Hey everyone, this is Cpl. Young! I'm premiering part two of this video now! Watch and comment, we can talk about it together! ruclips.net/video/SsU26tL-Hag/видео.html&ab_channel=TeamMLG
Capl. Young, I and my team of Belgians had the same problems until harnessing up became part of our everyday routine. I know you would have that success if you had that repetition.
Please teach these handlers how to handle these mules. They have no clue how to tack or clean their hooves, grabbing them in the wrong spot throwing them off balance. The reason you are always on the left side when tacking and getting on/off is so the mule or horse for that matter has consistency and knows what to expect otherwise they get nervous and will act out. Also the chains, seriously??? She clearly snapped the chain to "correct" the mule, it's abuse.
Always pat her on the rump as you walk around the back side but stay close to her if she kicks she only lefts you a little and you don't get hurt keep your elbow forearm on her rump as you pat go back and forth a few times patting her down talk to her until you see her licking her chops then she saying she's okay with you. She'll do as you ask.
Hi Corporal Young, I served active duty from 1974 to 1980. Immediately after getting out of the Marines, the G.I. Bill paid for my tuition for Horseshoeing/Farrier School, which was 3 months long. It was all hands on training. I was raised around horses and livestock. My sister works as a horse wrangler on large ranches in Arizona and Colorado, her husband is an official Mule Packer for the US Forest Service. I have to say that whoever trained you how to handle horses/mules did a crappy job. That mule is not mean at all. You are mishandling the animal. That is not how you pick up the feet of the horse/mule. The way you are jerking his front leg around can cause him injury and cause you injury. If you pick up the front hoof the correct way, even a child can do it with little effort. You are grabbing the leg, instead of gently lifting it. You have to position your feet one each side of the leg, then gently nudge the animal with your back side. Then you place the hoof between your knees. It is a good work out for the upper leg muscles. Also, the mule is already trained to allow you to pick up his hooves, if you do it the correct way. You have the lead rope tied to a flimsy unsecured pipe fence in some kind of tight knot, instead of a slip knot. That horse can yank that flimsy fence down on top of you. I blame your instructors, if they taught you how to handle horses like this, they need to un-blank themselves. Mules are actually easier to handle than horses, especially if you are putting on new horse shoes or just trimming the hooves. Their hooves are bigger and wider than a regular horse.
LMAO. I remember Alice from when I worked there back in 2010-11. She's not mean. She's just smarter than most of the folks trying to work with her. lol.
We had a Pack String on the Lowman, Idaho District of the Boise National Forest..during the 1970's. The mules were surplus Army Mules. We used Decker Pack Saddles. When you put the saddle on, we had to make it extra tight because the Mule would blow up his or her stomach for their comfort. They are pretty smart. Quite the animal. In case you are wondering, I am 90 years old.
Ha, can’t believe they made a video about Alice, I remember dealing with her back in 2017. My favorite part was during the morning round up when you had to go catch your mule for the day. Alice would always walk straight towards people and volunteer as most the others ran around. She knew what she was doing
@@mrsmcdonald9363 well truthfully she didn’t seem to mind anyone, she just wanted to be around people. She would walk straight to the gate to be “caught”.
@@Courtannica Mules can only be ridden from two and a half to three years old depending on the place, just like horses, so if we add that to the 7 years that have passed until 2017, she would have been at least 9 years old at the time, plus the years that have occurred since that time, today she would be at least 16 years old. Mules can live up to 40 years! Depending on the location, this life expectancy can be significantly reduced. Here in Brazil, for example, their life expectancy is 15 years.
I worked for a cattle ranch a few summers and one horse had a reputation for kicking people out of nowhere, biting, and bucking if she stumbled while riding. I noticed when I first started riding her she was constantly flapping her lip a sign of nervousness in horses. After a week of riding her that lip quit flapping and never came back. Only once did she give me trouble during a storm she reared slightly and protested but we continued on without trouble. Twice we stumbled into gopher holes and while jumping over a creek in which I came rolling off. She recovered calmly. Never even thought about kicking or biting me. Poor thing was just handled rough and ignorantly. So sad how these animals get reputations for just trying to communicate their discomfort.
That refusal in a storm might not be a bad thing. I’ve a friend who cowboys a little in Colorado. Once he and a partner went out to move cows as a storm was approaching. Riding out, he reached a point where the horse just stopped and locked up. Wouldn’t move at all. This confused my friend as the horse was an excellent roper who was always a willing partner. He got angry, and just as he was about to try and “convince” the horse with coiled rope in hand a HUGE bolt of lightening struck about where they would be had the horse not stopped, which would likely have killed them both. Naturally, the horse got extra special treatment that night and my friend learned a valuable lesson about the meaning of “partnering” with a horse.
@@ilovehorses5714 in my buddy’s case, I believe the horse sensed the impending lightening strike and stopped short of the area from which the “leader” for the bolt would spring. I’m thinking a good case of “horse sense”. But, you’re right. Some just have a bad attitude.
@@hgj2019 Oh, I can believe it. They sense stuff. My mare kept nervously pacing back in fourth in and out of her stall, not eating. She loves to eat. She kept looking up at the hill. I was puzzled. A few minutes later, I heard all these sirens. A car had flipped up there on the road. If there is an animal or person out there, she'll stop and watch. I know something's there. Now the geldings spook at leaf farts that aren't even there! There's nothing there. I'm like,"c'mon boys! You're fine." And my mare won't bat an eye at whatever they think is there. Lol! Some are better than others. I DO wonder if that mule is cinchy and sore, though, in the video.
That is called anthropomorphism, Attributing human characteristics to animals. It is not being stubborn, just being a mule and testing boundaries. Now is the time to train that out of him instead of letting it get much worse and become a real danger.
3 года назад+17
Nathan Chiaro I'm curious, do you even own a mule, or maybe just horses? Mules cannot be pushed into doing anything that will cause harm to themselves. I've heard of horses running in front of truck and the rider needing to bail off, the horse killed. I've heard of horses being horses and a green horse and a selfish cowboy got a little girl killed trying to cross a four lane highway so he could get a biscuit on the other side. Both the child and horse were hit by a semi. I've never heard of a mule doing that. I've had mules, this one since he was 18 months, he's coming 17. Once we bonded, he goes wherever I ask and I trust him to put his feet where we won't get into trouble. Had a stupid cowboy on a horse spooking and spinning on a narrow trail next to a drop off. My mule happened to be near the edge when the trouble started. He just stood calm and I had no fear of him stepping off the edge to get out of the way, he would have backed out of the way.
august / April 21st, 2021: Beauty isn't enough for a working mule - if she were mine I would have employed an experienced horse/donkey behaviorist. She has to learn to accept the will of her humans - cost what it may.
The absolute amount of sass that mule has, is unbelievable. She is incredibly smart, she was entirely messing with her. Waiting til she has the hoof, then pulling it away. Making sure to never hurt her, but also making it known that as the mule she is 100% the boss and not to forget it.
@Leona Bastet no, as that mule acted properly and did everything. Didn't come close to hurting the trainer, and didn't cause too much of an issue. But I bet you're parroting something you heard. Let me give you a bit of info: the Army trains *everyone* from mules and dogs to people very strictly. You don't know what you're talking about, please stop.
problem is that the marine is pulling her leg at awkward angles and causing a lot of discomfort. She's pulling the leg away from the knee/elbow/shoulder all the time, it would feel the same for us if someone twists our arm behind our back or locks our elbow. It's uncomfortable. Horses/mules/donkeys don't have the capability to think 'let's mess with this person today', she's uncomfortable and pulling her leg away because this marine has no idea how to pick out an equine's hooves nor pick up the leg in any way.
Get on Alice's good side; mules only do what they want and when they want to. But they are awesome creatures, very reliable. It has been said "works like a mule."
@Leona Bastet Alice is a fine mule; she is a mule, not a dog or anywhere near it. She was just "playing around" with the groom. If a mule wants to hurt you, its over and done before you know what happened. Relationships with animals to a certain extent are all "give and take."
In 1996, my Marine unit went to Bridgeport. Mountain training. I was one of few that got to attend mulepackers course. My mule was Aubrey. We loaded up the mules and climbed Mountains. Great experience!
@LvLeigh11 I am proud to be a service to my country, it is so sad to see what is happening to it today. I think a lot of people made a mistake the last election and there is no way to fix it. The damage is done we are going down as a nation.😥 Our founding father's gave us a great nation and 246 years later we f***** it all up because of weakness and liberalism.
Often Moutain corps keep using mules for hauling cargo and even light artillery gun in situation where Mechanized vehicules can't go, or choper not available, i'have seen French "Chasseurs alpins" and Austrian "Gebirgsjäger" keep using those in the Alps, officialy in French army mules as stopped to be used since 1975, but... soldier keeps using hit still today
Glad to see the USMC is still after all this Time using Mules and Horses !!! This young Marine Girl is a Wonderful Patient Person !!! OORAH Keep up the Good Work Marine !!!!
The mule is it a he or a she??? But I think they are a cross between obviously a donkey and some kind of drag horse like and Irish draught, a Belgian, clydesdale or it could even be a suffolk punch which are really rare!!!
Well done Corporal Rachel K. Young, Alice is a big, powerful and formidable mule, with her own mind. She's very scary, and must be respected. Rachel you were great!
