Mini mule

[Sevenwonders]

Hi. Thank you for the replies, and sorry if my picture of our maverick the mini mule is blurry. I want to apologize to the first reply from my original post from herd master. I didnt mean to sound so blunt and cut off the conversation. I guess I took it to personal and took his advice as almost condenscending. (did i spell that right?) I read all of your advice and I really appreciate it, as I am trying my very best along with my husband to bond with maverick with training. I feel like we are failing as he did kick me twice when I walked behind him. And boy does it still hurt! And no, I do not expect the equine vet to train him. It is our job..I know that. Im not sure how long a post is supposed to be, so I will give you all a little bit of background on maverick and his upbringing in the next post if you are interested. Thanks for your time, and your advice does help.

 

[Sevenwonders]

He’s marked up real pretty!

Thank you.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Hi all, just got a mini mule and he was raised up in a pasture with other horses and donkeys. He is 4 months old. We had him for almost 2 weeks and he will not let us go near him or he will back up and sometimes try to kick. We do not have a herd companion for him yet, but he does like our english cream retriever dog. The vet is coming out in 2 weeks to give him his first exam and shots. He is not halter trained. I am worried that he will not let the vet go near him as he fears people still. I know it takes time but we dont know how to bond with him. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you. By the way, we named him Maverick.

I don’t know maybe try posting a different thread with more details?

 

[Mini Horses]

Well, I was the orig poster & took no offense at your reply. I was trying to be gentle with you. In person you'd hear a really direct set of directions whirling, with halter in one hand and other arm around his neck!! Always easier face to face, in person. But we're not.

So get him in the stall, approach from side, toward back & not behind...talk as approaching. Give a little to resistance but do not stop your approach -- don't let him win. Even if he just moves his butt away, but stays. Praise him. Stand tight, then advance little. Soft talking will help calm him. Offer a treat. It will be slow for you, as you aren't familiar with equine body signals. You will need to force him onto a wall & halter him. Wish you were close, I'd come over.
Last colt here I had to pen & halter about his same age. About 2 hrs later he walked onto the trailer. Heads are the control. Don't be afraid.

We're here to help. He's an adorable guy.

 

[Sevenwonders]

Maverick's upbringing.... he was delivered to us on September 30th. I do not want to say the name of where we got him from for their privacy. He was weaned from his mom the end of september. He is 4 months old. ( beautiful chocolate color mini mare) and his dad ( beautiful flashy mini donkey) he was raised up in a pasture on 34 acres with horses, cows, mules, goats and sheep. When his previous owner brought him to us, he kinda yanked him out of his truck with more force than I would have. I thought that was pretty mean. He has 20 years experience with all livestock so he says. By the way, in my opinion, I don't think the number of years matter ..it is the way you treat animals. I read that mules & donkeys have excellent memory, so could the way his owner treated him be part of his fear of us? And if the answer is yes, then I know it will take a lot more time and patience. I do sit inside the fenced area with him, and he does come up to me sometimes and then backs away. Thanks for listening. I will post a picture of his barn stall that he loves to go in and eat his hay. He does have a little fenced in area outside too.

 

[SageHill]

Maverick sure is a cutie. From what you describe he more than likely has not had a lot of handling to start with which will have him not trusting because you are well "new". He was used to being out in big field with other critters. Lack of handling is better than bad handling.
You've got wonder advice from great folks here, and it sounds like you're on the right track. One thing you don't want to do is approach from directly behind. I only have experience with horses, not donkeys or mules.
Stick with it, it'll take time but you can do it. Praise - unlike dogs - is low and slow, no high pitched happy bouncy stuff though you probably already know that.
Welcome to BYH -- the folks here are the best, knowledgeable, kind, and helpful --- about the opposite of facebook.

 

[Ridgetop]

Mules are tough and also very smart. If they think they can get away with bad behvior they will keep doing it. In some ways they are harder than horses to work with. Being strict and sometimes tough with a mule will not hurt them. They know the difference between tough, strict training and abuse. Once trained they are wonderful creatures and very loving.

Listen to @Mini Horses, Baymule and Sage Hill. They all have lots of experience training horses and mules. They are willing to help anyone so take advantage of their advice. To reiterate what everyone else is telling you -

1. Defiitely castrate him - you don't want an uncastrated male even though mules are supposed to be sterile hybrids. Castrating him will calm him down and if you leave him an entire you are asking for trouble in future. A mini mule is cute and lovable looking but stallions can be very mean and dangerous. Just because he is small (mini) doesnt mean his temperament will be sweet and docile when he is grown if you don't castrate him.

2. Pen him in a small - very small - area where he can't get away from you. If he is in a very small pen it will be harder for him to kick out too. By keeping him in a small area you can work on haltering him, grooming him, teaching hm to lift his feet, etc. He will eventually have to meet the farrier to get his hooves trimmed and those guys won't bother wth bad behaved animals. To avoid getting kicked, stick close to him - right up against him - when walking round him. It will be harder for him to get a leg up to kick if you are right up against him. Also talk to him as you move around him to make sure he knows it is you and not something scary.

3. Once you can get the halter on him and he associates it with good stuff like treats or grooming, you can walk on leading him around. He is a baby and will be very frisky, so you need to teach him to be obedient on the halter asap. He looks small and cuddly now but even at this age and size he is more owerful that you.

4. Remember all his interaction with humans has only been when being fed with the rest of the herd of 34 horse/mule pairs. He knows horses and mules but humans are still somewhat odd to him except when they were fed.

When his previous owner brought him to us, he kinda yanked him out of his truck with more force than I would have. I thought that was pretty mean. He has 20 years experience with all livestock so he says. By the way, in my opinion, I don't think the number of years matter ..it is the way you treat animals. I read that mules & donkeys have excellent memory, so could the way his owner treated him be part of his fear of us?

Probably not. What looked overly forceful to you may not have been as forceful as you think. If Maverick was frightened and resisting getting out of the truck the seller may have needed to use more strength so it might have looked more harsh. He is little and cute but is also strong and powerful for his size. You will have to use your strength and leverage when working with him. You don't have to be mean, but do have to be strict and consistent. Once you have him trained to a halter and lead rope you can train him to get in a trailer by leading him.

BTW, we have a lovely gaited mule who will not load into the trailer with sweet talk. Her load command is "D**n it Josie get in the d**n trailer!" LOL She is a mule - that is all that needs to be said.

 

[Sevenwonders]

Maverick sure is a cutie. From what you describe he more than likely has not had a lot of handling to start with which will have him not trusting because you are well "new". He was used to being out in big field with other critters. Lack of handling is better than bad handling.
You've got wonder advice from great folks here, and it sounds like you're on the right track. One thing you don't want to do is approach from directly behind. I only have experience with horses, not donkeys or mules.
Stick with it, it'll take time but you can do it. Praise - unlike dogs - is low and slow, no high pitched happy bouncy stuff though you probably already know that.
Welcome to BYH -- the folks here are the best, knowledgeable, kind, and helpful --- about the opposite of facebook.

Thank you very much.