Give her strained carrots.

Yes, quite a bit of difference. A mule won't hurt itself on purpose. You can ride a horse off a cliff. You won't do that with a mule. It will stop before going over. Some call it being stubborn, but it's self-preservation. Smarter if you ask me. Mules are much healthier than horses, more sure footing in bad terrain, and aren't fussy what they eat.

Best part is you get to look at those big ears when you ride them.