New to horses and mules

[REM]

If you are going to be packing a horse or mule make sure and get a quality decker pack saddle. I prefer the Ray Holes deckers. With them or at least the old ones you can heat the brass bars bend them out a little and throw a saddle blanket on them and ride them like a regular saddle(a little rough) better than bare back.
With the decker if your horse or mule is high withered you will need an extra heavy/thick saddle blanket and the part that you put over the withers will need to be cut out so the withers aren't rubbed raw. Had that happen on one of my old horses long ago. Once I started using the extra blanket with the slot cut out no more problems.

[Guitar Picker]

Boulder Tuff, all these guys have gave you some dang good advise, I will try to add to it a little, if you can find a outfitter or guide to kinda hang out with for a couple seasons would be great, tell them you will work hard for them just to learn from them, set up camp, tare down and pack up, cook, do dish's , feed hounds, tack up the riding stock anything to keep you in the woods with them and listen and learn , to some this is hard work, to guys like us its just part of the deal, part of the hunt, at 18 years old , just call it working your way thru college , your goals may not be outfitting or guiding , but in the real world when you do this kind of hunting with horses and mules just for pleasure you will find yourself doing all the things I have listed in this post. Useing the right stuff will no longer be a issue , you will know after a couple seasons with these guys what will work and what will be a waste of money and time, heck I'll be on here asking you what to use and I'am 3 times your age, ha ha , no I've been there and done that and I'am to old to go back, but I wish you the best and if your mad dog tuff and hang with it the rewards can't even be put into words. when your old and in the rocking chair all the hunts all the bears all the lion's all the rivers all the mountains , its all in your head and nobody can take that from you , you did it and made the memory's now enjoy it and tell your grandkids about the time etc. etc .

[coldnosed1976]

I raise my own mules and if had any advise I would probally star with a fairly old mule.My first mules it took me buying 4 mules before i found one that was actually what the seller said and not just a sales pitch.I will not buy one with out a trial period,also if you like to rough up a horse you wont get away with it on a mule.just my to bits

[cat and bear]

A lot of good advice from folks that have grown up around this stuff. One obvious thing I didnt read, make sure the mule gets along with dogs before you buy one. Some mules hate dogs, a challenge in itself. My two cents is I grew up on horses, they can blow up or shy under the right conditons. I got a good mule three years ago, and never once. Had a turkey fly up under his feet in tall grass, It scared me more then him. I'm pretty sure, a horse would not have handles that well. I would trust him with my life, especially in mountains. But you got to be smarter, or read a mule, or they will have their own way. The other thing being new to mules, they are way more aware of things around them, and what is going on. I'm amazed. Mules need less foot care, easy keepers etc. I also noticed a ride last summer, 18 miles, the horses, it was a warm day, the horses was wet, my mule didnt crack a sweat. He was ready for another 18 but my bottom wasnt, LOL. The bottom line, as good advice from these folks, get a good older horse and mule, and they will teach you a few things also. LOL

[Bdog]

Some great advise and I didnt grow up with horses or mules and been at it about 7 years now. Number 1 word of advice, save your money and spend some time getting to Know some folks who have been there done that with stock and dogs. Then when one of these folks has a 15 to 20 year old mule or 5 - 10 year old horse, that they have packed, hunted, duded on and willing to let go, pay the $2000.00 or whatever they want. That critter will save you from yourself, mine did on several occassion. Everything from equipment malfunctions, other animal wrecks, young stupid dogs, and where they can go or should not go.... After four years with my first mule, I bought my second one from the same houndsman just a younger version of the first. The right animal will make or break you. Next, get good equipment that fits your stock and you will also be money ahead in the long run...

Good luck
Bruce

[Powder River Walker]

Look around and find some place to ride, come down and ride with me I have a couple of horses that i am getting ready for a sale and some colts that are all going to have to get some miles put on them. Like these guys said buy quality stuff, but if you don't hang out some place for a while you wont know what quality is.

[rpo]

well the advice given so far has been awesome. indeed there are places you just have to go on foot especially in lion season but mules can make much work in the woods so much easier. We pack a lot of dead things out on mules and here in idaho literally Tons of bait for bears on mules and dead bear out. we take people who have never ridden before in to the backcountry on mules.

If your looking for an animal to own for a long time its a mule. they last longer than horses keep easier (eat less) than Horses can get away from needing shoes when horses cant.

I cant imagine life without mules. Im half a gimp these days with a bad knee but I can ride my mule where I NEVER could walk to anymore and back.

you really have to have a sense of humor and patience when dealing with mules - this also serves you well in dealing with kids (hunter dudes) and life in general too.

the advice about working with an outfitter is a good idea you can get exposed to more stuff ina a short time whith someone who is at it all the time. PM me if you need any more detailed info Im looking for some bear camp help this spring.

Good luck!!

[cat and bear]

Van Johnson has a mule i think he is in his 20's. Had him a long time, were all friends and my buddy was with him last year, and said if van gets to a bad spot, he takes off on foot, and the mule will find his way down to van. They are true hunting partners. I suppose he yells for him, and the mule brays?. My point, not only ridding and packing benefits, if you get a good mule. They are as fun as the trip. Mine wants to be my best friend, full of personality, takes care of me, or If I put my daughter on him, she pulls the reins wrong, or whatever, he looks at me on the horse, and follows, saying, I will tolerate and take care of her. Besides, I took a dude ride, put a straw hat on him, and rode 18 miles last summer, girls loved him, stopped us for pictures, my buddy said, he is better then a darn puppy. LOL. A chick magnet besides))))).

[Brady Davis]

[Mike Leonard]

you really have to have a sense of humor and patience when dealing with mules - this also serves you well in dealing with kids (hunter dudes) and life in general too.





LOL! I HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST MULE PEOPLE JUST GET THE BIGGEST KICK OUT OF THE LITTLE QUIRKS THAT THEIR MULES HAVE. I can dig that ok sort of have to do that with a lot of people you work with. Just as long as they don't have TOO many quirks. LOL!

[LCK]

Dealing with mules reminds me of playing chess with a 5 year old, when things are not going their way they simply change the rules! Just have to remember it's just a game and adjust accordingly.

[Mr.pacojack]

Some say a mule is stuborn, I say a mule will give you just enough time to think about what you are doing wrong. You have to do something that they will think is their idea. Alot of people don't like a mule because they can not think outside the box and come to an agreement with the mule.

[cat and bear]