I am curious in your experience how mule's tend to behave as far as herd dynamic, do they tend to do better alone or being separated from the rest of the string than maybe a typical horse? I know it definitely seems less common that people ride a single horse out. I know there are allot of factors and a horse can be worked with in training to not be herd sour but it seems to me the temperament of Mules might just be better suited.
Also wondered if the whole self preservation thing has ever truly been an issue for you cuz I have heard that allot? I would assume that with a well trained mule they would do anything you asked of them up and to getting themselves into trouble which is obviously a really good thing.
I think a big part of an animals temperament comes from how it was raised. From herd bound, to its ability to function alone, trust etc starts really early and can be very hard to remedy later, this is especially true with mules.
For example, my best mule I own came green broke at the age of 3. She had a calm demeanor and was kept alone in a corral separate from other animals before I got her (this has all kinds of benefits imo) I rode her 3-4 times a week in mule deer country, most of the time alone, scouting. On a somewhat regular occasion I would lead another animal to make her comfortable being followed and having a rope under her tail etc, or id ride my other mule, leading her to make her comfortable packing. She could literally care less about being alone for weeks, or doesn’t mind being lead or leading others. She will leave the group and could literally care less. I hunt weeks at a time on her, just me and her. She’s my favorite hunting partner and I truly hate going without her, even if don’t even probably need her.
I have another mule that came from an outfitter in Wyoming that did nothing but follow behind other animals. It’s all she knows. I have tried over and over and have given into the fact I’m not changing her. She’s great, but She couldn’t be separated from another mule in the backcountry for a second, herd bound as can be. However, this has advantages as I can basically lead her through the gates of hell and she would be content as can be as long as she’s following. This has its advantages as new riders have absolutely nothing to worry about on her, she’s right behind me through anything, never missing a beat. Packing her is the exact same, a lot of times I don’t even have a lead rope on her. She’s by my side always. Never further than an arms reach behind me following along.
I think every animal has a personality, but I do think it’s developed from a young age.
On the self preservation, trust is a big deal. When a mule begins to trust you, they will do just about whatever. However I do try to take care not to get them in a mess when they do start to trust you, I feel like it goes both ways.
Occasionally ill come across a sketchy messed up bridge, or maybe it’s a mud bog…or maybe it’s just something completely new to them like a big shiny 40” culvert that just got installed with 5” of gravel over the middle of it and the ends poking out (this just happened the other day)
if I get off and lead them across or through it, they usually don’t bat an eye and follow right over, and once we do it once they generally never worry again.
Sometimes however, they were right, they will hesitate so I’ll jump off and start across and sink to my knees in the mud bog, and when I do I always giggle to myself thinking damn these mules just know what not to do and I’ll find a better place to cross.
When it comes to slick trails, mud/snow or navigating a boulder strewn landscape, mules are priceless. For instance, a beat down trail through snow, that’s covered in ice, slick as can be, a lot of horses will skate down the middle of the trail as it’s the path of least resistance, I’ve been in a few wrecks on horses related to this. It’s a bad situation and on a horse it’s best to get off and lead them zigzagging off trail on better footing. When a mule starts to slip, even slightly, they will usually get off the trail and wade through even 20” of snow knowing it’s better traction off trail without me even doing anything. It’s pretty unreal.
I have heard from some experienced mule skinners that a mule thinks about and watches all 4 feet, and a horse only knows where he will place his two front feet, the back feet just follow. I use to think this was a bullshit wives tale. I now think it’s true. Watching a mule and a horse go through a boulder field is pretty amazing. I’ve seen it over and over again. The mule usually steps around and between rocks wherever possible, almost like a cat, the average horse, not so much. You’ll hear nothing but shoes scraping off rocks and notice it’s especially true with the back feet. This fact alone has converted a very close friend of mine to buying mules and selling his horses, this was a die hard horse guy, the guy that use to make fun of me for riding ugly big eared mules
I think this is also the reason when a mule kicks at something, for better or worse they usually don’t miss. (This is another problem with some mules and a mule that ever kicks at me is going down the road)
Some great posts in this thread, I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment that stock animals are a year around commitment and guys that take their animals out once a year expecting perfection are really asking for trouble!
