tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post5627282412813697669..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Mules in dressage: More unbridled cutenessStacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-3435059384895607362010-03-28T11:15:57.782-04:002010-03-28T11:15:57.782-04:00Mules are alright but you guys are wrong about gai...Mules are alright but you guys are wrong about gaits being important when looking at a dressage horse. I mean if you only want to go to 2nd level thats ok but when I've been out looking at horses with trainers and clients you always look for natural apptiude in the movements. You can't teach a trot, you can refine it but the basis needs to be there. The OTTB lady needs not to spaz, Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023103816800323713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-57681841399755076362010-03-26T13:54:01.835-04:002010-03-26T13:54:01.835-04:00I've always thought working with a mule in dre...I've always thought working with a mule in dressage would be great. Story from last year that I found interesting: http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090608/NEWS0107/906080305/1001/NEWS01Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-49800767743948620612010-03-26T13:32:43.925-04:002010-03-26T13:32:43.925-04:00I've got a deal for you Stacey... you send me ...I've got a deal for you Stacey... you send me Harv (and maybe Riley, too), and I'll help you look for a dressage mule! Deal? :)<br /><br />The whole point of dressage is the "journey", not the points or score. I think the first one had nice gaits (for any breed/species).<br /><br />I will also add that it is very hard to get a horse to "track-up" in hand. The Hollynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05826846251458849175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-77101259793818037202010-03-26T12:27:06.257-04:002010-03-26T12:27:06.257-04:00She (if she really is a she) is very feminine look...She (if she really is a she) is very feminine looking!Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-36633474605300613262010-03-26T12:03:05.808-04:002010-03-26T12:03:05.808-04:00My friend's comments:
"Do you know why on...My friend's comments:<br />"Do you know why one looks suitable for dressage and the otherreally doesn't? limey9: The first one moves on diagonals just like a horse. The second one doesn't, it moves the front and hind leg on the same side of its body at the same time - which is what mules do!Which is why some people prefer riding them as it is more comfy. I'd almost bet thatSueCoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-38177323331190589592010-03-26T11:47:04.488-04:002010-03-26T11:47:04.488-04:00I have more up my sleeve! Sometimes I think people...I have more up my sleeve! Sometimes I think people don't know what they want -- sure, a big moving natural dressage horse is alluring, but in the end I want to have a sweet, kind face on the other end of the lead rope. Maybe if I were a huge talent myself, I'd be more ambitious. But here I am, basically an ammie rider, and I want to like the horse or mule that I have.Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-58000806116147577192010-03-26T11:43:03.535-04:002010-03-26T11:43:03.535-04:00My Fenway Bartholomule, after more than a decade a...My Fenway Bartholomule, after more than a decade as a trail and elk hunting mule, shows less natural aptitude than this guy. (Don't tell him.) That said, he has a lovely swinging walk, a lot of adjustability in his stride, and a very willing attitude. He is going to submit to taking a few dressage lessons with me this summer, and I think we will both enjoy it! <br /><br />Thanks for the mule Marnie Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03684203321955050447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-23329729639620471262010-03-25T21:50:36.837-04:002010-03-25T21:50:36.837-04:00Owning a mule and trying some dressage is definite...Owning a mule and trying some dressage is definitely on my life list. They are so neat and intelligent and I have seen some pretty adorable ones on your blog. I am sold too. :)Golden the Pony Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-11158027309884884422010-03-25T20:11:51.122-04:002010-03-25T20:11:51.122-04:00and more info on Dressage mules
http://www.luckyt...and more info on Dressage mules<br /><br />http://www.luckythreeranch.com/documents/dancingwithmules.html<br /><br />http://agweekly.com/articles/2009/02/14/country_life/equestrian/equine74.txtAnna Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17189234825992570600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-11382847533280738372010-03-25T19:59:54.178-04:002010-03-25T19:59:54.178-04:00Ok Sarah, You need to see this:
http://www.luckyt...Ok Sarah, You need to see this:<br /><br />http://www.luckythreeranch.com/whatsnew.html<br /><br />USDF Selects Mules as Breed of the Month<br /><br />Mules make the grade! The August issue of USDF Connection Magazine features the mule as its "Breed of Month." Meredith is mentioned in the article as one who deserves "much of the credit for mules' advancement in the dressage Anna Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17189234825992570600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-49987793818207437502010-03-25T19:39:06.389-04:002010-03-25T19:39:06.389-04:00Sarah, I beg to differ! Dressage is not about who ...Sarah, I beg to differ! Dressage is not about who has the best gaits, it's about whose horse is properly trained. I've seen some horses with very modest gaits do quite well at second level. <br /><br />I think your statement "there's no hope" says it all. Oh, wait, maybe the statement "buy a horse that's bred for it" says it all? Relatively few of us have Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-48787171456655393272010-03-25T18:51:41.308-04:002010-03-25T18:51:41.308-04:00No offense, but you'd never make it as a dress...No offense, but you'd never make it as a dressage judge :) This mule would be hard-pressed to score above 60% on an Intro test, never-mind 2nd level. Note that, even when moving freely, it doesn't track up at either the walk or trot. There's no suspension, the gaits are short and stiff, and there's no hope for anything with that conformation doing a reasonable approximation of Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-82053849304182945082010-03-25T17:00:40.877-04:002010-03-25T17:00:40.877-04:00Dressage Mules are great. Only followed by the dre...Dressage Mules are great. Only followed by the dressage Zebra. <br /><br />If I had extra space I'd have one of those large draft Mules doing dressage.Jay Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17159278482063488370noreply@blogger.com