BooHoo....No Mules at Foxhunting Camp!

[WareMule]

Darn it! I sent off my registration to Casanova Hunt for foxhunting camp, said on my form that I would be riding a mule, and got the info package back, so figured camp was a go for me and my Emma this Saturday. But then…come to find out (via having my check, form, and Coggins returned with no explanatory note, calling to find out why, and learning that a phone message had been left which my family failed to mention til I asked about it), Casanova has a “policy against letting mules participate” because so many of the attendees are beginners–some of whom “haven’t ever ridden outside a ring”–and “many horses and ponies are frightened of mules.”

If the riders are that inexperienced, I have to wonder if mules are the biggest thing they’ll need to worry about in regard to hunting???

This is my first experience of mule prejudice and I am so disappointed…not so much with the fact that mules aren’t welcome as in the fact that the policy against them wasn’t included on the flyer or registration form. If it had been, I’d of course have respected it and never sent in a registration nor gotten my hopes up.

Yeah, I know–there aren’t many of us riding mules, but still…we are out there. And yeah–I’ll take some cheese with this whine!

[gothedistance]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WareMule:

[QUOTE] I do wonder how many of those “never been out of the ring” riders will attempt hunting this year and what the outcome will be–even without a mule, llama, emu, or other scary thing in sight. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I think a fair number will end up in the hunt field, and really enjoy the sport. I audited the camp (unfortunately on foot since I was still “laid up” from a crashing fall two weeks prior) and I was very impressed by the structure and how closely the staff “approximated” what a person could expect at a hunt – either hilltopping, and over fences. I spent most of my time watching the hilltopper groups, principally the one with my “never-been-hunting-before-but-would-like-to-try-it” friend on her novice Irish Draft. The instructors for her group touched on practically everything a novice would need to know in the hunt field in order to feel comfortable and informed --at least at the rudimentary stage.

And everyone that I talked to there --and I spoke to a LOT of people-- were most definitely looking forward to hunting this fall. I mean – why else would they be there if this was not their end goal??

I think with the camp offering a “taste” of what elements of a hunt would feel like, those that attended will certainly feel more knowledgeable (and hopefully comfortable) than the uninitiated novice as to what to expect and how to ride with the field when the huntsman lifts horn to lips and the hounds all hark to the sound.

The rest is learned like anything else – time in the saddle and tailoring your riding education to fit your chosen sport.

[Falstaff]

I must confess to being one of those riders who went to the camp - fell in love - and started hunting. I used to event (BN/N) but hadn’t done much in a couple of years. I’ve used more dressage in the hunt field than I ever did in the arena.

From what I’ve seen - most of the folks get a taste of it and either find their niche or run screaming back to their previous sport. Not much in the middle.

For what it’s worth - I don’t care what kind of equine you hunt with as long as it hunts. Hope to see you in the field one of these days.

[xeroxchick]

What a nice web site! our descriptions are wonderful. I have to wonder whether Aps and Mules have a lot in common, as some of what you describe applies to my Ap…

[WareMule]

Nope, don’t mind! I only know details about the on that turned me down…it’s a one-day camp, you ride for most of the morning then there is some lecture stuff, then you ride again in the early afternoon, then there is a showing of hounds or other lecture stuff.

Someone told me that one or two other hunts do camps, too…and I know that one or two private farms offer something similar in our area…Hunter’s Rest is one, as I recall. Hopefully she’ll post here and chat it up.

[justhanginon]

We have two mules down the road from our farm, absolutely the cutest,sweetest guys ever. My daughter rides a little Welsh pony and whenever we go by the mules they always come to the fence to “check things out”. My daughter’s pony is completely and totally terrified of them and he is NOT a spooky pony. Why is that ? One recent day the mules had on those big funky fly masks - I thought the pony was going to just keel over and die of a heart attack, it was hysterical !

[WareMule]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> To say NOTHING of sounds. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You know, I always forget about that one because Em is quiet and almost never brays! But yeah, can see how a loud mule might be a little freaky to some horses.

[Falstaff]

I like mules and wouldn’t mind hunting with them - but one thing you must remember about the CH camp (as well as other camps) - most, if not all, the folks attending the camps have not been out of an arena, much less ridden in a large group.

It’s an introduction to foxhunting: not mules, llamas, or emu’s.

It’s a great camp and I would recommend it to folks interested in learning about foxhunting.

It might interest you to know that many hunts do not allow stallions, either. I’ve known beautifully behaved stallions that I would much prefer to hunt with but…

It’s the Master’s perogative. Foxhunters are out to hunt the fox - it’s not a trail ride or some sort of democratic society. That’s not snobbery - its the structure and tradition of the hunting club.

I suspect mules will be better received in the future - just keep setting a good example. Draft crosses used to be looked down upon too. Still are in some cases…

[Ata]

I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this thread, but I am very curious about foxhunting camps. How common are these and where are most of them? I live in AZ, so I’m not sure if we have them, but I really doubt it. I would love to go to horse amp again! I have such fond memories of it as a child.

[imissvixen]

My theory is that the master at CH has no statistical support for the contention that mules present more risk for her campers than other things they may encounter. I suspect that the decision is based on a very narrow data sample and is hardly conclusive. Just because it is your experience doesn’t mean it is true. I currently feel that all TBs are going to buck their riders off and break their arms or backs based on the experience I have had. But if we did a longitudinal study of all TB riding experience of say 30 to 50 year intermediate female foxhunters over the past 20 years we may find that my experience is not the norm.

