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First of all, I know each animal is an individual so experiences will be different for everyone and with each animal, but in general, how different is riding a mule to riding a horse? I know tack is a little different, but will it be a whole new learning curve, or is it usually pretty similar? Specifically in the context of trail riding.
Sorry if this is vague! I'm not in the market for any kind of equine right now, so this isn't a "should I buy a horse or mule" post. I'm just curious. I've never ridden a mule. I've read that mules are considered more sure-footed and can carry more weight per pound, but I don't know much else. Just want to know others experiences and opinions in riding the two. Which do yall prefer? What is similar and what is different? Thanks 😊
Mules are extremely individual — horses have been bred for generations for specific tasks; to cut a cow, to run fast, to slide, to jump, but mules are single serving animals - you get one in a lineage and then it’s done. They aren’t as “domestic” imo. In general, they don’t tend to be as forgiving and simple as a horse. They have stronger opinions. Physically, a lot of them tend to be smooth travelling - smooth muscles, clean shoulders, a lot of them “shuffle”
I love mules, but they are tricky lol. Once they’re good, they’re very good. Bad ones are nasty.
The mule is pretty savage, but the donkey is a sweetheart. They’re not good protection, the puppy is a big galoot— coyotes are smart. They’re opportunistically predatory.
If you scroll back a bit on my posts pre winter you can see Moose doing all sorts of stuff! Laying down or some riding stuff
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They’re difficult, I won’t lie. We have 10 horses, a mammoth jack and a saddle mule - and I do mean a mule we use - he does liberty, tricks, can run an average reining or horsemanship pattern, my boyfriend uses him for brandings, packing game, mountain outfitting. When he’s great, he’s awesome. When he’s not he’s a real handful. He was tricky to start despite being very gentle, and there is 200% a reason people invented “mule bits” - they’re just not the same as a horse and it takes real effort, consistency and tactic to make a solid saddle mule. They are liable to kill dogs and small animals (i ended up with a tetanus shot yesterday because he tried to kill our puppy 🥲 we also have the electric fences on during calving season solely because he cannot be free with calves) and fences tend to be a suggestion; like I said, there’s lots of mules who are easier than this, but between the ones we have all I can say is they aren’t horses — there’s a reason people either love them or hate them with no in between 😅 they don’t really buck like horses either when they throw a fit; they’re more likely to run off blindly or buck like a bull; the South Americans actually use them as bull riding practice.
They also really care who is at the end of their lead rope. A lot of our equines make the movies/are used as extras …. He hasn’t, because not just anyone can handle him.
We are breeding them much nicer now. Good saddle jacks to good saddle mares with a good mind - historically, there was minimal thought or effort put into mule production. It’s improved things a lot.