Quality Mules - 02/06/02
Dave, Consider this.
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<br> I would judge that you are somewhere around 50 yrs old.. Mules have a good working life of at least 25 years, 35 if you treat them right. If you do decide to go with a young mule, the only living thing you will have around you as long or longer is your wife and kids. At our age, I'm 58, we don't have time to do this many times, as it takes about 5 years to find out what you really have. Now you can always send a mule down the rode, and if you look long enough, you may find a mature one you can live with. I didn't say it was impossible, only that I have never had that good furtune. So my advice, is if you are serious about this, Make sure it's what you want. In 5 years you don't want to go down the road on a big headed, cow hocked, ewe necked, pig eyed mule, when you could have just as easily have a real looker, with good confirmation and disposition for just a little bit more money. Remember with a horse ot mule, the cheapest part of he deal is the purchsase price.
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<br>I have bought yearlings that have not even been halter broke that have come out ok. Just took more time. Some turned out ok some didn't look as good.
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<br>This older mule I have is a good example. The guy I use to buy mules from, tried for a year for me to take him. I didn't like his build, but his disposition was second to none. His feet are too small and a pain to shoe,and I have to keep shoes on his rears all the time or he will roll the inside horn off so bad that there is nothing to nail too. His cannon bones are the size of a goat, and he always looks like he needs more groceries, although he has fat over his kidneys and a crest on his neck. Yet, I wouldn't sell him for any price. He goes where I point him, goes back to camp in the dark, packs, drives and rides, doesn't kick ,bite , chew or goes with those who do, comes when I call him, shoes easily and loads in a trailer wih no trouble. There is lot he doesn't do, but he does what I want. BUT, If I had put the same amount of time in a better looking mule, I would have been happier yet. The mule I had to put down a few years ago was even better than him
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<br> If you can't swing it financially right now, look at an older horse, 14-18 yrs old that will do you for a few years and you don't have to put a lot of time into. Bide your time and get picky. If t doesn't sound right, it probably isn't
<br>
<br> I would judge that you are somewhere around 50 yrs old.. Mules have a good working life of at least 25 years, 35 if you treat them right. If you do decide to go with a young mule, the only living thing you will have around you as long or longer is your wife and kids. At our age, I'm 58, we don't have time to do this many times, as it takes about 5 years to find out what you really have. Now you can always send a mule down the rode, and if you look long enough, you may find a mature one you can live with. I didn't say it was impossible, only that I have never had that good furtune. So my advice, is if you are serious about this, Make sure it's what you want. In 5 years you don't want to go down the road on a big headed, cow hocked, ewe necked, pig eyed mule, when you could have just as easily have a real looker, with good confirmation and disposition for just a little bit more money. Remember with a horse ot mule, the cheapest part of he deal is the purchsase price.
<br>
<br>I have bought yearlings that have not even been halter broke that have come out ok. Just took more time. Some turned out ok some didn't look as good.
<br>
<br>This older mule I have is a good example. The guy I use to buy mules from, tried for a year for me to take him. I didn't like his build, but his disposition was second to none. His feet are too small and a pain to shoe,and I have to keep shoes on his rears all the time or he will roll the inside horn off so bad that there is nothing to nail too. His cannon bones are the size of a goat, and he always looks like he needs more groceries, although he has fat over his kidneys and a crest on his neck. Yet, I wouldn't sell him for any price. He goes where I point him, goes back to camp in the dark, packs, drives and rides, doesn't kick ,bite , chew or goes with those who do, comes when I call him, shoes easily and loads in a trailer wih no trouble. There is lot he doesn't do, but he does what I want. BUT, If I had put the same amount of time in a better looking mule, I would have been happier yet. The mule I had to put down a few years ago was even better than him
<br>
<br> If you can't swing it financially right now, look at an older horse, 14-18 yrs old that will do you for a few years and you don't have to put a lot of time into. Bide your time and get picky. If t doesn't sound right, it probably isn't