Horse or Mule?

[406flyfish]

Mules hands down for backcountry use. Get ready to put down some $$. Jake’s Mule days are coming up in WY. 15-25k for bottom to middle range.

 

[Beendare]

Some quality commentary here^

I've been in a bunch of horse wrecks. The only mule wreck I've seen was an intentional act by my buddy trying to push his mule across a half frozen Beaver pond forcing him to crank through thin ice.

The mule didn't like it....heck, I wouldn't have liked it either.

Horse wrecks are as simple as a pannier getting hangup on a tree....most mules I've seen just stop until you extract them....some horses freak out.

 

[Cliff Gray]

age old debate...
all I know is you could fill a semi up with pack goats and llamas, I still wouldn't trade ya for one good mountain horse or mule

It depends, but for most serious backcountry hunting, I give the slight edge to mules. Hybrid vigor is real -hardiness, stamina, and longevity. I've had mules work in the mountains for over 25 years. Horses usually top out closer to 12–17 working years. That longevity deal applies to using them for fun just as much as it does to those using them for work. It's a gigantic advantage when you factor in the cost, pain and hassle to get to a spot where you have a great one.

They're more economical – Mules eat less, stay sounder longer, and have fewer vet bills. They keep weight on with less feed and bounce back from tough conditions better. Most guys can get away with shoeing just the fronts on most mules, depending on use.

Trail-savvy and sure-footed – Mules look where they step. They’re smart enough to avoid slick spots and will protect themselves from injury, even if it means disobeying you. You can ride a horse to death. You won’t do that with a mule.

Better on knees – Pound for pound, I can ride a smaller mule than a horse, which matters because I’ve got bad knees. Their build is easier on me, personally. It all depends on breeds but generally they are not as broad as horses also.

But they’re not perfect – Mules aren’t built for riding as cleanly as horses. Typical horse withers vs typical mule withers make a big difference in the mountains. You need the right tack and know-how to avoid saddle sores on mules. Also, availability is an issue—good mules are harder to find, and bad ones can be real bad. That’s why some folks stick with horses—they're more common, and their behavior is often more predictable.

 

[mulepkr]

I have done everything on both and my only requirement is solid steady animals however I myself ride a horse to lead with not that you can't lead with a mule but life is easier on a good lead horse. I put my loved ones on a good mule to bring up the rear because if things go south a good mule will not do anything that will get itself hurt so if a person stays on they will be safer than on a horse that panics. As for packing I use mostly mules but a nice calm horse that the mules like in the line-up won't hurt a thing and can also be good to mix in with the mules on a high line at camp. Good solid mountain horses or mules don't grow on trees though and people don't get rid of their good ones very often. I have had the best luck raising and training my own but I realize not everyone can or want's to do that. I think it's easier to find good horses than good mules because there are more good horse trainers than mule trainers and once a mule learns something good or bad it is there pretty much for ever. [ like others have said ]

 

[dylanvb]

What is the best way to introduce a horse into packing? My wife and I have horses and I really want to use one to pack on a lead line. My wife is intimidated because it’s something neither of us have experience in but I am a ball out kind of guy where I learn the hard way. I am thinking of doing an easy 5-7 mile hike with my family and one horse but looking for advice.

Also look for some good recommendations for panniers and pads for packing.

 

[wyosteve]

My approach has been to start them slowly. Put the pack saddle on and maybe some soft panniers to get them used to things flopping around them. Then put a few objects into the panniers, eventually working up to things that rattle, make some noise. If you reach the point that you're ready to get some panniers/top pack, let me know. I have some that I"ll be listing in the new future.

 

[dylanvb]

Does anyone have experience with over the saddle soft panniers? Or would you recommend getting a sawbuck/decker set up.

 

[mntnguide]

Does anyone have experience with over the saddle soft panniers? Or would you recommend getting a sawbuck/decker set up.

An actual pack saddle is going to perform much better than a riding saddle for packing. The OTS type panniers work fine for getting an elk out of the mountains etc, but I would not like to use them for much else. They usually ride very low and will be bouncing off your horses lower stomach non stop, unless you know how to tie a hitch like a box or diamond to help that. I like the Mountain Ridge Gear panniers that are barely 4lbs and i can run straps around my horn and then connect the back ones, and they ride much higher on my saddle than the large OTS style panniers you will see most people using.

