5 Reasons Mules Are Better Than Horses
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
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Is a mule better than a horse? Well, to be completely honest, the answer depends on your goals! The mule is a sure-footed, hardy animal, known for its toughness and durability. The horse is known for its power, speed, and athleticism. So, if you're trail riding in rough country (picture the Grand Canyon mule rides), or if you need to plow a field, a mule would be a great choice. But if you're barrel racing, or roping cattle, a horse would be a great choice.
We love horses AND mules! We mostly ride our equines in the mountains, and that is why we currently have 3 mules and only 1 horse.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. We really enjoy hearing stories about other people equines and we like to hear everyone's opinions-- even if they differ from ours :)
Thank you for taking time to watch our videos-- we really do appreciate it!
God Bless!
-Jason and Alyssa
Our Instagram (Mules): mountain_bu...
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00:00 Intro
01:10 Meet our herd
02:28 Reason Number 5: Versatility
02:51 Reason Number 4: Strength/Durability
03:57 Reason Number 3: Low Maintenance
04:24 Reason Number 2: Longevity
05:05 Bonus Reason: Personality
05:41 Reason Number 1: Safety
06:37 Honest opinion on horses vs mules
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#horse #horses #horseriding #mule #mules #trailriding #mountains #animal #animals - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
A cowboy said "if you're trailering horses and wreck they will remember they were in a wreck, but a mule will remember who was driving
Hahaha! That’s a great way to put it 😂🙌🏼
i was told that from a vary close friend back in 1990 or about.. thank you for reminding me of this.
Very interesting. I can say horses are way more forgiving, can't say the same for mules
Interesting way of putting it. Horses are way more forgiving In most issues. Mules.... well ... not as much
A guy I know used to raise horses and mules. He said a mule was ten times smarter than any horse ever dreamed of being. He trained one roping mule to work off voice commands. He also said you should never mistreat your mule, as it will never forget, and sooner or later, it will get even.
Yeah, they are super smart, and they are thoughtful vs reactive (for the most part). They’re really special animals and we’re really thankful for ours! 😊
I think your friend was right- if you mistreat them, it could take a loooong time to earn back their trust.
That's because of the donkey in it.. on all count's
I was in Yosemite, waiting for my brother nephew and son to get back from a high trail ride.
A mule was tied up in the staging area; only a piece of twine separated his back hooves from where I stood.
A woman pulled up on a bicycle pulling a bike trailer with her child. She parked the bike, with the trailer squarely behind the back hooves of the mule.
And the bike fell over with a clatter!
A horse would have kicked out at the noise and run a quarter mile away, and only then looked to see what made that noise.
The mule turned its head around; you could almost see the thought balloon "tourists!" and then calmly went back to its quiet contemplation while waiting to be ridden.
A mule is just more sensible than a horse.
Hahaha “tourists!” 😂 That made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing such a fun story. That’s a great example of a mule’s inclination to think things through before reacting! 😊🙌🏼
Which is probably why mules instead of horses are used for the rides down into the Grand Canyon.
@@ellenrittgers990 exactly! Those mules are amazing! 😊
@@MTN_BUILT I’ll say! They not only navigate narrow trails in a sheer cliff face, but do so carrying nervous riders, many of whom have had little or no experience in riding - amazing calmness and patience!
@@ellenrittgers990 that’s right! That’s the most amazing thing to me 😊 Pretty cool! We hope to go do that ride one day
Everyone made fun of my jack donkey being only 48 inches, saying he would never breed my morgan. One morning in the dim fog, the sun just coming up, something was doing wind sprints in my pasture. Upon investigation, there was my little mule soaking wet from birth. He raced from one end of the pasture and back. He didnt care about leaving his mom. She didnt care either. I named him Zoomer. He would be 23 years old now. He just came up to the house for a fig newton.
One thing about mules...if they know you are going riding, they will load 6 or 7 times into the trailer, by thenselves, waiting for the stupid horse to get in. ❤❤❤
Haha! Thats awesome! 😂🙌🏼 And zoomed sounds like the perfect name! We hope to have ours for as long as you’ve had zoomed… we’ve only had ours for 3 years, and we absolutely love them- I can only imagine the bond you’ve formed with yours!
I remember the Grand Canyon Mules. As a kid in the 1970s, we went on that trail ride every year from 1974 to 1979. There was a steel gray mule with black legs, mane, tail and mascara named Bellamy. That mule took one look at me and snorted EACH YEAR then proceeded to completely ignore anything I asked him to do and just went along on his merry way. There used to be a couple of vista points for taking photographs and I never got to stop no matter what- he just kept going. Apparently he was in his 20s at that time, so well over twice my age and didn't think some brat had any need to stop when he knew his feed bag was at the bottom of the trail.