This is where I learned that raising your hand when asked "who knows how to ride a horse" is the wrong answer if you don't want to spend your time at Bridgeport packing mules and donkeys. Everybody else in my platoon went to assault climbers course. Myself and a guy from Texas who raised our hands went to packers course. I heard assault climber course was fun. Packer course was just OK. If you grew up on a ranch or farm in the western US you probably won't be learning anything new other than the stock they have at the course is really soured from year in and year out working with Marines who have no idea what they are doing. If you end up in this course stuff cornbread from the chow hall in your cargo pockets at breakfast and use it for rewards when your mule or donkey does your ask. It will save you a lot of heartburn in the long run if you get started on a good note with your assigned animal.
Had to laugh my Uncle's favorite WW2 story he was Navy. They ask who knows how to ride a horse raised hand spent all winter riding shoreline looking for german u boats. My Uncle said it was a fight to keep them going out and a even bigger fight trying to keep them from running in. So he said best thing never raise your hand. Thank you for your service.
Damned good advice. After thinking about it, I remembered learning a little about packing horses, mules & donkeys in Nevada, Arizona & Colorado. A little here, a little there. From a old desert miner, a few tourist guides in the Grand Canyon and other wilderness areas, met some forest rangers in various national forest back country, hung out with some mounted search & rescue people in the Mojave desert. Packing a mounted pack frame and dealing with the animals is an art form to me. One I loved learning about, but not making a lifestyle out of. Lol It is hard work. Dangerous at times too! You Do Not want to know what happens to an ill tied down and unbalanced pack in a thunderstorm when a mule gets upset! It can all go south in a flash. But I have watched real professional back country individual's do outstanding jobs and some of them made it look easy! But it has been amongst my greatest pleasures. To have gone out into pure wilderness and spend weeks exploring during the day and laying around campfires at night. I have many good memories. I appreciate all y'all military wranglers and packers. It gives you blistered and bruises and broken bones if you screw up, not to mention getting bit & stomped on! Y'all Rock! You will always remember it. Thank you all for your service. God bless all the troops.
Told my platoon I needed a volunteer, didn't say what for only one raised their hand. Told him to go to his room and check his eyelids for holes the rest of the day. Everyone else was mad. I said next time I ask for a volunteer you might want to raise your hand.
This is S/Sgt T. Smith. I began the Marine Corps Animal Pack Program back in the mid 80's. They sent me to Bud Nelson packing school in Jackson Hole Wyoming to learn how to pack mules. Wow, it's come along way from my humble beginnings. Semper Fi
I had no idea that Marine Corp still had mules. I probably have about million questions but I guess maybe that mules might be used in mountainous areas where vehicles can't get to or are they used in a more ceremonial role? Next question does the Army still have mules? I did read a article that either the Austrian or maybe the German army still has some mules for some of their mountain forces.
Just some advice if you would like it. When picking up the feet. Once it's off the ground rub the mule over the legs and belly and chest until they relax a little. Make it feel good to have their feet off the ground. Talk to a farrier about the proper way to hold up a foot. She was tossing you around a little but she is a big girl. Dont just drop the foot when done. Lower it to the ground, that way she wont be expecting and bracing for the foot to fall and she will get softer. Good on you for having fun with the mules!!!
@@AlexanderRodriguez-vs3xk That works well if you have the body mass to hold it there.. Her body mass versus Alice's hind end strength would get her launched. Alice is a big girl.
I'm a a Marine, I was in from 1992 to 1997. I had no idea that the corps has a place like this. I would have signed up for this in a heartbeat! Great job Marine, you showed your true colors with this animal. Most people would be mean to an animal. Most animals are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. It's not always about breaking/ being mean to any animal to earn their trust. Thank your for your service Marine. Stay safe out there. Semper Fi!
I was in the Corps in 85. This looks like Bridgeport, Ca.. I was attached to a grunt unit and they would go to Bridgeport for mountain training. They had mules there.
That was the coolest thing I've seen. We have a mule, the nicest mule in the world, and use her to ride in the hills near our place in S. Oklahoma. Mules are the smartest animal in the world. Never forget that. Well done Marine
Maybe you're used to it, but to someone like me who has never had a mule, much less seen one in person, reading about someone actually having a mule is pretty cool, ha-ha. 😁
My grandpa was a mule man, he had working mules and always had one that was for riding only. Something he said I’ve always remembered, a mule will wait 20 years for the perfect opportunity to kick your brains out. LOL
For the people saying this mule wasn't trained right in the beginning, it's not that simple. It doesn't matter how well trained a mule or horse was or if they had the best trainer. Horse's and Mules will relapse and develop bad habits again when they are being handled by inexperienced people often because they are smart enough to understand after a while that you don't know what you're doing and they will take advantage of that.
Agreed. Horses, mules will test and act up depending on the owner. I work with horses and have been for almost 7 years now. Horses look for a leader. Most non horse people getting into owning horses think that it's all about the kindness, love and affection. Don't get me wrong it's good to show your horse love and affection, but it's all about being the leader. If you aren't the leader your horse is looking for, they will get away with things and pick up habits like what you have said. With all honesty, that marine could've gotten badly hurt. It's not smart to ignore the fact that she almost broke her foot, leg, and almost got bit a few times. I was taught to discipline horses that threaten to kick or bite. It's not a game you want to keep playing.
Yup, it happened with my mare (Arabian), she was only with that family for a month on trial, her owner didn’t want her going to them though because they didn’t want to work with her they just wanted to go go go, when we got her, she was a completely different horse. She went from fat and quiet to skinny and half wild, all in a months time! Like, did they even feed her? A horse shouldn’t drop that much weight in just a month. Poor girl, she was so screwed up it took over a year and a very stubborn trainer to finally get through to her and fix what they did. I’m so grateful we found a trainer like him, he refused to give up on her and when he got through to her it was awesome.
@@johnb4183 Anytime a horse tries to bite you smack it's mouth. And that's it. Go right back to business. You don't pick at them. Horse bites hurt like hell. A kick can kill you. It mostly wont kill another horse, but we're puny compared to that mule. She kicks, earns another smack. You don't beat on them. You only correct to the degree necessary. You approach them with respect and firmness, and be kind. But if they come at you, you have to school them immediately. My horses try to hurt me, I make them move their feet. And they don't stop til I see signs that they want to renegotiate - licking their lips, head down, etc. They're getting hungry for resting... See Clinton Anderson training. And every animal is different. They all test you, they all have a bag of tricks they'll try. Some are easy, some are rank. If you let a horse push you around good chance you'll get hurt, sometimes critically.
My grandfather had a mule when he was in the marines, the mule’s name was Washburn and he would tell me stories of the adventures he and Washburn went thru. Thank you so much for bringing those stories back to me.
Alice isn't mean: at her size and weight, if she were mean, a human wouldn't come out of the encounter intact! The sad thing I've observed around mules is that too many humans dislike them, &/or believe the trope about them being "stubborn." Mules will assert themselves and will show resentment if they aren't treated well. Alice reminded the marine she was dealing with another sentient being, not a machine! This marine was kind, patient, & persistent. I hate to think how many humans Alice has had experience with who were determined to "show her who's boss," without regard for her feelings and intelligence. Kudos to this marine, and to Alice.
@@BongRipBing yeah... But humans are messed up. Some struggle with PTSD from a childhood of abuse. Others are just naturally antagonistic. Some are sweet, some are dumb. We gotta take them as they come and find out where they're coming from and go from there. Jesus healed and ministered to the most broken. All we can do is show them the love, mercy, and kindness that Jesus shows us. I ain't saying it's easy...lol. but practice makes perfect. 😘💞💖
Brings back memories. My old man retired from the Corps in 1962 as a Gunny. He claimed to be a pilot in the old Horse Marines in 1941. “Pile it here, then pile it there.” Still miss him.
A little tip for when your picking her feet, lean up against her a bit more and hold her foot more from the front rather then holding her leg and if you bring out her back feet a bit further while you pick them, it makes it harder for her to pull her foot away and makes it harder for her to kick you, plus, she might relax her leg a bit more. That's just what I do with my horses and mules and most of them are very similar to Alice, and it seems to work pretty well with them so I hope that it might help! :) also, thank you so much for your service!! 💚
I feel like every time you hugged/ petted her she smiles (look at her eyes and however so slightly the eyelids go up, like when your smiling really big) or said she knew her worth! I loved how Alice was also messing with you with her hooves but not trying to hurt you! Thank you for being kind and patient to her!
Alice is a Very Big Mule and you treated her right. Well Done. Mules that big can be intimidating. You showed strength and determination with kindness and consideration, great choices. thanks for sharing God Bless you and the animals and the Marine Corps Thanks again.
@@megaraitei If you cross a pony mare with a donkey jack, you get smaller mules. If you cross a draft horse mare with a donkey jack you can get a draft horse size mule. Just depends on the size of the parents.
Serious props to this woman for being so kind and professional. Love to see the positive reinforcement she used. Amazing how educated she is when she said "when I find her getting stressed out I give her a little break." Very well done. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TREATING THIS MULE SO KIND. You give me hope🌌💙🌠
During ww2, my grandfather was one of the only survivors out of a 100 men that were using mules and horses to transport supplies to camps on difficult terrain. He lived a very interesting life that always seemed to center around horses!
