Mounted search and rescue

["Sherry C. Hicks" <shicks@nwinc.net>]

Philip, I have heard that this is because the burrow is a mountain animal
and often has no room for flight when attacked. He has had to learn to
defend himself and watch for a safe escape, as opposed to horses whose first
defense is flight. I used to have a burrow growing up and loved it. I've
been trying to talk my 350lb husband into a mule for years over a Percheron,
he thinks I am making fun of him because of the image mules have. I wish I
could get the two of you together.

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of philip easley
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 12:22 PM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Foal Watch

When I got my first mule, I was packing horses.  Vincent Van Go put all the
horses to shame.  He rode so well in the back country that I considered
riding him and packing the horses as well.  When you ride a horse down a
somewhat steep trail, I hate the way a horse will bounce your knee off of
every tree that is within three feet of the trail.  The mules will go
straight down the trail like they are on a rail and will tend to avoid
hitting anything.  They also inherited the survival instincts of the donkey.
They do not want to get hurt.  If they wind up in a scary situation, they
will usually be very careful not to step off of a cliff or will slow down
when maneuvering through rocks and heavy obstacles that might hurt them and
you where a horse that is spooked will blindly fright and flight tearing
everything up to get away from what ever is spooking them.  The donkeys
cannot run fast and do not have the agility of the horse so they have to
think their way through danger.  They have a keen ability to fight and for
their size are very strong and durable.  Unlike the image that the show "Hee
Haa" gave them in the 70's making them and us look like a joke, the donkey
should be respected for its intelligence and durability.  The mule inherited
the ability to think, a little higher intelligence, and the durability from
the donkey and the size and agility from the horse.  That is why 120 years
ago, those that could not afford a mule had a horse (Late 1800s a mule cost
$40.00 where a horse was $10.00).
Philip Easley
NCSSR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 1:34 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Foal Watch


> I know folks who greatly prefer to ride a mule in the backcountry. One of
> our MSAR team leaders (also an MSAR Packer) rides a mule ... and packs the
> horse.
>
> The neighbors behind us have mules. We make a point of running our
> youngsters on shared fence line  so they get well exposed and don't
perceive
> the Long Ears as possible horse eating monsters. Our backcountry and MSAR
> stock are well accustomed to pack trains, etc., that include mules since
> there are about a dozen mules in the family. ;)
>
> -Jorene
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "philip easley" <easleyranch@foothill.net>
> > Do not get me wrong, I do prefer mules over the horses.  If it did not
> > take
> > horses to make mules, I would not have any.  We understand mules and how
> > they think so we do well with them.  [...]
> > Philip Easley
> > NCSSAR
>
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>
>


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