MULE CROSSING: Much Ado About Mules

By Meredith Hodges

In the early sixties, mules were among those animals quickly becoming extinct in this country. Thanks to the formation of clubs such as The American Donkey and Mule Society, founded in 1967, and the British Donkey Breed Society, founded in 1966, the trend was reversed and the animals began to get the recognition they justly deserved.

With renewed interest in mules and donkeys, clubs and events are springing up all over the country and Colorado is no exception. Those of us in Colorado who have become mule lovers are invited to join the Rocky Mountain Longears Association. The meetings are held in Littleton, Colorado and a newsletter is sent out monthly to keep members informed of the club’s activities and to unite members of the club who cannot attend those meetings. The purpose and goals for this organization are as follows: to promote Longears and publicize the activities of our club, to promote well-mannered, usable, working Longeared animals, to provide entertainment and pleasurable activities for Longears, and to provide the opportunity for the members to help and learn from each other.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the breeding of a mule, he is the cross between a male donkey, called a jack, and a female horse, a mare. The reverse of that–a cross between a male horse, a stallion, and a female donkey, a jenny on jennet–is called a hinny, although many still refer to them as mules. Years ago people used low quality mares to breed to jacks to obtain mules, but today we are improving the breed by crossing better quality animals to obtain better and stronger mules.

The Lucky Three Ranch has come a long way since its beginning in 1980. The once 10-acre sheep ranch was successfully converted to a comfortable mule-breeding facility complete with a 14-stall barn, pens, indoor arena, and eight acres left in pasture in its earlier years. We began a breeding program with six broodmares, primarily Quarter Horses, at the ranch, four of which were in foal to Little Jack Horner almost immediately. The Lucky Three Ranch offered the option of obtaining a mule from the ranch, or if you preferred, you were invited to bring in your own mare to be bred to Little Jack Horner.  L.J. became a proven sire. Breeding season at the Lucky Three Ranch was from March to August, at which time mares could be booked and brought to the ranch to be bred. Plans for breeding could also be made in advance of the breeding season although no mares were accepted until March. High health standards were maintained for the safety and well-being of the animals. Careful records were kept and a custom made breeding chute insured the safety of mares being bred. Visitors were encouraged to come and tour the facility provided that they called for an appointment first.

Many have asked about the training of mules. Training mules is much like training horses, but sophisticated trainers would probably agree that they are more like teaching young children. A mule is more likely to perform to the best of his ability if he is allowed to build trust in his trainer. This is where mules and horses differ. Horses have a forgiving nature and are able to forget a loss of temper by the trainer; mules do not forget. When a mule is nervous about a trainer, his ability to perform for the trainer is impaired. Pat Parelli, a California mule trainer, put it quite nicely: “Mules separate crude trainers from artistic trainers.” The mule handled by a crude trainer will generally epitomize the traditional belief that mules are stubborn and ornery. The mule handled by an artistic trainer will not. A technique widely used among mule trainers with great success is the psychological science of Behavior Modification, whereby the animal’s natural behaviors are modified to achieve the desired response through the use of positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is also used sparingly. When using negative reinforcement, one must remain calm, patient, and just to ensure the success of the temporary discipline. One must remember that negative reinforcement does not build desirable behavior. It is only used to stop a bad behavior long enough to substitute a desirable behavior. A mule trained in this manner will become a more trustworthy, willing, and predictable friend and companion. Let’s dispel the old saying that mules are “stubborn” and “ornery” and say that there are really no bad mules, only bad trainers.

The success of this method of training was reflected in the accomplishments of Lucky Three Sundowner, the first mule I brought to Colorado. He was sired by Windy Valley Adam and out of Candy Etta, a registered Quarter Horse mare. Sundowner stood 16 hands tall as a three year old. He won first place in the halter class for saddle mules, 56” and over at the National Western Stock Show in January of 1983, then went on to take first place in the Mule Reining competition at the Colorado State Fair in August of 1983. He was shown again at the National Western Stock Show January 14, 1984, in Halter, Western Pleasure, and Reining. Then it was on to the Bishop Mule Days World Show over Memorial Day Weekend 1984.

The Mule Days celebration in Bishop, California is the largest mule show in the world. Mule lovers, their friends and family enjoy four days of mule-related fun and entertainment. At this particular show there is a little something for everyone: Western cuisine, games, dancing, and conversation in addition to the mule show itself. In 1984, there were over 70 different classes and events for the competitors such as Pleasure classes, Reining classes, Trail, Musical Tires, Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. Also Jumping, Cattle Penning, Steer Stopping, Team Roping, and a Balloon Bust. For the packers: Pack Train classes, Packing contests, Box Hitch and Diamond Hitch packing contests (pro and non-pro), Team Packing and the Team Packing Scramble which you have to see to believe! There are Halter classes, Pulling, Driving classes, and for you race fans: Chariot races, Flat Track races, and yes, even a Backwards race! To highlight the events, there are featured performances by special people and mules. Almost every year, the 20-mule team makes an appearance and in 1981 Slim Pickens, Grand Marshall of the Mule Days Parade, drove his team to victory in a chariot race! In 1984, Colorado’s own Al Kaly Shrine Temple Mule Train World Champion Drill Team out of Colorado Springs gave a memorable performance on their beautifully matched, black army mules. This mule show brings together so many people with different backgrounds and interests for a perfectly glorious weekend. Each year leaves you looking forward to the next.

Even those who do not ride can enjoy the fun and frolic sponsored by “Longears” clubs. The mules of today have truly given new meaning to the word “mule”. The days of the ornery, stubborn, work mule are gone, and in its place, is a wonderfully entertaining new breed capable of competing in any area of equine athletics, performing for charity benefits, and more. Before dismissing him too hastily, see for yourself what he can do at any of Colorado’s mule events. Event schedules can be obtained from any Rocky Mountain Longears Association member. So ask. Join the millions of people who are discovering mules. He’s an intelligent, surefooted, sensible, and entertaining animal, so why not give him a try?

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.

Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.

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