i grew up on a ranch and when we gathered cattle from the mountain ranges, i rode a mule named "Kit". she was a wonderful mount for driving cattle. if they didn't walk as fast as she wanted, or if they veered off, she gave them a light nip on their backsides. and she had a beautiful gliding trot that covered a lot of trails. there was a pecking order on the ranch for the cow horses and since i was the youngest and A GIRL, i got Kit. I also rode her down to "Mr. Thomas' house and he would lend me a huge sack of books. It was 4 miles and going back, i would take a book out and start it. Kit just walked on home. i did not have to guide her. there is a huge network of competitions for mules. they do all sorts of neat things and their owners are rabid in their love for their mules. i saw a class of it at the Texas State Fair one year. they are beautiful jumpers. Kit would jump logs and small streams for me. so, we have our mutual admiration society for horses, burros and mules.