3-Step Method
"If you can control the feet, you can control the mule," notes Cameron. Here's his three-step method to halter-driving your mule, which focuses on foot control.
Step 1. Ask for a small circle. Stand just behind your mule's left shoulder. Hold the lead rope in your left hand, and the remainder in your right hand. Ask your mule to go forward in a small circle to the left, at a walk, as though longeing him. Use lead-rope pressure to guide him. Twirl the end of the lead rope to encourage him to follow your guide hand. If you need to, bump him on the hip or hindquarters.
As your mule walks in a circle, his body will arc around you, his body bent out, and his head and hindquarters curved in toward you. Point your feet in the same direction as his feet, and move in an equal stride. As soon as your mule understands this step, circle him a few times, then go to Step 2.
Step 2. Tighten the circle. When your mule walks well on a circle to the left, ask him to make the circle a little tighter. To do so, you'll ask him to turn his hindquarters so that his left hind leg crosses in front of his right foot. (This sounds complicated, but it's not.) To achieve this, hold the lead rope in your right hand and the remainder in your left hand. Then change your direction of travel by walking toward your mule's tail. Now, you're still turning him to the left, but by switching your guide hand, you're bending his nose more to the inside (Photo 2B). As you move toward your mule's hip, watch for his hind feet to cross over. Note that your feet are now going the opposite direction of his feet. It's kind of like you're doing a do-si-do with your mule!
Step 3. Change direction. When your mule smoothly performs a couple of crossover steps, ask him to change direction, using the bend you achieved in Step 2. To change direction, halt your forward movement. This should halt your mule and shift his weight back onto his hindquarters. Simultaneously, use your right hand (still your guide hand) to direct him to turn until he changes direction. His forehand will cross in front of you, putting you on his right side.
When done smoothly, you won't move your feet; your mule will do the moving. Of course, it may take a number of attempts to perform this step smoothly. Be patient. Your mule may not immediately understand what you're asking, but when he does, this step will become easy.
Now your mule is set up to go on a circle to the right. Perform Steps 1 through 3 to the right. Repeat this entire exercise from both sides several times. You'll gradually get to the point that you can ask for a specific number of circles in Step 1, cross-over steps in Step 2, and direction changes in Step 3. Congratulations, you're in control!
