podunkcowboy
New member
That sounds like a loaded statement
Tell me more...
Hunting Horseback
- Thread starter UphillDoc
- Start date
A good mule is hard to beat, but even harder to find. I've had a lot of good horses in the past, but only one good mule, & he was better than the best horse I ever owned as far as a hunting animal goes. I also agree with Jesse lackley about a mules judgement. You can get a horse to bog up to his nose & go down in a slough or creek. A mule will cross in a better place & not go down in the process. This is what some people will refer to as being stubborn, but a good mule is not stubborn, just careful about what he does. [img:center]
[/img]
[img:center]
[/img]
[img:center]
[/img]
[img:center]
[img:center]
Hitman243
New member
UphillDoc,
I've hunted off horses and mules for many years. About the last 26 years I've ridden Tennessee Walkers. I ride in the mountains in some rough country. They are long legged enough to cross down timber good. They have a long stride which makes for a pretty fast flat walk, then when you hit a strech of good trail you can bump them up to a running walk which is really fast.
I've ridden Pasos and liked them. They have a four beat gait like the Walkers, but the ones I rode were smaller than the Walkers that were available at the time.
I think you will be very happy with a gaited horse for hunting. I've never wished I was riding something else.
Larry
I've hunted off horses and mules for many years. About the last 26 years I've ridden Tennessee Walkers. I ride in the mountains in some rough country. They are long legged enough to cross down timber good. They have a long stride which makes for a pretty fast flat walk, then when you hit a strech of good trail you can bump them up to a running walk which is really fast.
I've ridden Pasos and liked them. They have a four beat gait like the Walkers, but the ones I rode were smaller than the Walkers that were available at the time.
I think you will be very happy with a gaited horse for hunting. I've never wished I was riding something else.
Larry
Originally Posted By: poserKinda like dogs fellas, the key is to find what you like and fits you and then put them to work. Dogs don't learn anything on the chain and horses, mules or burros dont earn their keep in the pasture.
There are good and bad in everything...
Aint that the truth! Yours sure look like they are earning their keep.
Take care.
There are good and bad in everything...
Aint that the truth! Yours sure look like they are earning their keep.
Take care.
Well my horse buying weekend was a total flop!!! Tried 5 different gaited horses...got kicked, had a run away, a couple that would gait IF ya held their heads just right, and a spook. At $2,000 a lick I was kinda expecting a lil better horse. My Cowboy buddy says to me after the last one "ya know, it would probably be alot cheaper to just learn to ride a trot" LMFAO
The mule I was going to look at sold, but I made some more calls and have a few more lined up to have a go at. Maybe if I could just find the magical "good" mule my problems would be solved...LOL
If I have another horse buying weekend like this one, I can tell ya one of them solid, rough riding ranch horses will be lookin real shiny.
Question for anyone: Whats the oldest horse/mule you would consider buying? It will be asked to do alot of traveling and some of that in pretty steep country.
Take care.
The mule I was going to look at sold, but I made some more calls and have a few more lined up to have a go at. Maybe if I could just find the magical "good" mule my problems would be solved...LOL
If I have another horse buying weekend like this one, I can tell ya one of them solid, rough riding ranch horses will be lookin real shiny.
Question for anyone: Whats the oldest horse/mule you would consider buying? It will be asked to do alot of traveling and some of that in pretty steep country.
Take care.
Jesse lackey
New member
Doc I always like to buy young stuff so I can train them how I like but I wouldn't go over four years myself. It is never fun to get one you really like and have them wear out in two or three years.
DoubleCK
New member
Originally Posted By: podunkcowboy That sounds like a loaded statement
Tell me more...
The mules can be awesome. Like I have said the best and the worst mounts are both mules. Yup a loaded question. A really good mule can be better than anything. A bad mule will be worse than any Bronc. They are smart, too smart and handy, handy, handy!
They need work! They can be a real pain to have around; opening gates, jumping fences just generally tearing things up. If you have a good one that wants to help you it will really get 'er done. A bad one that wants to hurt you will also likely, patiently, get 'er done.
Karen had a little Appy Mule, Bridget. We bought her as a senior citizen. I have no idea where she spent her youth but it didn't matter what we went to do on her she knew all about it and would do everything she could to help. Pack elk, track a cow, literally hunt up the remuda, haul a kid or a dude, she was awesome. We sold her to some local folks as it was obvious she was getting some serious age on her. They say the two things you never see are a dead mule or a preacher's grave, but she died about five years after we sold her.
Over the years I owned and rode a good black gaited mule out of a foxtrotter mare and a nice bay mule out of a Walker mare. They both brought high dollar. They were both a joy to ride but probably wouldn't work for just anyone.
A good buddy of mine has a mule that has done and is awesome at it all. Cow Work, Kid Mount, Roping, Shows, Parade Driving, Farm work. I swear Dewy can do it all! I have a standing offer on the mule of $5K. He is just that good at everything you would ever do with one!
However, I know lots of mules that if things aren't done just right they are most likely going to put you in the hospital. For real! Hard to find a good one that is available. It takes a pretty good hand to use the average mule and a top hand to make one. But that truly outstanding, exceptional mule can be the push button pardner for most.
The mules can be awesome. Like I have said the best and the worst mounts are both mules. Yup a loaded question. A really good mule can be better than anything. A bad mule will be worse than any Bronc. They are smart, too smart and handy, handy, handy!
They need work! They can be a real pain to have around; opening gates, jumping fences just generally tearing things up. If you have a good one that wants to help you it will really get 'er done. A bad one that wants to hurt you will also likely, patiently, get 'er done.
