Any horseback hunters/campers?

[H&Hhunter]

My post was about Co.

Yep…

 

[John Joseph]

Mules are great,but they aren't designed like horses. No whithers so you'll need a crupper on your saddle to keep it from sliding forward when going downhill, also you have to pad up so your saddle will fit properly. Not so much of a problem with a horse.
OTOH for packing, mules rock! With a proper pack saddle for a mule you'll seldom might have to adjust things during the course of the day. With a horse you'll spend a lot more time on and off your saddle just hitching up your load----mules, IMHO, just move better when packed.
Even more important is finding a short pack animal. Remember you've got to lift those panniers to get 'em on the saddle..

 

[John Joseph]

A mountain horse really is a different critter than many horses. Start out with a gentle, healthy horse and they're easily trained if you have the time and inclination.
I started all my mountain horses, two of 'em from weanlings, and it is a heck of a lot of fun!
The thing is that these days it can be very expensive unless you already have horse property and a truck----it's far less hassle to engage the services of a quality pack outfit to drop you off and pick you up on a prearranged date.

 

[Howland937]

I'd coon hunted with some old timers down in the hills of East KY years ago. They used mules almost exclusively, and I couldn't tell the difference between riding a mule and a horse. (At that time though, the only horses I'd ever ridden were at the town festival and walked around in a circle.) I probably fell off the mule at least 8 times.

The memory of coon hunting from mules may be tempered by sentiment, but 25 years later it seems like it was fun. Then I remember declining every invitation I got to go again. There must have been a reason why.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I'd coon hunted with some old timers down in the hills of East KY years ago. They used mules almost exclusively, and I couldn't tell the difference between riding a mule and a horse. At that time though, the only horses I'd ever ridden were at the town festival and walked around in a circle. I probably fell off at least 8 times.

The memory of coon hunting from mules may be tempered by sentiment, but 25 years later it seems like it was fun. Then I remember declining every invitation I got to go again. There must have been a reason why.

The major difference between riding horses and mules, is that mules are much more capable and sure footed in steep, rough country. I also think a mule has a better sense of self preservation. A mule will not go were it thinks it will get hurt, horses can be coaxed into doing things and going places they shouldn’t by the rider.

Mules take a different mentality to work with and train than horses. A good mule is a fantastic saddle animal or packing animal. A bad mule is most frustrating thing I’ve ever seen. The guy I used to guide bear and Lion with tried mules for a bit. His father was killed by a rank mule. That incident kind or soured me on mules, although I know that it was more a training and handling issue than a mule issue. If I could get in with some experienced mule men id give it a shot. Until then I’ll stick with horses as I’ve been handling them and using them in the rough country since I was a kid.

 

[Bazoo]

I don't suppose I could get a book recommendation on horsemanship. I'm interested in learning how to use horses like what's being discussed here.

 

[Gooseman69]

My wife and i have used horses for 15 ,yrs to pack 20+ miles in to our elk camp in south western montana