I was confused at first :is that cute woman tiny? Or is that behemoth of a mule that big!? 😲 Then the man came and... I think it's a little of both. Love both ladies anyways 😊😊
@@buffalogal9139 …and that’s exactly what I have: a little red saddle (and cart) mule. Her name is Greta. She’s 14 hands and 18 years old. Mother was a paint so she has white socks with red spots. I’m 68 years old and I’d never go back to a horse. She gave me the kind of hooha Alice was giving the Marine when I first got her. We’ve been together 8 years now. The young lady’s determination to persevere was what I enjoyed from the video. If Alice wasn’t a kind mule, they would have dispensed with her a long time ago. If the young lady was given a perfectly “trained” animal, how would she have learned anything herself? Just sayin’😎🤷♀️🤠
Lol. I grew up on a farm and we had a mule. I loved him so much. He bonded with me I suppose because he saw me when I was just a baby till I was about 15. He was pretty ornery with everyone else. We were best buds so he was always gentle with me.
Aw Alice. Mules are so straight in the hind end, not uncommon for the heavy guys to be stiff and not want to extend for picking the feet. You showed her a lot of patience and that's wonderful that the Marine Corps still works with mules. What a skill to have.
My Grandfather was a "mule man". He loved them. In the early 1900's he bought, sold, and moved mules between Arkansas and Oklahoma and he was only 13! I remember riding on one with him in the early 50's when I was a kid. They are truly smart and strong animals.
YeeHaa! Warm greetings from a retired USAF SMSgt. I was raised using a farm mule (Kentucky), and I know they can be difficult. I appreciate that Cpl. Young held her own with the Lady and got her tacked out for the day's duty roster. God bless!
These two will make a wonderful team if given the chance. The first few weeks may be tough but gosh you guys are both worth it. Every thing you can learn will go in your own tool box to keep forever!
Loved this! Alice knows when she has a greenhorn. ;) Looks like she had a Belgian dam. We didn't have mules on our little hobby farm, but Dad started raising donkeys. They're much smarter than horses, which is where mules get it from. Willing horses will do themselves to death for you. Mules and donkeys say, dangerous for me? Screw you! Stand back and let me think, and if I figure out a safe way, *then* we'll proceed.
The stubborn horses are the best. They teach us so many valuable lessons. Sometimes it can be difficult to work with them but they make us better horsemen, horsewomen, and everyone in between. I went to a camp a while back and was given a very difficult horse. She was sick of her job, she was old, and she was sassy. Every time I would come up to her, she'd throw herself against me and crush me against the wall, then would try to kick me when I would try to jump out from behind her (I couldn't jump in front of her either, because she was tied to the wall). She was very difficult and it took a while to make any progress. She was a little easier in the saddle. No buck, no rear, but she was stubborn and lazy, so was unwilling to do anything more than a jog. She was extremely cinchy, as the camp counsellors would tug the cinch as tightly and quickly as they could to get it over with. I always took the longest to tack up, but by the end of the camp, she was okay with me tacking her up because I went slow and gave her lots of praise when she deserved it, but I also corrected sour behavior. The worst part was, I wasn't very good at working with horses on the ground at this time. I had my fair share of lazy horses that didn't want to to, and I thought *those* horses were intimidating! So though it was almost terrifying for me, I walked away from that camp as a much better horseperson and as someone who enjoyed working with the problem horses because the end results are so rewarding. I was so happy when she finally let me tack her up and would extend into a more medium trot. Okay, enough of my rambling. my point is that the "mean", "lazy", or "dangerous" horses can sometimes be the best horses to learn from, because they teach us so much about how to use our body language and how to cooperate with such a powerful animal
I can easily say I don’t mind difficult horses. I am 16 and work at a horse ranch, I got a estimated 16 year old thoroughbred cross (Dakota) need less to say I know nothing about his past life... But he is a wonderful horse and VARY smart and obvious he’s learned over his past years how to misbehave to get his way😂 he has resorted to bucking or rearing when asked to stop or slow down😂🤣 but I haven’t found anything he won’t do when asked the right way... it’s obvious he doesn’t want to hurt me he just puts up a bit of a fight and To be honest I’m not the best rider so I am learning as well🙂 we need to build respect which I think is the main problem. when your pasted around you never learn to respect your human... I love him so much❤️❤️ I had people try to buy him for almost 2 times what I payed but call me crazy I just can’t let him go!
@ a a a a I agree wholeheartedly. I've seen people who say they know how to ride, but have only ridden very 'push button' horses so haven't a clue as to what to do with a horse that even questions. With that said, it sometimes seems like a lot of work, but it is well worth it.
Every mission someone is supposed to come up with expected failure rate ie. 1/10 of helicopters would be expected to malfunction so if 10 are needed they would send at least 12. This mule is a guaranteed failure before it's mission even starts. That is unless it's mission is to train this young soldier how to deal with a difficult mule.
Alice is magnificent! And I really appreciated how the tenacious young Marine kept her cool while Alice played with her little. And in the end, Alice was saddled! Looks like these folks have THE BEST jobs in the military!!! Stay safe! Great job! Much love!
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Alice is a cantankerous BRAT !!! She knows what to do.... And is happily entertaining herself at all of your expense. She's bored to tears! Needs more activity to keep her mind happy. 😄
I love these big draft mules! And Alice's very capable two-legged friend knows how to be patient and loving while gaining her cooperation. A wonderful video.
You did really well. It was a lesson in patience and understanding. If you were the only one handling Alice, I suspect she would begin to relax more during the whole process.
Thanks for sharing a slice of life from your day. Made me think of my late uncle. Mules are one hella smart animal. My uncle used to own a pack station in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He would have traded every one of his horses for a mule if he could have. They don’t founder as easy, they are more sure-footed, they can carry more, etc. You just have to watch out - they can kick in all four directions, unlike a horse.
MY great uncle was a muleskinner in France in WW1. He moved ammunition, artillery shells, food, and water to the front. I have photos of him with his mules and outfit. Wish I could send them to you. I found this in his things from an Army newspaper. He lost his hearing and a toe to frostbite. He was never the same after the war. " An American private, astride a water barrel that was being drawn by a mule to the front, told the mule what he thought of the animal's balking in the middle of the road that was constantly being shelled by the Germans when a direct hit was made on the mule. The mule vanished from sight save his head, which was thrown several yards up the road, and a couple of legs, which were left hitched to the cart. The driver was thrown from his seat unhurt. He got up on his feet, wiped the mule from his face, and said to a much shaken comrade who hugged the earth nearby " That what the damned cuss gets for balking!" " Thank you for your service. Glad we didn't have mules when I was in the Army at West Point, except a couple for football games. Maybe you could ship your mean mule off to West Point!
I stay without any word, after read the narrative. And sad when thinking that must of the suffer when are in service is consecutive to the shock after saw the reality of war. Of course no one is the same again. But all, everything can be leave in the past... Best regards
@Leona Bastet "human males" you realize how many women supported fighting at every point throughout history? You realize women leaders have sent people into combat for frivolous things just like men right? Are you one of those "women ruling the world would be more peaceful"? Because it has been proven throughout history that women leaders are also ruthless and had a 27% higher chance to start wars than the kings. Waging wars and being ruthless doesn't discriminate against race or gender.
@Leona Bastet I recommend writing your longer responses in some kind of word doc, notes or something similar. Or, if you don’t write off comment to start, at least copy and paste what you start to write that is long into one, then you won’t lose it. I learned the hard way to do this.
My dad, (retired CSM and veteran of WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam), told me that mules or horses that would kick had their tails shaved so that people would know not to walk behind them. Hence the term "shave tail."
Shes most likely only snatching her foot as the marine is pulling her leg out, which is a painful and awkward angle. She isnt mean or just doing things to 'mess with people', its most liekly because shes fed up with people not knowing what theyre doing and putting her in discomfort. The way she reacted to just the sight of the pad (tail swishing, stomping, bum swining) all indicate nervousness and an aversion to the pad, most likey from pain. The way the harness was thrown on could be the cause. It was very rough. Equines have sensitive backs and if something is too heavy to put down gently, a step stool should be used. The way she swung round to bite as soon as the cinch was being done up, but at no other time also just screams ulcers.
I love how she talked to Alice and asked her to help lift her feet. Alice needed TLC. I would guess other riders were men and sometimes they can't see Alice is a feeling sentient being, rather than just a piece of army equipment. She needed some kindness. I liked how this young lady handled the situation. Bravo!
@@amyb.6368 Waah, grow up! Quit being such a damn crybaby! There was absolutely nothing wrong with what baby boomer said! Just because YOU think it was sexist, doesn't make you right!
This reminds me of a story an old marine told me. Many years ago when he served, there was a big black gelding named Blackjack. He was known to be mean as hell, bolt, buck, you name it he’s done it. He said they’d always put the newbies on him and tell them he was the gentlest horse they got. Then old Blackjack would take off with them, leave them in a field somewhere and come trotting back to the stables without his rider. 😂
My mums uncle was an Irishman in the British army during WW1 and a horse and mule expert.. Mules were used extensively alongside horses and though he was Irish was respected by the horse loving British officers. He was a horse person all his life, and used to buy broken horses and heal them. Great choice of music.
