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Mules
May 14, 2012 16:19:11 GMT -5
Post by firebringer on May 14, 2012 16:19:11 GMT -5
Who likes mules?
Last summer I had an opportunity to partner with a 8 year old gaited mare mule trained by a first level dressage student in the art of dressage. I am so happy with this mare mule. I must have been a ninny to think that mere geldings would be the ultimate in a dressage partner.
I'm having a great time with this mule. Yes, I have to use spurs, and double dressage whips (mule nature) mostly due to my lack of leg power. Mule nature would require whips and spurs anyway.
Besides dressage, mules are used in hunt seat, fox hunting, trail endurance riding, driving, western pleasure. They are better for therapeutic riding due to their steadyness and unflappable less spooky nature.
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Mules
May 14, 2012 16:28:47 GMT -5
Post by garrett on May 14, 2012 16:28:47 GMT -5
fire could you define dressage? new term for me.smiles
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Mules
May 15, 2012 18:33:03 GMT -5
Post by firebringer on May 15, 2012 18:33:03 GMT -5
fire could you define dressage? new term for me.smiles In the French, it means "training." The horse is being trained to execute atheletic maneuvers, as is the rider. I do classical dressage and I'm going to move into Western Dressage. This is a fairly accurate description: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dressage
This is a training level test.
One thing I noticed in this test is the rider bounces too much. She is posting a trot, which I don't do. I sit mine. She seems jerky, stiff. This talks about training level tests. www.dressage-academy.com/training-level-dressage.php
I have already added lateral work to my "training" where I move the horse in a specific gait side ways while moving forward. Leg yield at a trot: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmjSbAAxGCM
Western Dressage: westerndressageassociation.org/
I like Eitan's philosophy: www.cowboydressage.com/westernDressage.html
Western Dressage is still classical dressage, but with the added twist of the vaquero thrown in. I like the fact that there isn't a fanatic requirements on clothes. The saddles are more supportive for me. I had to move to using an endurance trail saddle but I think I might even like a Western saddle if I can put my english stirrup irons on the thing (so I guess that would be the endurance saddle). I'll continue wearing my full seat riding tights, paddock boots with half chaps and Troxell helmet.
When I think of how many horses I have ridden (at horse shows) who spooked at hay bales with yellow flowers stuck in them compared to a mule - huge difference.
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Mules
May 15, 2012 18:52:15 GMT -5
Post by firebringer on May 15, 2012 18:52:15 GMT -5
This should show a leg-yield better. It's a kwel maneuver, I got big scores over this on my last test.
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Mules
May 18, 2012 11:37:42 GMT -5
Post by garrett on May 18, 2012 11:37:42 GMT -5
thanks fire.smiles i is a learning....grins
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