The Meanest Mule in the Marine Corps
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Everyone, meet Alice, the most infamous mule in the Marine Corps. She bites, she kicks, she'll use all 1,200 pounds of her body weight to put you into a wall! Our smallest but just-as-fiesty Marine, Corporal Rachel K. Young, catches, grooms and tacks Alice in this never-before-seen insight into the Animal Packers Course at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Stables, the only place in the United States military that you can learn how to lead a string of mules carrying vital supplies through the austere terrain that no vehicle could take.
Comment your thoughts and subscribe to see more of Cpl. Rachel K. Young taking the Marine Corps' challenges by the horns.
Hey everyone, this is Cpl. Young! I'm premiering part two of this video now! Watch and comment, we can talk about it together! ua-cam.com/video/SsU26tL-Hag/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TeamMLG
Cpl is very beautiful and knows how to handle very well
Capl. Young, I and my team of Belgians had the same problems until harnessing up became part of our everyday routine. I know you would have that success if you had that repetition.
Please teach these handlers how to handle these mules. They have no clue how to tack or clean their hooves, grabbing them in the wrong spot throwing them off balance. The reason you are always on the left side when tacking and getting on/off is so the mule or horse for that matter has consistency and knows what to expect otherwise they get nervous and will act out. Also the chains, seriously??? She clearly snapped the chain to "correct" the mule, it's abuse.
Always pat her on the rump as you walk around the back side but stay close to her if she kicks she only lefts you a little and you don't get hurt keep your elbow forearm on her rump as you pat go back and forth a few times patting her down talk to her until you see her licking her chops then she saying she's okay with you. She'll do as you ask.
Hi Corporal Young, I served active duty from 1974 to 1980. Immediately after getting out of the Marines, the G.I. Bill paid for my tuition for Horseshoeing/Farrier School, which was 3 months long. It was all hands on training. I was raised around horses and livestock. My sister works as a horse wrangler on large ranches in Arizona and Colorado, her husband is an official Mule Packer for the US Forest Service. I have to say that whoever trained you how to handle horses/mules did a crappy job. That mule is not mean at all. You are mishandling the animal. That is not how you pick up the feet of the horse/mule. The way you are jerking his front leg around can cause him injury and cause you injury. If you pick up the front hoof the correct way, even a child can do it with little effort. You are grabbing the leg, instead of gently lifting it. You have to position your feet one each side of the leg, then gently nudge the animal with your back side. Then you place the hoof between your knees. It is a good work out for the upper leg muscles. Also, the mule is already trained to allow you to pick up his hooves, if you do it the correct way. You have the lead rope tied to a flimsy unsecured pipe fence in some kind of tight knot, instead of a slip knot. That horse can yank that flimsy fence down on top of you. I blame your instructors, if they taught you how to handle horses like this, they need to un-blank themselves. Mules are actually easier to handle than horses, especially if you are putting on new horse shoes or just trimming the hooves. Their hooves are bigger and wider than a regular horse.
LMAO. I remember Alice from when I worked there back in 2010-11. She's not mean. She's just smarter than most of the folks trying to work with her. lol.
I went to MWTC in 09 and Alice was a beast then. Arlo fell on me as we both rolled down a hillside I had to Evac on a horse. Good times.
Hey I'm curious, why weren't they wearing cover while outside? I did not serve, so I wouldn't know.
@@migiddymike1403 I assume they are under some kind of awning or structure.
@@GarroldRwell, check out the first few seconds of the video.
@@GarroldR I'm only asking because yall said you've been there. I have no idea
Alice may be a little stubborn, but she's still beautiful.
Absolutely true.
That is called anthropomorphism, Attributing human characteristics to animals. It is not being stubborn, just being a mule and testing boundaries. Now is the time to train that out of him instead of letting it get much worse and become a real danger.
