I have three mules,one gaited mule that is green as a gourd and a pair that will harness(kindof).Eany way i am new to the equine game,mule or horses.I need some advice on what and how much feed.Old timers say 3 ears of corn a day is enough.these mules clearly whant more than that.Others say corn will make them wild?How much hay and how much grain.Eany informed input would be apreciated.

Not sure about the feed thing, but found this article when I was searching the web for information on mules, always wanted one myself but really don't know why, I guess it is there individuality..?

http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/mule.htm

will let you know if I find anything else.. They have a live chat here also. You should invite some friends and start a "mule room" if you wanted to go back and forth faster.

Thanks for the reply,I have viewed some of the videos of steve edwards who wrote the article on buying a mule.They did not cover much on feed.I am sure i will soon find help. I sholud have read this article before purchasing a mule ,mine are not quiet as good as the perfect one he described!!

There isn't a whole lot out there for mules that anyone is posting or displaying for information.

But this gal has a site might check it out maybe there is something she might help with.

http://www.blazinarrow.com/

hope it turns up something for you wooddawg

Feeding a mule is no different than feeding a horse. I would never feed them straight corn as there is too much starch and an overload on starch will cause colic and founder. There are great pelleted feeds out there and most are pretty inexpensive, Horse & Mule is a good 10% protein feed that will work great. I would start off with a "coffee can" twice a day. Depending on the size of the mule and their weight gain you may need to adjust this. They also need adequate hay and forage. Corn won't make them "wild" but it will give them excess energy. Read up on horse feeding and you can do the same with your mule.

Feed for the NEED. Mules and Donkeys and Horses for that matter are WORK animals and should be put to work. When a animal works it needs more feed. But if your animal is a pasture decoration GOOD grass,(or grass hay) along with parasite control, clean water, (shelter)sulfer salt,(keep feet trimmed) and DE (food grade) it has 28 minerals ,should be available. OK ...who can tell us what food grade DE is ?
note: most love their animals ..to death. By over feeding them.
Donkeys get a roll on their necks by eating ALOT of everything and NOT getting enough of the write things. Cribbing should STOP if DE is used twice a day.
ADA CEO thedonkeyman
AmericanDonkeyAssociation

Good advice... absolutely right on all aspects. Feeding mules is no different than horses. I would also find out how much they weigh now and decide how much work now and feed accordingly. Some grain bags will even tell you how much to feed based on weight (but you always need to take work into consideration too!)

Good luck!

I am owned by a 14 hand Quarter Horse mule. (Anyone who owns longears knows what a mean!) Ringo is stalled up with regular turn out and is ridden about 3 times a week. I tried lots of different feeds with him, and all mules are different. I have had the best luck with plain ol rolled oats. He gets VERY little, about 1/4 of a gallon coffee can 2X a day and all of the grass hay he can eat. I tried sweet feeds (the sugar seems to make them hot) and pellets (too much protien got me the same results). A mule is a very easy keeper, and he is fat and sassy. Good luck!