Horse or Mule?

[wyosteve]

My mules could care less about bears, but moose and llamas got them on high alert!

 

[Ryan Avery]

Two years ago, I went down this rabbit hole as a late-onset equine owner. I didn't have a clue… still don't. I talked to many outfitters and people who have used stock in the backcountry their whole lives. I had a long talk with an old timer I met in the Selway years ago when I first met him. He had all horses but switched to all mules over the last twenty years. Long story short, most of them told me the same things. Mules generally eat less, drink less, browse more, and are more sure-footed in the woods. They also have more working years. So I landed on mules, which takes you down the path of finding a good mule… There are lots of sleazy mules traders out there. I learned the hard way to always ride animals before buying. Finding a good trail horse is cheaper than finding a good trail mule. But after a little trial and error, I have a good mule, a young decent mule in training, and looking for one more.

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[Matt5266]

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[wyosteve]

It’s funny that I’ve ridden mules so long that when I get on a horse I wonder what happened to make his ears so short! Lol.

 

[roosiebull]

I'd liken it to this scenario: you're in a boat with
a mule coming to some small rapids and the mule gets excited and tips everyone out. The mule crawls on top of everyone and gains re-entry to the boat. As he floats peacefully down stream while everyone else drowns he says to himself "Gee, that was close" and never gives a thought to anyone else.

One's man's experience. Worth what you paid for it.

 

[Mike 338]

What Brooks said. Use "Good" horses or mules and either will suffice quite nicely. Everyone talks about the "surefootedness" of mules and there's something to that. That said they can fall off a trail just like a horse.

Mules are a little less prone to lunge or run uphill. You can get them to walk uphill a little easier. IMO, the whole "sure-footedness" thing is because a mules foot is just too small for their body and they know it. They're real careful about where they put their feet (small foot supporting big weight). Hooves are tough but they still need shoes in the mountains. If you have anything that resembles a wreck, a mule often will just sit there and wait for you to help. Sometimes they'll lay there as act like they're dead. Although a mule can be any size, because they're half donkey, they tend to be more medium-sized which is good for packing and mountain riding. Mules mature mentally, much slower than a horse so they can be quite immature and ringy when youngish. IMO, when young, they take quite a bit longer to train, and you'll need a heavy dose of patience. They're always thinking... that can be good or less-good depending on the mule. A mule can quite easily decide it's not going to do something and it can take a lot of patience to get them past it and train that out of them. I'll reiterate, a lot of time and patience and that's much better addressed when you have plenty of time and don't need to be anywhere. You don't just put the key in and go when they're young and in training. That said, when they get it, they got it for good and the investment in time and training is well worth it if you want a "good" mule. Actually, it's imperative.

Horses mature, both mentally and physically quicker. You can start ground training a horse younger and get pretty quick results although many a horse has been ruined by starting them to early. By 4 they can be quite handy and you can get them to do about anything. But, a horse can be more reactive to things. It has a lot to do with the horse (breeding) and maybe more importantly, the trainer. They can freak out and somehow all that training appears to go right out the window. It actually doesn't but an undesirable incident can make it look that way. They always want to use their momentum going uphill and that's aggravating. Packing meat/leading a horse out of the steeps can be a bit more problematic because you take short steps and they take big steps. They also prefer to lunge uphill and use their momentum, thereby pushing past you. A horse in trouble might be more likely to panic and not stop panicking until it has no other option but to stop. Depends on the horse.

I've been scared and hurt on horses and scared and hurt on mules. You don't want either in the mountains. In mountains, I'd give the edge to "good" mules. They're a little less lungey, usually a bit more medium sized (which I like) and maybe, because they're less jiggy, take care of a load a little better. That said, a "good" horse can make you think there's no difference at all.