Nathan Chiaro I'm curious, do you even own a mule, or maybe just horses? Mules cannot be pushed into doing anything that will cause harm to themselves. I've heard of horses running in front of truck and the rider needing to bail off, the horse killed. I've heard of horses being horses and a green horse and a selfish cowboy got a little girl killed trying to cross a four lane highway so he could get a biscuit on the other side. Both the child and horse were hit by a semi. I've never heard of a mule doing that. I've had mules, this one since he was 18 months, he's coming 17. Once we bonded, he goes wherever I ask and I trust him to put his feet where we won't get into trouble. Had a stupid cowboy on a horse spooking and spinning on a narrow trail next to a drop off. My mule happened to be near the edge when the trouble started. He just stood calm and I had no fear of him stepping off the edge to get out of the way, he would have backed out of the way.
There is a reason there is a saying....... " Stubborn as a mule"
august / April 21st, 2021: Beauty isn't enough for a working mule - if she were mine I would have employed an experienced horse/donkey behaviorist. She has to learn to accept the will of her humans - cost what it may.
A little tip for when your picking her feet, lean up against her a bit more and hold her foot more from the front rather then holding her leg and if you bring out her back feet a bit further while you pick them, it makes it harder for her to pull her foot away and makes it harder for her to kick you, plus, she might relax her leg a bit more. That's just what I do with my horses and mules and most of them are very similar to Alice, and it seems to work pretty well with them so I hope that it might help! :) also, thank you so much for your service!! 💚
I think it's awesome they still teach these skills. If the worst ever happens, it's gonna be mules and horses hauling all of our crap around.
If it ever comes to that we’ll be sitting ducks for invasion.
@@ChineseChicken1 if it comes that far.. it happened everywhere else too.
Count me in I love horses and mules
Often Moutain corps keep using mules for hauling cargo and even light artillery gun in situation where Mechanized vehicules can't go, or choper not available, i'have seen French "Chasseurs alpins" and Austrian "Gebirgsjäger" keep using those in the Alps, officialy in French army mules as stopped to be used since 1975, but... soldier keeps using hit still today
Glad to see the USMC is still after all this Time using Mules and Horses !!! This young Marine Girl is a Wonderful Patient Person !!! OORAH Keep up the Good Work Marine !!!!
This Young lady handled grumpy Alice very well, using patience and kindness.
I like to use a crowbar much more effective
Thanks Captain Obvious!
@@petemitchell6788 You're welcome Corporal Dork 😎
She's a brave girl. Like I said , I'd take Alice out into the round pen for an attitude adjustment. She's not the boss lady.
@@LR-ku8fn you're an ass. 😐😐
This is S/Sgt T. Smith. I began the Marine Corps Animal Pack Program back in the mid 80's. They sent me to Bud Nelson packing school in Jackson Hole Wyoming to learn how to pack mules. Wow, it's come along way from my humble beginnings.
Semper Fi
I had no idea that Marine Corp still had mules. I probably have about million questions but I guess maybe that mules might be used in mountainous areas where vehicles can't get to or are they used in a more ceremonial role? Next question does the Army still have mules? I did read a article that either the Austrian or maybe the German army still has some mules for some of their mountain forces.
Just some advice if you would like it.
When picking up the feet. Once it's off the ground rub the mule over the legs and belly and chest until they relax a little. Make it feel good to have their feet off the ground.
Talk to a farrier about the proper way to hold up a foot. She was tossing you around a little but she is a big girl.
Dont just drop the foot when done. Lower it to the ground, that way she wont be expecting and bracing for the foot to fall and she will get softer.
Good on you for having fun with the mules!!!
Very good advice! As a farrier all I could think is, you think your winded now try shoeing 8 a day lol.
Jeremy, you are a good man trying to help Alice life to improve. I`m afraid she has a new caretaker all the time.
I’ve seen some of the people who to that put their foot in between their legs
@@AlexanderRodriguez-vs3xk That works well if you have the body mass to hold it there.. Her body mass versus Alice's hind end strength would get her launched. Alice is a big girl.
@@eledatowle7128 true.
Alice isn't mean: at her size and weight, if she were mean, a human wouldn't come out of the encounter intact! The sad thing I've observed around mules is that too many humans dislike them, &/or believe the trope about them being "stubborn." Mules will assert themselves and will show resentment if they aren't treated well. Alice reminded the marine she was dealing with another sentient being, not a machine! This marine was kind, patient, & persistent. I hate to think how many humans Alice has had experience with who were determined to "show her who's boss," without regard for her feelings and intelligence. Kudos to this marine, and to Alice.
