Colt Starting
Colts must be 2 ½ years
old before Steve will start them under saddle. It is very
important to consider your mule's health. Be sure to have a vet
look at him first to make sure his knees are closed so that he can
physically and safely handle the weight of a rider. Before your
colt is brought to the clinic you should be able to lead
him and pick up all four feet. You should have had some basic saddle
work done
including having the saddle on and sacking out. Your mule should
be gentle
to be around. Colt starting is limited to four colts and takes place
the Thursday and Friday mornings, 9:00 AM to Noon,
before the Art of Communication
clinics. If colts do well in Colt
Starting and Steve feels the rider and mule are ready,
they can attend the weekend Art of
Communication clinic.
.
.
$400.00
for Thursday and Friday—limited
to 4 colts
.
.
.
Problem Mules
Having problems with your mule? Would you like to have Steve help
you fix your mule's problems? He can help you with mules that are
hard to catch, won't let you touch their ears, won't let you pick up
their feet, won't stand still, won't take the bit, have trailer
loading/unloading problems, and much more. Please contact Steve and
discuss your mule's problems so he can schedule time to work with you
and your mule.
$80.00
for first hour and $65.00 per hour for additional time
.
One-on-One
Sessions
Schedule a One-on-One
session with
Steve to address the goals your have for yourself and your mule. You
can work on various
things including ground communications, trail riding, driving,
and packing.
.
$80.00
for first hour and $65.00 per hour for additional time
.
- Ground
Communications—learn
how to catch your mule, how to halter, leading your
mule, how to ask
the mule to pick up his hooves, move over, back up, go forward, and
stop.
- Trail Riding—First
level trail riding will be done in an arena with no obstacles.
Second level trail riding will be done in an arena with
obstacles. Steve will make sure
your mule is in a proper saddle and that he is properly bitted for
trial riding. Learn how to pick up all of your mule's feet,
learn how to use a twitch, and learn how to tack on a shoe if one comes
off while riding. Learn proper trail etiquette. Teach your
mule speed control; fast walk, slow walk and a trot. Learn how
to keep your mule in a proper place in relation to others on the
trail. You and your mule should always be two full mule
lengths behind the mule in front of you when going up a hill and three
full mule lengths behind when going down a hill. Advance to
third level trail riding and use the
skills you have learned in this class as you ride your mule on the
trails around Queen Valley Mule
Ranch. Steve can also show you how to go through pipe gates and
wire gates.
- Driving—Improve
your driving skills or start from the beginning and build a good foundation. You must be willing to commit to a five hour day for
five days to take this class. If you would like
to start a team, talk to Steve about doing some foundation training
with
your mules before you begin.
|
