Mule Talk! Podcasts

Making History With Mules –

• Mules and donkeys are mentioned in the Bible.
• The highest intelligence residing in animals is that of the mule.
• Learn how mules played a significant part in Greek and Roman transportation.
• HAI-BAR, a volunteer organization established to protect animals that had thrived in the Holy Land during the Old Testament years – but are now dangerously close to extinction.
• Unique personality traits of the mule come from the ass.
• George Washington – the first organized mule breeder in America.
• Hear how the Erie Canal was built by mules.
• Hear about the borax mule team from Death Valley hauling over the mountains to the Mojave Desert and more!

Standing Still While Mounting –

• It starts with good nutrition and being fed on schedule to reduce anxiety.
• Ground training is essential using a logical approach.
• Begin mounting in the round pen first – using a mounting block.
• Desensitize your mule with gentle strokes to the body to learn his sensitive areas.
• Start with a mounting block to eliminate pulling on the saddle.
• Have an assistant work with you for safety reasons.
• Sit quietly for a minute before walking on after mounting.
• Train your mule to understand the command “WHOA.”
• Train your mule to understand the command “STAND” when you are ready to mount him.
• Use the reward system to let him know he is doing good.
• Balance your weight when stepping up into the saddle and stepping down.
• English riders – remove both feet from stirrups when dismounting.
• Western riders position your foot in the left stirrup to eliminate getting hung up.
• Ride in a saddle that is comfortable for your mule and a proper fit for you the rider. This will eliminate potential hazards.

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• Take into consideration where you will ride your mule.
• Terrain – rocky – mud – sand – grass – mountain trails – prairie
• Mules inherit their hooves through their genes.
• Climate and weather greatly affect the condition of your mule’s feet.
• Hoof products – are often overused.
• Stress rings and what they mean.
• Your mule’s diet is important to producing healthy hooves.

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So You Think You Want a Mule? –

• Where to buy a mule for you?
• What kind of experience do you have as a rider?
• What are your character traits?
• Learn how to select the right mule for you.
• Talk to experienced mule people to assist you.
• Learn how to evaluate the animal you are looking at.
• Have a vet and farrier do exams on the mule.
• The option of asking for a trial period with the mule.
• Drawing up a contract when hiring a trainer.

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• Learn the details involved when dealing with rescue animals.
• Surrounding yourself with a professional support team for treatment of rescues.
• It’s more than just farrier work and supplementing a feeding program.
• Taking X-Rays when needed.
• Keeping records and documenting your work.
• This and more on Mule Talk!

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Conduct and Good Sportsmanship

• The importance of developing a bond with your animal – to gain his trust to perform in the show ring.
• Competition is fun and exciting – develop the winning attitude to compete against yourself and not others.
• A good trainer will train himself, as well as the mule with subtle direction coming from the mule.
• Develop respect for your mule.
• Yes God gave us “dominion” over the animals, but that doesn’t make us a King or a Queen over them. We are keepers of our animals.

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Mule Conformation

• Ideal qualities to look for in a mule.
• What to look for in the ideal head, neck, and shoulders of the mule. Mare and Both the mare and the jack contribute to the qualities desired in the mule.
• Be selective in your breeding program to producing desirable mules.
• Bone structure is important when selecting a mule for a job or performance.
• The mule overall should have a balanced look to his body.
• Pay attention to the hip, stifle, and gaskin, that should have a smooth-muscled look.
• Mules and donkeys possess more “long” muscle than bulk muscle (as in the horse.)
• Pay attention to the legs of the mule, the hooves, rib cage, joints, etc.
• The most important trait of the mule is his disposition; this characteristic comes primarily from the mare.
• Assessing the jack – what to look for and more!