Finally we have found a competition where all equines are welcome, long ears, short ears, mule, mini, donkey, pony - we are all allowed to compete! We don't really 'do' competition here, we know we're splendid and our human is not really bothered about proving it :-)
But then we heard about this great sport called Horse Agility (also now known as Mule Agility and Mini Agility in our house:-), we show how clever and bombproof we are by doing an agility course, it's very exciting and there's lots of different things to do and play with.
The best bits are:
- All equines are welcome - everyone's very excited about us mules coming out to play, there are classes for horses, ponies, minis and donkeys - and soon to be mules!
- Every month there's a different course all with exciting things to play with and learn about
- We can 'compete' by video and get lots of useful feedback
- We don't need to travel anywhere to have fun, although we can go to events if we want to
- There is no need for spurs, whips or fancy clothing (not that those things ever feature much here!)
- We don't need to be mud free to play and there's no need to tack up so we can do 10 minutes practice when the mood takes us
- It's cheap and cheerful - FH has got most of the bits we need from ebay - hooray!
- It's fun!
We've not entered our first video yet as we need to practice each element of the course before we try the whole thing... this might take a while but we're in no rush!
There are some important things we have to remember. Loose ropes are a must, there should be no pulling or pushing from equine or human and we should have fun, fun, fun. Commands are to be given with as little pressure as possible, words and suggestion is best. I have been practicing my back ups and stops from sign language alone and I think I'm doing well at training my human, she's starting to learn....
So Roller and I have been practicing some of the elements of the course tonight with FH. Tonight we were having fun with.....
The Flags
Flags are an important part of many of the courses, we have to stand between them, back through them, FH has to wave them around us and other such things. We duly sent FH off to buy some flags and she came back with some very suitable flags with the Queen on them!
Catanian is eager to get in on the agility thing too, I wonder if classes can include felines?! She thinks she's a mule....
Well I was very impressed by this.... there would be no spooking at her Majesty, that would be most undesirable. So I inspected carefully and then wandered around the flags being a good muletta....
Apologies for the less than glamourous backdrop of the muck heap.... needs must!
Next up was Roller, well he was wowed by the flags and felt very patriotic.
Neither of us could work out what the fuss was all about. It was blowing a force ten gale, the flags were fluttering as they should. FH said she was very proud of us, strange human, they're only flags! Easily pleased FH is....
The Tarpaulin
Tarps are also a feature of many of the courses. FH has chosen a nice bright coloured one which is very rattly and blows around a lot if the wind catches it. I have seen tarps before so this was no sweat for me. FH and I are practicing our 5 second halt on the tarp, I was so chilled I had to rest my back leg... a place for a mule to dream includes a rattly tarpaulin in a gale.... I'm dreaming of dinner.....mmm
Roller hadn't seen a tarpaulin before but Roller was not to be phased by such minor trivialities, he thought he would try out his show pony stand whilst practicing his 'stand' for 5 seconds on the tarp. Very clever Roller and aren't you handsome!
This is just the start of our adventures, there's are lots more obstacles to play with, we'll let you know how it goes. The Mini is not so sure about tarps and flags, he is a sensitive soul, FH says she'll get to know the obstacles and learn some techniques and see what The Mini thinks later, if he doesn't want to play he doesn't have to.
Horse Agility is open to any equine anywhere in the world so if you want to give it a try all the info is here http://www.thehorseagilityclub.com
Omg! Roller's stand is so adorable! He looks so pleased with himself.
ReplyDeleteHorse agility sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to see videos of the Muleteers doing a complete course. They are rockstars!
Roller is always so pleased when he's looking good and showing off :-) We needs lots more practice but hopefully we'll get there.... we reckon Shy would be great at this agility thing too!
DeleteOh my my mini girl Honey Bee would go ga ga over cute little Roller. We always love visiting here. What fun horse agility ...we are going to check it out now. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteHey Willow! We think Roller might fall in love with Honey Bee too, what a cute couple they would make..... Horse Agility looks like so much fun, we just like to play :-)
DeleteWhat fun. Mom used to do dog agility. My old dog (RIP) had several titles. Mmmmm, must talk to Mom about this. I bet I'd like it too
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever dog! Our canines are not really obedient enough for agility.... hence why FH has recruited us Muleteers! We reckon you'd love it Camryn, you could be an agility queen!
DeleteI have been thinking about doing some of this with Emma and Ramsey. It would be good for Emma as she can be nervous about such things and Ramsey would just love all of it. Just so long as he doesn't eat the flags:)
ReplyDeleteHey Dancing Donkey, lovely to have you along :-) Ramsey would have the best time ever, it is the perfect thing for inquisitive donkeys and so lovely that they have taken in to account that donkeys are different, they have their own classes, there is no time limit and they are scored as donkeys not horses. The Mini is much like Emma and very nervous of new things so we won't 'compete' with him but just introduce him to things slowly, he likes to watch the others at the moment!
DeleteI laughed at this! Fun is good! A lot like Handy Pony! Maybe even Trec?
ReplyDeleteFun is great :-) Always good to remember why we spend those hours mucking out and hiding from the rain in the winter! Loads like handy pony and a bit of Trec thrown in there too (we might try this with Dragon) and the added bonus that you don't need to ride - FH would look mighty silly riding Roller ;-)
DeleteAh, my agile and clever amigos, you all look wonderful. Such amusing activity au naturel, no fussing around with dressing up or taking a bath ... even Catanian enjoyed it!. Special cuddles to darling Mini, each at his own pace ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks Carmen, we will try to learn our agility and fearlessness from the Queen - Catanian!! She is trying to show us all how it's done ;-) The Mini sends you snuffles, he knew you would understand, he is quite happy to stand on the sidelines and watch for the moment, he excels at cuddles and snuffles and soft blowing in your face- he'd win any competition designed for the sensitive at heart and the most loyal mule :-) Snuffles and neighbrays xxx
DeleteBrilliant we are loving this, great action shots of Roller, can't help feeling that Dragon might be keeping a little secret from you tho.... hmmmm ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing she's done this before?! She certainly seems to know it all :-)
DeleteI wonder if you could google it under her old name, mule and horse agility south west, she came fourth and had 134 points i think :-) Didn't like the curtains at the time tho...,(mind you i think she was born knowing it all ;-)) LOL don't tell her greatness i said that.
DeleteOh my goodness that last picture of Roller is too precious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Rachel, nice to have you along :-) He is just gorgeous isn't he, a nicer pony you could not find!
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