winter musings - anyone here use working mules around their place? have had a nagging notion for quite some time to acquire a mule for work & pleasure. unlikely to be in the budget in the near future but would like to start the research wheels turning. am interested in plowing, dragging small logs & a bit of riding. experience out there? recommended websites? books? as a boy in Arkansas I watched my uncle plow with a mule, rode them some and avoided getting bit or kicked. haven't been round one since but might want to change that. thanx

-- B. Lackie (cwrench@hotmail.com), January 02, 2002

Answers

Go to rural heritage.com Click on mules

-- George Wilson (cwwhtw@aol.com), January 02, 2002.

Well, every now and then, with much complaint and stubbornness, I can kick DH into cleaning up the yard or fixing up the dogs fencing. Does that count?

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 02, 2002.

Hee-hee, Soni, I know where you are coming from !!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 02, 2002.

Small Farmers Journal is great...magazine and web site. Lynn Miller's books are an indispensible tool around here. We have learned alot from reading and asking alot of people questions like your doing..best of luck.

-- Suzanne (weir@frontiernet.net), January 02, 2002.

I've raised donkeys and mules ~ the mules out of my Mammoth jack. I've never had a stubborn longears. The problem arises 'cause most of these critters are smarter than their humans. My mules were saddle mules and loved to please, which is true of any well bred longears today. Mules are used in many disciplines ~ trail riding, jumping, roping, team penning, dressage, logging, hunting....the list goes on.

A fella down the road plows his land with a stallion and a Mammoth jack hitched together. Passed by there one day and a trailer had pulled in with a mare to be bred. The rancher unhitched the jack, took him in the barn, did the breeding, and brought him back to the plow and continued his work.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002.

When I first bought the farm I checked around about a pair of good working mules found I could buy a small used tractor cheaper and have less time and expense keeping it up. Take the tractor unless you really love mules. Just my opinion. David P.S. Mules don't pull a bushog worth a darn.

-- David in North Al (bluewaterfarm@mindspring.com), January 02, 2002.

About 3 years ago we bought a mule named Sibby from a horse auction.She was relatively cheap $210 and broke-there was a guy riding her. Brought her home and found she did not like to be rode and would flash kick. Kindof liked here anyway and always she will hang with a gelding.Does not like dogs and I am sure that includes coyottes and we have not had a kill yet with her out there with the sheep. I would say she is earning her keep.

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), January 03, 2002.

yeah i know several folks that keep a mule or donkey with the sheep for protection...

-- Novina in ND (homespun@stellarnet.com), January 03, 2002.

Here is an ad we just got in our email... From: "wannabfarm" Date: Tue Jan 1, 2002 8:09 am Subject: Mules for sale, they ride and drive

My 81 year old dad is trying to sell his team of mules. His health is preventing him from driving. They are 13 hands and 13 years old, a mare and gelding named Bonnie and Clyde. They are very easy to handle but do have plenty of spirit. They love to trot and will go all day. Clyde has won 1st place in western pleasure event, he also jumps, and they won 2nd place in the wagon race at Columbia, TN mule day. The load, clip, tie, trim. Up on all vaccines, wormings and farrier. They come with a leather team harness and a wagon with brakes and car tires. Asking $3200 for the whole package. Email for pictures. Located in Florida. Thanks

-- M & M (amazinggraze@valkyrie.net), January 03, 2002.

thanks for the responses. - ruralheritage.com is an interesting and cool site. - I'll see if I can pick up a copy of Small Farmer's Journal from the newsstand to try it. subscription rate is intimidating. a book or two by Lynn Miller looks like a good place to start. - tractor is on the wish list too. that pesky budget thing again. - does a single mule do alright by itself? goats would be what company there is. - that team and wagon package seems like quite a deal. if it was anywhere near my part of the world I might have to have a look.

-- B. Lackie (cwrench@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002.