Muriel Herion
- Mules Qui peut
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
This text is based on several reflections by Muriel Herion.
Muriel has been working with mules for over 15 years.
She founded a mule sanctuary in Belgium, where she accompanied children, adults, and people with disabilities, in order to promote these animals and their abilities, particularly their ability to form a caring bond with humans.
Starting with mules from shelters, she has taken in over 25 on-site, in addition to those she has rehabilitated, trained, and broken in to saddle (but not to harness), as well as those she has worked outside.
See the page: The Continent of Mules
As an aside, no shelter in Belgium wanted to take in mules at the time. Twiggy was the first one she took in.
Muriel has trained with numerous professionals, both in Europe and the United States, enriching her expertise.
With this experience, we asked her to be a member of the jury for the finals of events organized by the Mule Qui Peut association. She also helps us draft the rules for the ChaLenge Muletier and the Sentier des Mules.
A podcast is currently in preparation.
Mules are hybrid animals known for their strength, endurance and intelligence, however, their social behavior and training present particularities that clearly distinguish them from horses.
Social behavior of mules
When a new mule is introduced into a herd, it may encounter marked aggression from established members. Mules may gang up to chase or even attempt to eliminate the intruder, especially if the latter fails to escape. Despite these potentially violent confrontations, the newcomer often persists in reintegrating the group, demonstrating notable resilience. This social dynamic highlights the presence of dominant hierarchies within mule herds, an aspect to consider when managing these animals.
Managing a captive herd
To avoid frequent veterinary interventions due to injuries resulting from these aggressive interactions, it is essential to adopt a thoughtful approach when integrating a new mule rather than allowing the new arrival to be "lynched" by its conspecifics, a gradual and controlled introduction is recommended this method helps minimize the risk of serious injuries and promote harmonious cohabitation.
Differences with horses and donkeys
Unlike horses, mules often prefer attack to flight when threatened. They may attempt to kill any animal that enters their territory without prior warning. Furthermore, an entire mule may exhibit aggressive breeding behavior, showing no sensitivity to its mate. Understanding these behaviors is therefore crucial to interacting effectively with them.
Recommended educational approach
It is not recommended to use force or violence to try to gain a mule's trust, as this is ineffective, quite the opposite.
An approach based on movement, technique, and know-how is recommended. Speaking the mule's "language," moving it intentionally, and rewarding it appropriately establishes effective communication. Mules, being intelligent animals, appreciate some form of "pay" or reward for their efforts. It is therefore important to choose appropriate rewards and use them wisely.
Daily Training and Relationship with Mules
Think of mules not as alien beings, but as endearing and greedy geniuses.
Daily training, especially when they are young, is essential, answer their questions, because they seek to understand everything. Once they have assimilated a concept, move on to the next step, but do not leave any questions unanswered, be meticulous but detached, firm, polite and clear in your interactions Americans, who have a long tradition of working with mules, advise first creating a bond of friendship with your mule. This friendship does not mean making them spoiled animals, but understanding them and knowing how to ask them things correctly.
Testimonial: Nikita's Story
Take the example of Nikita, a particularly wild mule who was locked up. She would throw herself against walls, seriously injuring herself.
After two years of effort, a relationship of trust was established with her. However, following an adoption where coercive methods were used to quickly harness her, Nikita returned traumatized, refusing all human contact. This experience underscores the importance of a gentle and respectful approach, tailored to each mule, to avoid behavioral regression.
Conclusion
Mules are remarkably intelligent animals, endowed with impressive strength and speed. They detect the slightest weakness and are wary of human certainties. It is therefore essential to adopt a balanced approach, combining firmness and gentleness, to establish a harmonious relationship with them. Patience, understanding, and respect are the keys to successful cohabitation with these exceptional animals.
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