haleth wrote:
Thank you very much for all the advice!

AE, no, I don't think a jack would correct my mare's back, though I had no idea if that was possible or not until someone said that in an earlier comment.

I don't need a mule to ride right now. I am aware they take a long time to mature. That's why I want to make a decision about breeding while my mare is still relatively young - in 10 years I'm not going to want to breed her, and I won't want to wait another 6 or so for a baby to grow up, either.

And I don't have a lot of experience with mules. I don't have any experience with mules, actually - I'm aware they are different from horses, and a vague idea of how they are different. Meeting some mules is definitely something I want to do before I decide anything. I did not know that the difference between a mule foal and a horse foal would be greater than the difference between an adult mule and an adult horse. I'd feel comfortable starting my own horse baby - if I wanted a non-gaited horse, I'd pick up a baby at a rescue or auction. Hmm. I know mule babies require a great deal of handling.

How do you know, when looking at adult mules, that they've been handled appropriately previously? I admit I tend to be a do-it-myselfer, and the idea of training my own appeals to me, but that doesn't make it the best idea. Sounds like it isn't.

Think I'm pretty much talked out of breeding, anyway. I'm going to try to make it to Bishop Mule Days. Anyone else going?

Oh, 4HKO, I'm in Butte county - southern end, couple hours from Redding. You're up thereabouts, aren't you?
Since you have no experience with mules, I strongly recommend buying a finished one rather that a young one to start yourself.

This article may help you figure out what to look for when buying a mule.



a box of rain will ease the pain, and love will see you through...