 

[mt terry d]

After a few years of taking the whole Circus Show, I'd pack a camp in with the animals a week or two before I was going to hunt, then backpack in. No animals to tend, hence
less work, less risk of drama, more efficient hunting. Able to keep a lower profile when
in good country. No need to pack any feed. You can pack your saddle horse/mule on the way in, too if you're short of animals.
When I killed something I'd hang the quarters, hike out and bring the animals back in to retrieve the meat and camp.
Then you can take a couple non-horse owning friends and that eliminates them needing a ride or being capable of riding.
A big pack string is romantic and looks cool but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
One man with just two animals can do a lot.

 

[Live_weighT34]

Ride the horse, pack the mules IMO. Granted I grew up in a horse & rodeo family so I may be biased. If you’re “new” to mountain stock mules are a pretty good starting point though, they do tend to be more level headed and as Ryan said, use less feed, water and are generally a “healthier” animal overall and they tend to be useable later in life than even the best horses.

 

[IdahoElk]

I would get a Haflinger horse, Rode them in Austria and my friend has one, great mountain horse.

 

[Beendare]

Wayne Carlton [RIP] tells a good mule story;

He starts by saying he was always a horse guy but for some reason [ I can't remember why exactly] he was riding a friends mules coming off a mountain one night from a camp. It was a trail they had used a bunch so the animals knew the way but it seems there were a bunch of downed trees from the storm so they had to loop around a bit.

He came to a downed log and tried to spur the mule over it- no dice. He said it was pitch black....couldn't see your hand in front of your face....and it was pouring rain. He thought, "Dang Mule" as he didn't want to have to get off and lead it....but he did. He stepped over the log and slid down a muddy embankment that surely could have killed him and the animal. He still had ahold of the reins so he knickered and the mule backed up towing him out of the hole.

Carlton said, "Thats when I sold my horses and became a Mule guy"

 

[Pony Soldier]

Growing up there were no mules for sale or even in use except for the forest service. The exception was a number of mules that were wintered on some ranches because we didn't get much snow.

In later years and even recent, I experienced / observed some real damage done by mules to their handlers. Almost vengence attacks. It caused a level caution.

For my use I have noted the differance between the cowboys that are attracted to hot (easily excitable) horses and packers with steady and predictable stock. The old ranch quarter horses were good but as they got bred into more performance based ponies, I saw more horse wrecks and calamities.

Lately there is quite a bit of a push to draft crosses as they are quite mellow but at 16-17 hands they can be a challenge to get on and pack.

Mules aren't purebred and half of that animal is a horse. I've never seen a reference to mule breeding. Just like horses they can be mellow to hot.

I have grown to like morgans to morgan crosses with gaited breeds for smooth rides and faster walking speeds. I'm sure similar issues should be considered in mules.

As I am inclined to cover10-20 miles a day for over 30 days, I want to ride the smoothest critter I can find with the least potential for a blowup or a wreck.

In your search for a wilderness partner, I urge you to select carefully what matches your personality and needs.

 

[mt terry d]

Pony Soldier hit on a good point to consider. Walking speed.
Two animals with different natural walking speeds are a
PITA.
A couple other considerations:
Black horses draw more flies in hot weather.
White horses are easier to find in the dark.
There's no bad color for a good horse.

 

[Pony Soldier]

A buckskin or palomino looks like an elk in elk country. I like bays or greys if I am picking colors.

 

[roosiebull]

A buckskin or palomino looks like an elk in elk country. I like bays or greys if I am picking colors.

There is a buckskin at the barn that tricks me regularly, when she is back near the tree line, she looks like the first elk coming out of the timber, and I know she’s there.

There are a few palaminos there too, and they would trick me too if there weren’t horses always out there. It always reminds me of the guys out during rifle elk season wearing the elk colored carhartts. They trust people more than I do. A buckskin or palamino in elk country makes me nervous. The general population of people doesn’t seem to be getting smarter… I’m reminded of this daily driving into town

 

[Tmac]

I been on good horses and good mules hunting. Would happily ride either, operative word is good. I do prefer the mule, smoother gait and more sure footed on average.

An old mule skinner told me the difference is a horse will try to kill you every once in a while and almost always fails. A mule will wait 20 years and get the job done the first time.