Miss Malice. Now I know where that saying about 'stubborn' comes from. She's bloody gorgeous though... Being a total diva, but I hope she's never actually intentionally hurt someone. She's a BIG girl. ❤️
THAT. WAS. EPIC! LOL! As an equine trainer myself for 40 years, I have to say that the trouble with mules is when you cant train them from the start yourself. People get them when they are older, by then, they have picked up ALL kinds of bad habits because NOBODY holds them accountable for anything! People tend to say, "Oh well, its a mule, its stubborn." They use it as an excuse to be lazy with training. Mules have the ability to be trained as well as any horse so long as you hold them to the same standards. Unfortunately, people dont! Thats when you end up with a mule like Alice! (and I can see that she is half draft horse! Too big to be so unruly!)
What I saw was potential human injury heaped upon more injury...head butting, unprovoked side stepping over people, failure to clue for short sessions of hoof picking, an aggressive hip butting for a double barrel explosion and several physical back leg lifts warning of a kick. Beyond me why people continue to leave comments excusing this mule's behavior. Apparently these people have never been through surgery or PT for any physical injury.
@@barbwellman6686 excusing its behavior? I can understand why a living creature with its own emotions wouldn't want you grabbing onto its leg. What I don't understand is why the DOD thinks a mule is cheaper and more capably than an atv or dirtbike.
@@Largetalons All properly trained horses, mules and donkeys raise their feet for inspection. This mule however, was disengaging her upper hip in a prepatory "cow kick" warning.
If your horses are grumpy, they want you to know that something is wrong and you're not listening. Ulcers. You cinch too tight too soon. ill-fitting tack etc etc Pain is something a horse will show by being so-called grumpy.
I was a mule skinner on a canal boat in Easton Pa., worked and trained mule teams for years, that’s a mule being herself. Truly mean mules make sure you bleed and or cry ever time you make them do anything.
This is fear of pain if I've ever seen it. She is saying "I don't want anything on my back, it's uncomfortable!" I'd schedule a chiropractor if she was mine.
Absolutely what I was going to say!!!! She was okay being brushed, other than knowing and dreading what was coming next. Lifting her hind legs for cleaning shifts the spine and could be painful. And she's so tall that a lot of soldiers will have to throw the pack saddle on (or will think that's how it's done because of old movies). Saddles are heavy and can cause pain if her spine is out of adjustment or has developed arthritis. Even a slip in the pasture can cause back issues. At school we had two Belgian mules and they were a handful, but to me, this looked like fear of pain for sure. I also once saddled a draft-cross that no one warned me about... When I put the saddle on his back, he literally dropped to his knees from pain. I felt awful! I hope they have her checked, including s-rays for arthritis.
exactly! im wondering why not more people arent pointing thay out. She isnt being mean or naughty shes communicating that someting is painful/unclmfortable/stressful and she doesnt want it. also throwing a saddle on a mule that doesnt even know how to pick up her hooves yet, yikes
The brighter the horse/mule/pony the more “difficult” they can be. Alice obviously knows exactly how things are supposed to be done, and sees no reason why she should accept anything but the right way! Tough on the trainees (a school mistresses!) But once she accepts you, she’s the one you want to be working with in a tight spot!👍
Alice is a "lesson" mule. You can learn a lot from an animal that will get away with all it can but not attack you. We had a horse like that and the owner of a stable down the road wanted to buy him to train new riders. We never sold him.
Way to stick with it! Each time a new human enters that horses or mules circle the test begins. Respect is never transferred it’s given when you pass. Being fair & honest and not giving up in the middle of a disagreement has suited me in my horsemanship, sometimes the answer is working at the disagreement in another way but always end on the positive.❤️
I've been around mules and love them. You are doing a great job with Alice. Not all mules act that way, regardless of what is said in the comments. Most don't act that way because they have chosen not to act that way. Extremally smart.
I rode a mule instead of a cranky horse one summer across the Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle up in to the Sangre Dr Christos mountains of New Mexico. This was a productive archeological survey expedition. The mule is a good ride, very smart and tractable, able to find a good path if given it's head. That fractious horse got to haul a lot of camp equipment🤠
I’m glad you focus on her stress and reducing it and being kind; that’s exactly what they need! And Alice seems smart in a more assertive way😂 but I relate so hard the the kicky legs when it’s time to clean hooves. It’s a workout on its own…
![What Is A Mule? [Their Surprising History and Origins]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/urzZj3HpvgA/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey everyone, this is Cpl. Young! I'm premiering part two of this video now! Watch and comment, we can talk about it together! ruclips.net/video/SsU26tL-Hag/видео.html&ab_channel=TeamMLG
Cpl is very beautiful and knows how to handle very well
Capl. Young, I and my team of Belgians had the same problems until harnessing up became part of our everyday routine. I know you would have that success if you had that repetition.
Please teach these handlers how to handle these mules. They have no clue how to tack or clean their hooves, grabbing them in the wrong spot throwing them off balance. The reason you are always on the left side when tacking and getting on/off is so the mule or horse for that matter has consistency and knows what to expect otherwise they get nervous and will act out. Also the chains, seriously??? She clearly snapped the chain to "correct" the mule, it's abuse.
Always pat her on the rump as you walk around the back side but stay close to her if she kicks she only lefts you a little and you don't get hurt keep your elbow forearm on her rump as you pat go back and forth a few times patting her down talk to her until you see her licking her chops then she saying she's okay with you. She'll do as you ask.
Hi Corporal Young, I served active duty from 1974 to 1980. Immediately after getting out of the Marines, the G.I. Bill paid for my tuition for Horseshoeing/Farrier School, which was 3 months long. It was all hands on training. I was raised around horses and livestock. My sister works as a horse wrangler on large ranches in Arizona and Colorado, her husband is an official Mule Packer for the US Forest Service. I have to say that whoever trained you how to handle horses/mules did a crappy job. That mule is not mean at all. You are mishandling the animal. That is not how you pick up the feet of the horse/mule. The way you are jerking his front leg around can cause him injury and cause you injury. If you pick up the front hoof the correct way, even a child can do it with little effort. You are grabbing the leg, instead of gently lifting it. You have to position your feet one each side of the leg, then gently nudge the animal with your back side. Then you place the hoof between your knees. It is a good work out for the upper leg muscles. Also, the mule is already trained to allow you to pick up his hooves, if you do it the correct way. You have the lead rope tied to a flimsy unsecured pipe fence in some kind of tight knot, instead of a slip knot. That horse can yank that flimsy fence down on top of you. I blame your instructors, if they taught you how to handle horses like this, they need to un-blank themselves. Mules are actually easier to handle than horses, especially if you are putting on new horse shoes or just trimming the hooves. Their hooves are bigger and wider than a regular horse.
LMAO. I remember Alice from when I worked there back in 2010-11. She's not mean. She's just smarter than most of the folks trying to work with her. lol.
I went to MWTC in 09 and Alice was a beast then. Arlo fell on me as we both rolled down a hillside I had to Evac on a horse. Good times.
Hey I'm curious, why weren't they wearing cover while outside? I did not serve, so I wouldn't know.
@@migiddymike1403 I assume they are under some kind of awning or structure.
@@GarroldRwell, check out the first few seconds of the video.
@@GarroldR I'm only asking because yall said you've been there. I have no idea
We had a Pack String on the Lowman, Idaho District of the Boise National Forest..during the 1970's. The mules were surplus Army Mules. We used Decker Pack Saddles. When you put the saddle on, we had to make it extra tight because the Mule would blow up his or her stomach for their comfort. They are pretty smart. Quite the animal. In case you are wondering, I am 90 years old.
That's awesome. Thanks for sharing 👍
They are very smart. If you work with a mule, and show it kindness, it will do most anything for you. I like them.
@@teammlg8622 Alice the mule is an ass
I'd say, you're a pretty cool 90 year old!!!
@@1suitcasesal very cool
Ha, can’t believe they made a video about Alice, I remember dealing with her back in 2017. My favorite part was during the morning round up when you had to go catch your mule for the day. Alice would always walk straight towards people and volunteer as most the others ran around. She knew what she was doing
Did she volunteer to work with the best or worst handler?
@@mrsmcdonald9363 well truthfully she didn’t seem to mind anyone, she just wanted to be around people. She would walk straight to the gate to be “caught”.
@@zh1199 So she likes people but wants to be treated nicely and competently. I like Alice.
@@zh1199how old is alice?? I saw another comment that said 2010-2011
@@Courtannica Mules can only be ridden from two and a half to three years old depending on the place, just like horses, so if we add that to the 7 years that have passed until 2017, she would have been at least 9 years old at the time, plus the years that have occurred since that time, today she would be at least 16 years old.
Mules can live up to 40 years! Depending on the location, this life expectancy can be significantly reduced. Here in Brazil, for example, their life expectancy is 15 years.
I worked for a cattle ranch a few summers and one horse had a reputation for kicking people out of nowhere, biting, and bucking if she stumbled while riding. I noticed when I first started riding her she was constantly flapping her lip a sign of nervousness in horses. After a week of riding her that lip quit flapping and never came back. Only once did she give me trouble during a storm she reared slightly and protested but we continued on without trouble. Twice we stumbled into gopher holes and while jumping over a creek in which I came rolling off. She recovered calmly. Never even thought about kicking or biting me. Poor thing was just handled rough and ignorantly. So sad how these animals get reputations for just trying to communicate their discomfort.
best advice I every got was from a old cowboy. "if you are going to work with a animal, learn its language."
