There are also several different types of mules. Plantation mules, logging mules, riding mules, cart mules etc. All different sizes, from itty bitty to big mo fo's.saddlesore said:I've never owned one, but would actually like to. All the long ears (mules & donkeys) are hardier than horses: hardier stomachs and digestive systems; better feet; and they live longer than horses.
I saw several mules at the Old Dominion endurance ride - they do well. And some of them can jump! I've heard they used to be allowed to compete in dressage and x/country, until they started winning, so now they're banned. That's just hearsay, though, don't know if it's true.
Like Ming says, they are considered more difficult to train, but in many ways are smarter than horses. Just remember that they may easily live to be 40+!
Also something to consider, it is harder to find decent fitting tack for them.
KizerSoSay said:There are also several different types of mules. Plantation mules, logging mules, riding mules, cart mules etc. All different sizes, from itty bitty to big mo fo's.
I know people who have coon hunted with mules. They jump like deer.
When they take them hunting, they drape a jacket over a fence(or whatever they happen to come across that is in the way) and the mules just walk right up and pop over it from a stand still. They are very sure footed to be runnin' all over creation in the dark chasing dogs.mingiz said:We had one at the farm that every day he would be on the other side of the fence. We caught him one day. He would walk up to the fence and he would rear up and leap over it and look at us as to say don't fence me in...He was a trip but was afriad that he would make it to the road so she got rid of him. His name was cool also. he was Ozzie Ozmule...he was trained to coon hunt.
flarenuphope said:they dont really have a lot of withers so the saddle kinda slider forward.
saddlesore said:Right - that's what I meant about it being hard to find good fitting tack. I'd still like one, though. In some parts of the world they are used more than horses for work, and since that is what people have, they end up riding them rather than horses.