Project Hunting Mule | Episode 6 In this final episode, Clay attempts to ride Izzie. This is his first time to train a mule so he doesn't know what to expect.
Sir, I still have to go back and watch the first videos in the series but I woke up and saw this one posted and was immediately intrigued. I think I have watched it three times total now and am just amazed and inspired at your dedication and determination to train your animal and do so in the proper manner. Ultimately I have never broken a horse or mule however I grew up riding and have trained with pack animals at high elevation desert training sites for mountain operations over seas. Your commitment to the way you conduct yourself with all aspects of everything you do whether it be hunting or this new arena, you are inspiring to an aspiring hunter. You display a great model for all huntsmen to follow and I look forward to more projects from you.
Jason Munson thanks a lot Jason! Click on the Project Hunting Mule playlist and you can watch from the first episode when we bought her to everything in between.
Jason Munson I was pretty much going to say the same. I'm subscribed I found this video as a recommendation from RU-vid. I'm also impressed and touched how gentle and caring you are with this gorgeous animal. Best of luck and safe travels.
Bear Hunting Magazine i have two donkrys one named quey and pete i love them both so mych i have made a inceradible bond with them both.I havent seen them in a while but i look forword and seeing them this summer.they live in Arizona. U are such an inspiration to the world and i love that u take the time and detication to help these animals because another person could have them and hurt them cause they dont know what to do with them. So thank u sur i respect u with all my heart. 😄 coming from new york
I’ve been in the horse industry for 54 years. The simple fact that you acknowledged when it was your fault, that’s what makes a horseman! You love them and they’ll love you right back. I’ve seen Olympic level riders, with tempers! Thank you for being so kind to her!!
I used to break and shoe full time and I still do every now and then. I can’t believe the snobs commenting on the fine job you did. For a first timer that was fantastic. The ones nitpicking you aren’t professionals; a professional knows that there are as many opinions as there are farriers and trainers. Keep up the good work!
Wow, also just going to say thanks, because WAY too many people out there don't know anything and think they do so they go and try train a horse and end up messin the poor thing up. thank you for doing it right.
I've been horseman an cowboy for most of 40 years and with that experience there are somethings I would have done different, but all in all you where great. Your goals and fundamentals were right on. True horseman leans along with their partners be it a mule or a horse. Its a relationship of working though the mistakes and sharing in experience. You learned how to keep breaking it down in more simply transitions that helped her relax and communicate with you better. Every horse/mule is different an all videos an fancy tack,won't make any difference if you're not in it for relationship. I've often said that horse-man-partnership is a 51/49 % split you only need 51% of controlling interest. In the end you where there an your little mule showed it. You did a fine job an will have a great partnership for a long long time. What twists my tail is all negative feedback. If you're anything close a horse person, would seen your self in these videos. If you never tried the right thing an got the wrong result you've never worked with a horse or mule at least not a live anyway. This the worst part of an industry I've worked in most my life. To many trainers so full of their own insecurities they have nothing good to say. There's an old horsemans code that most of you tin horns should learn . Never tell a man how to ride his own horse, unless he asks, cause its not your partnership. Good job young man we should get us a string of those pretty young mules and go into business, the world needs more good mules like you have, so they don't end up with these bull s*** wouldabeens.
That was one of the best comments I have seen. I have started a few colts in my day and made plenty of mistakes but learned from them. This young man did a fine job and will end up with a gentle dependable partner.
"The heightened sense of awareness you feel in a situation like this feels almost superhuman. The human experience doesn't feel truly lived until you've been on the back of an animal like this." Thanks for the inspiration man. The challenging but fulfilling reward of pursuing ownership of such a complex animal is so compelling to a young Jersey boy like me. I'm planning on settling down in the Pacific Northwest in the next couple years with career goals as a game warden, and having a mule sidekick seems like a solid option for a companion inside and outside of work. Hope all's going well with ya'll!
