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Bolting mule. At a loss with this one?
So I acquired this mule for free on November 9th of this year. I knew he had trust issues and I was prepared to help him. He's had a lot of improvement over the last month (been tacked up, trimmed, etc) and a half but his biggest issue is bolting when being led and I can't seem to figure out what to do. He's been physically abused to the point where everything frightens him.
This mule is fine until he's taken out of his comfort zone and then he just explodes. The first time he bolted I just had him on a regular 10 ft lead and he easily tore out of my hands. After this I purchased a lunge line and gloves to lead him with. He will lead just fine when he's confined in his paddock and that's what I've been doing with him. Today, I decided to take him out of the pen and just lead him down the driveway and back. He was absolutely fine for a few minutes and at one point I just stopped him and let him stand and look around. I noticed he was trembling slightly and quite nervous so I was simply going to let him stand and figure out nothing was going to happen. In a matter of seconds he lost his mind and bolted. I let the line feed out through my hands and when it came to the end I pulled back. No good. He was absolutely butt turned, running the other way and he easily pulled me off my feet. I couldn't do anything but let go.
So any suggestions?? I can't seem to pull him back no matter what once he gets scared. He's obviously much stronger than me and can pull me weight easily. I have another horse who is fine that I would have liked to take along but I'm the only one competent with horses at all. I unfortunately don't have a round pen or anything of the sort. Just a small oblong-shaped paddock that I keep my horses in. I'm currently using a rope halter. Not sure if a chain is a good idea considering the issue.
I know that's exactly why he was free but the leading is the only issue I'm having. I can tack him, groom, pick feet, trim feet, and anything else. He's been sat on once but not yet ridden. This is the only area he explodes, otherwise he's fine.
3 Answers
- ?Lv 67 years agoFavorite Answer
Maybe try hobbles? He simply won't be able to bolt, and if he falls down it will be his fault not yours. Then treat it like any other desensitizing activity, force him to be uncomfortable until he isn't uncomfortable anymore.
You might try other desensitizing activities. Just building confidence with new things might help him when leading. Like umbrellas, hoses, tree branches, keys, car horns, bicycles. Just anything new so he knows its okay to be uncomfortable and whatever it is, it isn't going to hurt you.
- Anonymous7 years ago
I'm not sure if this will help you or not,but keep him on a short rope. Don't allow him to get ANY leverage with the rope. The very instant that he even thinks about turning his head,jerk it back,say 'whoa' firmly and make him stand. I would still have the gloves on and the long leadline,just don't even give him the chance to pull very much through your hand. A mule who has gotten into this habit can be VERY difficult to break,mules are not like horses and one that has this habit developed may never fully break it. I do not recommend that anyone who has never owned mule to take on a challenging mule,sorry if its not what you wanted to hear. I would just hate for you to get hurt and the mule to end up worse. Your best bet would be to rehome it and find a good broke mule,they are out there! ;)
And NEVER force a mule to do anything they would not like to do. Forcing them to stand hobbled while you desensitize is a good way for sure for a mule to end up worse and you probably hurt. They have to accept things on their terms. PLEASE do more research on the mule psyche before you attempt any more training. If you are determined to make this work then find a MULE trainer in the area,most horse trainers aren't suited for mules. You have to discuss all options with a mule,they will not do something just because you say so. They have to know whats in it for them.
Source(s): Mule owner - MelLv 67 years ago
We bought a horse that was not ridden in 4 years, We tried breaking it but it would just bolt and buck when you were on it, (Very dangerous), we finally got a professional horse trainer, (Breaker) out to evaluate the horse, we had to get rid of it. Maybe that's why you got the mule for free?
