Best bit to start a young Mollie mule with?

Question

So I've gotten My new mule Abigail and we have been ground driving with a hackamore a couple of days. Mind you she hasn't had very much handling and she picked up driving in literally 2 seconds! She's very intelligent. So I'm having the vet check her teeth Monday to make sure she is good to go bit wise. Any suggestions on a bit? So far she has been VERY gentle and easy going so I want to start her on something gentle. I've been getting mixed reviews...some people say stick with the hackamore and others won't ride a mule without some sort of bit. I ride my older mule in a twisted wire snaffle because she has a tendency to pull you around without it. I really want to start this girl right as she has LOADS of potential. I also ordered a couple of Meredith Hodges videos on training longears. Thanks for your help....especially you Mule reiner!! I look forward to your responses!!

Answer 1

Unless you are going to be showing this mule I wouldn't suggest going to a bit at all. You can get a side pull or a bosal, but I'd stay away from a mechanical hackamore just because of the severity of it.

There are some great posts already about using bits...but IMHO there is no need for a bit. You actually don't need a bit for control, anymore than you need a saddle for control. KWIM? It's not the bit its the hands and if you can get what you want with a side pull at least you're way ahead of the game.

Good luck with Abigail, and Meredith's videos can help a lot.  

Answer 2

Hey girl...

On the greenies.. I use my favorite snaffle, which is just a eggbutt german silver that isn't too thin or too thick.. and then I take a lariat rope off some nasty rope in the barn and melt it onto the rings of the bit to make a nose piece.  

I don't want it tight against the nose, just contact so when I pull, or give cues etc.. it pulls on the nose more than the bars.  Also, you don't need the chin strap because in those ahhhhh moments, you can bend them around with this also.  

But I put it into a knot on the top of each ring and measure it to the mules muzzle and then take a propane lighter and melt the knots.  You can cut if off at a later date when your mule is solid in that.

I never go to anymore more than a snaffle for starting, then to a broken snaffle with 6in shanks after that..  then to my balding correction bit that I adore.  

Answer 3

She definitely needs the right bit just for her!

Here is Charmayne James website it has many bits that she talks about that are good for different things....

http://www.charmaynejames.com/store/cate...

Click the details button and it will explain all about the bit.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I know that we are discussing mules here now, but the principle is the same...if you want to develop a soft mouth, start with soft hands and a mild bit (fat D ring snaffle or fat O ring snaffle) , using rubber or leather bit guards on either bit and a leather chin strap to hold the bit in place and help prevent it from pulling through.  You can ALWAYS get more severe if you have to.  Now, remember, driving is not exactly like riding, you drive on the bit with no slack (Yes, you drive on the bit while you are riding too, but you can do that with slack in the reins, the cues are different as well) ...in other words, the horse/mule needs to learn from the beginning that unless the bit is in gear, (you have picked up on the lines and engaged the bit) that animal is supposed to be standing still, no matter what happens.  When you want to engage your horse and signal that you are going to ask them to do something, you pick up on the lines, remove any slack in the lines, pick up your whip and say their name first, to get their attention...now, they have already had to clues/warnings that you are going to ask them to do something.  It could be walk on or back or swing, whatever...if you warn your animal and get his attention before you actually make your request, you usually don't have to ask a second time.  When you drive on the bit, which is what driving is, you provide guidance and security for your animal, always keeping equal pressure on both lines. When you want a stop, speak your animals name, add a little more pressure on the lines and as soon as it stops, get off their mouth...that is their signal that they are to stand quietly until you engage them again.  The reason that I have gone into such detail is to attempt to make the point that you are teaching very little about driving to your little Mollie by using the hackamore.   Yes, some mules do require something more in their mouth, but mules are smart, they will learn to evade any bit that you use unless you have the hands to go with it, so just use your hands and reflexes to begin with and you won't have to go that route.  You didn't say how old your little gal is, so it's hard to say what you should be doing mentally and physically with her at this point.  You can never go wrong by teaching good ground manners at the halter, teaching whoa, teaching respect for your space, teaching them where they own body parts are, picking up feet and bonding.  I know that you didn't ask, but with your older mule, you can go back, using one of the milder bits that I mentioned, tie his head around to either the stirrup or back cinch (I prefer the stirrup as it gives a little more and quicker, providing instant reward for his giving him head)  Remember, you won't win a fight with a mule, (if he wants a fight, let him fight with himself)  so don't pick one in the first place...create a situation that makes winners of you both.  As SOON as the mule gives his head, tie him on the other side...don't make the exercise punitive or keep him around until his neck gets sore, that totally defeats the purpose.  You are wanting to teach him that as soon as he gives his face to you when you are in the saddle, he is going to get instant reward.  Then, when you do ride, make your hand aids subtle, you don't have to haul him around until his nose touches his butt (a little exaggeration there), you just need him to turn his nose in the direction that you want to go and reinforce with your outside rein, keeping his body straight when he gives...before you know it, you will be doing rollbacks while neck reining.   Remember, a mule will pick up on every nuance and knows if you have confidence in what you are doing or not.  Good luck with your long ears, and have fun.

Answer 5

Ask Mulereiner

Answer 6

I say stick with the hackamore, if she goes well with one. Another kind of hackamore is a Bosal, it's really effective but you might need to train her to respond to it. It really works though

Answer 7

If she is going go in the hackamore, maybe you should wait on introducing the bit. But otherwise I would start her in a simple double jointed eggbutt or d-ring snaffle. I like double jointed bits better as there is no nutcracker action.  

Answer 8

i would try a hackmore but you shoould also try a twisted snaffle for a soft mouth . thats what i use! well good luck!!