Hi Pat,

I am assuming you are starting this young mule out in a snaffle.   Have a treat ready for your mule (yes I am approving treats for your mule.)  With your right hand, press down on his poll area to encourage him to drop his head down - with your left hand - reward him with the treat.  That is phase I.  Teach your mule to drop his head while applying pressure on the poll - then reward.  Next, play the finger game with him.  Go slow - rub his muzzle and slip your finger in and out of the corner of his mouth.  This takes several times of doing this -- you are desensitizing the mule to stick things in and out of his mouth.  Reward again with a treat.  Next, take the bridle (right hand on headstall at top) and apply pressure on his poll - asking him to drop his head, slide the bit in and give him a treat at the same time.  Also have the mule's teeth checked and be considerate while taking his bridle off - being careful not to bump his teeth.  Most bridling problems develop from going too fast with a mule, teeth problems, incorrect fitting headstalls, using too harsh of a bit and bumping teeth while taking off the bridle.  I did have a big mule that was reluctant to taking the bit - I soaked the bit in Apple Pucker Schnapps and he didn't mind being bridled after that.   There are no set rules to training mules - what works for one may not work for another.  Using a common sense approach while thinking on your feet will keep you in the game.   Go slow -- let me know how you are doing.  Cindy K. Roberts

A note about rewarding with treats:  do not let your mule ask for treats.  When rewarding with a treat, it is natural for the animal to ask for a treat.  Push the mule's muzzle away and say no.  The time to give a treat is for reward and when you want to reinforce the positive result.