LTR Training Tip #31: Proprioception
Equines are not born with an awareness of their own bodies, or proprioception, so they must be taught how to orient themselves.
Kyle Davidson
Posts by Kyle Davidson:
MULE CROSSING: Do Mules Need to be Shod?
Do mules need to be shod? Those who are familiar with mules might be tempted to say, “No,” but the answer is a little more complicated than you might think. Although the mule generally has a tougher and more durable foot than the horse, all mules do not have the same feet, nor do all mules apply the same kind of stress to those feet. Therefore, each individual animal has to be considered when answering the question, “To shoe or not to shoe?” Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mulecrossing- do-mules-need-to-be-shod/
Chilly Pepper -Hay Shortage Crisis, A happy Sea Tac, A Small Vet Bill, and time to stock up on hay.
The following is from Chilly Pepper – Miracle Mustang:
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Donkeys Can Jump
(Page 74) When one thinks of mules and donkeys, one usually doesn’t think about them being able to jump. Contrary to popular belief, not only can Longears JUMP, but they can jump from a standstill where a horse cannot. Given their jumping ability, it is important to have adequate fencing for your Longears. The fencing must be strong enough to withstand their strength, high enough to discourage jumping attempts and a hot wire to make sure! What they can’t jump, they with either dig underneath or climb over the top! In order to keep them in, what is most important is that your Longears WANTS to stay home, or you might find yourself retrieving him from the neighbor’s yard! Learn more about my special management and training practices for the ultimate in safety and enjoyment with your Longears, and even with your horses and ponies – and learn how to keep them HOME at www.luckythreeranch.com.
MULE CROSSING: Jumping Mules
In 1986, when I first began using my mules in Dressage, you would never have convinced me that I would follow it up with jumping. I was fearful of jumping because of a few bad experiences I had with horses. However, once I took the time to learn to ride and train properly with Dressage and experienced the overall stability of a mule, my fear disappeared. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-jumping-mules/
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Part 1
Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Part 1 – Draft Mule Team Rock and Roll were rescued and in their journey were turned over to Meredith Hodges of the Lucky Three Ranch.
- Learn the details involved when dealing with rescue animals.
- Surrounding yourself with a professional support team for treatment of rescues.
- It’s more than just farrier work and supplementing a feeding program.
- Taking X-Rays when needed.
- Keeping records and documenting your work.
- This and more on Mule Talk!
Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.
For more training info: www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com and click on the Training tab.
Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl’s Dream production – www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com
Training in a Logical Sequence
(Page 69) When equine training is done in a logical and sequential way with each new stage building on the one before, it can be non-abusive, fun and easy for you and your equines! Most resistance comes when you, your equine or both of you are overwhelmed with the task at hand. Training should not just be learning to do “things.” Just as a baby learns to crawl, before he walks, walks before he runs and develops his coordination before he can play sports, your equine needs to build his body slowly and methodically if he is to perform tasks easily. Much of the time, we think we are doing this, but we forget that we need to prepare his body to carry a rider first! The equine is naturally built to carry weight BELOW the spine and not necessarily on the top of the spine. This is why it is so important to develop the core muscles and elements that support the spine FIRST through careful, specific and meticulous leading exercises done in our “Elbow Pull” through the Hourglass Pattern. This will encourage good posture and symmetrically balanced body movement.
When this has been adequately developed, the next two stages are to facilitate coordination through the negotiation of different obstacles, first by rhythmically walking straight through (Stage #1) and then by breaking them down into much smaller steps with long pauses between steps (Stage #2). All this will take place before doing any lunging in the Round Pen to solidify his good equine posture. This will keep the equine from compromising his balance by leaning like a motorcycle in the Round Pen. He will learn to lunge on a lunge line in the confined space of the Round Pen and learn the cue to keep him on the circle BEFORE he is asked to lunge on the lunge line in more open spaces. He will learn the effects of communication through the long lines (rein cues) in the Round Pen before he is asked to respond to these cues during Ground Driving in the open arena.
By the time he has gone through all these logical and sequential steps, when he is finally mounted, the only thing left for him to learn is to move away from the pressure of your legs on his sides. Get healthy and find JOY all at the same time with your equines using our comprehensive training program. Learn the details of this sequential and logical approach to training for yourself AND your equine in the various sections under TRAINING on my website. If you cannot find the answers you are seeking, email me at meredith@luckythreeranch.com and I will answer your questions promptly!