Haha! 😂 That’s awesome that you got to do that ride so many times. And that’s super cool that you got to ride the same mule each time!
Yeah, it seems like those mules make there living by not varying from the course- at all! lol Hopefully you at least got a picture of the experience somewhere, even though Bellamy wouldn’t let you stop along the trail 😊
I hiked into the Grand Canyon right behind the pack mule train. I never did catch up to them.
He wasn’t making the hike because he wanted to, he was going because you wanted to. He’d seen it all before and it wasn’t in his interest to stop. Sounds like a great trip anyway.
Mules along with draft horses, are under appreciated. You need to be patient and kind with a mule though. Unlike a horse, you can’t just bully them. It’s a more partnership oriented relationship.
I think you are SPOT ON! I think it was a horseman named Tom Dorrance who said, “You have to treat a mule the way you should treat a horse.” 😊
why be mean to a stubborn jack ass lolol
You can have that same relationship with horses.
My dad was a believer in horses. He had a team of two that he used in hauling logs when he was a teenager. His dad (my grandfather) was a believer in mules. The last two mules grandfather had were Kate and Jack (which he used as plow mules). Kate was a very gentle girl, while Jack had to be the meanest mule in all of Tennessee. I feel fortunate to be an individual who can, at age 68, handle a team of mules....although I haven't done it since I was 12.
That’s really cool. They definitely both have their strong points 😊 I just feel fortunate to get to have equines of any kind here on our little property! The mules seem to be perfect for the kind of riding we do though 😊
I am a mule lover and loved using them . I am 82 and have hung up my spurs but I have my memoried
That’s awesome! I bet you have some amazing memories… hopefully we’ll have as many years with mules as you did 😊 Thank you for watching and taking time to leave a comment 😊
I’m a carriage driver and my dream team has always been a pair of mini mules!
I am too old now but I always loved and enjoyed training both.
I like people who don't horse around. Over 100 years ago our family had two legendary matched mules, Jake and Jehu, who were amazing working animals well into their teens. My grandfather said if a horse gets its hoof caught in a fence it will thrash its hoof off. A mule will wait for help. Great vid. There is no fool who rides a mule.
That’s awesome! I love seeing matched working mules 😊 They’re special animals.
And I like your saying, “there’s no fool who rides a mule.” 😊🙌🏼
I totally agree. People say mules are dumb.they are smarter than their owners-riders
Watch those ears they will point things out you mite have missed
That’s so true! They’ll point to deer, elk, people… a lot of things I would miss! 😊
We have friends that have mules and used to be outfitters here in Montana. We were elk hunting and my friend said, if he stops on his own, get your binos up. Sure as shit, every time the mules would stop, there were elk. I shot a good bull on the second day and while we were taking care of it, one of the mules starting gnawing on a sawed off elk leg. Tossing it around and playing with it. I said hey Marv, your mule found a toy. He said, huh, I've never seen him do that before.
I’ve more horse experience (virtually) as a grandma of a barrel racer. However one of our horse friends took me on a trail ride on her mule. Unbelievably comfortable and secure. The mule had ideas of her own. It responded to correction. I fondly remember the vertical climbs it made so sure footed. Amazing animal! If I were ever to have enough property I would definitely invest in a mule.
Oh that’s so cool! Yeah, a good mule is super fun to ride in rough country like you’re explaining 😊 Good horses are sure fun too, though- especially for people who like to go fast, like your granddaughter! 😊 Hopefully she has a great spring and summer barrel racing! Have fun watching 😊
Slow, steady & reliable. Sounds like my Toyota. Great educational video for back country trips. l have heard many of the same pluses about mules over horses for many years. Thanks again
The Toyotas of the equine world 😊🙌🏼 That’s really a good comparison- not super flashy, but they are reliable, and the people who own them really appreciate them!
Thanks for watching and taking time to leave a nice comment!
Fantastic video with much common sense. My father was a mule man in the sixties and seventies , everything you have said is spot on target. Thank you for sharing. Mikel
Awesome! Thank you so much for taking time to watch and for leaving such a nice comment! We really appreciate it 😊🙏🏼
Hi new subscriber here, I have three horses and a miniature horse and donkey. I am very interested in getting a mule for my wife who is a novice but from watching your videos we’re convinced a mule would be a great fit for her, now to find one. Take care
That’s fantastic! 😊 Sounds like you guys already have an awesome herd, and a good mule would be a great addition!
