A New Addition -Don't Blame Me! Bob Started It!

[Paul_Guraedy]

I agree that mules are highly intelligent and this is why I do not fully trust them (I do not mean this from just a danger standpoint). They are not mean by nature; but, react to perceived threats by being dangerous on both ends. Teeth on one and hooves on the other combined with a willingness to use either or both. Their intelligence will also lead them to taking advantage...if possible.

I was working a team of mules at a historical farm. One of the mules was easy to work, the other would ease up onto the harder ground where it is easier for him to pull. This forced the person plowing to push harder on one handle to keep things going straight. I only had to jerk sharply on the reins, scream "get back down there" (along with a few other expletives since no visitors were around) and he would step back down into the soft dirt. An "old timer" watched me for a while then without saying a thing, went to his truck, took out a whip, walked over in front of the mules, cracked the whip several times, walked back alongside the team (their vision was restricted by blinders) to me (standing in amazement, then shock as I just knew we were going to be fired), then back to his truck and put up the whip. After this loud, but non-verbal, demonstration that mule kept the plow right in line!

I was stationed (National Park Service) in several parks in the Rockies. An interesting difference in mules and horses became evident and can be summed up with the statement I heard there, "Think of horses as two-wheel drive and mules as four-wheel drive." Mules tend to "walk" up steep slopes while horses tend to "hop" using both back feet at the same time. Mules are a heck of a lot more comfortable to ride under these conditions. But, they are devilishly hard to get and keep in a hurry!

The truth is that I miss mules.....a lot.

[Ashbys]

Paul,

Here is a bit of history trivia that will show a big difference between mules and horses.

Durning the American civil war, the field cannon would be pulled with mules , until they were to be placed forward into battle, then they were exchanged with horses.

The mules would not pull a gun in a battle, the horses had to be used, as they would do as directed.

Another difference between horses and mules, It is possible to ride a horse until it dies under you. They will run until they die from exhaustion , a mule will not.

[BobD]

During the rennasiance, when you hear about the knights in shining armor (full-plate armor for anyone who cares)...they originally tried to train the mules to carry the knights into battle, because the mules could carry more weight, but they couldn't get the mules to charge into battle!

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Lets see, mules are smart but mean, will get you with either end, will not settle down until you crack the whip, they are paranoid at perceived threats, don't want to pull their end of the load, won't go into battle will run from it.....hummm good choice icon for a certain political party? sorry, I couldn't resist, it was sitting right there next to global warming ha ha

[BobD]

Hey....lets keep the Independents out of this!!! I know that's the only people you could be referring to because like mules, they're sterile!

Donkeys are some of the smartest, most compassionate and caring animals I've ever had the opportunity to work with! Donkeys have been known to go after gold miners who succomb to toxic gasses deep in the mines!

Bob

EDIT: Just wanted everyone to know that I'm saying this with my tongue firmly in my cheek...not trying to start a political debate, or anything of the sort...just havin a little fun!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Come on Bob.....Mules and Donkies are just a bunch of asses!

[Paul_Guraedy]

I had not heard of the problems that have been posted concerning mules and battle. There was an interesting incident concerning mules that occured in New Mexico during the Civil War. I believe it was the Rebels that came up with the idea of using mules as bombers. They strapped some powder kegs on the mules, approached the enemy lines, lit the fuses, freed the mules and ushered them toward their opponents. Unfortunately, unlike terrorists today, they failed to indoctrinate their bombers properly; or perhaps, mules being sterile, they were simply not interested in heavenly virgins as a reward. For whatever reason the mules decided to return to familiar territory. The surprised initiators of this bombing run began a run of their own. Mules being interlligent animals realized that something threatening was causing the hasty retreat. The race was on and not going in favor of the humans. Only a detour into the Rio Grande River kept them from sharing the fate of their mules.

[Nancy-ID]

Okay, being a horse person, I've heard enough! It is my opinion that "Mules are smarter than horses" is one of those rumors that got started and since most are inclined to stick up for the underdog, it stuck. Another wives tale. Mules are hybrids, half horse, half donkey. Donkeys are cute but totally worthless little idiots. So if that is half of the genetic pool, where did these alleged smarts come from??? It is also my opinion that if they are so dang smart, why would they risk being "manhandled/abused" by not doing what they have been asked to do? Not very smart I think. I have worked (many long years professionally,) with horses. (my only claim to fame) A good horse will learn what is wanted of them quickly and have the will to please. Thus they do what it expected of them. Smart, huh? Wink Donkeys on the other hand . . . well like I said above. Mules fall somewhere in between. I have ridden mules, broke mules, drove mules and yup, even actually cultivated, behind a plow, lines over neck, gee & hawed mules. Mules are cool, but bottom line, smart no, dumber, no. Any horse or mule is only as good as the genetics and trainer.

Pretty nice paint Lynn. Are ya gonna shorten and thin that mane? (hint, hint)