Tonight I finally got a break and went to say hi to my guys. When I got there, there was an extra mule in the pasture, one with a halter and leadrope on. A scared to death 2 year old john who had apparently gotten loose from a ponying exercise and gotten into the pasture with my guys. Every time I looked at the mule he turned away, and/or ran away. His owner came in and told me what happened, a teenage Amish kid. He really wasn't having any luck with catching the mule. I ran and got my clicker. I told him I have a little tool that might help us get him faster. This mule did not know what a clicker was, I don't think he was ever hand fed before. First I noticed that he was watching and noticing that my herd was surrounding me and not afraid of me, that they seemed to want to be around me. I clicked him every time he looked at me, or turned his head my way. I was slowly able to get closer and closer to him, with my back turned away, really working on making my energy small and harmless feeling to him, and then trying to reach out with my arm, still facing away from him. After several times I was able to get him to stand still and not run away, and finally face me and stand still, then I got his lead rope. I slowly approached him and held out my hand, still trying to feel harmless to him, he jumped a couple of times when my hand touched his whiskers, but he finally felt the food and took a little bite. He then let me pet his neck, he was still pretty on guard, but was thinking this was ok, and he let me pet his back and rub his sides, still ok, but still watching me. I started asking him to lead, he wouldn't go forward, but was starting to follow me in circles, I wanted to see how much I might be able to get him to follow on feel, not pull him. This really only took maybe ten minutes. The owner did note that my mules really seem to know what that clicker means:) He also asked what I was giving him, just a little grain. I really think he saw that this works, I just told him, the mule is scared to death and that mules have to decide for themselves when they think something is safe to do. Mine were all trying to get in on it, but you know, I felt so good, they seemed to know what I was doing and they backed off when I asked. Celie started to sort of chase the mule a couple of times, and I snapped my fingers at her and called her name, maybe said "Quit it" and she stopped immediately and came to me. It really gave me clear focus about how far I have come with my horses, Icelandics, and mules. They are really pretty obediant compared to this mule just starting out, and this is the spot we started at, even if I am not riding them all quite yet:) I also saw that now I seem to have learned something, and what may have taken me much longer a few years ago, takes much less time now, even with an animal I don't know. It really felt good to try and be a good example, and to be able to help the mule and the guy save themselves from stress. I gave the mule back to his owner to lead out of the pasture, this kid, I'm sure has broken way more horses than I ever could in my lifetime, so I didn't really want to overstep. I don't think he minded that he didn't have to chase the mule until sundown though.
Kim