You probably already know this from your time with horses, but just be sure that her mule is a GOOD mule- mules that have been mistreated can be tough to get along with. I hope you find a great one, because they’re absolutely awesome animals 😊
Thanks for watching and taking time to leave such a fun comment! I’m excited for you guys! Don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions- I think our email is on our channel homepage (if not, I’ll put it up there in just a minute) 😊
Back east in Connecticut in the '60s, I worked for a Shade Growing Tobacco Company that grew about 1000 acres a year on 10 or 15 farms. One of the old-time managers loved mules and kept about 50+ on the home farm. They were used to cultivate between the rows because a mule walked straight and would not break the leaves. A horse's back end sways and damages the precious leaves. Off-season they sold the manure to a mushroom farm.
Wow, that’s interesting! My wife would LOVE to have 50 mules lol it’s amazing how many old-timers really prefer mules to horses- especially when there’s farm work to be done!
My dad was born in 1902 and worked teams into the 1940's. He preferred mules. Said they were calmer than horses. They also replaced horses with mules pulling the carriage rides in the Feench Quarter. Better suited to the task in the heat and commotion.
That’s super cool! I really admire teamsters… working together with those big animals is so awesome! 😊 Thank you for sharing!
I am 5 ft tall, and think a mule would definitely suit smaller riders like me. Also, the narrower build of a mule would suit my short legs. Many years ago, I rode a mule down the Grand Canyon, and it is a treasured memory.
Oh that’s so cool! We would love to do that ride one day 😊 And yes, a mule like my dun mule would be perfect for someone like you! She’s 14.2, but she’s a strong bugger thankfully 😊
My mule was great in endurance riding! The Arabs may be the "Cadillac" of the endurance races... but my Mercedes beat them all!
I think mules are clever...they are too smart to hurt themselves, or let someone else do so!
That’s super cool that you used a mule in endurance competitions 😊🙌🏼 They really are incredible animals! We’re so thankful for our herd 🙏🏼
My friend and I got lost while trail riding on a super hot humid day. She rode an arabian that was soaking in sweat. My mule had just a little sweat behing his ears and under saddle pad, but very little. The mule could have gone another day or two. Super endurance. I think the best endurance mule would be out of a standardbred mare. Mine was out of a thorobred. He could go forever.
@@user-zq4rl9hs4f that’s super cool! Not that you got lost, but that your mule did so well lol It really seems like mules are just perfect for that kind of thing, and it sounds like you had a great one! 😊
Raised mules for over 40 years. Same mule that wins reining classes wins hunter jumper classes and packs elk during hunt season. Nothing like mule hugs❤️
Oh wow! That’s so awesome!! We hope to be able to have that much mule experience in our lives 😊🙏🏼
They really are amazing animals! We’re sure thankful to have ours.
Thanks for watching and taking time to leave a comment 😊
@@MTN_BUILT They are worse than chips, can’t have just one. I am near 79 and just had 2 mule foals born this spring. Hoping for 2 more. Love your channel and dedication to our 4 sure footed equines.
Because of how smart mules, they are NOT for everyone. Patients and consistency are the key. As loyal as your dog when you establish a relationship with them. Trust worthy and self preservation, they will keep themselves safe and you.
“A horse will let you be the boss, a mule wants to see your resume’.” I found this several years back and it’s true and Mules will always be checking up on that resume’. Most lovable, kind, animal I’ve ever owned. Honor them and enjoy! ❤
This is PERFECTLY stated! 😊🙌🏼 I love everything about this comment.
I want everyone to get to enjoy mules like we do, but I always get a little nervous when someone says, “I watched your videos and now I want to get a mule!”
I read a book called "The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey" and it gives a lot of history of the mule and its role in the founding of the US and they really are so underappreciated in that aspect. They also give a lot of historical facts like how prized the Andalusian donkey was that exportation was prohibited by Spanish law because of the superior military benefit of mules to an army. George Washington wrote to King Charles of Spain asking to purchase breeding stock and King Charles sent Washington two jennies and a jack as a Royal Gift and Washington became the first American mule breeder.
That’s super cool! I’m reading a book right now called The Mule Alternative, and it’s incredible to see how popular mules were for settlers and military explorers.
