Views from the saddle

[Robb Barnes]

I took a few hours this morning and loaded Copper up and we went for a 3-4 hour ride. Nice to get away from the woodshop and the flower beds. Not a lot of wildlife out today except for a long bearded tom turkey and one striped skunk but any time in the saddle with a Skeeter tribute gun on the hip and a good mule under the saddle is time well spent. No masks required! :D

 

[Badger Matt]

Nice. Very nice indeed.

 

[gramps]

Good job! I had a Spotted Saddle Horse gaited gelding. We used to go for long rides too. I miss that! I sold my horses. Years ago, cause they were eating me out of house and home!
gramps

 

[Robb Barnes]

Copper is out of a very well bred registered quarter horse mare and a large standard jack a guy I know used to own. Several of us ride mules sired by him and all of them have good minds and are great riding and pack animals. You take the top 3" off Cops ears and you would think she was a quarter horse like her momma.

 

[Dave P.]

Robb,

I've spent a lot of time with various hunter-jumpers and thoroughbreds but never around pack horses.
I'm guessing all that extra tack on the back end is for packs or keeping the saddle located on steep terrain???
How much weight will she carry?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Robb Barnes]

Dave, lots of mules have narrow withers and it is tough to keep a saddle form sliding forward when you go down steep terrain. Cooper is built much more like a horse than many mules so it is not a problem but when I head up for this section of country it means some pretty steep trails so I use the britches to keep things more comfortable for her. Same way on the martingale breast collar. Copper is about 1100# and she has hauled a 265# rider all over Hells Canyon during hunting season in November. Throw all the gear on and it is probably right at #315. I weigh right at 175# and she goes all day with me up. Naturally we work the animals pretty hard for a month or two before we head to the big country but we have some real gut buster hills we can use to get them in shape.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Beautiful pictures!

Years ago, I knew a young lady who was a well accomplished horse woman. Her boyfriend ran pack mules up in the Sierra Nevada, mostly to supply fire and maintenance teams who might be out for two weeks to a month at a time.

He told me something I'd never heard about mules and their surefootedness: he said it's because, unlike horses, they can see where each of their four feet is on the trail at any given time. Is that right, or was he pulling some legs with his tale? (It wouldn't be unheard of!) ;)

Rick C

 

[GA Cracker]

NICE! Don't you just love your good mule that keeps those ears flopping back and forward and loves hitting that trail looking forward to the trail and ready to carry you where you want to go? I had one great mule I always miss and your post brought those memories flooding! In an age and time when you would have traveled by saddle she would have been ready to go every time you got that saddle and britchen out taking you down the trail just like a happy excited kid. Thank you! You are blessed Mr. Barnes with your good mule and scenic trails and views like that! It warms my heart and brings great memories for me and I hope you can ride a good mule until your last day in health and happiness. When my mother passes and I have no obligations I may have to head west and relocate to ride trails with great views. MANY MORE HAPPY TRAILS!!

 

[Robb Barnes]

He was not pulling your leg Rick. They can see all four feet while walking forward. That’s the same reason a mean mule can kick accurately in any direction too! No mean animals accepted here!

GC, there is something calming about heading up into the hills on a good animal. There is no silliness in this one and if you point her at something, that us where she goes. Lots of hours riding through brush, logging slash and up and down slick stuff in the winter just to teach her.

 

[gramps]

A well trained dog, horse, mule etc is a joy to it owner.
gramps

 

[Jimbo357mag]

That is amazing country. ...and a great looking Mule. :D

 

[Robb Barnes]

Thank you Sir. It is beautiful country when you can stay out if the city and away from folks!

 

[AJGUNNER]

Hey Robb, for us locals where abouts were you riding?

 

[Robb Barnes]

Just a few miles outside Dallas up into the foothills of the coast range.

 

[RSIno1]

I live in LA - what's that blue stuff at the top of your great photos?

 

[WendyZXZ]

Thanks for sharing, some fine pictures and views!