After reading more of the comments regarding the trailer loading process, and having experience myself with loading horses who are basically "untouched" or barely halterbroke... you get the horse into a small-ish area such as a round pen or small paddock. Back the trailer right up to the gate and secure the gate and trailer door open. Use your basic round penning techniques to get the horse or mule moving, turning on cue in both directions, and stopping to face you when asked. When done right, this is less than 15 minutes of work even with a feral horse or mule. Next, you get the horse moving and you take pressure off (allow to stop and relax) every time the horse/mule's nose is pointed toward the trailer. Big reward. The instant their attention goes away from the trailer, get moving immediately. Just like you said in your video... make the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy. You're essentially turning the trailer from "danger zone!" into "comfort zone" by taking off pressure and allowing to rest as long as the horse/mule is moving toward the trailer, and putting pressure on and increasing "work" whenever the horse/mule turns away from the trailer. Within a 1/2 hour, you've got a mule jumping into the trailer happily, as that is the calm resting space for her, and everything outside of that is work work work and somewhat uncomfortable. If this is not an option, and you have access to using round pen panels (and rearranging them to set up a sort of squeeze gate), you can get some really great ideas from the youtube videos on the wild mustangs... just search for "blm mustang pickup day 1" and you'll learn a lot of safe practices for very quickly getting a wild equid on a trailer without harm or even much stress.
Good work, you are now ready for a lotta really pleasant times with your mule. My grandpa farmed with mules so when I got out of the army and started my own small farm I got a team of mules. That was 48 years ago and I have owned and used 5 mules in that time; I broke and sold all but 2 which I kept to use. I worked the farm, logged, went on wagon trains and rode trail rides until I was crippled up and can no longer go out and do physical stuff. When my daughter was growing up at 8 years old she started riding one of the mules. By 10 she would come home from school, saddle her mule by herself and ride the mountains behind our farm with her cousin who had a horse. I envy guys like you who can still do that, but I also salute you for a job well done. Happy trails my friend.
This is exactly how I back every single horse. Time, patience, understanding. Every one of my horses is wonderful. I thought I was an odd ball. This is the first video I have come across that does things like I do. Glad I'm not alone.
I watched several videos, professional and non- professional, and this is by far one of the best videos I have saw. You don't have to watch hours and hours of videos to see what you do with this mule. You definitely have a gift and you use it!
I see a lot of “experts” on here who likely have never owned or handled a mule- they truly are 100% different than a horse. You made mistakes, but you worked and corrected. You wound up with a mule you could get on without a rodeo, and that’s a win in my book! There’s got to be a first time for anyone who breaks a green equine, and there isn’t a trainer alive who doesn’t mess up, push too hard, use the wrong technique when another would have done. Making mistakes is a part of learning, and a mule is a hell of a teacher who won’t let you forget when you screw up. I wish you many happy trails with this molly, and good job on working so hard with her as a new trainer! Can’t wait to see the next one :)
Pay no attention to all the negative nellies and naysayers! I've trained wild and feral horses, and have been breaking horses to ride for decades. Nobody does things "right" or "perfect" the first time around, and there will always be tons of people who would do things differently than you and feel they must put you down because they don't exactly agree. We all have to learn somehow. And, you Sir, are on your way. You recognized your difficulties that came up and you thought through them, you remained steady and did what you felt was right in your gut. End result, you have a great little mule who respects you and listens to what you need from her. I wouldn't do things exactly as you have, but, at many points in my learning process I have done every thing you have shown in this video, as I was trying to figure it all out, too. It is good to see some people here in the comments sharing their experiences and having positive discussion about the video. And it's disheartening to see the negative naysayers who are just kinda being mean and "know-it-all" instead of initiating constructive discussion about things that they would do differently than you. For your first time, I think you did leaps and bounds better than most people do! Just keep at it... you and your mules will continue to learn and grow, together. Confidence and knowledge from hands-on learning (sometimes the hard way! lol!) is far more meaningful and solid than any other type of education :)
@@earthbound2772 Do you Know the thickness of those animals hide? Didn't think so, it's not the "hitting' that has effective results as it's the snap an Pop of the wrong move verses the gentleness in his praising the animal when she does the task correctly.. least We forget it's a animal , a Owned piece of property as well !
