mulesuk

Just to introduce myself. I have recently returned from a trekking trip in the Atlas Mountains and fallen in love with the mules. I have always owned horses and used to event but sadly now have a somewhat dodgey back and have finally bowed out of that. We live in the Lake District now and wondered why on earth nobody uses mules for trekking so we have decided to look into it. If anyone has any advice I would be really grateful for any pointers. Do they need a companion or are they happy on their own (seem to be in Morroco) but we have plenty of land for two. We wouldn't be using them for driving - mainly carrying and riding would be good. Reading throught the web site it would appear to be pretty difficult to find something. Any ideas?

Hi, Welcome to the forum!! Have you any photos from your trip?

Big mules are not common in the UK but since doing the forum I've heard of a good few, I think the mistake some people make is thinking they will be cheap - a good mule isn't! The other option is importing - either from the USA or Europe and there is experience of both on the forum. If I decided to have another mule I would import a working ranch mule from Uruguay/Argentina... sadly no money at the moment!!

Can they live on their own? Like horses I'd say yes they can though it isn't obviously natural for them. The one thing I would say is make sure you have good fencing - mine jumps and barges through anything and I don't think she's that unusual!!

Glad you found us.You could always try Appleby...I know a certain member who bought her mule there!

Very very true - it had just escaped my mind because I'm banned from going back!!!

I am not in Uk-but over here there used to be only a rare mule bred usually acidentally -Not without reason as a unruly mule is quite a challenging equine.
The key seems to me to be that they be handled and brought up well from day one-imprinted too.People who are breeding their own seem to do well.
The ones i know who were unknown background-well some turned out ok ,some were hell raisers from go to whoa (whoa mule whoa!!)and 3 times the effort with little good result.
A mule brought up without good handling may be incorrigable,morseon then a horse or donkey.
Not all are, but by far the best result is to buy one that is already demonstratively ok with its present owner(expect they may be aloof with strangers)or breed your own long earred old darlin'.
It seems over here-people are surprised at the price of a good mule-yet it has probaly taken double the price in time and care to turn him out that way ..Good luck!