Thanks for watching and taking time to leave such an interesting comment 😊
My grandfather born 1901, worked a farm in Kentucky with a pair of mules. By the time I came along he replaced mules with a Ferguson T-20. Working in the fields Granddad would time to time reflect fondly about his mules. He told me his method of how to treat your mules to get them to work all day. Granddad’s secret…Kindness.
This is one of my favorite comments I’ve ever seen! We don’t have the amount of experience that your grandfather had with his mules, but man, we TOTALLY AGREE! We have one mule in particular who was a little mistreated before we got her, and she is flourishing now that her peace and confidence are starting to grow. I think your granddad knew what he was talking about 😊
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Very interesting to hear ❤
Thank you so much for watching and taking time to leave a nice comment! 😊
So interesting! i'm intrigued for sure. looking to get my first ever equine next year for mountain trail riding and camping.
Are they really 'stubborn' or hard to train?
Oh awesome! Thats exactly what we use ours for and they’re a great fit 😊 Horses can be really good too though- it really depends on the specific animal.
They aren’t stubborn, like their reputation implies, but they do like to think things through. It sounds kind of funny, but if you apply a bunch of pressure to a mule while they’re processing something, they can be prone to just not moving. But if you let them solve the problem and just guide them through that process, they’ll take you wherever you want to go 😊
Wow, what a great VIDEO! Thanks for showing. John P.
Thank you so much for watching and taking time to leave such a nice comment! We appreciate it! 😊
I love mules and you did a great job reporting.
Thank you so much 😊 And yes, they’re such lovable animals- we’re so thankful for ours! 🙏🏼
Incredibly intelligent animals.
Si/Fi writer Robert Heinlein wrote several of his books with mules in the exploring of Space ..
Wow, that’s interesting! And yeah, they really are smart! I’m pretty sure mine is smarter than I am a lot of the time 😊
@@MTN_BUILT LOL ….
Heinlein, Lazarus Long, from Methusla's Children, and more...
Mule,...there was 'the Mule', character became a villain in Foundation series, Asimov? These would make good winter reading material. Have a blessed night everyone @MTN_BUILT
For me, a person should get what they are attracted to. If you really love what you have, the bond and trust between the two of you will in the end be what gives one an enjoyable and safe trail ride.
That’s so true! Plus, if you’re attracted to horses (or mules or donkeys), and you’re happy when you see them in your pasture, that’s a huge plus! We love our mules AND our horse 😊 And my wife really wants a donkey too, so we might have a problem lol 🤦🏻♂️
@@MTN_BUILT Good point. A donkey would be a cool addition.
@@garythurber9867 oh gosh! Don’t encourage her! 😂
i love your cap, i live in a cottage in Ireland called Hare Cottage .......any chance of getting the patch? :-) Annie
Thank you! We have the hats for sale on our website (mtnbuiltmerch.com), but I don’t think our supplier ships overseas 😕 I love that name for a cottage! Thank you for watching and for the nice comment though! Have a great day! 😊
I just rode a Mule once on a trail ride. The horses followed in his footsteps in the mountains. He looked over the edge of the trail and just moved calmly a few steps away from the edge. A large bug flew into his head and he didn't spook. I told him when we got back to the barn that I didn't have any carrots but would bring some tomorrow. He remembered and came to the fence when he saw me the next day. He was not as comfortable a ride as the horse there because I have a bad back or I would have wanted to ride him more.
That’s really interesting! 😊 They’re smart and sure-footed, for sure. I’m sorry your back got sore, but I’m thankful you got to at least enjoy one ride! 😊
@@MTN_BUILT The mule didn't damage my back. I already had back problems.
Love this!
Thank you! They’re such amazing animals! 😊 We’re sure thankful for ours 🙏🏼
Great information just curious to know what type of mule is the brown one thank you
Thank you! Her mom was a quarter horse and her dad was a mammoth Jack donkey. She gets those markings from the primitive dun gene ☺️
@@MTN_BUILT thank you God bless
@@robertgonzalez8419 God bless you as well!!
I really like the mules!!!
Thank you! We’re so thankful for them 😊🙏🏼
Thanks for pointing out the horse in the picture. I might have missed that!
The thumbnail isn’t actually a horse… But maybe that’s not the picture you’re talking about lol
I’m glad to see the mule get some respect.
They’re such incredible animals 😊 We’re really thankful for ours 🙏🏼
I think the surefooted-ness of mules is THE factor that decides.
I'd rather go safely through a mountain path than just fast and maybe roll downhill halfway through. XD
Also, you forgot a factor that makes them better: The precious, pretty and long ears! Perfect for danger detection but I just adore an equine with larger ears.
