I had a good friend/neighbor growing up that had a mule. That was one of the smartest animals I’ve ever seen. Ypu could talk to it and I swear it understood you. It LOVED cannabis, would tear shit up to get to it.
But it hated any animal intruder in the field, anything was fair game besides humans. Birds, rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, snakes you name it. It was quite territorial about the rest if the property as well and would bust out the gate to defend it. Didnt mind the few other farm animals at all, ducks,chickens, dogs, us kids.
I remember that it figured out to limp to get attention and treats from us neighbor kids, damn thing got FAT one summer from it till we all caught on to the big drama it was throwing.