I am forming the belief that mules shouldn’t be started under saddle until 3 years of age or older (I’ve perused a few websites of mule ranchers who stand by this belief). I don’t believe in starting any equine too young – bones and joints, muscles and mental processes are in transition, and too early of a start can cause physical and mental damage (which is why I wish the racing world would change their ways, and some show folks, too). I think mules need a little more time, as well, due to their intelligence - a little extra mental growth. Unfortunately, I did not have a say in when Ruby was started under saddle, as I did not have her then. But day by day I can see, literally see, her maturing – not only physiological growth, but mental, too - and I feel (my gut instinct) that now would be a good time to start her, if we could start over or go back in time (she happens to be turning 3 now).
She has had a couple of bumps in the road in her training, and I am believing that they wouldn’t really be “bumps” if she had been started later. This is one reason why I do not push her right now. I let her dictate our rate of progress. We’re in no hurry, have no “agenda”. I only ride a couple times per week at this point, and for about 30 - 45 minutes. I know that no training program is perfect, and I’m certainly not perfect, but here is where we are, and this is what we have, so we proceed in the best way we can. [It's not my intention to indicate that she was abused by her previous owners. Not at all - they are good horse people. She was presented as a gift and they aren't mule folks - they weren't sure what to do with her. So they sent her to a trainer to get her started.]
Something weird happened the other day – totally unexpected: I had Ruby saddled and ready to go, and lead her to Mr. G (who was working nearby) to ask him to hold her while I mounted (it worked well once before). She backed away from him at first (he did smell of gasoline from working on a tractor), then she stood still, I got on, and she bucked (I dismounted safely). Never ever happened before. I was completely puzzled. We took her to the round pen to work her a little, settle her down. I never had to do that before – she doesn’t need “settling”. Then I tried to mount again, with Mr. G holding her, and she acted as if she would buck again. I was very sad – what on earth was happening? All my tack was fine – there were no problems in that area – no health issues, nothing like that. Then I decided to get on her the way I had been for the last month – by myself, and with a halter buckled around her neck (just the crown), tied to a post. I am able to mount from the ground this way - she holds still after a moment of moving around a little. Once I’m mounted I unbuckle the halter, away we go, and we have no problems. So I did this, and we were fine. I think she was reacting to Mr. G – to him holding her head. I suppose part of it may have been the smell of gasoline on him, or just having her head held, or just him, or all of the above (there were horses in the stallsdirectly behind her, and that may have contributed, too). So from now on, we do things ourselves, as we have been doing them. [A side note – in past posts, I mentioned working on using a mounting block, which I do like to use, and I thought she had gotten used to it. But she just seems to flat-out dislike them, so I’m now mounting from the ground. I remembered that when I “test-rode” her last fall, she did not like the mounting block at all. We'll try using it again later.]
Ruby is a somewhat sensitive young molly (as the above story proves). She requires someone who really thinks about what is going on, and someone who is respectful of her opinions. She has a very strong personality, and strong opinions. Again, I feel that some of this is due to having been started a bit young. Yes, mules speak a plain and clear language, but sometimes she seems to think that she has to sort of “holler” for fear of not being listened to (so I make sure she knows she's listened to). Some of you may think I’m crazy, and putting too much thought into this, but I’m not – not crazy and not using “too much thought”. I’m just very aware and I know my mule well. Mr. G is a good trainer – respectful and patient - but he comes on strong, and is not really a mule person. Ruby reacts to these things. I have a very good gut instinct, and am 99% correct when I use it and listen to it, and my gut instinct tells me these things about Ruby. So we work very well together. Some days it seems that we read each other’s minds – and that right there is a dream come true to a horse, mule, or donkey person.
We're catering now – she has indicated that she’s ready for some speed, and so away we go! It took a moment to get used to her rhythm (I was used to a 15.1 hh Appaloosa canter, so had to adjust to a 14 hh straight-ahead mule gait). What a lovely canter she has! It’s so easy to sit, and is fun as can be! I’m very happy about it, and proud of her. She has improved in balance and confidence, and it shows.
Mule school is extremely cool : )
Check out a cool book – In the Company of Mules, by Jody Foss. A great adventure with mules. The kind of experience most equestrians dream about.
http://www.mulesacrossamerica.com/