That refusal in a storm might not be a bad thing. I’ve a friend who cowboys a little in Colorado. Once he and a partner went out to move cows as a storm was approaching. Riding out, he reached a point where the horse just stopped and locked up. Wouldn’t move at all. This confused my friend as the horse was an excellent roper who was always a willing partner. He got angry, and just as he was about to try and “convince” the horse with coiled rope in hand a HUGE bolt of lightening struck about where they would be had the horse not stopped, which would likely have killed them both.
Naturally, the horse got extra special treatment that night and my friend learned a valuable lesson about the meaning of “partnering” with a horse.
You're right; they might have pain or just attitude.
@@ilovehorses5714 in my buddy’s case, I believe the horse sensed the impending lightening strike and stopped short of the area from which the “leader” for the bolt would spring. I’m thinking a good case of “horse sense”.
But, you’re right. Some just have a bad attitude.
@@hgj2019 Oh, I can believe it. They sense stuff. My mare kept nervously pacing back in fourth in and out of her stall, not eating. She loves to eat. She kept looking up at the hill. I was puzzled. A few minutes later, I heard all these sirens. A car had flipped up there on the road.
If there is an animal or person out there, she'll stop and watch. I know something's there. Now the geldings spook at leaf farts that aren't even there! There's nothing there. I'm like,"c'mon boys! You're fine." And my mare won't bat an eye at whatever they think is there. Lol! Some are better than others. I DO wonder if that mule is cinchy and sore, though, in the video.
Alice may be a little stubborn, but she's still beautiful.
Absolutely true.
That is called anthropomorphism, Attributing human characteristics to animals. It is not being stubborn, just being a mule and testing boundaries. Now is the time to train that out of him instead of letting it get much worse and become a real danger.
Nathan Chiaro I'm curious, do you even own a mule, or maybe just horses? Mules cannot be pushed into doing anything that will cause harm to themselves. I've heard of horses running in front of truck and the rider needing to bail off, the horse killed. I've heard of horses being horses and a green horse and a selfish cowboy got a little girl killed trying to cross a four lane highway so he could get a biscuit on the other side. Both the child and horse were hit by a semi. I've never heard of a mule doing that. I've had mules, this one since he was 18 months, he's coming 17. Once we bonded, he goes wherever I ask and I trust him to put his feet where we won't get into trouble. Had a stupid cowboy on a horse spooking and spinning on a narrow trail next to a drop off. My mule happened to be near the edge when the trouble started. He just stood calm and I had no fear of him stepping off the edge to get out of the way, he would have backed out of the way.
There is a reason there is a saying....... " Stubborn as a mule"
august / April 21st, 2021: Beauty isn't enough for a working mule - if she were mine I would have employed an experienced horse/donkey behaviorist. She has to learn to accept the will of her humans - cost what it may.
“Give her the pets and love she needs because… she knows her worth.”
Great words!
YES!
The absolute amount of sass that mule has, is unbelievable. She is incredibly smart, she was entirely messing with her. Waiting til she has the hoof, then pulling it away. Making sure to never hurt her, but also making it known that as the mule she is 100% the boss and not to forget it.
That was cracking me tf up Alice is just making it clear I AM bigger and stronger than you and ima give you a hard time
@Leona Bastet no, as that mule acted properly and did everything. Didn't come close to hurting the trainer, and didn't cause too much of an issue. But I bet you're parroting something you heard. Let me give you a bit of info: the Army trains *everyone* from mules and dogs to people very strictly. You don't know what you're talking about, please stop.
problem is that the marine is pulling her leg at awkward angles and causing a lot of discomfort. She's pulling the leg away from the knee/elbow/shoulder all the time, it would feel the same for us if someone twists our arm behind our back or locks our elbow. It's uncomfortable. Horses/mules/donkeys don't have the capability to think 'let's mess with this person today', she's uncomfortable and pulling her leg away because this marine has no idea how to pick out an equine's hooves nor pick up the leg in any way.
Get on Alice's good side; mules only do what they want and when they want to. But they are awesome creatures, very reliable. It has been said "works like a mule."
@Leona Bastet Alice is a fine mule; she is a mule, not a dog or anywhere near it. She was just "playing around" with the groom. If a mule wants to hurt you, its over and done before you know what happened. Relationships with animals to a certain extent are all "give and take."
This Young lady handled grumpy Alice very well, using patience and kindness.
I like to use a crowbar much more effective
Thanks Captain Obvious!
@@petemitchell6788 You're welcome Corporal Dork 😎
She's a brave girl. Like I said , I'd take Alice out into the round pen for an attitude adjustment. She's not the boss lady.
@@LR-ku8fn you're an ass. 😐😐
In 1996, my Marine unit went to Bridgeport. Mountain training. I was one of few that got to attend mulepackers course. My mule was Aubrey. We loaded up the mules and climbed Mountains. Great experience!
@LvLeigh11 I am proud to be a service to my country, it is so sad to see what is happening to it today. I think a lot of people made a mistake the last election and there is no way to fix it. The damage is done we are going down as a nation.😥 Our founding father's gave us a great nation and 246 years later we f***** it all up because of weakness and liberalism.
I think it's awesome they still teach these skills. If the worst ever happens, it's gonna be mules and horses hauling all of our crap around.
If it ever comes to that we’ll be sitting ducks for invasion.
@@ChineseChicken1 if it comes that far.. it happened everywhere else too.
Count me in I love horses and mules
Often Moutain corps keep using mules for hauling cargo and even light artillery gun in situation where Mechanized vehicules can't go, or choper not available, i'have seen French "Chasseurs alpins" and Austrian "Gebirgsjäger" keep using those in the Alps, officialy in French army mules as stopped to be used since 1975, but... soldier keeps using hit still today
Glad to see the USMC is still after all this Time using Mules and Horses !!! This young Marine Girl is a Wonderful Patient Person !!! OORAH Keep up the Good Work Marine !!!!
That is the biggest mule I’ve ever seen. Alice seemed knew what she was doing, the lady handled the mule very well.
I think it’s mixed with some sort of draft horse like Clydesdale
@@DVTProductions BHAHAHAHSAHSAHASGSGAFFAFSFSF
I mean, the lady is pretty tiny too, so she looks unusually big
@@DVTProductions a belgian draft mule?
The mule is it a he or a she??? But I think they are a cross between obviously a donkey and some kind of drag horse like and Irish draught, a Belgian, clydesdale or it could even be a suffolk punch which are really rare!!!
Well done Corporal Rachel K. Young, Alice is a big, powerful and formidable mule, with her own mind. She's very scary, and must be respected. Rachel you were great!
This is where I learned that raising your hand when asked "who knows how to ride a horse" is the wrong answer if you don't want to spend your time at Bridgeport packing mules and donkeys. Everybody else in my platoon went to assault climbers course. Myself and a guy from Texas who raised our hands went to packers course. I heard assault climber course was fun. Packer course was just OK. If you grew up on a ranch or farm in the western US you probably won't be learning anything new other than the stock they have at the course is really soured from year in and year out working with Marines who have no idea what they are doing. If you end up in this course stuff cornbread from the chow hall in your cargo pockets at breakfast and use it for rewards when your mule or donkey does your ask. It will save you a lot of heartburn in the long run if you get started on a good note with your assigned animal.
Had to laugh my Uncle's favorite WW2 story he was Navy. They ask who knows how to ride a horse raised hand spent all winter riding shoreline looking for german u boats. My Uncle said it was a fight to keep them going out and a even bigger fight trying to keep them from running in. So he said best thing never raise your hand. Thank you for your service.
Damned good advice.
After thinking about it, I remembered learning a little about packing horses, mules & donkeys in Nevada, Arizona & Colorado. A little here, a little there. From a old desert miner, a few tourist guides in the Grand Canyon and other wilderness areas, met some forest rangers in various national forest back country, hung out with some mounted search & rescue people in the Mojave desert.
Packing a mounted pack frame and dealing with the animals is an art form to me. One I loved learning about, but not making a lifestyle out of. Lol
It is hard work. Dangerous at times too! You Do Not want to know what happens to an ill tied down and unbalanced pack in a thunderstorm when a mule gets upset! It can all go south in a flash. But I have watched real professional back country individual's do outstanding jobs and some of them made it look easy! But it has been amongst my greatest pleasures.
To have gone out into pure wilderness and spend weeks exploring during the day and laying around campfires at night.
I have many good memories.
I appreciate all y'all military wranglers and packers.
It gives you blistered and bruises and broken bones if you screw up, not to mention getting bit & stomped on!
Y'all Rock!
You will always remember it.
Thank you all for your service.
God bless all the troops.
@Johnny White My Uncle would have loved that!!!
Oh! Good thinking!
Told my platoon I needed a volunteer, didn't say what for only one raised their hand. Told him to go to his room and check his eyelids for holes the rest of the day. Everyone else was mad. I said next time I ask for a volunteer you might want to raise your hand.
Somebody didn't handle Alice right when she was younger. Mules never forget.
🙌
Exactly and she needs a professional mule trainer to re-educate her. Mules are not horses, they are smarter.
Alice is just playful .
She's not being handled right now.
Wait, I know they have good memory but they are smarter, aren’t they a breed of horse and donkey.
This is S/Sgt T. Smith. I began the Marine Corps Animal Pack Program back in the mid 80's. They sent me to Bud Nelson packing school in Jackson Hole Wyoming to learn how to pack mules. Wow, it's come along way from my humble beginnings.