Karen had a little Appy Mule, Bridget. We bought her as a senior citizen. I have no idea where she spent her youth but it didn't matter what we went to do on her she knew all about it and would do everything she could to help. Pack elk, track a cow, literally hunt up the remuda, haul a kid or a dude, she was awesome. We sold her to some local folks as it was obvious she was getting some serious age on her. They say the two things you never see are a dead mule or a preacher's grave, but she died about five years after we sold her.
Over the years I owned and rode a good black gaited mule out of a foxtrotter mare and a nice bay mule out of a Walker mare. They both brought high dollar. They were both a joy to ride but probably wouldn't work for just anyone.
A good buddy of mine has a mule that has done and is awesome at it all. Cow Work, Kid Mount, Roping, Shows, Parade Driving, Farm work. I swear Dewy can do it all! I have a standing offer on the mule of $5K. He is just that good at everything you would ever do with one!
However, I know lots of mules that if things aren't done just right they are most likely going to put you in the hospital. For real! Hard to find a good one that is available. It takes a pretty good hand to use the average mule and a top hand to make one. But that truly outstanding, exceptional mule can be the push button pardner for most.
Devin69
New member
Doc, that is BS you will find those statements true with horses or mules.
Take your time and get you what will work for you.
Most people don't spend enough time on either animal to make them a good one. Just like dogs.
We rode 16 miles(hard miles) today with Trapper II, we had 4 mules and 1 horse and ques swich one was the idiot? Yup the horse and she is usually a nice horse.
Johny rode my mule, 4 years old and she is a tank. I can put my 3 year old on her and feel safe.
I was a farrier for 20 plus years and I have seen them all, and believe me there is a dink in everyone of them.
You are seeing what people are selling and most people don't sell the good animals, they keep em.
A very good mountian horse is very hard to find now days, people just don't ride them enough to make them good in the mountains, Mules adapt to the mountains easier than a horse, they think things out and do not panic in a bad situation.
These guys that are telling you how bad mules are, know nothing about them.
Take your time and get you what will work for you.
Most people don't spend enough time on either animal to make them a good one. Just like dogs.
We rode 16 miles(hard miles) today with Trapper II, we had 4 mules and 1 horse and ques swich one was the idiot? Yup the horse and she is usually a nice horse.
Johny rode my mule, 4 years old and she is a tank. I can put my 3 year old on her and feel safe.
I was a farrier for 20 plus years and I have seen them all, and believe me there is a dink in everyone of them.
You are seeing what people are selling and most people don't sell the good animals, they keep em.
A very good mountian horse is very hard to find now days, people just don't ride them enough to make them good in the mountains, Mules adapt to the mountains easier than a horse, they think things out and do not panic in a bad situation.
These guys that are telling you how bad mules are, know nothing about them.
DoubleCK
New member
Ooops. Didn't mean to.....well you know.
What Devin posted is all true.
Didn't mean to really compare one to the other. Just trying to clarify as per posted request.
My belief is that a good Mule is awesome. Certainly superior on tough mountain trails. JMO
Here are a couple of pics of a really good one. He is awesome in the mountains whether punching cows or pulling duty in Elk Camp. Always puts the kids in the money at the rodeos, races and shows and on Frday he will be pulling a buggy in the WYO Rodeo Parade.
It may have something to do with the fact that he has spent his whole life working on a ranch that runs on a 7000 cow mountain grazing lease.
I don't own him. But I sure would like to. He is a good example of the kind Devin is talking about that isn't usually available.
What Devin posted is all true.
Didn't mean to really compare one to the other. Just trying to clarify as per posted request.
My belief is that a good Mule is awesome. Certainly superior on tough mountain trails. JMO
Here are a couple of pics of a really good one. He is awesome in the mountains whether punching cows or pulling duty in Elk Camp. Always puts the kids in the money at the rodeos, races and shows and on Frday he will be pulling a buggy in the WYO Rodeo Parade.
It may have something to do with the fact that he has spent his whole life working on a ranch that runs on a 7000 cow mountain grazing lease.
I don't own him. But I sure would like to. He is a good example of the kind Devin is talking about that isn't usually available.
podunkcowboy
New member
The prices of mules are much higher than I had expected. What are the odds of a first time owner training a decent one without gettin laid up at the hospital?
4eyes
New member
I once had $2000 in my pocket, to spend on a horse/mule for hunting and trail riding. A wise old cowboy told me he would darn-sure rather be back in the woods on a $2000 horse than a $2000 mule.
I wound up with a gray arabian 2yo filly, that pleased the crap outa me.
I think "problem mules" are caused by trainers trying to make them behave like a quarter horse. A good mule trainer is harder to find than a good mule.
I wound up with a gray arabian 2yo filly, that pleased the crap outa me.
I think "problem mules" are caused by trainers trying to make them behave like a quarter horse. A good mule trainer is harder to find than a good mule.
I sent you a pm about a 13 year old long eared dun donkey that a friend of mine has for sale. Hes a full time outfitter and knows his stuff. His kids ride the mule and he has his hunters on her.
It'll cost you $5000.00 but it might save you from getting killed or wastin your gas on all the run aways... that was funny by the way.
Let me know if i can help in any other way.
Good luck, jason
It'll cost you $5000.00 but it might save you from getting killed or wastin your gas on all the run aways... that was funny by the way.
Let me know if i can help in any other way.
Good luck, jason
Well I found what I was looking for tonight. A beautiful, buckskin, Peruvian mare 8yo, gentle and smoooth! Been all over the Mtns, raised with kids and dogs, and has a head full of sense.
Thanks to all who gave me their input. I really appreciated it.
Devin-Now ya gotta find me a real nice jack to put over her so we can have a look at a Peruvian mule..
Take care.
Thanks to all who gave me their input. I really appreciated it.
Devin-Now ya gotta find me a real nice jack to put over her so we can have a look at a Peruvian mule..
Take care.
