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Question: My donkey will lead really well most of the time, but
sometimes he will twist his head, turn away from me and drag me to the
point where I have to let go of the lead rope. How do I stop this
behavior? Showmanship training is not just for the showmanship class at a
show. Perfecting your showmanship technique every time you have your
equine on a lead line will command your equine's attention to detail,
build his confidence in you and ensure that he is strengthening his
muscles properly throughout his body at a fundamental level. Just as a baby has to learn to crawl before he can walk, your equine needs to learn to walk at your shoulder in nice straight lines with his balance equally distributed over all four feet, so that when you ask for a halt or a turn he is able to do it easily, without a loss of balance. Be conscious of your own body position when practicing. When preparing to walk off, make sure you hold the lead in your left hand, face squarely forward, extend your right arm straight forward, give the command to "Walk on," and take a few steps forward. Make sure you walk straight forward in order to give your equine a lead to follow that is definite and not wobbly. When you ask for a halt, stop with your weight balanced equally on both feet (still facing forward), hesitate for a second or two and turn to face your equine's shoulder. If his legs are already square, you can then give the crimped oats reward for stopping. If they are not, take a moment to square up the legs and then give the reward. Praise him for standing quietly for a few seconds to allow him to settle. You can then turn back to your forward position, put your right arm forward again, give the command to "Walk on," and proceed a few more steps before halting again. Each time he complies, you can add more steps before halting. When you practice the turn, he should always be turned away from you to the right, never into you while you are on the left side! When executing the turns, ask your equine to take one step forward with the right front foot then cross the left front foot over the right to make the turn. Your own legs should execute the turn the same way, again giving your equine a good example to follow. Turns to the left should be schooled to develop the muscles equally on both sides. To do this, just change sides and execute the leading, halting and turning from the other side with the lead now held in your right hand with your left arm extended. Repeat the exact same exercise, but now from this position (though you will rarely have occasion to actually lead from this side). Be sure to dispense rewards only when he is settled and has done what you ask. Paying attention to this kind of detail will greatly improve your animal's conditioning, his balance and his attention to your commands over time. Equines will learn EXACTLY what you teach and will be only as meticulous as you are. Lead your animal this way every time you have him on the lead to build good habits, facilitate good posture and to give him the few seconds before each move to prepare for what comes next. The result is a relaxed, compliant and confident companion! | ||||
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Cali is
a little girl crazy about mules and horses who lives in Fountain,
Colorado. Sadly she hasn't been able to ride her mule Oreo for a year and
half due to complications from leg lengthening surgery. Cali has had to
have her foot amputated, and her prognosis is still uncertain as bills
continue to mount. To find out how you can help this brave little girl, go
to www.luckythree
ranch.com and click on Mule Crossings to find the complete story and
contact information. Thank you. | ||
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Every
month, LuckyThreeLines will post all mule-related events we are aware of.
If you know of an event that is not on our newsletter, please let us
know. April
13-21, 2007: 89'er Land Run Ride of Oklahoma, Bray, OK, (405) 279-2284 April 20-21, 2007: 8th Annual Salmon Select Mule Sale/Horse Sale, Salmon, ID, Fred Snook, (208) 756-2125 April 20-21, 2007: Farm & Mule Days, Plains, GA, (770) 867-3179 April 20-22, 2007: Midwest Horse Fair, Madison, WI, Mules & More Magazine, (573) 646-3934, mules@socket.net April 20-23, 2007: Cameron Mule Company Clinic, Cody, WY, Diamond CR Ranch, (307) 587-5913 April 21, 2007: Governor's Cup Mule Show/Spring Festival, Harrington, DE, Lucky Leighton, (302) 945-0422 April 26-28, 2007: Gulf Coast Horse Show/Music Festival (w/gaited classes) (850) 914-9030 April 27-28, 2007: Panhandle Farm Mule Day, Reynolds, GA, (478) 847-4562 April 27-29, 2007: Steve Edwards Symposiums at the Main Event, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, (602) 999-MULE (6853) April 27-29, 2007: All American Mule and Donkey Congress, Henderson Arena Jackson Ohio NASMA approved A Show,NMDA approved. 