OLDS, Alta. – Several times a year, owners of donkeys and mules gather to dress up, hitch up and giddy up.
These animals are growing in popularity across North America as owners have found donkeys and mules can do anything a horse can do.
The Alberta mule and donkey club met in Olds recently for its third annual show of riding and driving events, gymkhana, obstacle courses and costume events. About 40 animals were entered with an even split between mules and donkeys that ranged from miniature to mammoth.
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“Mules are growing in popularity as people start to learn how versatile they are,” said Lynn Pearle of Wetaskiwin, Alta.
She keeps about a dozen mules and uses them to work cattle. She also appreciates their stamina on trail rides and their trustworthiness around children.
The idea that mules are stubborn is a misconception, Pearle said.
“Stubbornness is more a function of needing to know what he is doing. A mule needs to understand it is a safe thing for him to do.”
Mules have joined the prestigious battle of the breeds at Spruce Meadows at Calgary. Each fall, all breeds of horses compete in a series of events including riding, trail classes, pulling and jumping. While the mules may not jump as well, they have won the trail classes, said Pearle.
A trail class is a timed event where animals are tested for manners and obedience over and through a series of natural obstacles that might appear on a cross country ride. A trail animal should investigate the obstacle to determine its safety.
Pearle’s family became involved with mules because they liked the challenge of training them. While a horse can be forced to perform many tasks, training a mule requires better communication skills.
As a hybrid cross between a female horse and male donkey, a mule can take on the qualities of the horse’s background. If the horse was used for cutting cattle, the mule will likely have equal ability. If the mare was a Standardbred, the mule will be a pacer.
Mules take longer to mature than horses but they also live longer, up to 40 years.
“They grow on you. I don’t know anyone who can have just one. They say mules can’t reproduce but they seem to grow and grow on your farm,” said Pearle.
