New pack mule

[theleo91386]

I agree. It's been my experience that when most guys talk about a "big" horse they are referring to an animal about 15hands or so. Most people have never encountered a true 16 hand horse, and even fewer have ever been around one taller than 16.



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My current ride is rite at 16 hands. I'm a decent sized guy at 6 foot even and 240 pounds, but you'd just about have to have a gun on me to pack him with half an elk. Sure is fun to hand the reins to a short guy and tell them "alright, get on" and watch their eyes bug out.

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[elkdog]

Thanks for posting.
Very interesting process, for sure.

 

[CX5Ranch]

You're welcome. I am actually enjoying doing it. I would be doing it anyway...but now I catch myself wanting to find and figure new things out. Mostly because I feel like other people are possibly learning from me, and I am wanting to make the best animal possible. For me and their future owners.

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[rlmmarine]

Keep up the good work I'm enjoying your write ups

 

[Downeaster]

Good stuff. Thanks again!

 

[Idahoguy]

I really enjoy your posts. Thanks a bunch.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Went on another ride today. Right at 14 miles. Man it was hot. Temp is way up in the 90s and muggy.

We had a fun ride. Nothing too crazy happened. We did get to cross water about 2 or 3 times. Joe really didn't mind it much. He just basically followed right along. He has really fell in place behind the wagon. I really like to see this because it shows me he is learning where his spot is

And as always the boys were "training" on their horses as well. They take a lot of pride in becoming true horsemen. Someday I hope they meet someone who can take them to the top level. I am just a beginner compared to a lot of people.

We came to a larger river and had a little fun. These slick mossy covered concrete slabs can be a trick sometimes

Big mules on the bridge

Joe on the concrete slab. He never gave it a glance

The boys couldn't take the bridge. They always have to go big or go home. Reminds me of someone else about 31 years ago lol

We looked back one time and decided we should go back to cub scouts and learn to tie knots. It's hard telling how long he had been following untied. Made me feel good that he wanted to stay with us. Sometimes in the mountains you have to turn them loose and let them just come along. Like when packing meat in hells holler and you can't hardly walk in the blow down. Some guys may not do that but it doesn't bother me if I have to do it

And my little man wanted to ride Joe. So he finally drove us nuts enough to let him do it

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[livingandlearning]

You're welcome. I am actually enjoying doing it. I would be doing it anyway...but now I catch myself wanting to find and figure new things out. Mostly because I feel like other people are possibly learning from me, and I am wanting to make the best animal possible. For me and their future owners.

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I’m definitely one of the guys learning from this. I’m not a horse owner but sure do enjoy your write up. Good work and keep it coming!

 

[CX5Ranch]

Headed to church this morning. It's a great day!

One of the great things about training equine is that you can do a lot of work with little effort! Joe is picketed on the one foot hobble while we are headed to town. No reasons to worry about him. He gives to the pressure. Knows how boundaries. Isn't scared of the rope. And I know all this because I have worked with him and he is graduating to the important parts of his job.

The boys put the hobble on

This is the hobble. I had an amish guy make it for me. The edges are beveled so they don't cut my mule.

And here is joemule standing right at the boundary. He knows exactly how far he can go and stay out of pressure.

If you have any questions or want me to try something just holler. Good day!

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[kickemall]

Your one savvy cowboy my friend.

 

[rayporter]

i used to have big tall critters. we always had part race horse for the barrel horses.

I raised 3 mules out of a Beatle luck mare who was only 15 h but all the mules were taller than her. the first was 17 h and the second was 16 h. the last was only 15-2.

they were great animals and rode or packed. if you could lift it up they would carry it. after I got to be 55 I decided I did not feel like climbing into the clouds to ride them anymore. I did toy with the idea of teaching them to lay down but when my partner died I sold them.

the biggest one was bossed by everything in the field. he had a thing for a mare that hated him. if he got with in 5 feet she got a mouth full of mule and yet we wrapped his rope around the bucks and he followed with in 30 ft of her anywhere.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Boys got in a little practice tonight. They didn't know it but I set the dummy right by Joe's pen on purpose. Like I said you can do a lot of training with little effort lol. Joe didn't mind any of the action. Matter of fact he looked like he wanted in on some of it.

And if you were wondering....I am ashamed of my fencing. It works but man it is hard to afford all the good stuff.

This is WJ taking a shot

Here's Wyatt getting it done. And joemule in the background

And here's little man. On a good stick from way back.

 

[wyosteve]

I'd offer a suggestion for consideration on the one foot hobble. I use the same method, but attach about an 8 ft. length of medium duty chain and then the rope to the chain. Without the chain, the rope has a tendency to twist when the mule moves around and can get tangled on their back feet so tight they can severely rope burn the back of the rear hooves. Just my .02 for thought.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Thank you sir. I actually have since moved to a piece of rope inside an old piece of water hose. And also hear that coated cable works well too. Good point and thanks for sharing.

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[bigbulls]

Thanks for all the pictures and the write up, fun to see what it takes to have a great pack animal. Thank You

 

[CX5Ranch]

I had a welding project yesterday and went and grabbed Joe to help. I tied him up and let him listen to the welder running (it's very loud) and of me banging and bending steel. These animals can be very leery of strange noises. Especially loud noises. But like everything else, once they figure out it won't bite them they just go with the flow. He was tied and hobbled there for about 5 hours total. I figured it was fair as I didn't have anything to eat or drink for that whole time either.

The boys and I are making a "blow down timber" scenario. And we have some rides planned on actual trails.

Gonna be busy in August I'm headed out Sept 10. Gotta get these guys legged up

Found a Turkey nest while mowing hay on July 25th! I have never seen one this late. She was sitting them too. I jumped her off the nest, and left the patch of grass around it. The next day she was on the nest again. I'd always heard they never go back. Well that's not true at all.

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[CREillY]

I'm enjoying reading your posts! Keep them coming!

 

[CX5Ranch]

Finally had a chance to build a little obstacle course for Joe. It's no architectural monument or anything but it serves the purpose great. All I really needed to know is if he would cross the steps (fallen logs in black timber). The black tarp is something that is usually very tricky to cross. Sometimes new pack animals will jump the log instead of step over it. Jumping is terribly bad. It loosens loads, starts rodeos, and if packed heavy enough can tip an animal over. The rule is calm and steady. Slow and easy. This is Joe's first attempt at crossing the logs. Look how he is directly behind me. Remember the trails in the mountains are very narrow. That is where he has to stay.

I snugged the pack up good and tight so everything was where it would be in the mountains.

The goal here was to keep him in position. And keep reassuring him everything was ok.

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[CX5Ranch]

I also set out some hay and replicated a "canyon." I was really just wanting things to get tighter for Joe. Checking anything I can check in southwest Missouri before it becomes a problem in the backcountry.
As you can see I had a little help.

This was really tight

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[CX5Ranch]

The boys had their horses saddled up so I thought I'd lead ol joemule around with a horse. I figured that's going to be a fairly critical step to the process!
First time behind the horse. Although I have been letting them commingle so they get to know each other.

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