Training a Mule vs Training a Horse

For the largest part, there is absolutely no difference in training a mule than training a horse.  I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing mule trainers, and I have yet to have one say anything differently.  However, some will openly say this statement and some will only say it behind closed doors. 

I kind of have mixed feelings about training a mule and a horse the same.  I would say that a solid 90% is exactly the same.  Every equine learns from the release of pressure.  But that other 10% does take some time to get accustomed to if you have always rode a horse.  Here is what I have noticed with my journey of my first mule, JoJo.  Please understand, I am typically a clinician that trains people.  I have started two horses and for some reason I keep buying horses that have sat for a while in a pasture.  This was also the case with my mule.  However, our horses and mule have all won buckles, saddles, and/or titles in divisions from Novice to Open in disciplines from obstacles, dressage, mounted archery and as of last year, the mule and I even won a rodeo queen title.  Our herd is also able to be rented to trail guest with vast amounts of experience ranging from showing up with high heels on the ride, to trainers.

One main difference I have noticed is the amount of time.  In general, if I am teaching a horse a basic maneuver such as when to depart at a walk during groundwork a horse will pick this up pretty quickly.  The mule takes a little longer to fully understand what you are asking, but then once he has it, he has it for forever. 

If a mule doesn’t see the point in doing something, then he won’t.  I ask JoJo to go over a narrow obstacle bridge.  He wasn’t afraid of it, but he decided to just go around it.  I stopped him, backed him up, and then ask again and he went over it perfectly.  Typically my horses will just immediately go over any bridge I ask of them.

The reactions seem to be a little less crazy with a mule.  They will analyze the stimulus and then decide their plan of action.  A horse will react much more quickly.  However, people need to never take for granted the pure strength a mule possess and their exceptional jumping abilities.   Think about it this way, a horse is “rear wheel drive” and a mule is “all-wheel drive”.  A mule is equally as strong in its front and hind end while a horse gets its power primarily from its hind end. 

I would recommend that people not start with a mule, but graduate to a mule after a horse.  Horses in general are more forgiving.  Once a mule has something figured out, they’ve got it.  As your horsemanship improves your horse can grow with you very easily. 

After owning JoJo, I will always have a mule in my life.  My mule has some of the more interesting behaviors, but he actually enjoys the company of humans.  He has such a smooth canter and is a pure joy to ride.  The positives by far outweigh any steps in the journey that require a little more patience from me.  Every equine is an individual, just as every human is an individual. 

Written by Brandy Von Holten