mulesuk

http://www.parellisavvyclub.com/media/mules.pdf

I'm hoping this link will work for everyone but if not let me know and I'll try copy and paste

Link worked - thanks!

I have a different view of parelli from most people....


"if you have to do parelli, do it with a mule"

Not a bad article though. I did actually watch one of the parelli programs on Horse and Country TV when he was doing a bit with a mule. Have to say I was a bit disapointed as I don't like what he does with horses but somehow I was expecting something very different and wonderful with this mule. It didn't do anything Treacle couldn't do and it had a lot more work on it. I felt a bit cheated.

I've seen the photos on the web of the mule with the cougar. For a short time I had a second, larger mule gelding. He had to go as he exhibited this behaviour, killing sheep and a calf in this way.
While there are a lot of positives about mules, I was not aware, until it was too late, that even gelded mules can exhibit this behaviour and are not safe to run with other, smaller livestock on a mixed smallholding. He was a very expensive mistake for me but no doubt a splendid animal with only other equines for company.
The lady I bought him from also uses equines as part of living history and re-enactment displays, so I thought he would be ideal for Rent a Peasant and as a companion for Frances but, being bigger, he bullied her. I accepted the story that he had been maltreated in the past before this lady rescued him, without asking why he might have been beaten. I had to fight hard to resist the temptation to flay the hide off him after he killed the calf.
Perhaps this site should make potential new mule owners more aware of this side of mule behaviour.

They get it from the donkey although I have heard several cases where horses have done the same thing so its not just a mule thing(Remembering that mules are like horses but more so)
Once they accept "their herd" they are o.k but when newcomers appear their protective instinct clicks in which is why they sometimes kidnap foals.
Where did the mule go? I've got people looking for useful sized mules.

It is a very important topic, that I absolutely agree people MUST be aware of.... yes, mules, usually john mules as far as I know (not stallions - geldings) can, do and sometimes will kill smaller livestock.... I have a friend who lost a foal this year when the mare foaled several weeks early whilst still turned out with the the mules, and the john mule killed the baby. Terribly sad.

(it may not be realised because mules can also be used as herd guard animals, but then they are raised as much as possble alongside the species they are expected to guard when they grow up)

One of the reasons I really had to get a molly when I imported Moon, is that as I keep my equines at livery, they do get turned out with a variety of horses and ponies - my quarter horse is currently in with some 11hh fat welsh ponies - and having a mule gelding that may have been a risk to the little and/or young ones was just never going to be a go-er.

I know of a donkey that used to swing sheep around by the ears (which sometimes came off) Until witnessing it the owner thought she had a stray dog problem.

I feel compelled to comment re Mules and livestock and more besides.
True our mules are comfy now they know their place in 'our'herd.when we first took MICK (totally ignorant)he was entire and 4yrs.he went into small paddock half wired off with 6 pet sheep.(not ours).1sheep was lame.and strayed into Micks bit.Some huge surprise as he attacked it.Stamping at it.Lucky escape for 1sheep.He then proceeded to charge at us.He@s cut now but still aggresive to livestock,dogs and will never be given a chance to be near a foal.Strangers to him must be warned.MaryD our molly is none to keen on the dogs getting close.

Tha is wys s suprised to see a six year old stallion mule for sale on a site in shropshire a few weeks back!!!!!...Downright dangerous to sell to some unknowledgable person.
Malaga is alright with HIS own flock of goats now but when new youngsters appear I keep him in a seperate paddock,he doesn't tend to attack now,just tends to run over them.
Poor Chelsea my giant schnauzer,who wouldn't hurt a fly was attacked by him when I first had him!Luckily I was just behind her and shouted at him so he turned away (Still not sure if he was trying it on)whereas Chance my other GS who was a pup at the time and spent all the time running around and generally making a thorough nuscance of herself,he couldn't bother with.
Last year he got over excited and came charging up the walkway at a gallop,
.Poor Chelsea saw him comming and there was nowhere to run so she just curled herself up in a ball and prayed ..Malaga very carefully leapt over the top of her

Its a tough world out there-not at all like Mr Disney told me!
Once I had just bought a beautiful stud Dairy goat a few years ago-She got into a neighbours paddock and the horse mare chased and struck her-breaking her back.She meant it too,not playing.I kicked myself.Could not blame her-she was just being territorial/agressive defensive ,whatever, the result is the same,and so too are some horses,most all donkeys and mules.
One of the reasons outback station owners hated feral donkeys is that they would chase away or hurt calfs that came to a water hole same time as them.It happens.We have to be careful who we put in together- even us human species don't all get along that well, do we..