Haha! That’s such a great point! When those long ears get to floppin’, I just can’t help but smile 😊
@@MTN_BUILT Exactly! 🥰
Thank you for making this video, I was raised with mules and to this day I don't really care for horses, then again I don't really like cats either...
Haha thank you for taking the time to watch! We feel the same 😂😂
This was terrific!
Thank you! We LOOOVE talking about mules! They’re amazing animals 😊🙌🏼
Great video!
Thank you! That was a fun one to make… we always love bragging on mules 😊🙌🏼
@@MTN_BUILT as you should they are both gorgeous
@@bobbiemayers354 thank you ☺️
I'm a Muleowner and i love this special, intelligent Animals! Especially my very good Boy Josh! I agree with all you sayed! ❤
Awesome! They really are amazing animals 😊 We are SO THANKFUL for our little herd 🙏🏼 Give your boy Josh some scratches from us!
Will do! 😊@@MTN_BUILT
Nice looking mules!
Thank you! We’re sure thankful for them 😊🙏🏼
Sir I noticed had horizonal stripes on a couple just above the hooves. is that a little zebra in them very nice
Thank you! 😊 She has super pronounced striping for a mule, but she doesn’t have any zebra blood in her… the stripes actually come from a dun gene that present in donkeys and some horses 😊 Thank you for watching and taking time to leave a comment!
I like your explanation, plus they are beautiful. But a fairly good one is expensive at auction.
Thank you, and they really are pretty 😊
But you’re right, they are super spendy at auction, and it’s risky to buy them off classifieds, because a mistreated mule can be tough to get along with… we’ve been super fortunate with ours! 😊🙏🏼
What part of the mountain states are you in? Im wanting a mountain/trail riding mule.
We’re in Idaho, and we love it here! I hope you can get one- they’ve added a lot of value to our lives, for sure 😊
Great video did you hear whether you won the film entry and I really don't have the passion to take care of such beautiful animals but to get around John Deere made the gator for me and Polaris made the 450 and we can take them just about any where lol loved the video thanks kray
Hahaha! Thats awesome, and they don’t require as much hay either! 😂🙌🏼
We actually DID win the film festival contest… we just found out today and we’re so excited! I’m so proud of Alyssa! Thank you for asking 😊
@@MTN_BUILT that's awesome what did you win and are you going to show us the film or have we already seen it thanks kray
@@kraymississippi4388 it was the one that says “Wilderness Whitetails” with a picture of Clyde on the thumbnail picture 😊 The company is paying for us to go down to Denver to watch the film festival. It should be pretty fun!
@@MTN_BUILT yes I remember and yeah have a good time thanks kray
@@kraymississippi4388 thank you 😊
And then there's the practical jokes. A mule has a sense of humor, and USES it.
Hahaha! It’s so true! We love it when ours get in a goofy mood- they’re characters, for sure! 😂
A Donkey/Mule is more likely to defnend u against trouble. I remember heraing about a burro coming to his riders rescue when she was attacked by coyotes
Oh wow! That’s really cool! I believe it, because donkeys sure don’t like predators! 😊
I like this guy. No nonsense.
Thank you 😊
Mules inherit intellect from the donkey side, donkeys in fact are really smart they have great memory and they can get used to voice commands, they also memorize the way home no matter where you ride them to
I believe it! Mules are so incredibly smart and it makes alot of sense that it comes from the donkey 😊
Thanks from Chicago
Thank you for watching! 😊
You guys are lucky in the USA as we don't have many mules in Australia thow I did buy one from a riding school and he was a character but got away one day and broke his leg had to put him down
As man! That’s such a bummer… I’m sure that was a rough experience to go through.
But yes, we’re super fortunate to have quite a few mules on the market here in America. We sure love them!! 😊
cool, love them!
Us too! They’re incredible animals 😊
where I live in the Piedmont Alps the mules are used to supply the mountain refuges at high altitude
LukeG.B. What are the mountain refuges?
@@yoeyyoey8937 Mountain shelter, sorry for my bad english
@@LukeG.B. It’s ok I’m just curious because it’s a different culture. Like are the mountain shelters villages or towns or places people live in? Or is it for sport like climbing or camping or vacation?
@@yoeyyoey8937the shelters are managed only in the summer period by those who request from the Italian Alpine Club and last for 5 years after which the manager changes... they give hospitality to hikers and those who practice mountaineering at high altitude
Great for promoting Mules
Thank you! That was the goal 😊 Gotta share the longear love!
