Horse Problem - Abused (formerly) & traumatized mule - Mule now fearful & buddy sour due to trainer abuse

A wannabe mule trainer who was visiting my area for a cutting asked me if he could put a start on her at the age of 1 year and I agreed. When he entered her pen to put a halter on her, she turned away from him and as he tried to approach her shoulder, she feigned a warning kick which inspired (I use that term loosely) him to exit the pen, grab a pitchfork and proceeded to make it very uncomfortable for her to not face him. This was my first mule colt and I submitted to his experience and knowledge of mule training and allowed him to do this, much to my chagrin. He eventually got her haltered, into the round pen and ultimately mounted an unloaded pack saddle on her and tied her around to the near side for about an hour. She didn't resist and seemed resigned to her first "training exercise." This man returned to northern Utah (I live in southern Utah) and I was left to fend for myself. Never prior to this event was she hard to catch or halter. I imprinted her at birth, and handled her daily with no problems. Since that event, she has cowered any time I approach her, especially if I have a lead rope and halter with me. I thought about sequestering her away from her constant buddy, and relying on me for everything, e.g. food, water, treats, exercise, attention etc. I have tempered that decision based on what I learned on your site. I was searching the web to better understand this overly submissive, fear based reaction of a colt when I found your website. I used a search phrase of "colt signs of submission" and was intrigued and enthralled by the info I found on your site. My printer is going full-time as I write this! The info I read regarding mules, their unique tack requirements, etc., was right on the money. I wanted you to know how much I appreciated your knowledge and willingness to share information. Any tips on re-establishing trust and breaking the buddy-sour syndrome would be appreciated. Keep up the Good Work!

But...you CAN turn this around now, and all by yourself, with the right methods. Fast too. I would suggest round penning her, but study carefully my method of round penning here on my site, because it's extremely effective if done just right, the way I teach it there: Effective Round Penning Techniques

My Whispering Way Round Pen Leadership DVD also teaches the art of natural horsemanship round penning visually. To learn more about and order that video: CLICK HERE

After the latch on, halter her -- preferably in a natural horsemanship halter with 12' lead, the best tool for NH schooling (you can get them here: CLICK HERE) and immediately begin these deep bonding techniques, which will help her to relax and trust more: Horse Whispering "Tricks of the Trade" - To relax horse, build trust & bond them to us

I would then work with her to desensitize her to a number of things I want to show you, because it will go a long, long way multi directions. In NH we say, "Fix the inside of the horse and the outside will follow." So, the following desensitizing exercises with her will build up courage -- and trust -- on the inside of her, and the outside will follow right close behind:

Desensitize her to plastic on the end of a training wand: Wand-Training Fear - Horse fears training wand with plastic/How to desensitize

Use the bonding techniques throughout the lesson if she ever gets afraid. She'll start learning to turn to you as her source of comfort and support, and in essence, want to be with you. It's all about love & compassion there, so work with your heart in your hand.

Desensitize her to tarps: Tarp Desensitizing - Horse is afraid of plastic tarps

Again, use the bonding/relaxing techniques throughout this lesson. By the time you've worked up to her wearing the tarp with her eyes and ears covered, you've won her trust completely, and she'll come out the other side a changed, trusting horse, but work up to that baby step by baby step, using advance/retreat so she can digest it in incremental stages.

All of the above (and much, much more) is taught in my Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD set. Usually it helps to see this natural horsemanship art taught visually, to really understand how it is all done. You can get that DVD set here: CLICK HERE

And incidentally...my Whispering Way Complete Training Package contains all my videos and training tools that you need to train or retrain your horse yourself the natural horsemanship Whispering Way. You can check out/order the Whispering Way Complete Training Package on my web site here: CLICK HERE

To apply NH to your horse or mule, you have to have the right tools. I don't work a horse without them. So, as important as the methods are the tools you use to train with, I feel. They would help you a lot there, you'd see!

Hang in there and keep learning. She needs your help and you CAN help her. Just have to have the right information and tools to get the job done now. And don't worry about what happened to her in the past. Once you introduce her properly to the "new now" she'll let go of the abused part of the past and settle in there happily.

Keep up the good work there. I really admire your heart, seeking more to help your mules. You have some lucky mules there to have you in their lives!!

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