Semper Fi
I had no idea that Marine Corp still had mules. I probably have about million questions but I guess maybe that mules might be used in mountainous areas where vehicles can't get to or are they used in a more ceremonial role? Next question does the Army still have mules? I did read a article that either the Austrian or maybe the German army still has some mules for some of their mountain forces.
Just some advice if you would like it.
When picking up the feet. Once it's off the ground rub the mule over the legs and belly and chest until they relax a little. Make it feel good to have their feet off the ground.
Talk to a farrier about the proper way to hold up a foot. She was tossing you around a little but she is a big girl.
Dont just drop the foot when done. Lower it to the ground, that way she wont be expecting and bracing for the foot to fall and she will get softer.
Good on you for having fun with the mules!!!
Very good advice! As a farrier all I could think is, you think your winded now try shoeing 8 a day lol.
Jeremy, you are a good man trying to help Alice life to improve. I`m afraid she has a new caretaker all the time.
I’ve seen some of the people who to that put their foot in between their legs
@@AlexanderRodriguez-vs3xk That works well if you have the body mass to hold it there.. Her body mass versus Alice's hind end strength would get her launched. Alice is a big girl.
@@eledatowle7128 true.
I'm a a Marine, I was in from 1992 to 1997. I had no idea that the corps has a place like this. I would have signed up for this in a heartbeat! Great job Marine, you showed your true colors with this animal. Most people would be mean to an animal. Most animals are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. It's not always about breaking/ being mean to any animal to earn their trust. Thank your for your service Marine. Stay safe out there. Semper Fi!
@@frankenstein5386 Hey; I am a Marine and I am also an asspacker, oh, sorry we are talking about mules here! Carry on Marine; great job!
Yea I had no idea
Jerry thank you for your service! God bless! 🤗 ♥️
I was in the Corps in 85. This looks like Bridgeport, Ca.. I was attached to a grunt unit and they would go to Bridgeport for mountain training. They had mules there.
@@b-ville504 I believe it's Bridgeport California. Anyway that's where Mountain Warfare training is.
That was the coolest thing I've seen. We have a mule, the nicest mule in the world, and use her to ride in the hills near our place in S. Oklahoma. Mules are the smartest animal in the world. Never forget that.
Well done Marine
Maybe you're used to it, but to someone like me who has never had a mule, much less seen one in person, reading about someone actually having a mule is pretty cool, ha-ha. 😁
My grandpa was a mule man, he had working mules and always had one that was for riding only. Something he said I’ve always remembered, a mule will wait 20 years for the perfect opportunity to kick your brains out. LOL
They are perfidious little bastards, gotta always be specially attentious around mules lol
Oh no!
Truly. A mule keeps score and never forgets.
That I believe!!
Hahaha that cracked me up
For the people saying this mule wasn't trained right in the beginning, it's not that simple. It doesn't matter how well trained a mule or horse was or if they had the best trainer. Horse's and Mules will relapse and develop bad habits again when they are being handled by inexperienced people often because they are smart enough to understand after a while that you don't know what you're doing and they will take advantage of that.
Agreed. Horses, mules will test and act up depending on the owner. I work with horses and have been for almost 7 years now. Horses look for a leader. Most non horse people getting into owning horses think that it's all about the kindness, love and affection. Don't get me wrong it's good to show your horse love and affection, but it's all about being the leader. If you aren't the leader your horse is looking for, they will get away with things and pick up habits like what you have said. With all honesty, that marine could've gotten badly hurt. It's not smart to ignore the fact that she almost broke her foot, leg, and almost got bit a few times. I was taught to discipline horses that threaten to kick or bite. It's not a game you want to keep playing.
Correct. It is more accurate to say that the person handling her is not trained.
Interesting Haven , how would you go about disciplining this mule , thanks.
Yup, it happened with my mare (Arabian), she was only with that family for a month on trial, her owner didn’t want her going to them though because they didn’t want to work with her they just wanted to go go go, when we got her, she was a completely different horse. She went from fat and quiet to skinny and half wild, all in a months time! Like, did they even feed her? A horse shouldn’t drop that much weight in just a month.
Poor girl, she was so screwed up it took over a year and a very stubborn trainer to finally get through to her and fix what they did. I’m so grateful we found a trainer like him, he refused to give up on her and when he got through to her it was awesome.
@@johnb4183 Anytime a horse tries to bite you smack it's mouth. And that's it. Go right back to business. You don't pick at them. Horse bites hurt like hell. A kick can kill you. It mostly wont kill another horse, but we're puny compared to that mule. She kicks, earns another smack. You don't beat on them. You only correct to the degree necessary. You approach them with respect and firmness, and be kind. But if they come at you, you have to school them immediately. My horses try to hurt me, I make them move their feet. And they don't stop til I see signs that they want to renegotiate - licking their lips, head down, etc. They're getting hungry for resting... See Clinton Anderson training. And every animal is different. They all test you, they all have a bag of tricks they'll try. Some are easy, some are rank. If you let a horse push you around good chance you'll get hurt, sometimes critically.
I’m glad to see the pack animals are still used in the military.
My grandfather had a mule when he was in the marines, the mule’s name was Washburn and he would tell me stories of the adventures he and Washburn went thru. Thank you so much for bringing those stories back to me.
Alice isn't mean: at her size and weight, if she were mean, a human wouldn't come out of the encounter intact! The sad thing I've observed around mules is that too many humans dislike them, &/or believe the trope about them being "stubborn." Mules will assert themselves and will show resentment if they aren't treated well. Alice reminded the marine she was dealing with another sentient being, not a machine! This marine was kind, patient, & persistent. I hate to think how many humans Alice has had experience with who were determined to "show her who's boss," without regard for her feelings and intelligence. Kudos to this marine, and to Alice.
@Lord Ass or is it just the mule's sense of humor.?
If only more people approached interacting with other people with kindness, patience, and persistence, the world would be a lot better off.
Mate well said.
I love mules, donkeys and horses. Such beautiful beings 🥰❤️❤️❤️
@@BongRipBing yeah... But humans are messed up. Some struggle with PTSD from a childhood of abuse. Others are just naturally antagonistic. Some are sweet, some are dumb. We gotta take them as they come and find out where they're coming from and go from there. Jesus healed and ministered to the most broken. All we can do is show them the love, mercy, and kindness that Jesus shows us. I ain't saying it's easy...lol. but practice makes perfect. 😘💞💖
Brings back memories. My old man retired from the Corps in 1962 as a Gunny. He claimed to be a pilot in the old Horse Marines in 1941. “Pile it here, then pile it there.” Still miss him.
“She’s being really good today!”
Alice: *And I took that personally.*
A little tip for when your picking her feet, lean up against her a bit more and hold her foot more from the front rather then holding her leg and if you bring out her back feet a bit further while you pick them, it makes it harder for her to pull her foot away and makes it harder for her to kick you, plus, she might relax her leg a bit more. That's just what I do with my horses and mules and most of them are very similar to Alice, and it seems to work pretty well with them so I hope that it might help! :) also, thank you so much for your service!! 💚
I feel like every time you hugged/ petted her she smiles (look at her eyes and however so slightly the eyelids go up, like when your smiling really big) or said she knew her worth! I loved how Alice was also messing with you with her hooves but not trying to hurt you! Thank you for being kind and patient to her!
Alice is a Very Big Mule and you treated her right. Well Done. Mules that big can be intimidating. You showed strength and determination with kindness and consideration, great choices. thanks for sharing God Bless you and the animals and the Marine Corps Thanks again.
Big ... Yes .. I was thinking the same. I hv only ever seen smaller ones.
@@megaraitei If you cross a pony mare with a donkey jack, you get smaller mules. If you cross a draft horse mare with a donkey jack you can get a draft horse size mule. Just depends on the size of the parents.
"I feel like we connect on that level of being as*holes" haha this woman is a legend.
I have watched this a dozen times, with a grin! You are SO GOOD... with her.
So patient and forgiving . I think Alice thinks so too!
Omg Her and Alice need their own RUclips channel
Yes! I'm looking for them on social media.
Serious props to this woman for being so kind and professional. Love to see the positive reinforcement she used. Amazing how educated she is when she said "when I find her getting stressed out I give her a little break." Very well done. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TREATING THIS MULE SO KIND. You give me hope🌌💙🌠
"Professional"? She did everything wrong.
ruclips.net/video/6k-UNiqvOHU/видео.html
@@diesel_dawg Exactly.
There is nothing wrong with being kind, but that girl needs to learn how to handle mules.
All I know is as a former Marine I can see the love you have for the horse and your job! Semper Fi Marine!
Horse ??
During ww2, my grandfather was one of the only survivors out of a 100 men that were using mules and horses to transport supplies to camps on difficult terrain. He lived a very interesting life that always seemed to center around horses!
They get the littlest Marine to handle a mule as big as a truck? God Bless this girl for having the patience and sticking with Alice. 👍USA🇺🇸
I was confused at first :is that cute woman tiny? Or is that behemoth of a mule that big!? 😲
Then the man came and... I think it's a little of both.
Love both ladies anyways 😊😊
Women should do what men do if they want the same job
Hi
In what country do you live?
