Two weeks ago I had a dressage lesson with Nilla where she basically went unhinged. She’s been getting progressively worse about going on the contact. Or rather, she’s always been bad about it, but her reactions are getting worse.
At our May 3rd lesson, her reaction was to Giraffe and swish her tail. She was also doing a lot of barging through the reins and ignoring me.
The draw reins definitely got some respect.
When she finally went around like a non asshole, she got pet and was done. It was a long lesson. And it wasn’t any fun. For any of us. I called the chiropractor the next morning. He came out the next week so we didn’t have a lesson that week. This Tuesday was our first lesson since the chiropractor. She’s been really good since, but we haven’t done any hard dressage. And she did pull out the rearing trick at the xc clinic, so she’s certainly not reformed. Though, to be fair, that’s not a new trick.
This week, we had another lesson: our first since the chiropractor. She also had dental the day before so no excuses. This time we started off with the draw reins.
And she felt really good. Like amazingly good. And I don’t think it was because of the draw reins. She was lit from the moment I got on her. She marched up the driveway to the arena like she was on a mission. And she felt really smooth and not like her usual stiff self. I don’t know what did it, but I have to imagine the chiro helped.
But we were not done with the temper tantrums. Once we went to the canter, the attitude returned.
Like major attitude.
Despite how dramatic this looks, that was the end of it. She decided to canter like a nice mule after that and we even managed some nice transitions.
She was so good she even got ear scratches from our trainer.
I’m hoping we can remove the draw reins and have the same success next time.
Wow girl- you can sit! Some times you just have to say 'this is it, deal'
Draw reins have a purpose and this is it. Nilla just needs to figure out that there are boundaries and the world will not end. You could try lunging her in them as well so she can figure it out without you having to endure the shenanigans.
to get rid of them I would gradually loosen them before taking them off or else she will go back to where she was before.
I agree, draw reins can be a very helpful tool. If anyone tries to tell you how horrible they are, well.. I don't want to say what you should tell them to do. Starts with an F, ends with an F. 😉
Oh, Nilla!
Glad you got some good moments despite her own addition of aerial dressage, lol.
:O NILLA!!! That is some SASS right there. And it's very clear you're not abusing the draw reins since she clearly still CAN move her head and neck around if she wants to. My goodness, I thought my horse was opinionated…
Jeez, you are a pro at riding those hops!! Draw reins are a tool and I doubt you are the type of person to abuse them; I hope they help resolve Nilla's issues!
Glad you are progressing! I know how the tude in the canter goes. I'm tired of it
We have been doing some lunging with them. She's very good about that. The real issue is when I'm riding her, she knows if she rears, I'll push my hands forward and she gets a release. Under lunge there's no release, so she doesn't do it.
My first offer of, you can ride her remains. Don't want to then they'll get told where to shove it.
Aerial dressage! That's awesome. Now I want to re-name this post.
The mule has nothing but opinions. I'm not really sure who would win in a opinion contest though.
They're helping.
Me too. Really tired.
No draw rein judgement here. Sometimes you need a little help. 🙂
Even better! 🙂
Draw reins have their place and time. Glad you were able to work through it
Sometimes one's mule needs a little ass kicking.
It's a work in progress. I doubt we're done with it.
Damn, sassy mule! I can relate. Bacardi is 100% asshole in the winter and this is all our rides consist of.
I will say I was VERY anti draw reins simply because every.single.person I know who uses them, us them every ride, every time and their horse is over bent in behind the vertical.
Then one day I was having a very rough time with my own horse, grabbed a pair and ten minutes later took them off an he was great. Sometimes they are magical. But I hate seeing people use them as a crutch.'
Just keep swimming with the dressage mule! She will work out of it. Chiro probably help a lot!
Could i have any more spelling errors, my word.
Wow! You can really stick to the saddle! I would have been off after the second buck. My back hurts just watching the video.
"You wanna ride her? You can do it without the draw reins." Bahahaha. I totally understand the need for gadgetry in times like this. I did the same with Griffin when he decided that he hated pressure on the bit for awhile. I'd lunge him with all the gadgetry I could so he had to deal with it without me on him while he threw his grand fits. He's great now. We used the gadgetry to learn a lesson and create new habits, and then dropped them from our use.
Your seat through those shenanigans is very impressive! Awesome that you can sit through it…though the learning process to get to be that kickass at riding broncing behavior probably wasn't the easiest. Meep! And I've gotta say, when Nilla listens…hot damn is she fucking gorgeous. I'm right there with your trainer being giddy about the idea of beating fancy warmbloods!
I do repeat the Dory mantra to myself frequently when riding her.
My back hurts just existing, riding bucks is in the definite no list.
She's just keeps teasing us with the good to keep us from selling her for the bad. When I was a teenager I was that kid who could ride a buck with one hand and smack the horses ass with the other. I'm not that kid anymore. I'm actually surprised I stay on as well as I do.
holy drama, mule!!
Seriously!
OMG 😀 I just found your blog and I LOVE IT! I Love your style of writing and your mule! I just bought my first mule and your posts are giving me a lots of hope!
I'm glad you like the blog, but I'm concerned that this behavior gives you hope. Your mule is very cute, I hope he comes around for you.