A little bribery never hurts : )
With mules, you can use a bribe now and then without it becoming an issue of “spoiling”, and once the behavior you are bribing for becomes habit, then you can stop using the bribes (and your mule won’t climb all over you looking for the treats). It works with my mule, anyway.
Case in point: I don’t get to feed Ruby. Wish I did, but I board her, so Mr. G does the feeding (unless everyone is brought indoors due to inclement weather, and I happen to be present at feeding time, then Mr. G will let me pour her feed). I don’t have that “provider” connection with her. She’s easy to catch in the field, but I thought it would be ideal to have her to walk/trot/run to me whenever I appear at the gate and call to her – which is easier to establish when you have that provider connection with your equine. I thought, well, why don’t I provide a little something each time I arrive and call to her? I thought something healthy would be ideal (as opposed to something sugary – personally, I don’t dig sugary treats, as they tend to contribute to health problems if used continually over time), so I used a big fat baby carrot.
On the first day, I walked out into the field, stopped about 20 feet away from her, and she came the rest of the way (she’s always been good about meeting me part way). I handed her the carrot, scratched her, talked to her, slipped on the halter, and lead her to the gate. The second day, the same thing happened, except she followed me to the gate without being lead. The third day, I walked a short way out, called to her, and she walked up – I just had to step back to the gate, open it, and give her the treat (there’s a small enclosed area behind the barn that she walked into – this is where I slipped her halter on). From then on, I just had to call from the gate. After about a week of receiving treats, she decided that she didn’t need them anymore, and she quit looking for them/expecting them. Today, I just appear at the gate and she comes up (and if she’s out of sight, I just call to her from the gate). Beautiful! One of these days we’ll have our own place, and I can be the total provider for Ruby and her buddies : )
I do give treats here and there on a pretty regular basis, yet Ruby never behaves in a spolied manner. She does not nip me nor look in my pockets, nor run me down looking for goodies. She seems to have the attitude of someone who hopes that a treat or two will come her way, rather than having an attitude of expectation or demand.
My favorite treats are all-natural with no sugar. I found some that are just pure dried apple - really great, love them - called Orchard Sweet 100% Apple Treats, purchased from Jeffers Equine Supply. I also like the Giddyap Girls treats (also at Jeffers). Good stuff!
