Natural Elements Horsemanship

09/18/2025

Friends along the way…
Dick and Muriel were good companions at the 4-day Mule Qui Peut event. Muriel and I helped set the course along with Carol and Pascal.

Muriel, who has been training for years, did a demo and also assisted me in a presentation.
Nice folks!

09/18/2025

Not just a clever saying.
Because mules “read” us, it matters HOW we wait for them to process an event, thought or action.
Too often, especially in a clinic setting, folks WANT to see motion, emotion and keep an animals feet moving while the mind has been left behind. Waiting…observing WHEN the animal has processed an event or put together a proper response to a proper cue is critical to the animal assimilating that knowledge and being able to execute it consistently.
It also keeps the mind from being flooded chemically, keeps anxiety down and helps the animal to be comfortable in our presence.

We often create motion (especially forward OR bolting) because we haven’t learned to wait WITH the mule…not FOR the mule.

Training with mules especially, we need to train ourselves and learn HOW to wait.

09/17/2025

Dominique and Van…
She is the one who got the ball rolling for our “tour de France”, mule-style. She and I had months of texts between us, coordinating and scheduling. SHE did the work!

They met us at the Charles de Gualle airport, gave us a motor tour of Paris and whisked us off into the beautiful French countryside to the first destination. What a whirlwind for us.
So many, first-time experiences for us.

Thank you, Dominique for your advocacy on my behalf in getting me involved. I am happy to help enrich our knowledge and understanding of the mule. Interesting to see the French view and utility both modern and past, as well.

You and Van were our first and last experience on the trip. Like bookends…as it was meant to be.

Nous pensons à vous deux avec beaucoup d'affection.

09/17/2025

I am honored to have been invited by this French mule association, Mule Qui Peut, to demonstrate my approach to mules and to help jury your competition.

My wife, Chris and I were treated incredibly well and appreciate all the work in coordinating clinics, travel and accommodations. We were well cared for!

I am pleased with those attending the clinics.
Very attentive and involved. At every clinic we were treated with kind regard. As the first American muleman/trainer (as I’ve been reminded) I tried to present the mule as honestly as I know them. One of the best compliments I heard, many times was, “this makes so much sense”.

I am encouraged by your organization, the quality of mules and your passion and desire to promote the mule, expand knowledge and understanding. May you continue, long and strong!

Bob Smith's arrival in France is a fine example of collective and associative success, fully in keeping with the spirit of Mule Qui Peut: sharing knowledge, cultivating solidarity, and putting the mule first.Bob shared his valuable expertise with us with disarming simplicity. Despite a 24-hour trip,...

09/16/2025

Carol Drougal drove us to clinics, translated, tour guided and served as a wonderful French ambassador to Chris and I.
She participated in our first clinic and over the course of every one, she became more familiar with the concepts and was able to convey thoughts as well as translate.

She made side-trips to show us a broad spectrum of a beautiful country.
Thank you, Carol for all you did with the Mule Qui Peut group as well as for us!

09/15/2025

Some pics of people we came to know during our first clinic and mule challenge. I had the honor to help evaluate and score the teams along with Pascal, Murièl and Carol.

Pascal is well versed in mule history, tack and handling. He’s the 8th generation of his family to be involved with mules.
He is actively restoring an old castle with some partners and already has a good start for their museum dedicated to the mule.

He speaks little English but enjoyed one another’s company…one evening, showing each other pictures of our animals, homes and family.
Some things can transcend a language barrier.

09/14/2025

I learned much in France.
We’re thankful for the opportunity to enrich our mule experience with you.

09/13/2025

After nearly 28 hours of travel with no sleep…we are back home!
Even after just a few hours, our rhythm with home is synching.

09/10/2025

Beautiful facility with wonderful people.
Anouk and Dominic are starting a breeding program with the Pega donkey stock from Brazil.

09/10/2025

Our last day of clinic with this final group. We had several riding instructors joining this clinic. What a good gathering of people and horses with only one mule at this one.

We’ll be posting more about some of the folks we’ve met, mule people, saddle makers and other trainers when we return. Our days have been pretty full and I haven’t taken time to document everything, yet.

National shutdown in France, today. Political issues and a government that has been removed. Nobody really knows what this grass-roots protest will amount to but we’ll just keep doing our training.

Train to Paris tomorrow and back in the States on Friday.

09/07/2025

Our third clinic ended this afternoon.
We enjoyed the hospitality and delicious cooking of Carol’s aunt, tonight…moussaka, which I will NEVER forget!

Tomorrow on to Montpelier for our final engagement.
The French countryside we were in the past couple days was beautiful. Rural rolling hills with the Alps in distant view have retreated and the landscape is now more influenced by the nearness of the Mediterranean. Tall spires of narrow cypress planted in rows for windbreaks.
Olive trees are abundant with harvest about two weeks away.
Carol Drogoul has been a wonderful help, transporting, translating, explaining history, culture and practices. Wonderful companion for us!
More, tomorrow. 👍🏼