Horse or Mule? Difference?

When you go to buy a horse or a mule, have the owner ride them first & have him pick up all four of their feet. No need to have a nightmare waiting to happen. Most mules can out walk a horse unless it is a gaited horse. A really good mule is a pleasure to ride & so is a horse. Stay away from green horses & mules.
The correlation between horses & boats are very similar. A boat is nothing but a hole in the water in which you constantly pour money into & that fits horses & mules.
Depending on how much pasture you have, you will be looking at buying hay & feed, plus regular farrier visits. The cheapest part of a horse or mule is the initial purchase price. Good luck.