How to Harness a Team of Mules

A mule is a cross between a donkey stallion and a horse mare. The offspring of a female donkey and a horse stallion is called a hinny. Mules are extremely popular as work animals in developing countries, as they have the work capacity of horses and the hardiness of donkeys. Mules tend to be a little narrower than horses, and you should make sure that the neck collar of the harness fits correctly. This can be avoided by using a breast collar instead, which is more forgiving in fit. A team of driving mules consists of two or more animals harnessed side by side or in tandem.

Things You'll Need

  • Halters
  • Vehicle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Halter your mules and tie them up. Take the collar of the first harness and turn it upside down to allow more space for the mule's long ears. Have an assistant un-clip the lead rope of the first mule and hold it with a hand on the back of the halter. As the mule becomes more used to being harnessed, you can teach it to stand still without an assistant. Pass the collar over the animal's neck and rotate it back into the correct position.

    • 2

      Place the back strap on the animal's back and position it so that it sits just behind the front legs when fastened. Buckle it sufficiently tightly that you can still slip the flat of one hand underneath.

    • 3

      Slide the britchen (also called breeching) over the mule's rump, and buckle it to the back strap. Depending on the type of harness, there may be a loop called a crupper instead of a britchen. The crupper fits over the mule's tail, but does not allow it to use its hindquarters to brake the load as the britchen does. If you have two sets of harnesses, one with a britchen and one with a crupper, the mules should be harnessed in tandem with the one wearing the crupper at the front and the other at the back, nearest the vehicle. Hook the britchen to pole straps and neck collar straps.

    • 4

      Stand on the nearside (left) of the mule and hold the bridle in your right hand. Place the reins over the animal's neck, and have your assistant remove the halter and hold the mule by the reins. Offer the bit on the palm of your left hand, and as the animal takes it slide the bridle up and over its ears with your right hand. Take care when handling the mule's ears as they can be sensitive. Buckle the throat lash sufficiently tightly that you can fit the width of your hand between the strap and the horse's cheek. Fasten the nose-band.

    • 5

      Tie the first mule back up by putting the halter back on over the bridle. Hook the reins up out of the way and leave the mule to stand whilst you harness the second in the same way. Un-tie the first mule and back it into the shafts of the vehicle. Have your assistant back the other mule in alongside. Raise the shafts of the vehicle into position and buckle the tugs and breeching straps into place.