It seems like I read or saw a story about either John Chism or Charles Goodnight. It seems one or the other preferred mules for the ride. Which I thought was odd due to both lived close to Commanche Territory and I would think needed the speed to get away.
That’s a good point! Maybe their tactic was to dive off into rough country where they couldn’t keep up with his mule 🤷🏻♂️😊 That’s pretty interesting though!
@@MTN_BUILT Thanks
Wow, lots of cowboys in USA, don't want a horse, mule will out work anyday! John P.
Mules are incredible for riding in rough country!
We don’t rope, and we live in some rough country, so we absolutely love our mules!
Thanks for watching and taking time to leave a nice comment 😊
TOTALLY RIGHT+
Thank you! 😊 We appreciate you taking time to watch and leaving such a nice comment!
I know they use them in New Orleans to pull the carriages because they handle the heat better and are hardier. I took a ride in one and the driver was telling us that in the city only the mounted police had horses and the carriages used mules. I also saw a couple dressage mules. I know you said that mules are like dogs, but my Walker is very much like a big Lab. He does have a big head and ears so maybe he’s part mule 😳😂
Oh that’s super cool! That would be fun to do a carriage ride in New Orleans.
Haha! That’s funny that your horse is like a lab! Thats so fun 😊
Also a better choice in a city full of loud drunks, less liability.
Plus, city feller like me usually doesn't notice the difference 😂
A horse can't be part mule, because although both are equines, horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 63 chromosome, so their mule offspring can't reproduce. Meaning mules are born sterile, so there are no mule + mule, mule + horse or mule + donkey babies.
Are mules shod the same as horses? I was looking at their charcteristics. It says that their hoves are smaller and harder, making it better for rocky areas. So with the hoves being harder, do they shoe them or not?
Yep you can shoe them the same as horses but your are correct, they typically don’t need shod. We have yet to run shoes on our dun mule. Our white mule we will put shoes on his fronts in the summer/fall if we are riding a lot on really sharp rocky stuff. And some outfitters we know will often run shoes on their mule just because they are constantly on rocky trails all season. But for the most part they don’t need them 😊👍🏼 (and yes they get so hard to trim 😂😂 their hooves are like steel haha)
Can they run for long distances?
Yeah! They’re not near as fast as a horse in a sprint, but they can cover long distances really well
You just earned a sub brother
Awesome! Thank you so much for watching! 😊🙌🏼
Read " The Natural Superiority of MULES" by John Hauer. Note Mule ears are not too long, horses ears are too short in proportion to their head size.
Haha! I like your take on ear size, and after having mules for a while, I definitely agree 😊
Thanks for the book recommendation- we’ll definitely check it out! 😊
Mules are the best!
They’re such incredible animals! 😊🙌🏼
The man with no name would agree.
Por algo lo utiliza el ejercito en montañas. El andar es mas parejo y estable ..
Yes! That’s a great point! 😊🙌🏼
An Appaloosa mule should be the greatest of all. Combining sure-footedness on both sides.
Yessss! That’s what we’re hoping 😊 Our young Appaloosa mule is shaping up to be a special one! 😊
Many armies still have mules for transportation in mountainous regions
That’s what I’ve heard! Thats pretty cool that they’re still used even in an era with drones and all kinds of crazy technology 😊
A mules hind foot lands exact same spot as where the front foot was while a horse tends to overstep and this is what makes the mule more sure-footed.
That makes a lot of sense! Thank you for sharing 😊
i grew up with mules and donkey's in south florida and now have one donkey named Jenny and maybe someday get another mule and male donkey in my pasture in the great smokey mountains up here the locals ''hillbillies''hate donkeys and mules go figure and it hard to find a fierrier too but i got a old black guy that done it for years in east tennessee
That’s super interesting that they don’t like mules in that part of Tennessee! I would’ve thought they’d be a part of the culture around there.
And that’s awesome that you have a donkey now 😊 My wife wants a donkey real bad! Lol
Horses are best! ❤ ❤ ❤
We love our horse too! 😊 A good horse is an incredible animal, and they definitely have their place 😊
I was just wondering, I am a western Junkie. So I really don't know. Which would be better for a farmer? Mules or Oxen? Also could you cross your oxen with cows for a better breed? Just asking, it might be dumb question.