@Lord Ass or is it just the mule's sense of humor.?
If only more people approached interacting with other people with kindness, patience, and persistence, the world would be a lot better off.
Mate well said.
I love mules, donkeys and horses. Such beautiful beings 🥰❤️❤️❤️
@@BongRipBing yeah... But humans are messed up. Some struggle with PTSD from a childhood of abuse. Others are just naturally antagonistic. Some are sweet, some are dumb. We gotta take them as they come and find out where they're coming from and go from there. Jesus healed and ministered to the most broken. All we can do is show them the love, mercy, and kindness that Jesus shows us. I ain't saying it's easy...lol. but practice makes perfect. 😘💞💖
Ha, can’t believe they made a video about Alice, I remember dealing with her back in 2017. My favorite part was during the morning round up when you had to go catch your mule for the day. Alice would always walk straight towards people and volunteer as most the others ran around. She knew what she was doing
Did she volunteer to work with the best or worst handler?
@@mrsmcdonald9363 well truthfully she didn’t seem to mind anyone, she just wanted to be around people. She would walk straight to the gate to be “caught”.
@@zh1199 So she likes people but wants to be treated nicely and competently. I like Alice.
@@zh1199how old is alice?? I saw another comment that said 2010-2011
My grandfather had a mule when he was in the marines, the mule’s name was Washburn and he would tell me stories of the adventures he and Washburn went thru. Thank you so much for bringing those stories back to me.
Well done Corporal Rachel K. Young, Alice is a big, powerful and formidable mule, with her own mind. She's very scary, and must be respected. Rachel you were great!
"I feel like we connect on that level of being as*holes" haha this woman is a legend.
I feel like every time you hugged/ petted her she smiles (look at her eyes and however so slightly the eyelids go up, like when your smiling really big) or said she knew her worth! I loved how Alice was also messing with you with her hooves but not trying to hurt you! Thank you for being kind and patient to her!
Dude I love how that woman was so patient with her. And on another note damn is that mule huge
Draft mule...I believe a donkey, draft horse cross.
might have some Poitou donkey in her since those were used to make giant mules.
Perhaps a mammoth jack, as large as these mules are. I've seen some as tall as 17hh
Lol. I grew up on a farm and we had a mule. I loved him so much. He bonded with me I suppose because he saw me when I was just a baby till I was about 15. He was pretty ornery with everyone else. We were best buds so he was always gentle with me.
Okay but that moment at 0:42 when you can see Alice truly enjoying the bit of affection she is getting from the marine
Aw Alice. Mules are so straight in the hind end, not uncommon for the heavy guys to be stiff and not want to extend for picking the feet. You showed her a lot of patience and that's wonderful that the Marine Corps still works with mules. What a skill to have.
How does a winning jockey communicate with his horse?
: He lays his cards on the stable.
@@mikedavidz6161 LOL!
@@alycewich4472 😊✌️
All I know is as a former Marine I can see the love you have for the horse and your job! Semper Fi Marine!
Horse ??
MY great uncle was a muleskinner in France in WW1. He moved ammunition, artillery shells, food, and water to the front. I have photos of him with his mules and outfit. Wish I could send them to you. I found this in his things from an Army newspaper. He lost his hearing and a toe to frostbite. He was never the same after the war. " An American private, astride a water barrel that was being drawn by a mule to the front, told the mule what he thought of the animal's balking in the middle of the road that was constantly being shelled by the Germans when a direct hit was made on the mule. The mule vanished from sight save his head, which was thrown several yards up the road, and a couple of legs, which were left hitched to the cart. The driver was thrown from his seat unhurt. He got up on his feet, wiped the mule from his face, and said to a much shaken comrade who hugged the earth nearby " That what the damned cuss gets for balking!" " Thank you for your service. Glad we didn't have mules when I was in the Army at West Point, except a couple for football games. Maybe you could ship your mean mule off to West Point!
