Mounted search and rescue

["philip easley" <easleyranch@foothill.net>]

If that Percheron is a mare, consider breeding it to a jack.  Would make a
wonderful mule that could carry a very big man with comfort and balance.
The feet would be a little more narrow so they will not get injured as badly
on mountain trails.
Philip Easley
NCSSAR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherry C. Hicks" <shicks@nwinc.net>
To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 6:33 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Foal Watch


> 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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