That’s a great question! And I think mules would be a better choice! They require a lot less food and water than oxen do. There were a lot of dead oxen on the trails west, but very few dead mules 😊
@@MTN_BUILT I also looked up Oxen, they were older steers who were castrated, who had been bread for work. I have a friend who is a trail rider, he will only ride a quarter mule. He was a hard sell, I know, he used to hate mules and tease people who rode them. I guess the laugh is on him.
@@outdoorlife5396 oh interesting!
And that’s funny about your friend! It seems pretty common for people to poke fun at mules until they’ve spent some time with them 😂
Sounds just like my XJ. Perfect.
lol I love it! I’d take an XJ too 😊
@@MTN_BUILT Both is good!
It always seems that mules are so sad.
You can see it in their eyes reflecting a sadness in their soul.
So sad 😢
That’s an interesting take, and I kind of get what you’re saying. They’ve definitely been beasts of burden in the past. Ours tend to have a more mischievous look in their eye most the time 😂
Is your dog a GWP or a pointing Griffon?
GWP ☺️
My aunt had two pit ponies they were absolutely the sweetest things ever but she was told at the auction that the one mule had killed one of the miners appearintly he had mistreated a good bit of the mules and was known for it one day he dropped something when the mule handlers were taking it back to its stall he got kicked right in the temple and died instantly theyre smarter than ANY animal ive ever been around and have a better memory than elephants the molly that killed him WAS in her 20s when it happened and lived into her late 30s at our farm where the other one lived to 41! Theyre the best animals and i wish more people understood they're more sentient than dolphins octopi ravens magpies or any other intelligent species and theyre loyal and protective too i love mules and i swear theyre my spirit animal lol
Oh wow! Thats crazy… that’s one of the many reasons to treat mules well.
But yeah, it’s absolutely amazing how smart these animals are… it’s incredible to watch them process things and make smart decisions 😊
We absolutely love them!
What about price to buy? Are they cheaper than horses?
I wish they were, but mules are generally at least as expensive as horses. 😕
I have to admit I really would never consider a mule as a animal I'd ride but then I run into folks in park where I ride on mules and they love them. I just wish they were not so ugly. My 1/4 horse is 29 and tells me every day he's ready to retire... but a mule....???
Haha! Their looks must be an acquired taste 😊 We sure love ours! We have no desire to go fast, and we love riding in the mountains, so they’re a great fit for us. And the long ears really grow on you 😉
There are a few things I miss about being a Marine. Getting to ride around in helicopters on a regular basis is one of them. Before that is spending time with the mules at Pickle Meadow. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever ride a horse, donkey or mule. Like being a Vegan that is something that is never going to make sense to anyone that does ride.
I do miss taking care of them though.
[Edit] And yeah, a mule or donkey stomped coyote or bobcat, not pretty. In a lot of cases they are better than dogs.
That’s really cool! Thank you for your service.
And I totally get it! Even just spending time around them, without riding, is super refreshing. We’re really thankful for our little herd 😊
Mules have a good sense of humour
They really do! They’re SO fun 😊
While trimming a front mule hoof, holding the hoof between my legs, the silly mule picks up his opposing rear hoof and scratches his ear. You will never see a horse do that❤
Hahaha! My wife’s mule did the same exact thing, and she brings up that story all the time! 😂 They’re so impressive! 😊
You make me want to get a mule and I don’t even ride or do any farm work or anything lol
Haha! That’s awesome! Mission accomplished 😊🙌🏼
Mules definitely have very interesting features about them. They do have characteristics that make them stand out from horses. But let's not.forget that with out horses, we don't have mules. Horses have grace, beauty, and were symbols of power and stature for centuries.
Mules have strength, endurance, and bravery. Both animals have great traits that shouldn't be ignored. Both are highly intelligent creatures, granted , mules are typically more sure footed, but so are some horses. I guess what I'm getting at here is that some people are mule people. And some are horse people.
And both mules and horses both offer great things
That’s the perfect way to put it! I don’t even have anything to add 😊 Thank you for watching and taking time to share such a good perspective 🙏🏼
@MTN_BUILT you're very welcome. I grew up around horses pretty much my entire life. But my dad had mules in the mix every now and then. He used them for lion hunts and I'd ask him why and he'd tell me they're not as skiddish as horses would be. So I grew a respect for mules and donkeys.
I grew up with ranch horses but know nothing about mules. That was informative, but not hippy-dippy. Thanks.
Haha! I’m glad to hear it 😊 Thanks for watching and taking time to leave a nice comment!