@@earthbound2772 You are being an exhibit A to the wrong mentality. Simmer down and present a persuasive counter arguement or realize you are wasting your breath
So impressed with your determination, and heart and compassion working with this beautiful mule. For your first time training, you can see the amount of study and prep work you did so that you can be a better leader for her. Well done!
Thank you sir for taking time and doing it RIGHT. I had a stud colt that I trained that way. Laid a hand on him when he was first born. Turned him out for a year and on his 1st birthday he got his first halter and began learning touch. 1 year and a half we began saddle training. By two he was ready to be ridden. No bucking fighting or hassle involved. Everything was built in trust with spent time.. Best horse I've ever owned.. Most trainers are in for the money not the love of the animal and with their mentality a lot of innocent sweet companions get hurt or destroyed...
Ah I love this! I love mules so so so much! They are so under appreciated! They are so smart and loyal and kind animals! I have a bond with my mule unlike any iv had with a horse. She is all around amazing. She has her moments but I love riding her and I love working with her! ❤️ I don’t know what it is with mules but they are just my heart!
What an amazing job and shame on you all for putting a dislike to this video he saved this precious mule most people wouldn't have even given this animal 2 seconds but he gave it months and months God bless him for giving this animal a chance
I also broke out my first mule not really having any idea but some Clinton Anderson foundation material, it was definitely the most rewarding experience I have encountered as well. You are right about it being indescribable especially to someone that has not taken the risk of it. It is very unnerving, but the most awesome thing when they do not get bucked off and knowing it is because the time you took putting in the ground work and fundamentals, that's the best. Riding my mule today and knowing I did this on my own, super proud, way better then paying for training any day. Thanks for sharing your experience.
He did his home work ,,,now it pays off ,,,no need to rush take yr time ,,,work together as a team , in the end u have a bond ,,,,,man u are grate person ,
Pretty Pally 2017 Anymore examples of him doing wrong besides how he tied, where he tied, and how he loaded? I get you're 14, but have you actually dealt with a half ton (or more) animal that has never been touched, never even seen humans before, or they have but never had good expierences? Best bet is you don't, and you'd be too scared to approach the horse. If you have, you wouldnt have only complained about where he tied the mule. So you, like all the others in this comment section, will attack and pick at the little things instead of seeing the big picture. As someone who works on a farm, and has trained mustangs, retrained thoroughbreds, and even my own horses, I can tell you he did just fine, especially for the first time. This is exactly how he can learn. Looking back on himself, and improving instead of reading hateful comments from people who barely know as much as he did on his first time.
Tying the mule to the panels, using a Tom Thumb bit, didn't do the bareback method to gain trust, it lets the animal know you aren't going to eat it when you're on their back. Using fear and punishment by making the animal go towards something without showing them it's okay first. Equine animals learn by leaders, mules work differently than horses. They're smarter but they also need to know they can trust you. It took him much longer than it should have taken because he didn't have help like he should have. The list goes on. I cringed so much watching him. He could have really gotten hurt several times by not doing the "right" thing. Such as pulling the mules head into his knee when mounting. Instead she took off and he's lucky he didn't get a hoof to the face. I do hope he looks back and sees everything he did was not correct. That is in fact how we all learn.
@@SmolBean98 Um, that 14 year old seems to know better than you, and many 14 year olds are excellent horsemen. How he tied that mule could have resulted in serious injury or death. Also, the guy says "I whack her when she doesn't do what I want" which shows that he doesn't understand the most basic concept of horse training: horses don't learn from pressure, they learn from the release of pressure.
You, young man are AMAZING and have EXACTLY the strength, calmness, kindness and ability to see things from her perspective. I've no doubt you will end up with the most priceless molly mule in the world. I, like you have NEVER believed in pushing an animal and my mustang proved me right on that view. I didn't break him but worked with him to learn what I wanted and Ive never since had that type of special connection because Ive not found another mustang like him yet. God bless you for your kindness with your beautiful mule.
You did a great job, showed the precepts of Natural Horsemanship. It's obvious that you studied hard and applied what you learned. Thank you for posting this. You are a great animal person.
