarm** · 09-02-2008, 09:06 AM

While I would not argue he is probably better looking and indeed better off, I am concerned with how he looks overall in general?

Have you had the vet and farrier look at him?

It just would appear to me in a years time that he should be a bit healthier and happier looking? Poor guy looks miserable.

pauldonnelly · 09-02-2008, 09:15 AM

hes had 3 vet visits mainly for his teeth and booster shots he has real bad teeth due to eating sand with his grass down in texas and he is on grass and hay because he wont come to feed with other horses unless you go get him
on 500 acres that can take awhile when i bought him he had not been trimmed in 6 years according to previous owner my farrier says his feet are great now that he is on a trimming shedual with my other horses

Plus hes just not real excited about much and it was hot as all get out the day these pics were taken he was mad we were bothering him and his young charge

**seerfarm** · 09-02-2008, 09:24 AM

Sounds like he needs his own special spot, and some good ole senior food.

Sometimes you have to take some extra time and make some special considerations with these older and mistreated ones...it sure can go a long way in there health and happiness overall.

**gbarmranch** · 09-02-2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seerfarm

Sounds like he needs his own special spot, and some good ole senior food.

Sometimes you have to take some extra time and make some special considerations with these older and mistreated ones...it sure can go a long way in there health and happiness overall.

It sure does.. maybe a worming or two to help get that coat nice and shiney.. I am assuming you worm mules the same way you do horses..

How is he for the farrier..

**Orchid** · 09-02-2008, 01:20 PM

You don't work him (ride or drive) in that body condition, do you?

pasopony · 09-02-2008, 04:08 PM

As a mule owner myself, I can tell you that that ol' boy needs a Panacur Power Pack. Then 2 weeks later, a double dose of ivermectin. Worms are much harder to treat in mules and burros in my experience. That pot belly is very indicative of a worm infestation. To make matters worse, he is roach backed (as is my mule, and are many mules). It will take a lot of weight to cover that backbone. I'm glad you're keeping him so that you can get his weight up before winter sets in.

pauldonnelly · 09-02-2008, 05:43 PM

Yes he is worm free now thanks to doc ellis that pot belly he has is all grass belly and he lifts each and every foot for the farrier and yea we do ride him and hes pulled a cart for about a hour in the las year ive owned him and hes been rode maybe 10 times since his last ride will be in sept. at the parade for frontier days then its back to baby sitting the rescue horses i host

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08-26-2008, 09:54 AM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	what to charge for a mule broke to ride and drive????? Im at a loss i have a 16yr old mule i bought for my son he decided to tell me a year later he didnt really want him the mule is broke to ride and drive we hooked a cart to him and rode around all day thru town and traffic. Then we put a saddle on him anf rode on a all night trail ride till after 4am he never faltered or refused. He is gelded and very well mannered. Heres my problem i dont have to sell him as i have more than enuff land for my animals but i dont want him to be wasted as a pasture ornament and babysitter even though thats not a waste. I dont want him to be bored with nothing to do So what should i charge if i sell him to ensure he is going to good home and not a trader?????? __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

08-26-2008, 11:10 AM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,296	Paul I tell you what-bring him down here. How big is he? mules are sometimes shorter than what some folks like...even though they are up to toting an adult. __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

08-26-2008, 11:20 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,207	If he would fit my husband, about $100 - delivered.. Just kidding.. I do know that a healthy, big, well built mule that is quiet to ride is worth about $2500 here - add the driving into it, and you could get as much as $3500... __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

08-26-2008, 11:29 AM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,296	3500! Then you better send it to TN...LOL __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

08-26-2008, 11:30 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,207	There are a couple of places that have mule days... and auctions.. A couple of years ago some friends of ours went.. and there were mules going for that price, as well as more.. I couldn't believe how much they sold for.. apparently a lot of packers out in the west, and pacific west, will pay high dollar for well broke mules.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

08-26-2008, 05:40 PM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	Well if i dont sell him he will be our new babysitter out there with our 30yr old and also im gonna ride him in our frontier days parade. Im not selling him to make money i would rather he live happy and have a job otherwise i have a nice tree to bury him when the time comes and his days will be spent munchin hay and grass __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

09-02-2008, 07:24 AM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	hers a update to big johns story i have decided to keep him he will spend the rest of his days babysitting and giving kid rides right here on my farm here are some of his pics and a cple more __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

09-02-2008, 08:38 AM
short_kid Started Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 2,002	Is there more to Big Johns story? __________________ Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

09-02-2008, 08:58 AM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	not a whole lot except i was gonna sell him so he could have a job and home for life but changed my mind and gave him a job here with me and people had asked for pics i paid 70 dollars for him because i figured he would die soon in the auction circut he looks ten times better no believe it or not __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

09-02-2008, 09:06 AM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portal, Ga Posts: 7,706	While I would not argue he is probably better looking and indeed better off, I am concerned with how he looks overall in general? Have you had the vet and farrier look at him? It just would appear to me in a years time that he should be a bit healthier and happier looking? Poor guy looks miserable. __________________ "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back".

09-02-2008, 09:15 AM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	hes had 3 vet visits mainly for his teeth and booster shots he has real bad teeth due to eating sand with his grass down in texas and he is on grass and hay because he wont come to feed with other horses unless you go get him on 500 acres that can take awhile when i bought him he had not been trimmed in 6 years according to previous owner my farrier says his feet are great now that he is on a trimming shedual with my other horses Plus hes just not real excited about much and it was hot as all get out the day these pics were taken he was mad we were bothering him and his young charge __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru

09-02-2008, 09:24 AM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portal, Ga Posts: 7,706	Sounds like he needs his own special spot, and some good ole senior food. Sometimes you have to take some extra time and make some special considerations with these older and mistreated ones...it sure can go a long way in there health and happiness overall. __________________ "To know the road ahead, ask those coming back".

09-02-2008, 01:20 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 9,785	You don't work him (ride or drive) in that body condition, do you? __________________ Be thankful.

09-02-2008, 04:08 PM
pasopony Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 808	As a mule owner myself, I can tell you that that ol' boy needs a Panacur Power Pack. Then 2 weeks later, a double dose of ivermectin. Worms are much harder to treat in mules and burros in my experience. That pot belly is very indicative of a worm infestation. To make matters worse, he is roach backed (as is my mule, and are many mules). It will take a lot of weight to cover that backbone. I'm glad you're keeping him so that you can get his weight up before winter sets in. __________________ Horses are not my whole life, but horses make my life whole.

09-02-2008, 05:43 PM
pauldonnelly Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: tecumseh oklahoma Posts: 389	Yes he is worm free now thanks to doc ellis that pot belly he has is all grass belly and he lifts each and every foot for the farrier and yea we do ride him and hes pulled a cart for about a hour in the las year ive owned him and hes been rode maybe 10 times since his last ride will be in sept. at the parade for frontier days then its back to baby sitting the rescue horses i host __________________ Show me the open trail and get outa my way me and the kids are comin thru