Saddle Training Rerun Mule - Part I: Round Pen Work

We have had Rerun Mule since he was born and have handled him extensively, exposing him to lots of different things and places, so we have a good relationship of trust and respect between us. We are now beginning his saddle training and are progressing slowly as he is ready. We don't have a firm time-line. We are just on "mule time". When he knows "walk", "trot", and "whoa" from the ground and seems ready we will know it is time. We want him to equate wearing a saddle with fun and pleasure, so each time after we saddle him we take a nice walk around the farm and explore. We will likely pony him on a trail or two when he wears his saddle. Then it will be time for that first ride, maybe next spring or summer. Patience, timing and "feel" are so important in training.
We also use long lines to work on turning cues and introduction to driving. In the future, Rerun will also be a part of a team with his full sister. She was trained at a little younger age than her brother, but, maybe because he is a boy, he seems a little more immature and we are giving him more time.
We are not professional mule trainers, but since the mules bond so deeply with their people, it seems natural that we should conduct his training. Rerun trusts us and is willing to try and anxious to please. The ones that stay on the farm have a much more trusting and mellow personality. Especially sensitive mules, like Rerun, seem traumatized to be shipped off for training.
This video is un-edited and shows all of this young mules reactions.

Category:

Pets & Animals

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• saddle
• training
• young
• year
• old
• john
• mule
• Beth
• Bell
• Ohio
• Rerun
• round
• pen