3day event,high point awards,$250 walk-trot,gaited classes classes.Thur.night bean dinner & dance, open NASMA directors meeting,Fri night roping. Goin the fun,need not be a member to show. hendersonarena.com or nasma.us April 27-29, 2007: Tennessee Horse Council's 2nd Annual Trail Ride, Jamestown, TN, (800)-97-TRAIL April 27-30, 2007: Cameron Mule Company Clinic, Idaho Falls, ID, Blake Ford, (208) 313-4969 April 28, 2007: Show Me Miniature Donkey Fun & Schooling Show, Hartville, MO The Missouri Miniature Donkey Breeders ASSociation's 3rd Annual Fun Show is in the works! We will have up to 20 classes for Miniature Donkeys! Come join the fun! Check our web site for more information, showbill and entry forms! www.mmdba.com | ||
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A Guide to Raising and Showing
Mules And now save $10 on this terrific book, only $39.95. Whether
you've selected a mule or donkey as a 4-H project, recently purchased one
or simply want to know more about these wonderful animals, A Guide to
Raising and Showing Mules is the perfect resource. Ideal for beginners
of all ages, this hardbound book is packed with valuable information on
training techniques based on behavior modification, proper care and
maintenance, and instruction for showing your animal in a variety of
events. An ideal complement to the Training Mules and Donkeys
series.
"Meredith's books and training courses are highly recommended. We constantly suggest them to owners new and old. No mule owner should be without these in his or her library or tack room." Leah Patton, Registrar, ADMS | ||
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Now, in
its seventh year of broadcasting, RFD-TV proudly serves the needs and
interests of rural America, horse lovers, farmers and ranchers with
traditional, family-oriented television programming. RFD-TV is distributed
on DIRECTV, DISH Network, Mediacom and NCTC cable systems in all 50
states, serving over 28 million U.S. homes, with another 19 million homes
in Brazil now enjoying selected RFD-TV including Training Mules and
Donkeys through Terraviva. Don't Get RFD-TV? Call your Cable Company. If
you're a cable customer and your cable company doesn't offer this super
station, call 'em up and ask for it. Cable companies across the country
are adding RFD-TV to their station menus every day. If you have any
problems, e-mail info@RFD-
TV.com.
Note: RFD-TV has changed channels on Dish Network from Channel 9409 to Channel 231. Direct TV is still the same at Channel 379. | ||
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Hi, my
name is Jasper the Mule. I'm just a kid, and I've got plenty to learn, but
I've also got terrific friends like Kylie and Moxie to help me out. Join
me and everyone for my latest adventure in Jasper: A Fabulous
Fourth. And don't forget to check out the cool new games on my website
Jasperthemule.com.
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Does
your mule or donkey do the craziest thing? We want to know. Send us a
story and a photo of your long-eared character, and we'll share it with
our readers. Got video? Even better. Send it along, too (no returns) and
maybe you and your equine will be on TV. Send
submissions to newsletter@luckythreeranch.com! | ||
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Since
coming home from the Cowboy Christmas show in Las Vegas, I've been
indulging myself in "doing my thing" at the drawing board. I've painted
several cartoon pieces, a large pencil and acrylic portrait of four draft
horses and four pencil renderings of mules for new note cards. Also, I
have drawn up a "Countdown to Bishop" cartoon calender for all those
Bishop enthusiasts. It will be available at the Bishop show in May of this
year. Currently, I'm illustrating a children's story about two mini-mules
that have been rescued by an outfit in Maryland called Horsenet. They use
the sales of the book to fund their rescue operations. It is the second
book I have helped them with, the first being about a mule, "Where's
Emma". I consider it an honor to be asked by Horsenet to help with their
horse-mule and donkey rescues like this. It is a very small pay-back for
the joy my own mules and donkeys have given me. We still
have a lot of snow at my place and no hair is slipping off ole Porter, so
spring is not here yet, but we keep hoping and looking for signs. In the
meantime, throw out some more hay and turn up the heat and get back to the
drawing board.
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Don't forget, Jasper: A Fabulous Fourth is now on sale! Visit www.jasperthe mule.com.
Lucky Three Ranch phone: 800.816.7566
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