Have a great night 😊
As you will see using the link below, you can exclude the part where you said that mules cannot be used for roping
ua-cam.com/video/GFiKqc_wOK4/v-deo.htmlsi=Z8AqumajJzsUhTtA
Did I say that?! I stand corrected 😊 What I should have said was that horses are generally better for roping because of their speed and more pronounced withers. 😊
@@MTN_BUILT you are right. I just wanted to show you this
Btw i suspect the horse in Laura Ingalls books named Bunny was really a mule because look at the long ears!
Haha! That’s awesome! 😊
How much can a mule carry compared to a horse? Does the back anatomy of mules and donkeys have advantages over horses' backs?
Great questions! It varies depending upon the individual animal, but in general, pound for pound, a mule would be able to carry more weight than a horse. And you’re spot on- it’s because mule’s backs are generally flatter and more structurally sound than a horse’s back. 😊
Horse people get fired up when people bring this up, but we’re horse people too! lol we love our quarter horse as much as we love our mules- they just have different strengths 😊
Thank you for answering. Yes, from the looks of it, a donkey's or mule's back looks sturdier. Amazing animals 😊❤
I’d love a mule. Or work around them.
They’re so awesome! I hope you get the chance to spend some time around them- you’ll enjoy it for sure! 😊
My grandmother always believed mules were far more intelligent than horses.
I think she was onto something! 😊🙌🏼
That one mule looks more like a zorse or a zonkey to me. This is based on the markings and mane.
Yeah, we get that quite a bit, so you’re in good company 😊 The striping on her legs actually comes from a dun gene 🧬 which is present in donkeys and some horses 😊
I love the name Cedar. Are mules less likely to founder than horses?
We love that name too, and she actually came to us with that name 😊 And yeah, it seems like mules are less likely to founder
Stubborn as a Mule isn't just a saying. You can give your horse a nudge or encouragement and they will go where you want them to but a Mule will stand there and go "Nope!" if they think it is dangerous. If inclined they can put on a decent burst of speed, I've ridden with wranglers on mules who had no problem at all keeping up with quarter horses.
That’s really true. Mules require time to think through situations they perceive as dangerous (at least ours do). Once they trust you, the process gets a lot quicker, thankfully 😊 And yeah, we watched a mule race the other day and it was super impressive! How fast some of them were! Mine would’ve been left in the dust lol
Downside: not as great at sprinting
I don't see myself horse racing so... Yeah mules are the best. There's a reason the Marines use mules.
Also I like the way that mules have to like you to do what you ask, instead of being fear or routine motivated like dumb horses.
Yeah, it’s really true! Once you build that trust, they’re really enjoyable to be around 😊
Horses are not dumb!
My father would also tell how much more sure footed and more power a mule has over a horse
I think he was onto something! Pound for pound, their incredibly strong and tough animals 😊 And their sure-footedness is our favorite thing about them!
Maybe it's the horse in the mule that you like the most. Or maybe it's the donkey
For me it’s the combo! I love the size and athleticism from the horse, and the less reactive nature and hardiness of the donkey 😊
Do
Needs and mules can browse more than horses making packing grains less needed.
Yeah! It seems like their guts are much hardier 😊
One word to say, who knows knows: Secretariat
Secretariat is definitely faster than any mule 😂 we would definitely agree with that, and that’s why we touch on in the video how, depending on the discipline, you might be better choosing a horse over a mule! ☺️👍🏼
Ok, would you prefer a ride on Secretariat, say at age 6, or the *finest* mule - over rough country, or in city traffic? Near fireworks? All day? In a crowded show ring, all dressed up? bet not.
Are they cheaper to buy than horses?
Not really, unfortunately. 😕 We just watched a sale this weekend and the good mules were going for between $7k and $18k 😬
@@MTN_BUILT Yipe.😬
@@bethg.5611 lol yeah, seriously!
Love horses , but will take a-mule over one anytime .
Same here!! 😊🙌🏼
Number 6: Those long ears!
Yesss!! 😊🙌🏼
i am envious. no donkeys in my country, thus no mules.
Oh wow! That’s super interesting!- I’m thankful we have donkeys and mules here… they’re awesome 😊
@@MTN_BUILT indeed sir. got to spend a little experience awhile ago when i was schooling in utah on horses & the mule, as you said, on a grand canyon tour. they seemed better if you have to go on slopes or rocky trails. their feet may look more or less the same. but someone with a little animal sense, would know soon enough they use their feet after judging whether it’s safe or not. rather than “if that’s what you want” kind of thinking like the horse.