This was very interesting, you see my great,great grandfather worked for the Mule train. I know that the mules are very great st long travels and harsher terrain. Will watch the other ones. Thanks.
Thank you I enjoyed your video. I loved how calm and thoughtful you were, and how the mule clearly came to trust you. I was smiling when she stood so nicely with you sitting on her, and moved off without bucking. Well done!
That was great! Reminds me of training my birds of prey. Slow and steady without forcing anything on them that could lead to resentment. Your the man Clay
I can't believe there are so many negative comments and "armchair" experts! This guy has never done this before and he did a better job than most so called trainers! He took time and learnt by his mistakes. They both took the journey together and I think he did a bloody fantastic job. Each to their own. I'm no horse trainer but I backed my appoosa myself 10 years ago and just went day by day. I have a horse who takes precious care of me now I have severe pain with arthritis because of our strong bond. Think outside the box and be more positive to others instead of criticizing. I guarantee he has a great partner for life there.
This is the only one I've seen in your series and coming from a Singular HORSE background, no mule experience whatsoever, I have to say, you did an amazing job with Izzie!!
In the future, and given the right circumstances that you could do this. Tip for trailer training. Park the trailer with the door open out in the pasture for a few days and throw some hay in it. Horses being curious animals will eventually go check it out, and the hay is just an incentive to coax them to hop in on their own. Once they realize the trailer isn't as scary as it seemed, and they were aloud to check it out/get in without being forced, it makes that first time being asked to hop in a lot easier. Don't know if it'll work as well with mules, since I've never directly worked with one, but this trick tends to work on horses in my experience. Another small tip. If you're horse/mule has a buddy, load the buddy first, then try and load the other. The draw from their pasture mate will coax them in and make the situation less scary for them if their buddy is calm about it. Good luck in the future!
Had a horse that had been accustomed to loading onto trailers this way. Only problem was that he thought ALL trailers were his and full of food. Used to keep escaping at shows and raiding other people’s trailers
You show fantastic patience and commitment. It’s not easy and it’s great that you are showing your frustrations. It makes it all that much satisfying to reach success.
mules are awesome, I learned to train horses by training mules.. my mentor always said "If you can train a mule you can train any horse!" which is true, Mules are so much more smarter then horses you have to build a better connection with them.. great job! loved this video.. and you've earned a new subber!
The thing I like the most is that you did not use pain to train her and that when you got on the first time, you used a rope halter and not a bit, no spurs or martingale or anything. Please continue to ride her bitless like you do now. I think you know it's much better for her and that's why you started her like that. Well Done!!!
@@khtriding7427 well yeah...thats the point isnt it? Someone who can properly weild a whip will train a mule much faster than someone who doesnt. So what is the criticism? Its like whatever your idea is, reality is saying somethin else. Reality us saying if you use both positive and negative reinforcement, and are balanced with both those, then you can train a mule faster than only someone who uses one form of motivation
Brilliantly Done !...for a self confessed amateur you did a wonderful job. I have been a jockey, breaker the whole nine yards and you done a great job of earning her respect first, trust and confidence..I had a go at that "Kat" too....
I have 2 ponies. They are green-broke meaning i just got on them and rode. One is a good girl. The other is EXTREMELY skiddizh. Ive had her since zhe was one. She was a nurse mare baby saved by a woman when she was being taken for slaughter. As wild asshe gets, she goes out of her way trying not to hurt me. In the past shes allowed me to get on her back. After a few minutes she rubs me against thinhs trying to get me off. When i tried to get her to trot she begins bucking. I will have alot of trouble now becaue i havent tried again. Doc gavememed for horses that jave been stall bound due to illness in an attempt to calm her enough for me to work with her. Because of you, i now know how to approach this. Thank you so much. This was better than any training video. Rather than talking about fancy technigues, you demonstrated training through trust. I love it. Thank you so very much
I’m so happy how well you’ve treated and not “broken” the mule, and I’m not hating but the only thing that bugged me was that when he got on her after he got on the first time her asked her to move. I understand that she was behaving but I personally think that once you’ve done in reward her and start moving a day or 2 or maybe 3 days after, just so they’re used to having someone on their back more. Otherwise I loved it!
