Was at a draft horse and mule sale many years ago walking through the stock yard looking at all the stock. Came up to a pen of mules and noticed an old man looking at the mules. Sidled up to him and started a conversation. It didn't take me long to figure out he knew a lot more about mules than I did. He said "I've been around mules my whole life. They are smart and patient creatures. They will wait 20 years to get you in the perfect spot where there is no escape and then kick you through the side of the barn." Been over 40 years ago and it still makes me laugh.
True - but only if you don't have a bond with your mule. My father had a pair and that description fit one of them perfectly while the other was as trustworthy as the sun rising in the east - if she liked you. :)
mule story - there was a mule on my grandfather's farm. one day my father harnessed up that old mule to do so plowing. my dad made a few passes and the mule suddenly stopped and would not move, he just stood stone still. so my dad walked to the front and there laying in the row about 10 feet away was a rattlesnake coiled ready to strike. mules are very smart.
I used to have a couple of mules. Smarter than the horses--probably smarter than any other animal on the farm, me included. They were too small for me to ride, but my little daughters could and did ride them when I saddled and bridled them. Wonderful, funny animals; and such easy keepers! They'll eat anything in the field: grass, weeds, thorns, thistles, even poison ivy, and convert it into solid mule flesh. My mules never needed vet care (unlike the horses) and seemed to have an iron constitution. I sure miss them.
I am a fan of the mule. Their innate sense of self preservation coupled with the smarts horses sometimes seem to lack keep those riding or working them safer than we would be on our own. What some see as stubbornness I see as the refusal to do crazy ****. And that Cadillac ride is a true thing. I've never ridden a Tennessee Walker, but I can't imagine the ride would be better. Mules are to agricultural endeavors what water is to thirst.
I have never ridden a mule, not sure I'd want to tackle something more stubborn than myself. I have been around them though and none of them seemed particularly difficult. These were pack mules and other than suddenly stopping for a bite of especially delicious clump of grass by the trail, performed flawlessly.
They aren't stubborn at all. What they are is smart. They will not put themselves in danger or do stupid things. The only trick is that you need to be as smart as the beast. If the man at least equals the mule's intelligence they are a wonder and a delight. They do have long memories so it is best to be easy with them and always give them the benefit of perhaps having a reason for the behavior you find difficult. I found, much to my surprise, that working with Arabian horses was almost exactly the same as working with mules. Either creature will bust itself wide open to please you and neither one forgets or forgives bad treatment.
Thank you sir for the post. My deceased father always told me that a mule ride is smoother than any other mount. Finally in life I am able to afford a horse. I am going to try a mule first. Thanks again for the inside scoop of this animal.
H.Peter Taylor I owned a Tennessee walking horse for 24 years. Once on a week long trail ride in Nevada I rode a mule. I guarantee that the mule was smoother, calmer and more surefooted. It would not bite. It would not kick. It would not like you, but Lord, Lord, it was smooth as silk.
![What Is A Mule? [Their Surprising History and Origins]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/urzZj3HpvgA/mqdefault.jpg)
Was at a draft horse and mule sale many years ago walking through the stock yard looking at all the stock. Came up to a pen of mules and noticed an old man looking at the mules. Sidled up to him and started a conversation.
It didn't take me long to figure out he knew a lot more about mules than I did.
He said "I've been around mules my whole life. They are smart and patient creatures.
They will wait 20 years to get you in the perfect spot where there is no escape and then kick you through the side of the barn."
Been over 40 years ago and it still makes me laugh.
True - but only if you don't have a bond with your mule. My father had a pair and that description fit one of them perfectly while the other was as trustworthy as the sun rising in the east - if she liked you. :)
mule story - there was a mule on my grandfather's farm. one day my father harnessed up that old mule to do so plowing. my dad made a few passes and the mule suddenly stopped and would not move, he just stood stone still. so my dad walked to the front and there laying in the row about 10 feet away was a rattlesnake coiled ready to strike. mules are very smart.
I used to have a couple of mules. Smarter than the horses--probably smarter than any other animal on the farm, me included. They were too small for me to ride, but my little daughters could and did ride them when I saddled and bridled them. Wonderful, funny animals; and such easy keepers! They'll eat anything in the field: grass, weeds, thorns, thistles, even poison ivy, and convert it into solid mule flesh. My mules never needed vet care (unlike the horses) and seemed to have an iron constitution. I sure miss them.
The Longhorn of the equines?
Baxter you deserve the original, “been there done that” tee shirt. I love all your stories and poems.
Love the stories of our beloved long ears! God Bless You...
Love Baxter Black's humor, just discover this on youtube trolling around on mules. Thanks Mr. Black for your many years of humor!
I am a fan of the mule. Their innate sense of self preservation coupled with the smarts horses sometimes seem to lack keep those riding or working them safer than we would be on our own. What some see as stubbornness I see as the refusal to do crazy ****. And that Cadillac ride is a true thing. I've never ridden a Tennessee Walker, but I can't imagine the ride would be better. Mules are to agricultural endeavors what water is to thirst.
Amen, amen, amen.
Love His stories from the Farm...
I have never ridden a mule, not sure I'd want to tackle something more stubborn than myself. I have been around them though and none of them seemed particularly difficult. These were pack mules and other than suddenly stopping for a bite of especially delicious clump of grass by the trail, performed flawlessly.
They aren't stubborn at all. What they are is smart. They will not put themselves in danger or do stupid things. The only trick is that you need to be as smart as the beast. If the man at least equals the mule's intelligence they are a wonder and a delight. They do have long memories so it is best to be easy with them and always give them the benefit of perhaps having a reason for the behavior you find difficult. I found, much to my surprise, that working with Arabian horses was almost exactly the same as working with mules. Either creature will bust itself wide open to please you and neither one forgets or forgives bad treatment.
Perfectly played Mule Story Time.....awesome!!
Thank you sir for the post. My deceased father always told me that a mule ride is smoother than any other mount. Finally in life I am able to afford a horse. I am going to try a mule first. Thanks again for the inside scoop of this animal.
H.Peter Taylor
I owned a Tennessee walking horse for 24 years. Once on a week long trail ride in Nevada I rode a mule. I guarantee that the mule was smoother, calmer and more surefooted. It would not bite. It would not kick. It would not like you, but Lord, Lord, it was smooth as silk.
This is gold
A 4 wheel drive horse
That was great!
love it - so comical but no doubt true
This video was great.....thanks for the laugh
You're welcome! ;)
I like mule story’s thank you 🙏
I love it
That makes me think of Laddie Garrison.
the holy grail