How to Catch Mules That Are Hard to Catch

Mules are in the equine family and renowned for their sure-footedness, stamina and bravery. Mules need a sensitive and skilled horseman to train and work them. When mules exhibit avoidance behavior, it is important to get to the root of this behavior before attempting retraining. Retraining can be as simple as using a pressure-and-release method. This is the use of pressure to stop undesirable behavior, countered by the release of that pressure as the mule's reward. This is a psychological training method based on the equine language that uses physical cues to communicate with the mule.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure the mule is not avoiding ill-fitting tack, bad riding or driving, or especially challenging jobs. Be sure the mule is not being worked beyond his skill level. Remove any of these issues before retraining the animal.

    • 2

      Stop working the mule. Halter the animal and spend time grooming, feeding apples and carrots, and grazing the mule. Make your time with the mule only pleasurable for a week and see if the hard-to-catch behavior changes. Convince the mule that you are a good thing to be around. These mules may always need a treat to draw them to you.

    • 3

      Release the mule into a paddock if the avoidance behavior continues. Begin the pressure-and-release training by allowing the mule to avoid you. Walk into the center of the paddock, face the mule, avoid eye contact, step back from the mule and wait for him to come to you. If he refuses, walk toward him with confidence and eye contact and drive him along the paddock fence (the mule should be cantering.) This is a form of free lunging.

    • 4

      Change the mule's direction by placing yourself at an angle just before the mule's shoulder. Use this method to change the mule's direction after each lap around the paddock. Watch for signs of acceptance -- the inside ear flicked toward you, a softening of the head and a desire to stop. These are all signs of the animal wanting to stop running and negotiate.

    • 5

      Stop making eye contact, drop the shoulder facing the mule and step back from the animal. Do not move as the mule comes toward you. Step back a few feet as the mule approaches, this the "release" reward (repeat step 3 if the mule does not approach you). Pet the mule and offer a treat as he comes into your space.

    • 6

      Continue to pet and give the mule a few treats from this time forward to create a "draw" for the animal. Understand that the goal is to invoke trust and interest in the mule so that he wants to come to you.