Coming from someone who has worked with trainers, trained horses myself, and have been around them all my life: you did a really good job with your roundpen and ground work. Your way of thinking/training is great, and you should be proud!
Mules are so much smarter than horses, teaching an untouched but halterbroke 18mo mule is about 5x as hard as a wild mustang. Currently training my 7mo molly mule that’s been handled everyday since birth and it’s still a struggle ! She’s so strong already and she knows it. -you can tell a horse but you have to ask a mule
Hey thanks for the comment and good luck with your mule! We're going to do an update video sometime in the next few weeks. It's been a year since we got Izzie and she's doing really good.
Thats a pretty little mule. Good job being patient with her and having the humility to understand when you were not communicating to her correctly. Nice video.
There are some things I would've done differently, but overall, I am very surprised at how both you and her turned out. The first time you train a horse/mule is scary, but it's also a learning and rewarding experience for both you and the animal. Good job.
This is my opinion; I believe he did decently well, this is the first video I've watched from him, but I believe there is other ways besides using the whip constantly. Mules are pretty smart but stubborn at the same time, even though I lack experience with mules. I loved how he took his time with getting on the saddle, it was amazing. I enjoy the lunge work but I would lie off the whip. You can always make the wrong thing hard even without the whip otherwise good job.
You did a great job, this is how you learn and grow as a person/rider...you try new things and set goals. I love how you didn't get frustrated and were patient. I poked around your youtube channel and found you riding her on a turkey hunt. Having a mule trust/respect you is more important than anything else. She looks happy and relaxed in VLOG11, the trust and respect is clearly there. I also broke my own mule to ride. It was not an easy task compared to training horses.
Hey man that was a good way to break your mule. I enjoyed watching you, I did exactly what you did when I was 12 and you brought back all the fear that I went thru, I've got to say I was regretting asking for this wild pony,, she never ever was in the presence of a human being, the day we rounded her up she kicked my uncle thru a wooden coral lol. Enjoy your hunting!!!
I really liked how you trusted her when you got on and your right one bad experience can make things very hard. The two things I don’t like was the trailer and tying her up when you first got on. But in all you really did a great job with her and you guys will form the best friendship
He bought her from someone and she was unhandled. How the hell is he supposed to train her on a trailer driving hours away to pick her up. People like you who comment on videos having zero experience is annoying.
@@Drewmack22 Funny how you act like others have no experience just because they are commenting on a youtube video. Newsflash: People with experience ALSO have internet access. And this was factually a bad method. On a sidenote, tho I doubt you'd bother wanting to know about actual horse training: Trailer loading can be done without force and within a short amount of time as well. 30 minutes or less even, if you ain't got that much time don't pretend to be a trainer to begin with. Just because this guy, and likely you as well, doesn't bother wanting to take time and NOT traumatize the animal (which, if you knew anything about animals, is a sure-fire way to LOOSE their trust and hecne something you should not do while training) doesn't mean it cannot be done otherwise. And it definitely doesn't mean it's a good or the right method either. Rule of thumb: If you cannot be patient with an inexperienced or even previously traumatized animal, don't bother trying to work with them and get yourself one that you don't need to work with. Because unlike what you yeehaw wannabe cowboys think, training an animal shouldn't be done by mentally breaking them (which I know people with cowboy attire love to see as the right way) but by teaching them slowly. But neither you nor this guy seem to understand that. And YOU have the arrogance to call others inexperienced and annoying? Now that's a good joke right there.
@@Managable_Mayhem if you can load an untouched animal in 30 minutes post it. I can say I can build a rocket ship that can fly to Mars and back but it's all talk unless I prove it.
@@Drewmack22 Dude, there's even videos of this on YT of ACTUAL trainers doing so. Whether you're able to use the search or not is up to you tho. Your ignorance on a topic does not mean that everyone else is automatically lying. Just because YOU haven't heard of/cannot do something someone else mentions, doesn't make it a lie. That's why educating yourself and researching is a thing.
I ride a mule. He is really sweet. He's old, like late 20s maybe early 30s. I don't know who trained him or the method used to train him but he's awesome on trails. He belongs to an older guy and is his pack mule. I was the first to ride him in 10years. Now I ride him all the time cause no one else rides him.