@@ImranKhan-ww2dp USA 🇺🇸
Okay but that moment at 0:42 when you can see Alice truly enjoying the bit of affection she is getting from the marine
Hard-headed Marine mule. Makes me so proud. Outstanding job, Devil Dog.
Awww! She's not mean. I love a good mule. When they realize you're a good person, they'll try their heart out for you.
You are so correct; a good red saddle mule in the Arizona desert, can't get any better than that. The first thing I thought of when I saw Alice!
@@buffalogal9139 …and that’s exactly what I have: a little red saddle (and cart) mule. Her name is Greta. She’s 14 hands and 18 years old. Mother was a paint so she has white socks with red spots. I’m 68 years old and I’d never go back to a horse. She gave me the kind of hooha Alice was giving the Marine when I first got her. We’ve been together 8 years now. The young lady’s determination to persevere was what I enjoyed from the video. If Alice wasn’t a kind mule, they would have dispensed with her a long time ago. If the young lady was given a perfectly “trained” animal, how would she have learned anything herself? Just sayin’😎🤷♀️🤠
That's right, Alice was just testing her.
Lol. I grew up on a farm and we had a mule. I loved him so much. He bonded with me I suppose because he saw me when I was just a baby till I was about 15. He was pretty ornery with everyone else. We were best buds so he was always gentle with me.
Dude I love how that woman was so patient with her. And on another note damn is that mule huge
Draft mule...I believe a donkey, draft horse cross.
might have some Poitou donkey in her since those were used to make giant mules.
Perhaps a mammoth jack, as large as these mules are. I've seen some as tall as 17hh
Aw Alice. Mules are so straight in the hind end, not uncommon for the heavy guys to be stiff and not want to extend for picking the feet. You showed her a lot of patience and that's wonderful that the Marine Corps still works with mules. What a skill to have.
How does a winning jockey communicate with his horse?
: He lays his cards on the stable.
@@mikedavidz6161 LOL!
@@alycewich4472 😊✌️
My Grandfather was a "mule man". He loved them. In the early 1900's he bought, sold, and moved mules between Arkansas and Oklahoma and he was only 13! I remember riding on one with him in the early 50's when I was a kid. They are truly smart and strong animals.
YeeHaa! Warm greetings from a retired USAF SMSgt. I was raised using a farm mule (Kentucky), and I know they can be difficult. I appreciate that Cpl. Young held her own with the Lady and got her tacked out for the day's duty roster. God bless!
These two will make a wonderful team if given the chance. The first few weeks may be tough but gosh you guys are both worth it. Every thing you can learn will go in your own tool box to keep forever!
This woman melts my heart, love her perseverance with this Missouri Mule.
That young lady would be a great elementary school teacher, smart, strong, and above all patient.
Equestrian, too!
And least we forget USMC
Or she would a great marine!
She'll be a great anything!
Loved this! Alice knows when she has a greenhorn. ;) Looks like she had a Belgian dam. We didn't have mules on our little hobby farm, but Dad started raising donkeys. They're much smarter than horses, which is where mules get it from. Willing horses will do themselves to death for you. Mules and donkeys say, dangerous for me? Screw you! Stand back and let me think, and if I figure out a safe way, *then* we'll proceed.
I think Alice is just " training" each class that comes thru!🇺🇸😇🇺🇸💓
Alice likes this lady and is really cooperative. Love the petting and hugs. Calling her a good girl helps too.
The stubborn horses are the best. They teach us so many valuable lessons. Sometimes it can be difficult to work with them but they make us better horsemen, horsewomen, and everyone in between.
I went to a camp a while back and was given a very difficult horse. She was sick of her job, she was old, and she was sassy. Every time I would come up to her, she'd throw herself against me and crush me against the wall, then would try to kick me when I would try to jump out from behind her (I couldn't jump in front of her either, because she was tied to the wall). She was very difficult and it took a while to make any progress. She was a little easier in the saddle. No buck, no rear, but she was stubborn and lazy, so was unwilling to do anything more than a jog. She was extremely cinchy, as the camp counsellors would tug the cinch as tightly and quickly as they could to get it over with. I always took the longest to tack up, but by the end of the camp, she was okay with me tacking her up because I went slow and gave her lots of praise when she deserved it, but I also corrected sour behavior.
The worst part was, I wasn't very good at working with horses on the ground at this time. I had my fair share of lazy horses that didn't want to to, and I thought *those* horses were intimidating! So though it was almost terrifying for me, I walked away from that camp as a much better horseperson and as someone who enjoyed working with the problem horses because the end results are so rewarding. I was so happy when she finally let me tack her up and would extend into a more medium trot.
Okay, enough of my rambling. my point is that the "mean", "lazy", or "dangerous" horses can sometimes be the best horses to learn from, because they teach us so much about how to use our body language and how to cooperate with such a powerful animal
I can easily say I don’t mind difficult horses. I am 16 and work at a horse ranch, I got a estimated 16 year old thoroughbred cross (Dakota) need less to say I know nothing about his past life... But he is a wonderful horse and VARY smart and obvious he’s learned over his past years how to misbehave to get his way😂 he has resorted to bucking or rearing when asked to stop or slow down😂🤣 but I haven’t found anything he won’t do when asked the right way... it’s obvious he doesn’t want to hurt me he just puts up a bit of a fight and To be honest I’m not the best rider so I am learning as well🙂 we need to build respect which I think is the main problem. when your pasted around you never learn to respect your human... I love him so much❤️❤️ I had people try to buy him for almost 2 times what I payed but call me crazy I just can’t let him go!
@ a a a a I agree wholeheartedly. I've seen people who say they know how to ride, but have only ridden very 'push button' horses so haven't a clue as to what to do with a horse that even questions. With that said, it sometimes seems like a lot of work, but it is well worth it.
@@ruthieharrison2609 GOOD, FOR. YOU. You have way more experience that some out there who claim to be 'experienced riders.'
Now that's the Marine attitude of perseverance I've always heard about. Way to go Marine! 🐴👈👍🇺🇲
Every mission someone is supposed to come up with expected failure rate ie. 1/10 of helicopters would be expected to malfunction so if 10 are needed they would send at least 12. This mule is a guaranteed failure before it's mission even starts. That is unless it's mission is to train this young soldier how to deal with a difficult mule.
@@blakedannion9232 thank you for the comment/education! Looks like she hung in there pretty well.
Alice is just precious and needs her own RUclips channel lol.
It looks like she makes you work for the privilege of being in her amazing presence.
Alice has very poor ground manners. She needs to be worked with daily.
Alice is magnificent! And I really appreciated how the tenacious young Marine kept her cool while Alice played with her little. And in the end, Alice was saddled! Looks like these folks have THE BEST jobs in the military!!! Stay safe! Great job! Much love!
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Alice is a cantankerous BRAT !!!
She knows what to do.... And is happily entertaining herself at all of your expense.
She's bored to tears! Needs more activity to keep her mind happy. 😄
I love these big draft mules! And Alice's very capable two-legged friend knows how to be patient and loving while gaining her cooperation. A wonderful video.
You did really well. It was a lesson in patience and understanding. If you were the only one handling Alice, I suspect she would begin to relax more during the whole process.
I'm laughing my ass off watching this gal wrestling her mule, knowing full well I'd have been kicked to death just trying to brush it. Great vid.
Thanks for sharing a slice of life from your day. Made me think of my late uncle. Mules are one hella smart animal. My uncle used to own a pack station in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He would have traded every one of his horses for a mule if he could have. They don’t founder as easy, they are more sure-footed, they can carry more, etc. You just have to watch out - they can kick in all four directions, unlike a horse.
As well as their hind feet and body reaching for the sky when they double kick.
Once you get a mule's trust, it's worth it's weight in gold.
Too bad mule trust doesn’t weigh anything
idk would that mule take a bullet for me
Wow, 20 years a Marine and I never knew the USMC had four legged mules. All the mules I met only had two legs.
SF uses them when they go to places a conventional vehicle won't cut it.
🤣🤣🤣🤣👍 Round of applause to you sir!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
And they were called jackasses
Why the fuck do they have mules
@@pauliewalnuts2527 To carry and haul stuff
She is for sure a mule person and she did a great job! Mules work for kindness a lot better than they do aggressive people.
MY great uncle was a muleskinner in France in WW1. He moved ammunition, artillery shells, food, and water to the front. I have photos of him with his mules and outfit. Wish I could send them to you. I found this in his things from an Army newspaper. He lost his hearing and a toe to frostbite. He was never the same after the war. " An American private, astride a water barrel that was being drawn by a mule to the front, told the mule what he thought of the animal's balking in the middle of the road that was constantly being shelled by the Germans when a direct hit was made on the mule. The mule vanished from sight save his head, which was thrown several yards up the road, and a couple of legs, which were left hitched to the cart. The driver was thrown from his seat unhurt. He got up on his feet, wiped the mule from his face, and said to a much shaken comrade who hugged the earth nearby " That what the damned cuss gets for balking!" " Thank you for your service. Glad we didn't have mules when I was in the Army at West Point, except a couple for football games. Maybe you could ship your mean mule off to West Point!
I stay without any word, after read the narrative. And sad when thinking that must of the suffer when are in service is consecutive to the shock after saw the reality of war. Of course no one is the same again. But all, everything can be leave in the past... Best regards
Over 8 million horses and mules died in WWI. The conditions they worked in were terrible.