If you can find a weekender type packing course, it would be very beneficial for you and your animals to learn proper knots and hitches. Many outfitters now adays do them in summer, along with backcountry horseman chapters. Cody at Royal Tine guide school has a dvd that goes over a lot of basic entry level type packing and is very informational for someone just getting into it. https://www.royaltine.com/courses/instructional-packing-video/

 

[azsupercub]

We are not pro's... just addicts

As such we have examples of all three, and my opinion is like any other tools, most pro's will (rightfully) select that which is the most industrial, and utilitarian (Decker), while most weekend warriors will select that which is most economical and perceived as user friendly (OTS).

Fortunately in this instance there is a really good 'middle of the road' option that provides so much more utility and longevity, without much compromise (Sawbuck).

Hunters are comprised of an amazingly diverse group. Not everyone wants to learn the finer points of line and rope, or nuances of hitches and knots. If you don't, you will be forced with yet another thing to try and polish up on in late august because you lost track of how fast the season is approaching. If none of that fits the bill, the Sawbuck is going to be way more user friendly and lead to more smiles per mile. It is not quite as universal as a good Decker, but it's a pretty good compromise. Specially with GOOD panniers like MRG Pack Lites.

I still keep a couple decent OTS rigs, and here's why you might as well. If you typically ride solo and pony a single, or with a partner and only one pack animal, the OTS will roll up fairly small and weighs not much. It can bundle up on top of your pack stocks gear, and if luck shines on you late in the day, (assuming you've got decent legs under you and can walk out) may save you a trip on the pack out of a successful kill.

Take care,
Rob

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

Mules, all day, every day. Tougher than horses, take less and lower cost feed than horses, at least twice as smart as a smart dog (maybe 3 or 4 times smarter than a horse).

Just remember tho, you break horses to follow commands, but you make friends with a mule so it likes to go do stuff with you (or at least so it likes you enough to put up with you when you ask it to do things). A mule that doesn't view you as a friend, will surely educate you as to how the phrase "stubborn as a mule" came to be a thing.

 

[grfox92]

Mules are for packing, horses are for riding. Exceptional Mules can do both, but it takes a ton of time and training.

In my experience, Mules naturally know how to pack, instinctively. I'm not saying they dont need training. They absolutely do. But they seem to know what their job is pretty quick.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[OKHunter84]

My cousin and one of his buddies decided to buy a couple mules right before we went on a pack in hunt. We got to this meadow after about 6 miles in. Buddy turned the mules loose with only front hobbles. He reassured us they were good. I'll never forget watching those mules hop back up a super steep trail while they were hobbled.
It dang near got pretty western getting them gathered back up.

Dad always said to make sure you stay on a mules good side. If you're mean to them, they'll remember and get even.

 

[4doutfitter]

ran a train of both in Idaho for a decade and the mules get the nod all the way around and smoother to boot

 

[codym]

I’ve rode quite a few mules and owned a couple good ones. Horses I prefer Tennessee walkers as bird dogs got me into horses. I’ve never rode a mule that is as smooth or can hit a lick on a trail like my walkers can. A couple of my walking horse mares came from outfitters in the gila, they were every bit as hardy as my mules and never drank more. I have a fancy gelding from Tennessee that is a water buffalo, so I suspect acclimation means more than anything. I would like to find a nice 14-14.3 gaited mule. Good is gold and bad is dangerous.

 

[azsupercub]

'Gaited' seems to be one of the latest buzz words in mule trading circles... lol

Seems like anything with a hitch in it's giddy up gets labeled gaited, with a premium tacked on with no reference to it's mama.

I've heard many say they'd not have a gaited equine in the mix, but ours are split right down the middle, and it's really never posed a problem. In fact I'd be hard pressed to part with any of our gaited ones.
In packing scenarios and speeds, I think how well they all gel, and how similar their size plays a bigger role to the get along, but even then I frequently pony a little molly that might go a shade better than 13hh and is NOT gaited behind my 15hh gaited (MF). They are buddies and the little girl just peddles faster.

Take care, Rob