Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    Have to agree with you Pat.  One would wonder if feed, vet bills,
    stall space etc is cheaper for mules than for horses by the way
    some people act about it.  I rather doult it.  
    
    I think it's quite neat.  I've heard a lot of people displaying
    interest in owning mules lately.  Must be a fad.  I've always
    wanted a donkey.
    
    It will be interesting to see how the mules do in compitition
    with the horses.  I'm sorry, but I tend to side with the under-
    dog, and in this case, it's the MULE.
    
    Linda
    
    

    I agree that ALL people at a show/trail ride/whatever deserve respect
    and courtesy however there does seem to be a fair amount of people
    out in the horse world who can only "see" certain breeds, types
    of riding, types of shows/trail/whatever horse activities. The
    impression that I get from this notesfile is that the EQUITATION
    noters each have there own "favorites and specialties" but that
    we would like to hear more about what others do; which is nice because
    we can learn about more than just our individual horsey interests.
    
    I think that just as some horsey people out there feel there "thing"
    is the only way to go, there are many who are interested in all
    aspects. I happen to be (trying) to get involved in dressage and
    eventing however I used to show pony hunters when I was a kid, I
    have shown nationally in breed shows (western, saddle seat and hunt
    seat), have gone on a few judged pleasure rides (which are GREAT!),
    etc. and I hold an interest in learning/attempting many new things.
    
    I wouldn't try to ban a mule from showing in a show, but I might
    not take it up myself (and I certainly would not condemn whoever
    it was just because they were riding a mule!) It takes people time
    to get used to "new things" and, like someone mentined earlier about
    the Tennessee Walkers, newness takes awhile to catch on.
    
    Happy rides all, :^)
    
    Linda
    

    
    	HI Pat!
    
    	I think that if the animal CAN do what is asked and the person
    	riding it is happy - why not show or trail ride it?  I am not
    	really biased toward ANY breed....  I love THE HORSE.  There
    	are nuts and sweet hearts in every breed.
    
    	But as we all know.... there are and always will be snots and
    	snobs.
    
    	I even saw (last year) a BULL that was trained to JUMP!  True,
    	he only jumped a couple of feet.... but that's more then I CAN!
    	He had an english saddle and even wore a bridle.
    
    	I have seen a family from Vermont that had a donkey and a mule
    	that the kids rode along with the parents they both did very
    	well on the circuit.  They were very trustworthy animals and
    	were attached to the children - big pets.  In fact... they
    	have more personality then some horses I know.
    
    	Hay..... if you are happy with your nag, pony, donkey or mule
    	then that's all that counts.
    
    	Susan

    
    I don't see anything wrong with Mules in Competition. It might
    take me a minute or two to adjust my eyes, but I think it would
    be great.  Incidentally, I don't think Mules are that much cheaper
    than horses, I saw a few ads for them, partially trained huntseat
    mule 7 years old, 15.3 was $1,800. another had competition experience
    was $2,500.00.
    
    I too have always wanted a donkey.
    
    -M-
    

    Along the same lines, this month's issue of Equus had an article
    about a man who had been training horses for 50 years, and liked
    to work with difficult horses.  He bought 3 zebras at an auction
    even though everyone told him he'd never get anywhere.  Well, a
    week later he had one of the stallions hitched to a cart with his
    horse (a mare) and the zebra was going fine. 
    
    There is a woman in the Hamilton area who has about 10 or 12 miniature
    donkeys that she has trained to drive (I think about 8 of them in
    pairs of 2 pull this wagon she has).  She drove them in an exhibition
    (a carriage driving course) at the ROLEX show jumping derby last
    year, right after this guy did the same course with his 2 big leopard appys
    (he was well know in driving circles because he has won a lot with
    his team).
    
    I also know of a dressage trainer whose father used to train for the 
    circus, and he trained a bull to do grand prix dressage.  You're
    sure to run into some type of prejudice no matter where and what
    you show - I even had a judge tell me (after seeing me ride in 
    pleasure classes and jumping classes) that my horse wasn't suitable
    to be a hunter because of the way he moved, but he loved the way
    he jumped (I think we pinned 6th in the pleasure class, but won
    the 2 jumping classes).  Shortly after that I turned more to eventing
    and dressage, only to find that there are similar prejudices in
    the dressage ring.  Especially if your horse has a color other than
    black, bay, chestnut or gray, or if it is obviously not a warmblood
    or thoroughbred (I'm being extreme here, but it's just to make a
    point).
    
    You would hope that no matter what kind of animal you ride, how
    big it is, what color it is etc, that you would be treated with
    the same respect that everyone else is (even if they have some purbred,
    imported $$$$$$$$$ horse)!
              

    			<<MORE MULE TALK!>>
    
    IT IS SAD, I THINK WHEN YOU GO TO A SHOW TO HAVE FUN, NO MATTER
    WHAT YOU'RE RIDING AND PEOPLE ARE MEAN TOWARDS YOU. YOU PAY THE
    SAME FEE AS EVERYONE ELSE AND DESERVE NO LESS TREATMENT.
    
    I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF RIDING A FRIENDS MULE A FEW TIMES. HE HAD
    HIS OWN PERSONALITY, I'LD SAY MORE AMPLIFIED THAN A HORSE. HE WOULD
    NOT EVEN MANURE ON THE TRAIL...HE TOOK HIS RIDER RIGHT INTO THE
    WOODS!!
    
    HOPE EVERYONE CAN KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND BE A GOOD SPORT AROUND FELLOW
    HORSEMEN.
    
    T.

    This past weekend (25-26 july) the Sand Drifters Riding Club (Colorado
    Springs, CO) held its annual ALL-BREED SHOW in Black Forest, CO.
    This show features halter classes for a whole raft of breeds including
    Grade, ponies, arabians, morgans, quarter horses, MULES, Tennessee
    Walkers, Paints, etc. The performance classes are open to all breeds.
    There are some classes for Walkers only as they do have quite a
    bunch of entries every year.
    
    This year the MULES and the WALKERS made quite an impression on
    the spectators and participants. There were some impressive looking
    mules. Some of them are dressage trained, others drive carriages.
    This year we added mule driving and open pleasure driving. The mules,
    ponies, and morgans did a fine job. The driving classes were very
    well received. We even received donations from satisfied spectators
    who want to encourage the club to continue driving classes.
    
    It was very satisfying to see the appreciation of these mules and
    walkers in this "quarter horse" country.
    
    Once again, I'd like to encourage Colorado noters to support and
    participate in this show next year.
    
    bob koller
    

    
    Have you heard of the mule - KIT who does three day eventing in
    Kentucky. Does it so well, she (he?) was the top of her division
    for that ASHA zone. Even had a picture in the ASHA Horse Show magazine.
    Performance counts!!!
    
    Or John, the buckskin old-sytle Morgan who could jump the hell out
    of the children's hunter course at the local (Mass) B and A shows.
    Taught a lot of people how to ride did John.
    
    Nancy