You are my second Animaltarian today. Well done. You don't have to be crewel breaking any animal in. A bit of love and patience brings both together in a special kind of bond. The other way is the wrong way.
Really good job. I have started several hundred English colts and it's cool to watch a mule get started. I have always heard that the mule colt is harder to start because of their high standard of self preservation which may link to the fable of stubborness. Once again, you did good. Thanks for the post.
Well you've done it now. You dared to train and ride that mule not having done it ever before. Thanks I so love to see someone do anything right.I would ignore all of them naysayer's! You and the mule figured it out ! Made me want to try to do it .I'm to old now. I'm going to look around for pictures of my family packing into Mt. Saint Helens to hunt and fish.Back in 40s 50s and 60s. There is so much more to see astride and less noisy. After the mountain blew we all left. I subscribed I'll send you one with a couger or bear in it.!
Tom Morgan Hey Tom, thanks for the comment and encouragement. Sounds like you’ve got some experience riding in some neat places. If you subscribe, thank you.
Well, I am a late viewer, but this was an excellent job. Especially so when you say you've never done it before. One thing though. A mule can duck out from under a saddle if it wants to. That's why they need a strap under the tail - to keep the saddle from sliding forward. Some use the flank cinch and simply go around the rear end. Some have a single strap that fits around the tail and goes straight to the cantle. This method lets the flank cinch be used normally. Even without the mule trying to get rid of the saddle, steep terrain can let the saddle move forward and increase possibility of galling. Of course, convincing a mule to accept something under its tail is a process also 😁.
Amazing thing you have accomplished. I have had horses all my life and packed into the cascade mountains behind my home. But only road a neighbors mule one time. I wish life was a little longer for me to have some mule stories and experience. Good wishes to you and thank you for sharing.
What an interesting series of videos! I say excellent job, first time or not. Good for you on taking it slow and respecting the animal and treating the training process not least as one of personal growth. From animal training perspective the journey could've been easier on all of you had there not been so many times where she learned the wrong lesson, meaning the situation was such that she was able to get release by pulling/rearing/bucking/running. But having the foresight to predict and plan around those situations takes a lot of practice. It was wonderful that you didn't blame her when those situations occurred and it looks like towards the end you were able to better control the environment and not get in a situation where you have to physically fight her. Another thing is that it seemed from the footage you could've made it clearer that you relinquish pressure immediately as she does the right thing. The pressure on prey animal is not just direct touch or pain, it's also physical proximity, movement towards, psychological pressure, as you know and showed, and release of that pressure is a major reward. More than vocal praise or lack of punishment she might appreciate that you clearly step back from her and let her be for a moment when she does what you asked - like when you were pushing her to go past the barrel you could've put the whip and your hands down, relaxed, looked away and allowed her to stop or walk, and then after that reward made a point to change your energy and intent, when you asked her to pick up trot again. It might make the pressure/release clearer for her and keep her thinking. I'm not sure where the difficulty with training mules comes from, maybe their intelligence, but making both pressure (direction, type, strength and timing, your intent) very clear as well as release of pressure as a reward (timing, your energy) - the "make the right thing easy, wrong thing hard" idea in other words -, should always help no matter what the animal. I find starting from my own intention makes it easier to coordinate everything, to respond faster and to control my own fear. Even if it doesn't help the animal, it helps the human to keep better track of what we're doing... Well all in all you must've done a lot of things right and of course the animals also adjust to us stupid humans, even when we make mistakes, and everyone makes mistakes. So well done and thanks for sharing your journey. And the honesty is truly inspiring! You've trained her to fulfill a practical purpose, but for a modern human using animals it should be about personal growth, as it clearly was for you. It also came across from the footage, how much all of it meant to you personally. That's brilliant and what a beautiful mule she is.
