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You definitely don't want children to get in alone with big animals - even if they didn't attack on purpose they might step on them by accident. Equines can't see where their heads aren't pointed, and unfamiliar motions out of the corners of their eyes can spook them.
I've seen my SIL's mule going after a dog that got in the pasture - it was like a cartoon! Dan went almost down on his belly and ran fast, lifting his front hooves high and pounding them down. It's not something you would believe unless you'd seen it!
And Dan saved my husband once, when a pack of dogs came into the pasture and threatened him. He didn't have a gun, but Dan moved them all along! I've heard he also killed a goat - on a trail ride - while SIL was in the saddle...
Our two mules were fairly tolerant of our dog, Gus. He was a pit bull mix and fast on his feet - when the mules started wrestling, he would jump in and hang by their tails. He did get kicked once, and after that he waited until they were rolling, and he'd grab their tails, and then run away by the time they could get up.
Anyway, mules are great for defense, too, especially if you want something you can ride. They're bigger than donkeys and smarter and healthier than horses, and handsomer than either!
You definitely don't want children to get in alone with big animals - even if they didn't attack on purpose they might step on them by accident. Equines can't see where their heads aren't pointed, and unfamiliar motions out of the corners of their eyes can spook them.
I've seen my SIL's mule going after a dog that got in the pasture - it was like a cartoon! Dan went almost down on his belly and ran fast, lifting his front hooves high and pounding them down. It's not something you would believe unless you'd seen it!
And Dan saved my husband once, when a pack of dogs came into the pasture and threatened him. He didn't have a gun, but Dan moved them all along! I've heard he also killed a goat - on a trail ride - while SIL was in the saddle...
Our two mules were fairly tolerant of our dog, Gus. He was a pit bull mix and fast on his feet - when the mules started wrestling, he would jump in and hang by their tails. He did get kicked once, and after that he waited until they were rolling, and he'd grab their tails, and then run away by the time they could get up.
Anyway, mules are great for defense, too, especially if you want something you can ride. They're bigger than donkeys and smarter and healthier than horses, and handsomer than either!
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