When you have been riding your mule at your home and you really think they are solid, think again. There are three things in this world that will keep you humble: toddlers, drunks, and your mule. My mule has surprised me in good ways and bad ways while traveling with him in the...
It really is that simple. If you want a safe finished mule you are going to have to make it a priority to take the time to take the time it takes. There are literally no shortcuts. My mules and horses all took years to develop into the herd they are now. YEARS, not...
Some mules tell you when things are wrong: sore hoof, sore back, tired, need their sheath cleaned, itchy ears, and the list goes on. But on the flipside, some mules are stoic and will absorb any hint they could give you about what is going on behind the scenes.
I have two mules,...
With owning a trail facility, I get to see a lot of different mule and horse people throughout the year. Lots of different levels of riders, lots of different equine, and lots of different confidence levels.
One of the issues I see that has caused all sorts of issues is buddy...
The mounts that are used by the Mounted Police must be desensitized to everything! That is exactly what Celeste Bennett and Brandy Von Holten did this summer while attending the National Mounted Police training with Instructor Bill Richey.
Celeste’s mule, Tucson, is a...
What do you keep in your saddle bag when you are heading out for a trail ride? Water? Chapstick? Hoof pick? Vet wrap? Bear spray? Pop tarts and cheetos?
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, you just cannot prepare for some situations. With my husband and...
Just to think that Country Tough Trail Versatility (CT2V) had 38 participants in 2018, and has 165 members in 2020 is humbling. CT2V was founded by David and Brandy Von Holten in Mora, MO. CT2V is a competition association that is a combination of obstacles without...
Bits can be tricky, and you can find yourself disqualified very quickly if you do not understand the rules about bits and training aides.
Before we talk about bits, let’s discuss training aides. Tie downs, cavessons, and running martingales are training aides. They are meant to...
Let me give you a brief feel for my absolute favorite sport with my mule, mounted archery. If you are right handed, you have your bow in your left hand. Your stirrups are a little shorter than you are used to typically, but that is ok, because you are lifted out of your seat. ...
Tracking your time in the saddle or driving your horse can be exponentially beneficial. Using a tracking system can be fun and rewarding. Let’s explore reasons to track...
The Illinois Horse Fair was held in Springfield, IL March 2-4, 2018! Amongst all the excitement from vendors, clinicians, and spectators, a huge draw was to the breed show. The breed show showcased around twenty different acts from sidesaddle, Appaloosas, trick riders, American...
If you ask 100 people if equine are good on the trail riding, I expect 95% would rave about their horses/mules. What about the other 5%? I own one of those mules. Well, if he is in the middle of a calm group, he is solid, but if I put him in the front, then it is like I am...
