I used to take my mule on trail rides made up of mostly of horses. Sitting around during a rest, people would ask me why I rode a mule. Much of the questions were geared toward ridicule, at least at first, and many were aimed at a mules stubborness. One was that they could get a horse to cross a stream where a mule simply wouldn't under any condition because they were too stupid. My remark to this was, that you could beat a horse and they'd understand the issue and cross, but when you started beating a mule, crossing the stream was no longer the issue, you were! Does this make them smarter than a horse? Both horses and mules are smart they just see things from a different perspective. I've taught my mule to crawl into the back of a mini van (15 hands) and she'd let me haul her to these trail rides that way. This caused quite a stir when people noticed as many couldn't get thier horses to load into a trailer. She could do the normal tricks that you see both horses and mules do, roll over, play dead, sit up etc, but I taught her some fancy gaits, (some she already knew like pronging) along with walking on her back legs while mounted. I also taught her to dance. I have one picture where she's standing on her hind leg and turning on the other. I wouldn't take a million $ for her, & I was even offered a few times. You don't sell your friend. It's really refreshing to find someone that loves these creatures for what they are.
Thanks for sharing. I think I've always been mule-headed and my daddy expected horse like obedience. Made for issues. I'm old now but find mules interesting.
I trained dogs professionally for years, which really means I taught owners. Good handlers were patient, empathetic, consistent, they checked their ego at the door. They realize that every day is a opportunity to learn. They were in charge but benevolent. Training dogs was the fun part, training humans to be good handlers was far more frustrating. To be honest most people shouldn’t have a goldfish let alone a dog. I listened to this and knew exactly what you mean. Hats off to you sir. Continue the good fight.
I loved my endurance ride mule! She could trot for miles,very comfortably and tirelessly! Never needed shoes, and never injured herself in the paddock!
A long time ago my parents owned a mule. They had a one room house that they shared with their animals. It was divided into an upper and lower level. I guess it was during the forties of the last century. My mother had a baby girl she slept with. During that fateful night the baby crawled down from the upper level and found herself in between the legs of the mule. She continued her angelic sleep without being aware of the imminent danger she was running. At dawn when my mother woke up, she fumbled around and she realized with horror that her beloved had disappeared. She immediately searched the house but nothing was in sight. When she went to the lower level she found her baby sleeping soundly in the womb of the brave animal. She hadn’t moved a hoof during the whole night lest she would hurt the baby... of course I never witnessed the account. My mother told the whole story. She died a long time ago but I know one thing. She loved animals and she had a very special relationship with them. May she rest in peace...
When I was a child, my family and I went hiking in the Alpes. In the early 80s, some remote places in the mountains received deliveries on mule back. We came across a group of mules making their way home - completely on their own! Because my sister and I were so tired, my father put us on one of the mules back and it carried us quite a distance. Nice mule! 💖 Kind greetings from Germany! 🙋🏼♀️
I hiked into the Grand Canyon at daybreak right behind the pack mule train that resupplies Phantom Ranch at the bottom. I never caught up to them. A guy I knew used to raise horses and mules. He said a mule was 10 times smarter than any horse ever dreamed of being. He trained one roping mule to work off voice commands. He also said to never mistreat your mule, as it won’t forget, and will get even some day.
Thank you for making these videos. I've always been interested in mules, but all of my experience is with horses. I'm really enjoying learning from you.
I love your knowledge, expertise and obvious admiration and love for the mules. Really interesting video, I am in my 60s and live in the U.K. and remember my old history teacher talking about being in the army during WWII and being in charge of the mule trains for resupplying the troops in the eastern jungles. I seemed to have had a love hate relationship with his mules!!
Thanks for sharing your "mule smarts" with us. I have enjoyed and learned from the first couple of videos, and now, I'm looking forward to the continuation of the series.
Great, insightful videos, Paul! My maternal Granddad used Percherons up in western Oklahoma, but my paternal Granddad [down in southern OK] was 'hard fixed to mules. They both plowed fields prior to acquiring tractors but Papa Chamlee was a died-in-the-wool mule man. I got to experience both sides of the argument, but was too young to make any evaluation on the merits of the two. I really look forward to more of your material. Much obliged! 🤠
@ Pete Chamlee, Kind regards from Canada, I am a volunteer at a donkey sanctuary in Ontario, which is home to a large female beautiful mule. It is the first time in my life that I've met a mule and I am keen to learn about them. This particular mule is a beautiful golden brown, like a horse, but she has white spots but only on her rump, rather like polka dots.... This feature reminds me of a Mustang, but someone mentioned to me that she must have a Percheron in her. What do you think? She is truly gorgeous!
After a lifetime of starting various horse breeds I'm so stoked to get going on training my own mule from scratch. Like having a wolf hybrid after training Shepards. Great at developing trust in horses that are fearful. Guess I'm ready to learn...
I learned of the legend of the Mule reading the outlaw history of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Now I know from you that they weren't a secret in the old west.