Fast great comment and excellent input. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. It was a tremendous experience indeed! Soon we’ll be making another project mule video showing how’s she’s doing after a year. This video was made in 2017, so we’ve been riding her for a year now. Thank you
These people in the comments have obviously never had to mess with a mule that has never been touched 😂 my mule is CRAZY and is scared of everyone except me. Once they have something in the mind to do it they are for sure gonna do it. They are sooo much harder than horses because they are so intelligent. You can’t let them get away with anything or they’ll remember it.
My grandpa breeds and trains Andalusian horses in costa rica, when it comes to saddle training, he would put a heavy sack on their back for several days/weeks before actually riding the horse, that way they get used to carrying the weight around.
this, and water. They generally like water, and walking in it. You can lead them in deep, and float out over their backs without weight on them, so they get used to you there and as they go into shallower water, gradually more weight. And a plus is they can't kick as easily in water.
So for lunging can I recommend just using the end of the leadrope? Also using more voice like clicking to make her go faster and saying deeply "woah" to make her stop/slow down. Also to give her treats everytime she succeeds. Also to work her more like cantering on a lunge rope because she needs to gain muscle. This isn't hate, I'm just trying to help a fellow equestrian :)
Hey I'm not trying to be rude or negative. I love what u have done for this animal but when it comes to training a horse or mule, when u are breaking it with the saddle you want to put the saddle on both sides and get her used to having the saddle and heavy weight on both sides of her body. I know from experience that it helps to have the animal used to having the saddle put on both sides of the body. It also helps to get on from both side. I hope u take my advice. It will truly help you in the future
Ranch Chick We used 2 sandbags on a rope in balance after the horse (or pony) got used to the saddle, adding more weight as necessary. We were country kids so don’t know if that was the right thing to do but it worked. The old timers were of the “get on, hold on and ride “ school but I liked my face and wanted to keep it. What you said makes sense.
Your patience and understanding paid off. She's going to be a good, quick little hunting mule, once y'all are totally used to eachother. I love mules, and she's particularly spirited, which is a bonus. I bet she'll be fearless, too.
he did the right thing, stop giving him hate comments about what he could of done better, like he said he has never done this before and all you “Equestrians” couldn’t train a mule half as good as he could
Lots of horse people on here commenting negatively. I was always told to end on a positive note. He does that. He obviously cares about the animal and mistakes or not they'll grow together. That bond will help more than any book you guys read or seminar you guys pay a $1000 to go to.
I'm sorry RU-vid is a harsh place.... But I personally think that you did wonderful, especially for your first time training a mule. And to all the haters, maybe give some positive input, so that he can get better, instead of acting like he should completely stop.
Can I suggest two things for you. Remember when you started you were getting her to move in the pen by pressing her and then when she started to move you backed off. Instead of hitting her even gently with the reins try squeezing with your legs and pulling her head one way or the other so she is a bit off balance and has to step to right herself and then letting off with the pressure when she does what you want, which is to take a step. The idea about pressure and then backing off when she does what you want is important in everything you do with her not just working on the ground. Mules are thoughtful animals right, everything you do with them they learn from, good or bad, and they will remember it! You need to spend sometime being thoughtful about how things could go wrong. Make your plan and stick to it, I think where you go wrong is you get excited when something goes well and then you jump ahead a bit. Good luck! oh yeah and I start working on fixing that trailer issue if you haven't already- that will take some time and her trusting you to fix.
fred horsefeathers great insight Fred. Appreciate it! Planning to make a video very soon showing how she’s progressed. This video was made a year ago and since then we’ve trailer her all over and ridden her quite a bit. Look for a video soon!
Honestly when I was watching the beginning of this video, I thought "This is a disaster waiting to happen." But as I continued watching I was impressed. I can see that you have gained knowledge and understanding as the video progressed. I hold you in high regard for pointing out when you made a mistake and taking the blame, not placing it on the mule for acting badly. I think this is an important aspect of working with equines. Their actions are a direct reaction of our actions, whether we realize it or not. Don't let the negative comments discourage you. We all have to start somewhere and we all make mistakes. That's just how we learn to be better. You're doing great for this being your first time training, and with an unhandled mule at that. Keep up the good work!
You did a really good job overall but just one thing. The only reason she ran away when you put all of you weight in the stirrup was because the saddle was pinching her withers. It's really best if you just get on at first. But you did really good!!