I stay without any word, after read the narrative. And sad when thinking that must of the suffer when are in service is consecutive to the shock after saw the reality of war. Of course no one is the same again. But all, everything can be leave in the past... Best regards
Over 8 million horses and mules died in WWI. The conditions they worked in were terrible.
@Leona Bastet "human males" you realize how many women supported fighting at every point throughout history? You realize women leaders have sent people into combat for frivolous things just like men right? Are you one of those "women ruling the world would be more peaceful"? Because it has been proven throughout history that women leaders are also ruthless and had a 27% higher chance to start wars than the kings. Waging wars and being ruthless doesn't discriminate against race or gender.
@Leona Bastet I recommend writing your longer responses in some kind of word doc, notes or something similar. Or, if you don’t write off comment to start, at least copy and paste what you start to write that is long into one, then you won’t lose it. I learned the hard way to do this.
Loved this! Alice knows when she has a greenhorn. ;) Looks like she had a Belgian dam. We didn't have mules on our little hobby farm, but Dad started raising donkeys. They're much smarter than horses, which is where mules get it from. Willing horses will do themselves to death for you. Mules and donkeys say, dangerous for me? Screw you! Stand back and let me think, and if I figure out a safe way, *then* we'll proceed.
YeeHaa! Warm greetings from a retired USAF SMSgt. I was raised using a farm mule (Kentucky), and I know they can be difficult. I appreciate that Cpl. Young held her own with the Lady and got her tacked out for the day's duty roster. God bless!
Wow, 20 years a Marine and I never knew the USMC had four legged mules. All the mules I met only had two legs.
SF uses them when they go to places a conventional vehicle won't cut it.
🤣🤣🤣🤣👍 Round of applause to you sir!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
And they were called jackasses
Why the fuck do they have mules
@@pauliewalnuts2527 To carry and haul stuff
These two will make a wonderful team if given the chance. The first few weeks may be tough but gosh you guys are both worth it. Every thing you can learn will go in your own tool box to keep forever!
My dad, (retired CSM and veteran of WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam), told me that mules or horses that would kick had their tails shaved so that people would know not to walk behind them. Hence the term "shave tail."
Alice is just precious and needs her own UA-cam channel lol.
It looks like she makes you work for the privilege of being in her amazing presence.
Alice has very poor ground manners. She needs to be worked with daily.
Alice is magnificent! And I really appreciated how the tenacious young Marine kept her cool while Alice played with her little. And in the end, Alice was saddled! Looks like these folks have THE BEST jobs in the military!!! Stay safe! Great job! Much love!
I'm laughing my ass off watching this gal wrestling her mule, knowing full well I'd have been kicked to death just trying to brush it. Great vid.
That's the largest mule I've ever seen. To me, they have draft horses in them. That's one powerful animal. I like Corporal Young's attitude towards Alice. To be nice and patient sets the proper tone, and establishes a good relationship with the mule. Once you get in those mountains, her life will depend on Alice.
Bet her mamma was a Belgian mare.
@@christhompson3750 - From the color and muscle shape - I'd agree. I'd much rather ride a mule than a horse. Much smoother and more sure-footed. Special saddle, though - to fit their backs.
I love these big draft mules! And Alice's very capable two-legged friend knows how to be patient and loving while gaining her cooperation. A wonderful video.
The brighter the horse/mule/pony the more “difficult” they can be. Alice obviously knows exactly how things are supposed to be done, and sees no reason why she should accept anything but the right way! Tough on the trainees (a school mistresses!) But once she accepts you, she’s the one you want to be working with in a tight spot!👍
Alice is a "lesson" mule. You can learn a lot from an animal that will get away with all it can but not attack you. We had a horse like that and the owner of a stable down the road wanted to buy him to train new riders. We never sold him.