Some mules can run as fast as horses. They can also jump quite efficiently. They are smart (sometimes too smart), healthy, and have delightful personalities. They also live long lives. I am 76 and on my 3rd saddle mule. The first two lived into their mid thirties.
@@fjb4932 Mules on average can get to 15 MPH or 20 in bursts. The average horse is apparently around 30 MPH. An African Elephant can get to about 25. So surprisingly... Yes? XD
Thanks Paul! You’re going to be able to tell by my question that I don’t know much about mules yet… If I’m living in a cold environment, do they get fuzzy enough to deal with that cold? I know that sounds stupid but I’ve just never seen a big, fuzzy mule! So I’m worried about Taking one into an environment that’s too cold. Can they deal with cold as well as horses?
My question: I'm a 55 yr old female with 2 mules and 2 horses. Recently I was kicked by the mule I personally ride and have a good calm relationship with. The kick occurred as my mule took control of our older mules food and I approached to guard for the older mule as he had come and actually got me to come see. This has happened before just without the kick. I know we should separate now at feeding time. But I'm Leary of my mule and don't really trust him now. How should I work this out or does have it out for me. He's a mammoth mule so I'm a bit scared but I believe that's a realistic response though I hate to admit it. You're a advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much, Kris in Florida
Chris, I would recommend you separate your mules when feeding, your mule does not have it out for you he probably didn’t realize it was you behind him thought it was another mule they get very protective about their feed so separate the Mules to alleviate this problem.
I used to take my mule on trail rides made up of mostly of horses. Sitting around during a rest, people would ask me why I rode a mule. Much of the questions were geared toward ridicule, at least at first, and many were aimed at a mules stubborness. One was that they could get a horse to cross a stream where a mule simply wouldn't under any condition because they were too stupid. My remark to this was, that you could beat a horse and they'd understand the issue and cross, but when you started beating a mule, crossing the stream was no longer the issue, you were!
Does this make them smarter than a horse? Both horses and mules are smart they just see things from a different perspective. I've taught my mule to crawl into the back of a mini van (15 hands) and she'd let me haul her to these trail rides that way. This caused quite a stir when people noticed as many couldn't get thier horses to load into a trailer.
She could do the normal tricks that you see both horses and mules do, roll over, play dead, sit up etc, but I taught her some fancy gaits, (some she already knew like pronging) along with walking on her back legs while mounted. I also taught her to dance. I have one picture where she's standing on her hind leg and turning on the other. I wouldn't take a million $ for her, & I was even offered a few times. You don't sell your friend.
It's really refreshing to find someone that loves these creatures for what they are.
Thanks for sharing. I think
I've always been mule-headed and my daddy expected horse like obedience. Made for issues.
I'm old now but find mules interesting.
I trained dogs professionally for years, which really means I taught owners. Good handlers were patient, empathetic, consistent, they checked their ego at the door. They realize that every day is a opportunity to learn. They were in charge but benevolent. Training dogs was the fun part, training humans to be good handlers was far more frustrating. To be honest most people shouldn’t have a goldfish let alone a dog. I listened to this and knew exactly what you mean. Hats off to you sir. Continue the good fight.
I loved my endurance ride mule! She could trot for miles,very comfortably and tirelessly! Never needed shoes, and never injured herself in the paddock!
A long time ago my parents owned a mule. They had a one room house that they shared with their animals. It was divided into an upper and lower level. I guess it was during the forties of the last century. My mother had a baby girl she slept with. During that fateful night the baby crawled down from the upper level and found herself in between the legs of the mule. She continued her angelic sleep without being aware of the imminent danger she was running. At dawn when my mother woke up, she fumbled around and she realized with horror that her beloved had disappeared. She immediately searched the house but nothing was in sight. When she went to the lower level she found her baby sleeping soundly in the womb of the brave animal. She hadn’t moved a hoof during the whole night lest she would hurt the baby... of course I never witnessed the account. My mother told the whole story. She died a long time ago but I know one thing. She loved animals and she had a very special relationship with them. May she rest in peace...
that's nuts. how could a child enter a WOMB?
Interesting story. Animals are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
As a new mule owner, I thank you for taking the time to share these videos!!
You’re very welcome Mule Skinner.
When I was a child, my family and I went hiking in the Alpes. In the early 80s, some remote places in the mountains received deliveries on mule back. We came across a group of mules making their way home - completely on their own! Because my sister and I were so tired, my father put us on one of the mules back and it carried us quite a distance. Nice mule! 💖
Kind greetings from Germany! 🙋🏼♀️
Good story! From Florida USA
I hiked into the Grand Canyon at daybreak right behind the pack mule train that resupplies Phantom Ranch at the bottom. I never caught up to them.
A guy I knew used to raise horses and mules. He said a mule was 10 times smarter than any horse ever dreamed of being. He trained one roping mule to work off voice commands. He also said to never mistreat your mule, as it won’t forget, and will get even some day.
