Mulet’s magic transformation

Mulet, 22, who lives at Town Barton Farm in Devon, is now a picture of calmness thanks to countless hours of dedicated behaviour shaping.

However, in June 2023 when his training began, Mulet exhibited extreme wariness around new people. His fear was particularly pronounced during visits from our Veterinary team.

Kayna Prescott, our Lead in Equine Behaviour, says: “Mulet was quiet when approached by a familiar handler, but very wary of people he didn’t know, and he would move away from anyone who wasn’t his familiar handler.

“I noticed he showed curiosity and a real desire to engage, but I could see how his nervousness was causing quite a bit of stress for him around new people, particularly those responsible for his veterinary care.”

Building Mulet’s confidence

The first stage of Mulet’s behaviour shaping saw his groom help build his confidence when being fitted with a head collar.

Kayna says: “Mulet responded very well to a head collar when it was introduced by his familiar handler using positive reinforcement techniques.

“It was like a penny dropped and he realised the head collar being put on meant good things would happen.

“Once he learned he was safe with the head collar, Mulet made very good progress with other aspects of his training, including grooming and leading.”

As Mulet showed nervous behaviour towards people he didn’t know, Kayna spent time introducing him to other people.

Through positive reinforcement in the form of food rewards, Mulet quickly learned to trust other people aside from his familiar handlers.

Introducing a new shaping plan

When Mulet was more confident with unfamiliar people approaching him, Kayna moved him onto introducing an IV shaping plan, as the Behaviour team felt he was more likely to remain calm for unfamiliar vets who may need to visit him. 

“We worked with Mulet on our intravenous (IV) injection shaping plan to get him used to his neck being touched in different areas,” Kayna adds.

“We wanted to replicate what it would be like if he was having an injection. We also introduced him to veterinary apparatus such as stethoscopes and syringes, so he became calm and comfortable with them before he met them with the vet.

“Mulet feared items he didn’t know existed; instead of showing inquisitiveness, he would rather just move away and not engage with them at all. 

“By breaking down all the parts of a veterinary exam into small steps, Mulet was able to remain calm and curious to investigate all of the new items.”

A positive transformation

It took just under a year of dedicated work to help Mulet overcome his fears. However, the shift in his behaviour has been noticeable for all to see.

Mulet has transformed from a mule who would become panicked by a veterinary exam into a more confident animal who now calmly stands, supported by his familiar handler, while a vet examines him and administers an IV injection.

“Mulet’s training was a year well spent,” Kayna adds. “Since the conclusion of his behaviour shaping plan, his handling and training has maintained his confident behaviour and regular reminders of his IV training has helped him remain calm for vets and injections.

“The training was particularly useful when Mulet had an accident that resulted in a cut to his head.

“Thanks to what Mulet had learned previously, the vet could attend and offer top clinical care, ensuring he was able to be calmly sedated for wound cleaning and stitching. He also remained calm and composed during his aftercare. 

“Mulet’s transformation is all due to the time and work that the grooms have put into his handling and training.

“By building his confidence with the vet and all the aspects of vet care, he now enjoys the best of both sanctuary life and veterinary care we offer.”