What My Mule Taught Me About Coping Under Stress

??Molly is moving to a new paddock and barn. She’ll be meeting new horses and groomers, adjusting to new turnout and feeding schedules. Moving is stressful for Molly and me.

The day started just before dawn. A ground fog spread out across the paddock like a comforter over a king-size mattress. ?A chill in the air formed a frost coating, covering the horse trailer reflecting starburst glimmers, adding more stress for Molly to feel safe.

When people and horses are under stress, they think about fight or flight, and it’s part of our DNA. We can manage the anxiety, or the pressure will grow out of control.

When Mules are afraid or stressed, they don’t run; they freeze and evaluate the situation. As I led Molly to the trailer ramp, she froze, put her ears back, and shook her head vigorously side to side as a clear signal saying, “No, I am not getting on!”

So, there we were on a tight schedule; Molly and I were at a standstill. I tried pulling and pushing, offering treats. Molly was not budging. Mules are thinkers, and Molly was assessing the situation. I can’t blame her for not wanting to get into a strange dark trailer away from familiar surroundings.

Molly and I turned away from the loading ramp and went for a short walk, hoping that she would relax and trust me to keep her safe. As we were walking, I thought if I loaded Miss Abby, who is very experienced loading up and out of trailers. After Miss Abby was loaded up and secure in the trailer, we came back to the ramp and paused. Molly looked around and saw Miss Abby in the trailer, very calm and safe. I rubbed Molly’s shoulder, whispered words of encouragement, and in the trailer, she went.

Molly taught me to stop, take a breath, evaluate the situation, and stay calm when faced with a stressful situation. If you let the unknown problem elements control your emotions, you won’t get your desired results.

It also helps to find someone who has experience in a similar situation to share the journey.

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