Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Mule escaping round pen

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Watch Monty's horse training videos to learn how he demonstrates communication through horse training techniques that the amateur and professional alike consider to be the trainable skills of a horse whisperer yet Monty calls it horse gentling.
Monty's horse training techniques are non violent with intelligent natural horsemanship. In addition to video instructions, Monty has written many books related to natural horsemanship. Monty trains safe horses for nervous riders called Willing Partners. Monty trains world class race horses for sale.
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Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
Monty has helped thousands of people globally through his Monty Roberts Online Videos to learn how to Join-Up with horses, training young horses, spooky horses, horses that bite. His mustang , Shy Boy , is his most famous horse.
Join-Up methods help horse and trainer to establish a bond of communication and trust. “You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.” ~ Monty
Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
"Simple one-on-one reassurances and praise reap long term dividends that can all be undone with the quick slamming of a book on a desk or shouting back." ~ Monty Roberts
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My Join-Up® Experience

Mule escaping round pen

By:

lootsanina02

Date:

2025-Aug-28 at 02:26PM

Hi there.

I am trying to do join up with a relatively tame mule. But he is so small and he is a master escape artist. I have a round pen but it is not very secure. I do not have any other similar secure space to do join up with him. I tried once in the round pen but he managed to escape before I could finish Join Up. What do I do?

JoHewittVINTA 2025-Sep-06 at 11:59AM

Hi & welcome to the Uni. Your mule seems quite a character. I am happy to try & advise you but you need to be more specific. In what way is your round pen insecure & exactly how does your mule escape? Looking forward to your reply. Cheers, Jo.

lootsanina02 2025-Sep-24 at 11:10AM

Hi.
Yeah he is quite the character. I actually managed to secure the round pen. So the problem was that 2 of the bottom poles broke and he would just go underneath the top pole. But I use other poles and tyres lying around. I have groomed this mule a few times. The problem is now he trusts me snd follows me but I can’t get him to move his feet. I do the whole eyes on eyes, shoulders square thing. I throw the lunge rope at his hind legs. I make noise. Wave my hand. Nothing. He will not move an inch. But he follows me quite well. Sometimes he needs a little time and calling but he follows me well. This is not my mule. I can only work with him once a week unfortunately. I am new to training horses and I chose the most stubborn horse in the yard. No one has worked on him before. They told me he is untrainable. They basically just gave up on him. I believe firmly in Monty’s techniques. I believe no horse is untrainable. So I want to try training him.

JoHewittVINTA 2025-Sep-25 at 01:31PM

Hi. Glad you solved your first problem so let's see if we can help you further. If you study the lessons you'll see Monty using plastic on a stick. Given your experience so far I suggest you choose a really big, crackerly plastic carrier bag. Split to a very large single sheet & attach it to a light weight pole or garden cane. Shake the plastic gently behind him. If he moves, great. Revert back to the plastic whenever he doesn't respond to other cues. If he doesn't move DO NOT make the mistake of gradually increasing the pressure - you will just desensitise him to plastic. Vigorously cause the plastic to move & make as much scary noise as you can but stop the pressure the second he moves. A couple of repetitions & he will work out what you're asking him to do. Be generous with your praise & keep your sessions short, always stopping on a good note & following with pleasant experience for him - some carrot & apple pieces in a bucket. Mules are called stubborn but they are actually a bit more considering. Monty says they are less prone to injuring themselves than horses. Your job as his trainer is to convince him you are WORTH his attention. After all, no one else has shown that they are, hence his lack of cooperation but if he follows you perhaps he recognises a quality in you worth giving a chance. Good luck. Cheers, Jo.