[Ori]

Greetings!

I have a Tennessee Walker named Ori that I currently board 30 minutes away. I have been riding for the last years and consider myself an advanced beginner with a huge thirst to learn more! My fence is being put up now and within 2 weeks, Ori will be living on my own property!

I know that horses do not like to be alone, so today I purchased a 1 year old mini mule that still needs gelded (soon!). I bought him from the lady I board at.

She said that he was never really messed with by humans at his previous owners. He is very shy. He will timidly take cookies. He is bright eyed and alert. Today I spent time cleaning his stall. He took a few steps with me, but truly doesn't know how to lead.

He seems very sad and lonely. When I first entered his stall, he would try to run away. After a few treats, he calmed down. and was less likely to run & even let me pet his head (and down his neck- but just a little bit).


I know he needs MUCH work. I've never "gentled" any horse- let alone an intelligent mule.

What would you recommend?

My current thoughts are:

Healthy treats like carrots and apple chunks.

Just sitting with him. For hours. Hours. Hours. Then getting him to slowly lead and spending time with him grazing on a lead...

I don't want to use treats too much. I don't want a crazy cookie monster of a mule!

Please! Any advice on getting him to trust me would be appreciated!

 

[BlindHorseEnthusiast4582]

Someone I know ended up with a mini donkey just like this, but guess what? She's not scared, just doesn't want to be messed with! She's been spoiled that she can do anything she wants, and if that means she doesn't want to be caught, then there you go! Make sure yours isn't the same, they're smart and can fool you

If he is really scared though, I think gradually building trust like you are talking about will work well. Don't force anything, just take your time.

 

[Ori]

I will be sure to get some video footage to share... Can I do that from a cell phone on this site?

 

[BlindHorseEnthusiast4582]

I think you have to post a link to videos (so..youtube), I might be wrong.

 

[Luce73]

You can film on your phone, upload to youtube from there (there is an option to upload 'unlisted' so only people with the link can see it, if you dont want it showing up on your channel publicly) and then put the link here (the normal link, not the embed code, it will embed automatically)

 

[tinyliny]

I heard, from a lady who keeps two mini donkeys, that you MUST have them in pairs. They do not do well alone. I don't know if this is her opinion, or the truth in like a FACT, but I wonder if it applies to mini mules, too.

I would speak more with folks that own mini donkey/mule horses. of course, you may find some here, but I mean, what such owners have to say will be more appropriate than just what general horse people might say.

 

[EstrellaandJericho]

I heard, from a lady who keeps two mini donkeys, that you MUST have them in pairs. They do not do well alone. I don't know if this is her opinion, or the truth in like a FACT, but I wonder if it applies to mini mules, too.

I would speak more with folks that own mini donkey/mule horses. of course, you may find some here, but I mean, what such owners have to say will be more appropriate than just what general horse people might say.

I have heard this before. Do you think it's the same with horse/donkey combos?

 

[tinyliny]

I can only speculate. That's why it would be best to ask someone who raises or keeps them.

 

[Chevaux]

Just to be safe, you should get another mini that way it will have company when you're out riding:wink:

P.S. On a more serious note, my neighbour has minis. I notice she keeps the little donkey in with the herd of mini horses and he/she seems quite content with that arrangement..