REVIEW:  THE BOOK, ANSWERS TO YOUR MULE QUESTIONS
OFFERS EXCELLENT ADVICE FOR ALL EQUINE OWNERS

By Susan Dudasik

A package arrived from the ATHA office containing the book “Answers to Your Mule Questions-A Common Sense Guide to Understanding the Mule’s Point of View” by Cindy K. Roberts. They had asked me to review it since I’m a mule rider. At first I was skeptical since I had read a few other “mule training” books that more or less gently bullied their way through the training process. But as I flipped through the book, I became more intrigued with it. Though it’s about mules, it is an excellent read for anyone, including youth, who want to learn more about understanding equine behavior in general. At first I wasn’t sure about it because the first section of the book is basically a collection of advice-seeking letters written to the author and her responses. I was expecting a regular chapter-by-chapter how-to book. But, after the first few pages, I was hooked. Roberts really has a handle on working with mules and offers a no nonsense training approach based on mutual respect between mule and rider/handler instead of harsh bits and rough methods. Roberts emphasizes the fact that the mule can be your friend and buddy, but you are the leader and he needs to respect your position as leader but you need to be a fair, strong, consistent and considerate leader. She’s also a stickler for good basic ground manners for mules of all ages and is willing to point out handler-originated problems. For instance, in one letter the mule wouldn’t stand still. After explaining how to correct the problem, she stated “Mules that walk off while being mounted do so because of the rider’s error in allowing the mule to walk off on his own.” Wow, right on target! And, this applies to horses, too! As I flipped from page to page of this easy to read, well-organized book, I didn’t find one quick fix, gimmicky reply. All her answers came back to the basics of taking the time to look at the problem from the mule’s point of view, finding a way to psychologically work with him, his personality and nature, and then committing time to rectifying the problem. At one point she states, “ When behavior problems develop, stand back and find out why. Investigate.” This is something riders often overlook. Instead of looking for the reason for the behavior change, they simply turn to stronger aids or bits.

In the second section of the book titled, “Mule Psychology 101 Training Articles,” Roberts first chapter is called, “The Rules-the safe approach to training your mule.” I really like her number one rule: “No one gets hurt. Not you or the mule. Because of this rule, risks or shortcuts will not be taken. Weak or ineffective tack will not be used.” Again this too applies to training horses and the list should be posted in every barn and tackroom. Roberts also provides an excellent set of guidelines for handling mule babies.

Aside from the sensible easy to follow rules, this section focuses on understanding how the mule thinks and how to work with the mule’s natural instincts instead of against them. She also dispels many of the myths about mules and has a chapter on “Rating the Mule’s Intelligence-How Smart Is Your Mule?” complete with a simple IQ test you can do with your mule.

Though it’s about mules, there’s plenty of excellent information for horse owners, too, such as barn etiquette and what to do when you’re caught in a thunderstorm. One chapter that really caught my attention was, “Meth Labs Threaten Safety of Horse Riders.” Wow, that took me back to my youth in Florida when we had to watch for marijuana growers and drug runners that set up camps in the swampy areas near the barn. With the rise in meth labs throughout the country, and especially in the more remote areas, this is an excellent chapter full of safety information. Roberts even discusses the various booby traps used to protect the lab areas. Though it’s frightening to think that this might be happening in your favorite riding area, with the growing interest in trail riding, it’s helpful to know what to look for and how to avoid a bad situation.

Though much of the book has a serious tone, Roberts does include some fun and nostalgic sections such as “How To Be Politically Correct With A Mule Person,” “Why Mules Are Better Than Husbands” and code of conduct advice from legendary Silver Screen Heroes, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger.

Of all the books I’ve read on mule training, this is the first one that truly focuses on going back to the basics of learning to view things from your mule’s point of view and using that knowledge to build a trusting partnership between the two of you. Roberts doesn’t give step-by-step, how to instructions on teaching a specific thing. In fact in some of her advice letters she handles the same problem in different ways, according to the mule and rider’s personality and experience. She also has information on dealing with the abused mule.

As a mule owner who’s seen to much abuse through misunderstanding in the way people, especially those new to the mule world, handle their mules, I think this book is a fantastic insight in to what makes mules such special individuals. This book is definitely a must read for anyone interested in mules and equines in general.

Susan Dudasik is an equine journalist, mule enthusiast and the Idaho representative for the American Trail Horse Association. She's competed in numerous trail class events, holds clinics and teaches trail classes at various 4-H events. The advice given here is meant only as a guide. A professional trainer should handle any serious horse training problems.

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The Book!  Answers To Your Mule Questions  $19.50
ISBN# 978-1-59916-268-3

Now available on Amazon Books!

• Young Mule Behavior

• Handling and Ground Manners

• Introducing New Herd Members

• Tacking Up and Saddling

• Vaccinations and Vet Phobia

• How To Determine If You Have Correct Saddle Fit

• Proper Bit Control

• Runaways

• Hard To Catch Mules

• Trailering Your Mule

• Kicking Mules

Plus The Mule Psychology 101 Series Articles:

The Rules - the safe approach to training your mule.  

Rules For The Mule Baby - guidelines for raising your mule.

Teaching The Mule - effectively training your mule.

The Kicking Mule -  dealing with this nervous habit the safe way. 

Motivation & Learning - what makes your mule tick?

Hormones & Survival - understanding mother nature.

The Learning Patterns Of The Mule - learn how his mind works.

Rating The Mule's Intelligence - how smart is your mule?

Mules Are Better - what to say to your “horsey” friends.

Mule Truths - does a mule wait 10 years to get back at you?

Mule Feet - the four wheel drive of the mule.

Survival Behavior & The Mule - how to train the very skittish.

7/20/2008  Angela J. Elliott:   "Excellent service."

6/8/2008   Julie D Pascoe:  "Great !!!"

5/4/2008  Mrs Cathryn Irvin:  "A great book, So helpful to find information in this specialized equine area. Thanks!"
 

4/28/2008 Beth Bell:  "Wonderfully informative book about mules in an easy to pick up and read format. We had our first mules and needed some good advice and found it with this book. We have had horses for a while, but we knew there would be differences; this book gave us lots of guidance. The author's website is also a great reference, with lots of funny stuff too. Bookmark it in your Favorites."

4/11/2008  Ms Cheryl A Gutzwiler:  "A seller. One can't do any better and what a fantastic, helpful and easy to read book!! Many thanks!"

"Dear Cindy, I am enclosing a check for your book, Answers To Your Mule Questions.  The excerpts I read "on line" sounded very practical, well founded and written in a clear direct style.  I like that.  I read a lot of stuff and not too much of it can be described that way.  I wasn't disappointed when I received your book...particularly appreciated the "Mule Psychology 101" section.  The question and answer section...it is good that you are there with bold, clear, optimistic advice and direction.  I'm sure accidents have been prevented and borderline mules saved as a result and the chances of these folks finding or training a really good mule are much better." 
Much obliged.  Richard Hale, La Junta, CO 

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