[Kryswyn]

I’m sorry you had this happen to you. You’re absolutely right, the “No Mules” rule should be on the fliers.

Usually, everyone has a good time at Casanova’s camp. However, my professional friend has attended and been frankly scared at the lack of control, ability, and general lack of suitability and preparedness especially in the non-jumping group. Most of her time in that group was devoted to listening to the JT-MFH’s explain how to do a pulley rein to the folks whose horses were constantly bolting off!

[JSwan]

Alas - too true. Especially these darn kids. No spelling ability.

(Showing my age now - will soon start calling anyone under 30 a “whippersnapper”)

[WareMule]

Whistlejacket, I can’t disagree with any of your points about WHY a group might decide to have an exclusion policy for mules. Even that they would have such a policy doesn’t particularly irk me–it is what it is, so be it. But! When there is such a policy (which one could reasonably assume was a well-considered rule and not just a last minute, knee-jerk reaction), then it does irk me when that policy is not stated in public information about the event, nor even in follow-on information sent to potential participants.

You might argue that it is unrealistic to expect an organization to list every disallowed exception because there will always be at least one more than what they remember to list. That’s reasonable. But why not simply state something like “For horses and ponies ONLY”?

Looking back, I’m surprised I got a participant packet in the first place if there already was a policy in place about mules–since my note stated that I intended to bring one. Getting my registration form, check, coggins, and release back with no explanatory note really had me wondering. But I recall now that I left a voice message at the organizer’s number asking about stabling in which I think I mentioned the mule. So probably they didn’t notice my note (note to self: use <span class=“ev_code_RED”>BOLD RED</span> pen) and the phone call is likely what raised the flag.

Suffice to say that I’ve taken away from all this a renewed determination to make it very clear on initial inquiries to any group that I have a mule and to be darned sure I get a yay or nay decision before going any further.

I hope everyone who attends the camp has a wonderful time and learns a lot. I have several friends who are going–all of whom talked about boycotting it, but I told them that it’d be silly, if endearing.

Anyway…I guess we’ve about talked this subject to death, I think I’ll go get a quick ride in since it stopped raining. Thanks everyone for your supportive comments and intelligent conversation!

[imissvixen]

My son clains my horse looks like a mule but no one has discriminated against us yet. The fact of the matter is that many of those people should be riding mules themselves – they would be alot safer than on some goofy TB – like my horse.

I would be angry. Call the Master and tell her/him the situation. DO they not let mules in the field either? Where is the line? Why isn’t this part of the camp experience? My mare spooked at white ponies. Are they excluded? My TB is deathly afraid of big rocks. Are they excluded? Also my TB bucks very hard when stung by bees. Will they keep bees out of the camp?

I think they really don’t want a mule at their hunt camp. Not fancy enough.

[Kryswyn]

Carole, your Emma is LOFFLY! I can see why she won! I love the folks at THH, and their country is made for the surefooted mule! I’m sure you’ll have a great season!

[WareMule]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> An Appaloosa Mule - by gosh that would be the most ugly equine on the planet ! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They are very popular, though…I’ve seen more App mules than just about any other kind used by trail riders and campers.

Mules are unbelievably strong–especially when you have an 1800 lb one on your foot and can’t get him to move!!!

[Elghund2]

Actually Casanova breaks the non-jumping group down into many smaller groups. They have the groups ride before they do the break down.

The jumping group typically stays as one big group.

Its too bad you won’t be able to go because I felt the clinic was excellent.

waremule: We are actively looking for a place in Rappahannock. Are you aware of either land or places that might be suitable for a horse farm. we looking for 20-40 acres. Thanks

[WareMule]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> and he is NOT a spooky pony. Why is that ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I’m convinced that the horses/ponies which do react strongly to mules do so because the mules a) smell quite different and b) have an unfamiliar silhouette caused by the longer ears. Those fly masks, though…we use those and I gotta admit, they’re enough to scare anything not used to seeing them, LOL!

Wonder what the pony would do if he could meet the mules nose-to-nose over the fence while on a lead-line. Might be worth trying to convince him the mules are nothing to fear, if it would result in him being better behaved when your daughter rode him by them.

[WareMule]

Thanks, wateryglen and Kryswyn Yes…it’s that renowned jumping ability of mules that has me wondering if I’ll be able to stay with her when my big beast launches herself over a tricky coop, LOL! But I don’t have to worry about that til next year fortunately.

As far as night hunting…in between the moonshine, guns, and good ole boy shenanigans, it’s probably the sensible mules that kept them fellers from breakin their fool necks most of the time! Interesting perspective on mules, fer sure.

Had a GREAT time on our ride yesterday. What SUPERB riding in your neck of the woods. Get my room ready, I’m movin in!

[WareMule]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> most, if not all, the folks attending the camps have not been out of an arena, much less ridden in a large group…introduction to foxhunting: not mules, llamas, or emu’s <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Certainly no argument on my part about why or even that Casanova has a policy to not allow mules…I support their right to take that position. Wish I’d known in advance, but live and learn. I do wonder how many of those “never been out of the ring” riders will attempt hunting this year and what the outcome will be–even without a mule, llama, emu, or other scary thing in sight.