Hurry up!

This team does not want to wait while their handlers get the load hooked on! That's a lot of horse to be bouncing around like that.

A lot of horse...

Horses Can't...

...do this. Anyone who questions what mules are for?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv2YsI6NVRE

Coon jumping was invented by poachers (just like NASCAR by moonshiners). Mules were trained to jump fences from a standing start (the handler would then climb over) so they didn't have to damage the fence to get past.

What A...

...great horse. Most of the ones I know would have freaked.

...time for the interloper to be somewhere else!

Buck, Buck...

This video is interesting because the mule isn't trying to get the rider off, just the britchin. I'm guessing this is the first time she's been ridden with it on.

Because of the way mules are put together, britchin is used even on saddle mules if you're riding in rough terrain. A back cinch alone won't hold the saddle in place on steep downslopes because mules have a different shoulder setup than horses.

I do wish the cowboy had evicted the dog from the round pen, though. I was worried it was going to get kicked.

Okay, This...

Woman is catching a horse out of a herd. The rest of the herd objects. I've had this happen to me.

This is not, quite, exactly how I would have handled it. I prefer to use my shoulder (body check) over pushing with both hands, which exposes your hands and the long bones of your arms to danger. If I know there's a horse inclined to behave like this in the group, then I don't go in there on my own - if I have to, I take a whip. You can move a horse away with a whip and your body language without needing to touch it, if you know how to use the right "alpha" body language.

What she did right was to deal with the aggression instantly, clearly, and without any hesitation or "niceness." You can't be nice to an aggressive horse. Furthermore, human "niceness" is equine "weakness." I'm not saying beat the crap out of your horse, but you have to show strength.

Because...

...I'm tired and need cuteness, here are bouncy ponies.

Horses In Drive Thrus

What do you think?

What A Nice Round...

...until.

It's really a good idea to actually go the same way as your horse. (Apparently it was the photographers. Note...although I'm not sure that's what happened in this case...that it's best to avoid flash around horses if possible).

Why Own A Trailer?

...if your horse fits on the back seat?

(I do hope they are restraining the animal in some way, though, so it doesn't put that cute little nose on the driver's shoulder at a critical moment).

Excuse me...

...that's my MANE!

Actually, the pony doesn't look that bothered. He could easily just walk off.

This Feels...

...so weird.

Hind boots on a horse for the first time, and he's not entirely happy about it.

Definitely the way to do it, though.

Abuse?

I would not call this abuse. I would call it bad and ineffective riding.

Hitting and booting the horse after it has already stopped is ineffective. She doesn't beat the animal, but rather than punishing it for stopping, she should have increased the strength of her aids on coming into the fence to commit it to the jump.

That said, horses at this level don't often do this - I hope she had him checked out afterwards for a sore back or similar.

Putting...

...a halo on a pony is just asking for it.

A Horse...

...is not a trapeze net.

(Yes, I've done trapeze. That is exactly how you dismount from the net...)

To Do Dressage...

...you need a big Warmblood that costs well into five figures. You'll have to stand on a grooming stool to saddle him. You'll be afraid to turn him out because of how much he's worth, so he'll be crazy from being stalled too much. Same deal if you take him on the trail.

I mean....that's what you ned to do Grand Prix dressage.

Or, apparently, you could just ride...

(Why yes. That IS a pony. A large pony, but a pony nonetheless).

Ah...

...the joys of non-horse people interacting with horses.

The trainer should probably have warned her to move her hand. That was so inevitable.

Cute...

...until something goes wrong. Helmetless child, mini pony, tricks. Not a good combination.

Is it me or is she wearing crocs? Or at least not very suitable footwear. And I really don't understand the urge some people have to ride on top of rugs. Rugs aren't designed for it and they won't give you good grip. To be fair, this is clearly a pretty well trained trick pony, but I still think the child should be wearing a helmet and boots for this.

Mom?

Mom? Get this thing off of me?

(Note that I'm not in favor of riding a 15 month old, but just putting a cheap saddle on him and then letting him work it out like this is a different matter).

No...

...this is not a "bolt." I really wish people would get the terminology right. It's a take off, not a bolt - a bolting horse is one that's completely checked out.

Cute pony...and maybe it was objecting to being called an angel?

Ow.

Somebody's just a wee bit excited here.

Just a bit. That's happened to me...