MULE CROSSING: Fitting Tack & Equipment
Whether riding or driving, the comfort and fit of your tack and equipment is an important consideration if you wish to get the best performance from your equine. Any piece of equipment that does not correctly fit your equine can cause less than optimum performance. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-fitting-tack-equipment/.
MULE CROSSING: So You Think You Want a Mule?
It was bad enough before computers and cell phones when people thought they wanted a horse and could realistically have one. They thought if they had a little patch of grass and a fence around it, it would be enough to keep a horse. They never thought about shelter, feed (they could just eat the grass!), vet and farrier care, and about a dozen other things that it takes to maintain an equine. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-so-you-think-youwant-a-mule/.
Longears Versatility
Many of our fans have truly enjoyed seeing LONGEARS’ incredible versatility in the musical video posts that I have done for pure FUN and entertainment! Despite the old rumors about mules and donkeys not being much use for anything but hard work (packing, farming and carrying military loads), the Lucky Three mules and donkeys have spent their lives competing against both LONGEARS and horses in various shows during their careers to prove that they too have recreational and competitive value in all types of equine events and activities. During my journey with LONGEARS, I discovered the true value of approaching training with the development of good posture and core strength in mind! Building the elements of core strength around the skeleton in a symmetrical way (the muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and soft tissue) ensures them exceptional advantages in longevity in performance and optimum health. This is how my mules and donkey jack were able to pave the way for others to challenge themselves and their LONGEARS going forward, to prove that mules and donkeys are not necessarily stubborn and awkward. Just like people, they just require the correct approach to management and training to be all that they can be!
During my 48 years with LONGEARS, I learned the techniques that I still use today on ALL equines and gratefully pass them on to the public in hopes it will improve EVERYONE’S relationship with their equines. Never underestimate the intelligence, athletic ability, tractability and power of a LONGEARS…and even your horses and ponies! It makes sense when you breed the best of the horse world with the best from the donkey world. The result is the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS in the offspring! Give your equine the athletic edge! Be sure to visit and peruse all the different categories on the Task Bar on my website, and in the various sections under TRAINING, to discover all the opportunities that are available to you and your Longears.
MULE CROSSING: Look Who’s Talking — Part 3
In Part 1 of Equine Behavior: Look Who’s Talking, we discussed the evolution of man’s self discovery and how he applied this to his approach to equines. If we want to manage our equines in a healthy way and accomplish even the most basic performance with them, there is much to consider during the training process. In Part 2 of Equine Behavior: Look Who’s Talking, we learned that equines are honest in their nature, and produce quick and honest reactions to a stimulus. Therapeutic Riding provides and exemplary teaching experience for both the human and the equine. Those of us with our own equines can now derive much more from our relationships with equines than we ever thought possible. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-equine-behavior-look-whostalking-part-3/.
MULE TALK! PODCAST: Conduct and Good Sportsmanship
Conduct and Good Sportsmanship –
- The importance of developing a bond with your animal – to gain his trust to perform in the show ring.
- Competition is fun and exciting – develop the winning attitude to compete against yourself and not others.
- A good trainer will train himself, as well as the mule with subtle direction coming from the mule.
- Develop respect for your mule.
- Yes God gave us “dominion” over the animals, but that doesn’t make us a King or a Queen over them. We are keepers of our animals.
Learn more on Mule Talk podcast.
For more training info: www.LuckyThreeRanch.Com and click on the Training tab.
Mule Talk is an Every Cowgirl’s Dream production – www.EveryCowgirlsDream.Com
MULE CROSSING: Look Who’s Talking — Part 2
In Part 1 of Equine Behavior: Look Who’s Talking, we discussed the evolution of man’s self discovery and how he applied this to his approach to equines. If we want to manage our equines in a healthy way and accomplish even the most basic performance with them, there is much to consider during the training process. In the not-too-distant past, the prevalent belief was that, if you had a reasonably large patch of grass with a fence around it, you could have a horse. We now know it takes much more than this! Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-equine-behavior-look-whostalking-part-2/
Happy Veterans Day! Mule History Video
Thank you to all of the men and women who have served and are currently serving! Today we honor you.