Thank you for making these videos. I've always been interested in mules, but all of my experience is with horses. I'm really enjoying learning from you.
I love your knowledge, expertise and obvious admiration and love for the mules. Really interesting video, I am in my 60s and live in the U.K. and remember my old history teacher talking about being in the army during WWII and being in charge of the mule trains for resupplying the troops in the eastern jungles. I seemed to have had a love hate relationship with his mules!!
Thanks for sharing your "mule smarts" with us. I have enjoyed and learned from the first couple of videos, and now, I'm looking forward to the continuation of the series.
Fascinating! Thanks for explaining so much, so clearly and interestingly.
Loved this video! Thank you 😊 now I want a mule haha
Great, insightful videos, Paul! My maternal Granddad used Percherons up in western Oklahoma, but my paternal Granddad [down in southern OK] was 'hard fixed to mules. They both plowed fields prior to acquiring tractors but Papa Chamlee was a died-in-the-wool mule man. I got to experience both sides of the argument, but was too young to make any evaluation on the merits of the two. I really look forward to more of your material. Much obliged! 🤠
Pete Chamlee thks for your comment.
@ Pete Chamlee, Kind regards from Canada, I am a volunteer at a donkey sanctuary in Ontario, which is home to a large female beautiful mule. It is the first time in my life that I've met a mule and I am keen to learn about them. This particular mule is a beautiful golden brown, like a horse, but she has white spots but only on her rump, rather like polka dots....
This feature reminds me of a Mustang, but someone mentioned to me that she must have a Percheron in her.
What do you think? She is truly gorgeous!
@ L. Ryan: The white polka-dots on her rump would indicate an Appaloosa. Percherons are a draft breed and usually a dapple gray color.
Extremely informative. A huge "Thank you"
After a lifetime of starting various horse breeds I'm so stoked to get going on training my own mule from scratch. Like having a wolf hybrid after training Shepards.
Great at developing trust in horses that are fearful. Guess I'm ready to learn...
Much appreciated from Pennsylvania
I learned of the legend of the Mule reading the outlaw history of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Now I know from you that they weren't a secret in the old west.
i think i might be a cousin of a mule lol good show
Looking forward to the next episode
I have donkeys and I love my obstinate little brats. All rescue because nobody seems to be able to deal with their slight attitudes
There was an episode of GUN SMOKE where Festus won a race on his mule against another rider on a horse.
It was fixed!
Some mules can run as fast as horses. They can also jump quite efficiently. They are smart (sometimes too smart), healthy, and have delightful personalities. They also live long lives. I am 76 and on my 3rd saddle mule. The first two lived into their mid thirties.
A mule is stronger than a horse, so the mule can out run a horse.....
@@lewiefrazier1041
An elephant is stronger than a mule.
Can it outrun a mule ... ?
@@fjb4932 Mules on average can get to 15 MPH or 20 in bursts. The average horse is apparently around 30 MPH. An African Elephant can get to about 25.
So surprisingly... Yes? XD
Thanks for sharing! New subscriber!🤙🏻
Wonderful info. You should put a link to the first one in the description. CZcams didn't want me to see it.
Thanks for sharing!
A utuber TOLD a story about The expansion out west by settlers where a horse cost 2 DOLLARs and a mule 20.00
Thank you for sharing.
Dear Paul, can you also talk about the breeds of mule?
Thanks Paul! You’re going to be able to tell by my question that I don’t know much about mules yet… If I’m living in a cold environment, do they get fuzzy enough to deal with that cold? I know that sounds stupid but I’ve just never seen a big, fuzzy mule! So I’m worried about Taking one into an environment that’s too cold. Can they deal with cold as well as horses?
Tannk you for your work, i have a question, when you choose a Jack what are you searching for?
I like your show I know how they are produced but who created the first mule
Sería bueno activar los subtítulos en español
My question: I'm a 55 yr old female with 2 mules and 2 horses. Recently I was kicked by the mule I personally ride and have a good calm relationship with. The kick occurred as my mule took control of our older mules food and I approached to guard for the older mule as he had come and actually got me to come see. This has happened before just without the kick. I know we should separate now at feeding time. But I'm Leary of my mule and don't really trust him now. How should I work this out or does have it out for me. He's a mammoth mule so I'm a bit scared but I believe that's a realistic response though I hate to admit it. You're a advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much, Kris in Florida
Chris, I would recommend you separate your mules when feeding, your mule does not have it out for you he probably didn’t realize it was you behind him thought it was another mule they get very protective about their feed so separate the Mules to alleviate this problem.
@@mulatier THANK YOU will Institute this more strictly.
Mules need to be separated all the time they pickup bad habits from other animals i have one that does the same thing
Some day...
Why would one want to ride anything else?
And more intelligent....
Please keep talking thank you old timmer skinner
I like your content but it takes you forever to deliver it
Awesome series!