mulesuk

Max arrived from Spain two weeks ago and settled in really well - that is until he got very spooked by some cows behind the barn and he smashed his way out. After two days of major upset he has returned to his normal calm friendly self. We intend to use him mainly for trekking so he will be packing but I have sat on him and no problems except a distinct lack of steering as he has never had a bit in his mouth and not sure I'm too good at the Spainsh style(!). Anyway I don't think it will be too difficult to get this sorted but if anyone has any experience of training a 10 year old please let me know. In Spain he was only used as a pack horse (giving the odd lift to his owner) and from what I can gather spent most of his time on a building site. He is very willing, friendly and easy to be around but exceedingly strong so before we head off into the mountains we definitely need to get things under control. JJ will add some photos because I seem to be incapable of working out how to do that! Looking forward to receiving any advice going.

hi ya.
if it were me i would use the same steps as you would breaking in a horse, try lunging and plenty of inhand walking fully tacked up, make sure he has a good sniff of his tack and you can get flavoured wipes for the bit to encourage him to take it. keep it consistant. the lunging will also help with the stearing and get him ballanced on both reins. if you don't have a school to use could you not use a flat field?
with time, patience praise and consistancy this is one idea that could work.
congrats on your mule, i'm so jelous! x

Mules don't "do" stables .
This is the lad with Albie in Spain


and at home "Oop North!"





Handsome lad isn't he?!

I'd make sure he will give you his head gently on the ground and give to the slightest try (And that means instantly,because its suprising how affronted a mule gets if it thinks you are "shouting" at it )
When he has a nice polite give on the ground progress to the saddle and ask for the same thing

You don't have to put a bit in to teach this he should be willing in a rope halter althought the wide webbing or leather ones don't work as well.
Mules don't tend to like circles (BORING! ) but if you get him doing them on the move (I.e you are walking round the field and he is circling round you preferably with some poles and obsticles to make him think),he will like them a lot better
As vicki28 says time, patience praise and consistancy is the key (You should treat a mule the way you Ought to treat a horse .A mule will tell you things a horse wouldn't dare,and in no uncertain terms!!

What a nice mule!

Lovely lad.

What you have to remember is this mule like all the mules that passed through my hands except Malaga, has spent all his life 6 days a week working In the mountains, vinyards terraces, Olive and Almond terraces up to 2.500 feet asl, and up to 4.000 feet asl stump pulling, and wood gathering, and from time to time carried bricks up the mountain for small shelters etc. (never Building sites!??) he is not a stock yard animal. You may remember my X Petch mule, Duke was 6 years old and sold 6 times in his life. he was a stock yard animal and despite his age (six) new nothing when I bought him! Max is a working mule that has carried his owner to work and back 6 days a week! He knows how to behave when he has confidence in his handlers! He will go where you point him and bring you back!
He is used to being ridden and steered using a serrated nose biting Hackamore(disgustingly cruel piece of crap!) and a single lead rode. The rider neck reins and flips the rope from one side to another. A short stick or crop was/is used to tap the neck on the right side for him to turn left etc ! He is not like so many mules we used to see in UK that grew up in fields and only learnt bad habits from ignorant owners!
Having tried them all I now know the best way to own these mules is to simply extend their existing experience, and not change them into something they are not! Like so many horse people try to do!
He has perfect manners and even my invalid wife felt safe around him, and she is very fragile yet brushed him in confined areas! He is a push ass mule as typical of his breed he pushes back when pushed on the hind quarters! Every mule packer knows this trait! It is the one thing that needs to be trained out of him! But most mule packers I know have a swift remedy for it!
I broke him to bit and saddle, and a bit is the way to go! Ignore these people they will get you hurt! He is used to a lot more force than a bit will produce and it is kinder! Waffling about hackamore's or bit less bridles from people who have not retrained over a hundred pack mules is pointless! The ultimate all round bit is a Pelham and the Spanish always use double reins. Boasting about snaffle mouthed is fine for folks who jump sticks in a field or hack along bridle paths. This mule is going to walk and carry someone along mountain tracks similar to those he is used to. Only a fool would go with a snaffle at 2 and 4.000 feet on tracks a few feet wide!
Alison has seen him handled and ridden and knows he will do what is asked of him. It is always the owner rider that needs the most training. It is the same in this case. Max knew his job in Spain. Now he needs to learn his job and be confident in The lake District and he will do it and do it well! Indeed the mule Jenny has (Paco) would have been a less challenging choice, but Max is a small challenge if you become the confident rider you once were Alison. Get some riding experience and go hack with someone on their horse(which is what I advised you to de when you were her with us!) Build up your riding confidence again then; A little ground work for both of you. I always have and did when you were here advocate "what ever you do in the saddle you should first be able to do on the ground!".
Having said that. Max is not a green mule. He is smart, strong and good mannered! He has basic understanding and as you want a pack / ride mule Max will get you to the top of the Pyke if need be! He will take you up and down! What he was breed for and has done all his life! If I thought lunging Max was going to be beneficial I would have done it myself! I helped you choose him because I knew your partner had no experience, but is strong and enthusiastic, and that you had horse eventing experience, but had your limitations. Hence you have Max who you just have to show you are confident to, and with your partners help Max will ensure you finish all the climbs you start. Why ask other people to help you find an answer that is already in you! We talked all this stuff through! The more you wash, handle, brush him and ride him the easier you will find it and he will find you! Spend time with him, and relax! Your going to walk him, not do Le trec! As before: Good Luck.
Albert the muleman.

That sounds like a wise man talking!