MULE CROSSING: Look Who’s Talking — Part 1
All of these characteristics are part of the equine whole, but they do not explain who the horse, donkey or mule is as a personality. What kind of equine handler are you? When interacting with your Longears, or any equine, are you an observer or a participant? Are you fully aware of the reasons for your equine’s behaviors? Behavior in general is most often motivated by a stimulus that elicits a certain response, yet the early years of physiological development are mostly dependent on heredity. Heredity includes not only physical characteristics, but mental, emotional and instinctive behaviors as well. We are taught that if an equine’s knees are beginning to fuse (harden), he is ready for training. Is he really ready for training just because his knees are fusing? Physical development is called maturation, and we determine the equine’s capabilities by maturation alone, with no consideration for the animal as a whole. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-equine-behavior-look-whostalking-part-1/
Winter: Blanketing Your Equine
(Page 74) Generally speaking, equines should not need to be blanketed at all. Their natural hair coats adjust to the seasons and will insulate them from heat and cold, and will protect them from fair weather insects. If you blanket when they don’t need to be blanketed, it will interfere with their natural metabolic ability to insulate themselves. As equines age, their circulation isn’t as good and they may need to be blanketed in extremely cold weather. My standard is if they are shivering, if the temperature is below freezing or if they are over 20 years of age, they should be afforded a blanket, and in some cases, even two blankets. Rule of thumb is that the second blanket will only be needed overnight and should be removed during the day. If it is warm enough, remove both blankets during the day. They should always have adequate shelter and easy access to water in inclement weather. The water needs to be neither too hot nor too cold if you want to encourage drinking and maintain hydration. We have trace mineral salt blocks (red) available at all times so they can lick at will and maintain a good balance of salt and minerals. I do not recommend heated barns as a drastic change in temperature from the barn to the outside temperature can cause respiratory illness or chills. I leave the barn doors open unless it drops below 20 degrees. We then close the doors and allow the animals’ breath to heat the barn. We have fans in the alleyways to create a breezeway and keep the barns cool during the summertime. Clipped show equines need to be maintained very carefully and must be blanketed during cold weather. It is important to check and make sure they are staying warm under the blankets, but not sweating. Hoods and leg wraps can be optional according to temperatures. If you want your show equines to maintain the short hair during the show season without frequent body clipping, it is advisable to have them under 16 hours of light as well as blanketing. Body clipped animals will need hoods and leg wraps. Learn much more in the various sections under TRAINING.
MULE CROSSING: Language of Longears
Many of you know me as the foremost authority on the contemporary saddle mule, but what you may not know is how I earned such a title. Most of us who have become trainers began by riding and showing. Through our success, we gained recognition and subsequently clients who brought their animals to us for training. Our success with their animals posed a question for each of us at a critical stage in our careers and we had to make a decision whether we were going on the road to do clinics or something different. I opted for something different! Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-the-language-of-longears/.
MULE CROSSING: Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Part 2
In Part 1 of Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, we learned about the discovery and rescue of Belgian draft mules, Rock and Roll, by Meredith Hodges and her team of experts. As the pair’s rehabilitation continues, the road to recovery gets tougher. But for every health setback, there is a personality breakthrough with these courageous and now-trusting gentle giants—and always a reason to hope. Read more at https://www.luckythreeranch.com/mule-crossing-rock-and-roll-diary-of-a-rescue-part-2/
Weight Bearing
(Page 73): Mules and donkeys can carry proportionately more weight than a horse of the same size. However, be careful about making broad generalizations. It is commonly believed that an equine should be able to carry 10% of his body weight, but if a 1000 lb. unconditioned animal is carrying the 100 pounds as expected, it could still be very difficult for him. An equine of any type that is not in good postural condition is not going to be able to carry as much weight effectively and efficiently as one that is conditioned properly. Longears can generally carry more weight than a horse because of his unique longer, rather than bulk, muscle structure, but the same still holds true. The rider with better balance and riding ability is going to be easier for the equine to carry than rider who is not balanced. The size of the equine and the proportion of the equine to the rider will also affect balance and carrying ability. Conformational abnormalities will also have a profound effect. If he has any deviations in his bone structure (i.e. crooked legs), it can compromise how he moves and put undue stress on certain areas depending on the defect. If his gait is stilted and he cannot move smoothly and freely, the load is too heavy. Fitting saddles can become an issue as your equine changes shape with conditioning, so it is best to fit the saddle or harness when you equine is in good condition. For more about weight bearing and conditioning your equine properly for enhanced performance, check out my book, Training Mules and Donkeys.