She senses your heart racing, believe me. You've spent enough time with her, she probably knows more about you than you know about her. Beautiful mule, nice job.
I have never trained an animal. To be honest I've always been afraid of them. What you did took an amazing amount of patience. More than I had with my children. Many thumbs up to your effort.
I feel like it would have been better when you tried to mount her to balance out the wait, the saddle was crooked and looked really uncomfortable when you mounted her
Trust my man...equals respect...did a bridle and saddle to an Arabian when she was 2...you teach them manners..you don’t break their spirit...great job, and great heart...
Hey, great job! Especially for the first time. All the negative comments, well they're usually from people who have never started a horse, or in your case, a mule. Easy for them to cast blame, always say i'd love to see them swing a leg over! God Bless
Stuck In NY thanks for the comment. This was our first series of videos about equines. These folks are pretty harsh! Lol. We had a great time making this video and a better time riding Izzie over the last year. She’s become a phenomenal animal that will do what you want her to.
Bear Hunting Magazine I wish you the best going forward. I am not saying I am the best horse trainer out there, but I will say we learn from each one we work with. We learn from our mistakes, believe you me I know. I have had to pick up the pieces, dust myself off, and move on. I often say, "I don't know if it was bravery, or stupidity I had in my younger years." Lol, I know now it was both! I am now wiser, older and safer because of them! I was most impressed with your ability to walk, talk, and hold the line on that mule. It is called having the feel. Most people cannot do it. You either have the feel or you don't. Some people never learn it. Lol, a lot of people just look like they're chasing a hot potato around the round pen!
I watched an interesting and informative video earlier today, it's called 'how saddling a mule is different from a horse' by Paul Garrison III. He gives some good tips. Nice that your first ride was such a success, it's payment for a job you put a lot of time and energy into...nice you were so patient and it was such a good experience for you and your mule.
Very cool . Congratulations on a great job. I understand a bit of what you were going through as I have been first up a couple times . It is a wonderous miraculous feeling . You described it perfectly. And good on you for avoiding bucks. A horse that learns it can throw a rider this way will never not try again throughout its entire life . I think most experienced riders agree, it’s something we can all Luv without . Nice job. I hope you’re enjoying her . There’s no relationship quite like it
Seriously, watch some of the Monty Roberts where he whips, kicks, and hits the hell out of horses, uses twitches and other pain points, etc. Not the edited ones he puts out, ones recorded by others at his shows, when things don't go perfectly to plan he gets rough in ways that have never been in his videos.
Great job!! 😁 She seems like a great mule. Smart, listens to you well..etc. You have her trust..and as you know THAT is the hardest part. Once you have that you can "explain" pretty much anything to her over time. You seem like a good person, I am sure she can feel that as well. Good luck in the future to you both.😃✌️
I just accidentally came across this and I got you say great job I've never started a mule but I have started many many many horses and I can't say that I would probably had told you to change anything different than you just did through the video I started thinking it's time to do this and damn you did it as I thought that good job you just found a new profession LOL
jeremy long if you have started/trained many horses you would know that many things he did was wrong. Im not saying anything against the guy because he doesnt know any better but there are lots of training rips that would have made the process better and smoother.
Livy Charpentier everybody will do something a little different starting a horse in this instance B&T has never done it I don't think he could have done a better job and the fact is he got it done and it got it done right which ultimately should be the only thing that matters for the animal. The ending is the same for him or if I would do a horse or probably you. Every step of the way he finally got to where he needed to be it made took him a little longer but I accounted for he's not used to doing this.
Jeremy Long Apple Leaf farm if you train horses this way you’re abusing the animal. Mules are smarter than horses and will respond worse to negative association with humans. Do this to a dog, that responds differently to negative reinforcement and tell me if it’s abuse or not. This isn’t a healthy relationship, it’s fear based. It will cause the horse to get worse when working with him. Why can’t you people figure out that horses are the same as other animals, with more emotion and better knowledge. If you wouldn’t do it to any other life form don’t do it to a horse. The only reason you do is because you don’t want to understand it.