This reminds me of a story an old marine told me. Many years ago when he served, there was a big black gelding named Blackjack. He was known to be mean as hell, bolt, buck, you name it he’s done it. He said they’d always put the newbies on him and tell them he was the gentlest horse they got. Then old Blackjack would take off with them, leave them in a field somewhere and come trotting back to the stables without his rider. 😂
You did really well. It was a lesson in patience and understanding. If you were the only one handling Alice, I suspect she would begin to relax more during the whole process.
i am so proud of all you Marines. you all took care of us Navy guys so much. Thank you for all you do every day and thank you Alice
Thanks for sharing a slice of life from your day. Made me think of my late uncle. Mules are one hella smart animal. My uncle used to own a pack station in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He would have traded every one of his horses for a mule if he could have. They don’t founder as easy, they are more sure-footed, they can carry more, etc. You just have to watch out - they can kick in all four directions, unlike a horse.
As well as their hind feet and body reaching for the sky when they double kick.
This woman melts my heart, love her perseverance with this Missouri Mule.
Miss Malice. Now I know where that saying about 'stubborn' comes from. She's bloody gorgeous though... Being a total diva, but I hope she's never actually intentionally hurt someone. She's a BIG girl. ❤️
My mums uncle was an Irishman in the British army during WW1 and a horse and mule expert.. Mules were used extensively alongside horses and though he was Irish was respected by the horse loving British officers. He was a horse person all his life, and used to buy broken horses and heal them. Great choice of music.
I'd really like to see a continuation!
I was in the Marine Corps and never even knew that they did stuff like this. Pretty cool!
Subtitles: "Alright guys, so today I'm going to ATTACK Alice."
I always thought that mules were generally the same size and build as a standard horse, but man she's huge. No wonder people use them for heavy lifting.
Way to stick with it! Each time a new human enters that horses or mules circle the test begins. Respect is never transferred it’s given when you pass. Being fair & honest and not giving up in the middle of a disagreement has suited me in my horsemanship, sometimes the answer is working at the disagreement in another way but always end on the positive.❤️
How does a winning jockey communicate with his horse?
He lays his cards on the stable.🙏☀️🌟🌟💯
I love how she talked to Alice and asked her to help lift her feet. Alice needed TLC. I would guess other riders were men and sometimes they can't see Alice is a feeling sentient being, rather than just a piece of army equipment. She needed some kindness. I liked how this young lady handled the situation. Bravo!
Way to gender stereotype.
@@SagebrushRambles Way to be a douchebag!
@@hotrodhog2170 Yeah, no, I find the original comment kind of sexist.
@@amyb.6368 Waah, grow up! Quit being such a damn crybaby! There was absolutely nothing wrong with what baby boomer said! Just because YOU think it was sexist, doesn't make you right!
Working with a mule is about patience and kindness. You absolutely must be patient. They are very intelligent and can use their smarts against you.
I’m glad you focus on her stress and reducing it and being kind; that’s exactly what they need! And Alice seems smart in a more assertive way😂 but I relate so hard the the kicky legs when it’s time to clean hooves. It’s a workout on its own…
I remember joint mountain warefare training with the mule unit at Bridgeport CA back in the 80s. USMC was the only military unit to maintain a mule unit prior to Afghanistan. Semper Fi!
Alice is awesome! Thanks for your service Alice! Thank you to all our men and women in camo. Love you all.
When dealing with difficult horses, and mules, win them over with treats. I prefer the round puff peppermints. When they hear that crinkly wrapper, it immediately gets their attention.
Or the tiny individually wrapped candy canes!
Yep. Stock up on them at the after Christmas sales
I've been around mules and love them. You are doing a great job with Alice. Not all mules act that way, regardless of what is said in the comments. Most don't act that way because they have chosen not to act that way. Extremally smart.
She’s huge!! You definitely handled her very well! It looks like you two have a sibling relationship 😆
This is very impressive great job!!🧡
As an equestrian who rides quite a few grumpy horses you handled Alice very well
If your horses are grumpy, they want you to know that something is wrong and you're not listening.
Ulcers.
You cinch too tight too soon.
ill-fitting tack
etc
etc
Pain is something a horse will show by being so-called grumpy.
