Cheers for the long-ears

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"As I aged," he says, "I decided I wanted something for trail riding that was more mentally stable than a horse." He saw the advantage of riding an animal without the flight instinct horses often exhibit in new, frightening situations. He bought 11-year-old Hector through a mule dealer in Massachusetts.

"Hector satisfies my need for a horse," he says, "and the added bonus is that he makes a watch animal for the goats."

Roy says that mules' reputation for having a "side kick" meant he had to line up a new veterinarian—his old vet was too afraid of getting kicked. The new vet is perfectly comfortable with Hector, who has yet to kick anyone.

Lorraine Travis, author of The Mule (see "References," Page 49), attributes mules' undeserved reputation for bad temper to the animal's sensitive, cautious nature. Until mules learn to trust a person, they'll be poised for defensive action (never offensive, Travis says). Mules are great kickers, she says; if a mule misses, it's because he intended to.

Unfortunately, many people who work with mules do not appreciate the animal's sensitivity. They also may not have understood this fundamental characteristic: You cannot force a mule to do anything. Persuade, yes. Organize his work so he'll be willing to cooperate, but try to coerce or intimidate him and you'll have a battle on your hands.

Mules' reputation for a long memory is well-deserved, so it is especially important to treat them gently and intelligently. They'll remember whatever treatment they've received—for better or worse—and who its source was. Stories abound of mules waiting several years to avenge themselves on a bad handler.

Because poorly trained or mishandled mules can be bad company, before you buy one it's especially important to know where your animal came from and how it has been brought up.

DARLING DONKEYS

The donkey has been not only one of the most used, but also the most abused animals in history. It has spent hundreds of years in service to humans, but is still often misunderstood by its owners and, unfortunately, by veterinarians. There is a tendency to view donkeys as simply a small horse, but their nature and physiology are distinct and require different care. Dr. Elisabeth D. Svendsen has compiled information on all facets of donkey management in her book, The Professional Handbook of the Donkey. (See "References," Page 49.)

The donkey's long history as a beast of burden has given it an essential role in the economies of some of the world's poorest regions. More recently, however, the donkey has found its way into more affluent circles as an excellent family pet and a good-natured saddle mount. A new and promising use for the donkey's special temperament is as a therapeutic animal for people who are physically or mentally disabled.

Many donkey owners who also own horses praise the donkey's intelligence and congeniality. People who would never consider training a horse by themselves have been comfortable and successful in training a donkey.

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