MuleCrazy wrote:
AutumnEffect wrote:
If you don't have prior mule experience, I really don't think you need to be breeding. I would buy a two year old or something if you really want to start one. But I would recommend buying the mule you want rather than breeding/training one.
As someone who did years of research on mules before purchasing one, talked to umpteen million longears owners, and checked out mules rabidly before becoming a longears owner, THIS is the best advice you'll ever get. Trust me, all the prepurcase research did not prepare me to deal with a mule foal! Even after owning mules for eight years, I'm still a novice. If I had it to do over again, I would have saved the money to buy a good minded, well trained mule with lots of mileage under its belt. Yes, they are expensive, but they are worth every damned penny and then some. And don't be put off by a teenaged mule or even one into its 20's. Mules that have been brought up and cared for correctly will be useful into their 30's, and sometimes beyond.
I agree as well. If I had known then what I know now, I'd have saved a lot of money and aggravation in the long run if I spent more at the onset to buy the mule I want. Actually, I was willing to do that from the get-go but my DH is always after a 'bargain'. Penny wise and pound foolish; I'm the one who ends up doing all the work.