Why do people have such a negative image of Mules!!?

Question

As you all know I just got a Mule which I love! Whenever I tell one of my horse friends that I got her they give me this look of disgust and kind of turn up there nose! One of my coworkers actually said "what possesed you to buy an ugly mule". I of course shot back that my mule would outride any horse she had (which is true :) ) ! How do you Mule owners handle the ignorance about these wonderful animals? It really ticks me off!!!

Yeah I'm trying to ignore it... Sometimes I just have to stick up for my girl though!! By the way I rode her for 3 hours the other day with two other mules....it was awesome!! We passed all kinds of deer went thru water and led the way the whole time!! Love my new girl!!!

To Bama..when did I knock horses??? For you info I have 3 awesome horses that I love and adore and would stick up for them just as quick!!! I'm talking about ignorant people who make ignorant remarks about any animal that they know nothing about!!!!!

Answer 1

Mules are awesome!

Tell them, "you're just jealous of my magnificent a--"

Turn the whole "a--" thing around on them.

"I may ride a jacka--, but at least I don't act like one."

I'd love to raise an adorable gaited mule...it's my one temptation in the equine reproduction area at present.

I can't wait to read Mulereiners take on this one ;o)

Now there's a gal who knows mules!

Answer 2

I guess it is because mules are not as popular, and perhaps the uneducated people out there draw up a mental image of some stubborn little -- well, jackass, and they relate the term MULE to what they've seen in movies, television shows, and such places.

They don't realize the versatility and beauty of mules, and they do not picture anything but some long-eared strange beast of burden.

I've never owned a mule myself, although when my hubby wanted a bigger animal to drive, I tried to turn him on to a mule - I figured their personalities would match and they could learn a lot from each other. He didn't like their size and went with a pony instead.


It's sort of a shame that mules aren't as popular, though ---- I've seen some on RFDTV doing dressage & jumping and thought - holy cow! I didn't know they COULD do that sort of stuff, and they were downright awesome!

I would PAY to see a mule go up against a couple of warmbloods. If judging wasn't so unfair, there's no reason a well trained mule couldn't pass out any warmblood - they're just as agile & athletic.

Answer 3

I'm not sure the real reason for people thinking that mules are "ugly", "dirty" or "stubborn" other than the ignorance of the unknown! Believe me there are no ugly mules!! From experience, a mule will find a place to poop usually away from where they eat if given the chance, and like an Arab will continue to poop there. And a mule will never hurt them self and they don't care how badly you want them to, they just won't!
If someone asked me what possessed me to buy a mule (ugly or not) I think I would retort with, "the son of God". But that's just me! LOL
I've grown up with mules, and love them to death. I can't imagine my life without a long-ear! I've had lots of short-ears, but none loved me as much as my mules do.

Best thing to do for those anti-mule people is to show them what your mule can do! Think the song "anything you can do I can do better!"
Good luck and Love your mule!

Answer 4

Hi there,

People don't know better or are ignorant of the facts.

It is not just with mules but with most things in life. Where you come from for instance, we've all hear at least one Irish joke, or other nationality. But they are not a stupid people.

Or how about bigotry about race or religion?

I have had a truly ugly horse and a friend of mine has an extremely well bred Arab, who has the ears of a mule. Neither of us care about that. Both of these horses have the best personalities.

I would just tell those who deemed it necessary to comment that they were jealous of the good things my mount had to offer. Those who persisted I would find the breed standard for what ever they ride and pick their horse apart for it's confirmation faults as shown against the breed standard. I had one girl in tears with this. I replied when asked 'why was I being mean?' That she was the one wanting to poke fun at my horse while big noting hers, so I was just doing the same for her.

So long as you are happy with your new friend then what dose it matter what others think? Would you change your hair or cloths because of what others though... I wouldn't. So let them have their oppinion and walk away to enjoy your friend.

Happy trails as they say and good luck.

Answer 5

It doesn't bother me.

Becaaaaaause........ I make sure my mule is as competent as any horse we are showing against. We turn alot of heads in the showring and we turn more when we win against horses. My show mule Stretch was the first mule to ever be accepted into a local drill team here. Before they were muleaphobic, and when we had to pull out due to more saddle fitting issues, they were so sad!! They absolutely adore Stretch.

We just moved here from Western SD, and it was the same there, lots of laughs, lots of scoffs etc. But then Stretch started placing and or winning at shows and they started changing their minds. Plus the crowds go wild for a mule, its unreal, talk about mule groupies at the shows!!

I have had ppl make comments and actually complain to show committees that a mule was showing. My return to them as they spout of some irrate comment is " at least my mule is only 1/2 A$$, you have no excuse". Most horse people welcome us, love to watch a good mule and think its wonderful. Those same ppl show at the horse shows at the State Fairs I go too and we have a huge cheering section.

I just attempt to change peoples minds. I make sure my mules are well trained for the task at hand. My show mule is a horrible trail mule, my trail mule is horrible in town, but they each preform with a PHD at their tasks they are trained for.

Now my donkey, he just ignores all the above advice LOL.

Once they see Stretch in the showring, they come up and want to know if I have other mules for sale or how much would he cost etc.

Answer 6

For the exact same reason so many people have a negative image of ponies. The animals are smarter than most of the people dealing with them.
If someone doesn't like a mule it's either ignorance or a mule has gotten the better of them at some time.
True horsemen know the value of a good mule.
We raised mini mules at one time and they were the sweetest things on earth.

Answer 7

I've never seen a mule in person but I think they sound great. They look really cute and seem like very practical and sensible animals. I would love to get one but there don't seem to be many at all in Australia. Sorry for answering when I'm not a mule owner, but I just thought I'd tell you that I think they sound great. Aren't you going to post some pics too?

Answer 8

I love mules! I miss my Katie Mule so much but she was well over 50 when she went on to the big trail ride in the sky.

Show your anti-mule friends the Cross of Jesus that is on every mule's back - because it was a mule colt that He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. If the mule was good enough for Jesus to ride then by golly that's all I need.

But seriously, just ignore the ignorant - same root word - similar meaning.

Love your mule and be proud of her as you should be.

I'm jealous.

Answer 9

I find horses much more attractive than mules, something about the face, but they are very good animals. People just prefer their over bred, extremely in bred show horses I suppose. Having a horse like that must make them feel superior to your unbreedable mule. Really I don't see the point in disliking them just on because, they're good animals.

Answer 10

No negativity here. We sold our mule last year... Agnus (the name fit her, lol) Anyway, miss her cute face and smart tactics. She was 15.2 hands and my poor dad couldn't get on her anymore, she was to good to be a pasture ornament.

If people that act that way had the first clue about a mule, they certainly wouldn't be acting that way to you. Just try to laugh at their ignorance! Not all people can get on with a mule, it takes a good horseman to be able to handle and train mules!!!! A mule has no time for listening to people "tell" them what to do, thus a reason why many can't get along with them.

Enjoy your new mount, she sounds great!