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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Horses > Horses - Behavior Issues, Breaking and Training > Mulephobia
Expert: Caitlin Day Huntress - 10/20/2009
Question
Hi there,
My 15 year old QH gelding is one of the most unflappable guys you could ever meet..but when it comes to mules, miniature donkeys, llamas, and appaloosas with roached manes, he goes absolutely NUTS! He shuts off mentally and focuses on that one animal--you know the look-head straight up in the air, tail straight up in the air, eyes wide...the "ready to blow" sort of stance. Most of the time he does, if he can't hide behind me(yes, he does hide from the big bad monster by going behind me and putting his head low). Last weekend I took him to a trail challenge and there was a mule competing there...the owner was nice enough to try walking the mule back and forth past us over 100 times, but it didn't help at all and by the end of the session, he was lathered and trembling from head to hoof..he didn't even have to move! I was just holding him, patting him when he stopped prancing in place and when he lowered his head slightly. We have done several "exposures" like this, and it still isn't getting better. It was for awhile, but then one day a mule bit him right on the nose, and here we are again, worse than ever! I don't know what to do...please help!
Answer
Hello Haley,
Think about your horses point of view, these creatures look different and even when you get better and don't feel you have to run away they will run into your space and bite you. Scary! Have you ever worked a loose horse in a round corral while on horse back? If you haven't I might start by making sure your guy is okay when you shake a plastic bag on the end of a stick around. Once you know you have that working for you I would pull out one of his buddies and work on sending them around the corral, cutting them off and making them change directions, etc. Once you feel comfortable doing this and he is feeling pretty confident with it see if you can find someone who will let you work with their mule or Appy. I have worked with some very nervous horses who did not feel comfortable around a herd of horses, when you make the horse (or mule) they are worried about move away from them it makes the horse you are riding more confident. You could do this on the ground too if you did not want to ride. Let your guy stay behind you as you use a stick and bag to send the mule around. Pretty soon he should feel pretty good about himself, he was scared but every time he steps into the mules space the mule moves away. It takes time but if you can make him feel confident that he can move the mule (ball, plastic bag, anything new and scary) out of his space he will start to feel more secure. If you are riding with a mule ask the person if you can follow them, that may help too.
Good luck, let me know how it goes for you two.
Best Wishes,
Caitlin Day Huntress
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