@@user-is6yl9wi7e i agree with u but that isnt always the case. more often then not it is but like people horses have bad days to
Nice to see someone treat a more misunderstood/difficult horse with kindness and respect. I Had a horse that mishandled to the point of near abuse. He was pretty nasty and untrusting. The stunned look on his face when I didn't hit him for trying to bite me but grabbed his head and patted him instead was heart wrenching. It took a year to fully gain his trust in all situations, but what a loyal friend for many years then was he. He would go through a forest fire for me knowing I would never ask him to do anything that would hurt him. Go Rachel!! Keep at it.
She reminds me of a mule we had named after my aunt Doris.
It takes all kind of bravery to make our military great!😂😂 God Bless you all with a safe journey home!
Cpl. Young is amazingly patient. I wish that i had what she has. i doubt any Male Marine would do what she did. By the way, I'm a 78 year old Male and really respect the Marines and what they do.
I love her. The Marine is great as well.
1200 pounds, I bet Alice is every bit of 1600 pounds.
That girl is tall
@@sherryridlen9357 My Guess is Alice is mid 16 hands, say 16.2 hands.
I agree on the weight. She's a lot bigger than my 1,200 # mare.
@@katiedotson704 I agree Alice is definitely out of a Belgian. I think all the mules in this video are. I have a Belgian john mule out in my pasture that looks just like her, any Belgian mule I've ever seen looks like that. lol Haflinger mules can look about like that but are a lot smaller.
A gentleman should *_NEVER_* question a lady's weight. It's just healthier that way.
1:58 you both have great expressions. Well, you. Those pinned ears on Alice though
I've watched this so many times! It's great! That mule has her number from the minute she approaches her!!
She just wants tender loving care and everything her way, Do love this Video 😂🤣💞
Had a beautiful grey appaloosa mustang gelding once. He was cranky, especially in the mornings. But hey, so am I. So we actually connected on a pretty good level. Best trail and ranch horse I ever rode. I like Alice; reminds me of him. By the way, well done corporal hanging in there. Thats how its done. Cpl. USMC 1975-77 Hoorah!
Alice simply needs some understanding and much more love. 😆
That "HARD WORK! HAAAARRRD WORK!!!" song just popped in my head watching her work so hard poor girl!
Your a good kid, I hope your parents are proud!!
I'm very proud!!
I have a new love...Alice. Please post more of this beautiful Mule and her caretakers.
You did good with her. We are all pains at times. I think that she loves you.
I’m in my mid 60’s. My long departed grandfather loved mules, and walked many, many miles behind one farming, as did my father. Grand-dad always SAID the best training tool for a mule was a handy length of 2x4, complete with a nail when available, which was to be “gently” applied to the mule’s head, between the eyes when possible. I know he was pretty tough character before my time, but I never saw him treat an animal badly.
I DID, however, witness him opening a living room window so his mule could stick it’s head inside so they could watch “he-haw” together.
Hitting a mule in the head with a nail sticking out of a 2x4 isn't treating it badly? Boy, do we ever have different ideas about what 'treating it badly' means.
@@thebeagles2025 you don’t comprehend your reading very well. This was sort of a tongue in cheek bit of his humor. As I said, I NEVER saw him mistreat an animal, but I DID see him bring his mules head through the living room window so they could watch TV together.
Besides, what part of “gently” applied to the mules head made you think of striking the mule?
Sounds like a nice backscratcher you got there. Or rather a forelock scratcher!
All respect due, ma'am. Alice weighs more than my C152 empty, and it's hard enough hauling the Cessna around without having to deal with kicks when checking the landing gear.
"She knows her worth" xD Love it
Mules are way smarter than people..Alice is loving every minute of this😂
There is a problem here. Clue: Alice isn't it.
I guess in a learning curve, most of us start at the bottom.
It would have been helpful if the handler was being given better direction and instruction. This would probably have prevented Alice's discomfort and agitation and her subsequent attempts to bite her handler and move around.
Nice to see her handler remain calm and good-natured, but this could have been done so much better.....
There's a video on UA-cam where one of the great conditioned response trainers from New Zealand work w the Marines and horses that have the honor of serving at Arlington Cemetery.
I suggest this outfit do the same.
When I embraced conditioned response training the stress level went down, safety went up, horses and I were pleased w ourself and the other.
