Re: RC: Hi

[Laura Nielsen <lsn@bellsouth.net>]

Anna,

Have you tried schooling her over cavaletti?  If you round her frame and school
her over ground poles and progress to cavaletti, it will strengthen her whole
top line and loins. Start with ground poles 1-2 meters apart (set to her normal
trot stride)  height:  0.3 meters. "Cavaletti is a hard exercise. If you do too
much he will get sour. I have never had more than four cavaletti in a row as I
think it is a very hard exercise." (Quoted from:  Horses Are Made To Be Horses"
by Franz Mairinger--former Spanish Riding School instructor and Olympic
equestrian coach for Australia.
Course, this might help if her rough trot is caused from a dropped and/or weak
or stiff back <bg>.
If she's heavy on the forehand and slamming into the ground, then (oh, I hate to
introduce this word <bg>) basic "dressage" schooling will definitely help. Lots
of transitions, from gait to gait, and within the same gait and lateral work
will help her with her balance and strength.  Just school her slowly, as all of
this will require the development and flexibility of new muscles!
Good luck.
Laura,
N. Fla.

Anna Larson wrote:

> My name is Anna and that mule is probaly the roughest of any. My mother
> raises mules and donkeys and none have ever been this bad. I have tried
> every thing from slowing her down as far as i can with out droping to a walk
> and forget any extended trots.  The faster she trots the rougher she gets.
> It's kind of like riding a jack hammer. The mule is six years old and My mom
> raised her.  Her mother was rough to ride also so it may just be some
> genetics. If any one else has suggestions PLEASE speak up.  I also have a
> really nice three year old that I just got in January, but she was in foal
> and had a beautiful filly in May, but she needs time to recoup from the
> foaling and feeding.  My oldest horse Hobo is great for any thing, but has a
> lameness problem some times. so that just leaves the mule and I don't know
> what we are going to do with her, I might just wait till the mare is ready
> for some long rides.
>
> >Hi back,
> >can't imagine what a mule would be like to ride!  Tevi's had  a mule that
> >finished in the top ten and won the best condition award i think.  What are
> >you doing to softened the trot? When do you think you wil be ready for
> >rides?
> >I am going to crew some (as much as I can before the season ends), a way to
> >gather information on the goings on of an event. talk soon
> >
>
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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=