@Leona Bastet "human males" you realize how many women supported fighting at every point throughout history? You realize women leaders have sent people into combat for frivolous things just like men right? Are you one of those "women ruling the world would be more peaceful"? Because it has been proven throughout history that women leaders are also ruthless and had a 27% higher chance to start wars than the kings. Waging wars and being ruthless doesn't discriminate against race or gender.
@Leona Bastet I recommend writing your longer responses in some kind of word doc, notes or something similar. Or, if you don’t write off comment to start, at least copy and paste what you start to write that is long into one, then you won’t lose it. I learned the hard way to do this.
Yes, to animal kinship and kindness. Yes, to the courage and dedication of America's youth. No to wasting either on war for profit and empire.
My dad, (retired CSM and veteran of WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam), told me that mules or horses that would kick had their tails shaved so that people would know not to walk behind them. Hence the term "shave tail."
Shes most likely only snatching her foot as the marine is pulling her leg out, which is a painful and awkward angle. She isnt mean or just doing things to 'mess with people', its most liekly because shes fed up with people not knowing what theyre doing and putting her in discomfort. The way she reacted to just the sight of the pad (tail swishing, stomping, bum swining) all indicate nervousness and an aversion to the pad, most likey from pain. The way the harness was thrown on could be the cause. It was very rough. Equines have sensitive backs and if something is too heavy to put down gently, a step stool should be used. The way she swung round to bite as soon as the cinch was being done up, but at no other time also just screams ulcers.
This is such a great story! That mule had her number from the minute he laid eyes on her!!😂😂
I'd really like to see a continuation!
Oh that lady handled it so well, by being patient and not getting angry.
I wore that same uniform. But that Marine is more brave than I ever was !!! SemperFi Devil Dogs .
I love how she talked to Alice and asked her to help lift her feet. Alice needed TLC. I would guess other riders were men and sometimes they can't see Alice is a feeling sentient being, rather than just a piece of army equipment. She needed some kindness. I liked how this young lady handled the situation. Bravo!
Way to gender stereotype.
@@SagebrushRambles Way to be a douchebag!
@@hotrodhog2170 Yeah, no, I find the original comment kind of sexist.
@@amyb.6368 Waah, grow up! Quit being such a damn crybaby! There was absolutely nothing wrong with what baby boomer said! Just because YOU think it was sexist, doesn't make you right!
This reminds me of a story an old marine told me. Many years ago when he served, there was a big black gelding named Blackjack. He was known to be mean as hell, bolt, buck, you name it he’s done it. He said they’d always put the newbies on him and tell them he was the gentlest horse they got. Then old Blackjack would take off with them, leave them in a field somewhere and come trotting back to the stables without his rider. 😂
Smart as a Donkey, Strong as a Horse and with a Tenacity you just can't help but respect.
My mums uncle was an Irishman in the British army during WW1 and a horse and mule expert.. Mules were used extensively alongside horses and though he was Irish was respected by the horse loving British officers. He was a horse person all his life, and used to buy broken horses and heal them. Great choice of music.
Miss Malice. Now I know where that saying about 'stubborn' comes from. She's bloody gorgeous though... Being a total diva, but I hope she's never actually intentionally hurt someone. She's a BIG girl. ❤️
Working with a mule is about patience and kindness. You absolutely must be patient. They are very intelligent and can use their smarts against you.
THAT. WAS. EPIC! LOL! As an equine trainer myself for 40 years, I have to say that the trouble with mules is when you cant train them from the start yourself. People get them when they are older, by then, they have picked up ALL kinds of bad habits because NOBODY holds them accountable for anything! People tend to say, "Oh well, its a mule, its stubborn." They use it as an excuse to be lazy with training. Mules have the ability to be trained as well as any horse so long as you hold them to the same standards. Unfortunately, people dont! Thats when you end up with a mule like Alice! (and I can see that she is half draft horse! Too big to be so unruly!)
What I saw was potential human injury heaped upon more injury...head butting, unprovoked side stepping over people, failure to clue for short sessions of hoof picking, an aggressive hip butting for a double barrel explosion and several physical back leg lifts warning of a kick. Beyond me why people continue to leave comments excusing this mule's behavior. Apparently these people have never been through surgery or PT for any physical injury.
@@barbwellman6686 excusing its behavior? I can understand why a living creature with its own emotions wouldn't want you grabbing onto its leg. What I don't understand is why the DOD thinks a mule is cheaper and more capably than an atv or dirtbike.
@@Largetalons All properly trained horses, mules and donkeys raise their feet for inspection. This mule however, was disengaging her upper hip in a prepatory "cow kick" warning.
@@Largetalons there's a lot more parts on an ATV or bike that can break with shit tons of material stacked ontop of it.
@Jay How much experience do you have picking up hooves?
As an equestrian who rides quite a few grumpy horses you handled Alice very well
If your horses are grumpy, they want you to know that something is wrong and you're not listening.
Ulcers.
You cinch too tight too soon.
ill-fitting tack
etc
etc
Pain is something a horse will show by being so-called grumpy.
@@user-is6yl9wi7e i agree with u but that isnt always the case. more often then not it is but like people horses have bad days to
I was a mule skinner on a canal boat in Easton Pa., worked and trained mule teams for years, that’s a mule being herself. Truly mean mules make sure you bleed and or cry ever time you make them do anything.
This is fear of pain if I've ever seen it. She is saying "I don't want anything on my back, it's uncomfortable!" I'd schedule a chiropractor if she was mine.
Thats what I thought. But you'd think they would do all that already.
Absolutely what I was going to say!!!! She was okay being brushed, other than knowing and dreading what was coming next. Lifting her hind legs for cleaning shifts the spine and could be painful. And she's so tall that a lot of soldiers will have to throw the pack saddle on (or will think that's how it's done because of old movies). Saddles are heavy and can cause pain if her spine is out of adjustment or has developed arthritis. Even a slip in the pasture can cause back issues. At school we had two Belgian mules and they were a handful, but to me, this looked like fear of pain for sure. I also once saddled a draft-cross that no one warned me about... When I put the saddle on his back, he literally dropped to his knees from pain. I felt awful! I hope they have her checked, including s-rays for arthritis.
good point! didn’t cross my mind even
Exactly! My first thoughts were that she’s probably in pain! I hope they get her checked out. Chiropractic and massage would be a good way to start.
exactly! im wondering why not more people arent pointing thay out. She isnt being mean or naughty shes communicating that someting is painful/unclmfortable/stressful and she doesnt want it. also throwing a saddle on a mule that doesnt even know how to pick up her hooves yet, yikes
The brighter the horse/mule/pony the more “difficult” they can be. Alice obviously knows exactly how things are supposed to be done, and sees no reason why she should accept anything but the right way! Tough on the trainees (a school mistresses!) But once she accepts you, she’s the one you want to be working with in a tight spot!👍
Alice is a "lesson" mule. You can learn a lot from an animal that will get away with all it can but not attack you. We had a horse like that and the owner of a stable down the road wanted to buy him to train new riders. We never sold him.
I'm glad you attacked Alice! (... and, secretly, so is she!)
Alice is awesome! Thanks for your service Alice! Thank you to all our men and women in camo. Love you all.
She’s huge!! You definitely handled her very well! It looks like you two have a sibling relationship 😆
This is very impressive great job!!🧡
I've had to deal with ornery mules and horses and I discovered that a pocket of treats makes everything go smoother.
Pepper ment
Way to stick with it! Each time a new human enters that horses or mules circle the test begins. Respect is never transferred it’s given when you pass. Being fair & honest and not giving up in the middle of a disagreement has suited me in my horsemanship, sometimes the answer is working at the disagreement in another way but always end on the positive.❤️
How does a winning jockey communicate with his horse?
He lays his cards on the stable.🙏☀️🌟🌟💯
That’s the exact temperament I’d expect from a marine mule. 🙌
This was so funny. 😄 But I hear mules really are very good at carrying and traveling.
Thank goodness for kind individuals who give these wonderful animals the respect and love they deserve ❤
1:58 you both have great expressions. Well, you. Those pinned ears on Alice though
I had no idea the marines had any equine ops. How cool! Btw that’s the biggest mule I’ve ever seen!
Subtitles: "Alright guys, so today I'm going to ATTACK Alice."
Your a good kid, I hope your parents are proud!!
I'm very proud!!
I've been around mules and love them. You are doing a great job with Alice. Not all mules act that way, regardless of what is said in the comments. Most don't act that way because they have chosen not to act that way. Extremally smart.
I rode a mule instead of a cranky horse one summer across the Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle up in to the Sangre Dr Christos mountains of New Mexico. This was a productive archeological survey expedition. The mule is a good ride, very smart and tractable, able to find a good path if given it's head. That fractious horse got to haul a lot of camp equipment🤠
I’m glad you focus on her stress and reducing it and being kind; that’s exactly what they need! And Alice seems smart in a more assertive way😂 but I relate so hard the the kicky legs when it’s time to clean hooves. It’s a workout on its own…
Alice is a good girl. Her job is to teach Marines and she takes it seriously...Well maybe she enjoys some things more than others LOL!
Wow!!! That is a giant Mule. So cool that USMC has such a unique capability.
I love her. The Marine is great as well.
i am so proud of all you Marines. you all took care of us Navy guys so much. Thank you for all you do every day and thank you Alice