BTW my dad was a Marine 36-66... I had the honor of seeing Reckless at Camp Pendleton in the '50s.
Transcript between Alice and her marine:
Marine: Alice, if you bite me again, l promise you I will bite you back.
Alice: bring it sister!
Marine: don’t tempt me. If this camera was not here right now, you would be getting a big old bite mark from me.
I was a Marine working with Alice back in 2010-11. I had that conversation with her. I got a broken foot.
@@sampen3860 Others have suggested her spine might be out, or she might have something else going on and is avoiding pain. Did they check her out for her health?
@@sampen3860 OUCH!
I was in from 87-91 and I had no idea the Corps had mules. I probably would have tried to get that MOS instead of supply. Semper Fi!
Here comes the equestrian Karens correcting every millisecond of living this woman does 😀
Exactly.
@@lila2986 Wut?
Delightful in every way. I adore her spunk. 😂
She’s cantankerous for sure lol
Once worked at a hunting camp where there was a big, black mule named Sam. Most of the skinners were afraid of him. Only Slim would work with him. They had an agreement, “You kick me, I kick you.” It helped that Slim could think like a mule. He treated Sam well and Sam appreciated that.
No, I say its foolish to aquire a belgan mule for such work. She will learn to push her handler around. Becuse of her size.. Better to find and breed quareter mules for such work. 13 to 15 or 16 hands at the most. and start them at a young age.
You will never
find a Sgt Courages ; from among this stock.
I've seen 900 pound mules push big men around.
I love how every loving pat produces a cloud of dust. Earthy equine!
I'm over here like i didn't even know the Marines still retained an equestrian unit!
I was really amused when the superior complimented the Marine for her knowledge on how to tack from the animal's right, and then politely asked her to do so from the other side instead, and then when she asks for clarification as to why, he says, "We want uniformity," she's just like, Right. 😒 "Marine Corps. 😏" 😂
How else do you think mules communicate? Talk? She reached around when you were trying to cinch her. The pack saddle is sitting on top of her shoulders. It should sit BEHIND them, never on them. We all have much to learn from animals, & she is trying to tell you she hurts. I feel sorry for her that no one is listening. I guarantee you, if someone were to ride her they would get thrown.
Please listen to her & examine her tack & how it is put on her. She is acting up out of pain.
Yes it is pain
If Alice was mean you'd be dead! She has a sense of humor that matches her collossal size!
Growing up, my grandfather had two mules, Jack and Kate. Kate was the most gentle of animals, not a mean bone in her body...my dad trusted Kate with me as a little kid. Jack on the other hand was one mean mule. The only time I could handle Jack was if my dad, grandfather, or grandmother were around as they knew his moods. Jack wasn't as big as Alice, but I do believe he was meaner. Thanks for the video!
I was a mule skinner on a canal boat in Easton Pa., worked and trained mule teams for years, that’s a mule being herself. Truly mean mules make sure you bleed and or cry ever time you make them do anything.
That mule aint mean, she simply has the wrong packsaddle and this one placed in the wrong place too.
She’s a beautiful creature for sure and you show great patience. Maybe tell Alice where glue comes from.
Well done. Just keep at it for success. Thank you for sharing Alice w/ us.🐴
I've had to deal with ornery mules and horses and I discovered that a pocket of treats makes everything go smoother.
I I’m love with Alice!!! That mule is smarter than the people pushing themselves on her. Great video
Thank you guys. From a Sailor to you all, thank you
Good job grooming and tacking up Alice!
Alice the Mule: "Mean? I'm actually taking it easy on you. You don't want to see my mean side, trust me."
Kindness and patience will always be rewarded - some animals learn to be mean if that is how they come to expect to be treated by their handlers!
I had no idea the Marines had mules. Time for some searching/education. Thanks for sharing.
Dang! That's one beautiful,(and smart,) mule!
The meanest mule and the most beautiful Marine. She has the patience of Job to put up with that mule.
This is such a great story! That mule had her number from the minute he laid eyes on her!!😂😂
This young woman has tenacity and would make a great veterinarian.