Mounted search and rescue

["Glaze" <glazejk@netmdc.com>]

Having owned both horses and mules, I prefer a good mule. They’re built for torque vs. horse power; kind of like an old CJ-5 was built for off-road use. After doing all the research and talking to the old timers, I bought my first mule from a gentleman who had trained and shown mules all his life. He invited me up to his ranch for the weekend where I could ride the mule he picked out for me based on my ability. I’ve had that mule for six years now, and he’s always been a safe, reliable mount. I don’t recommend buying your first mule without having an experienced mule rider accompany you. There are some bad ones out there. Mules can be “quirky” and require a very patient hand to work with them, so they’re not for everyone. Expect to pay $3000.00 on up for a five year old well trained mule with good conformation. You will get what you pay for, so please don’t skimp. Gaited mules seem to be extremely popular (more money), but where most of us ride it isn’t a feature we’ll use. The best resource for me has been Western Mule Magazine.

 

God bless!

 

J. Glaze

 

 

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of T'mi Finkle
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 7:36 AM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Mules for MSAR

 

We have one mule on TROTSAR that is a certified MSAR mount and is used for mission deployments.  While I personally have never owned a mule, I have tested nearly 200 equines during horse and rider evaluations, I quickly learned over the years that mules were much more versatile than I had ever realized. >From my observation, look for both the good and bad qualities/confirmation in a mule (as you would look for in any horse) if your goal is to use the mule as a potential MSAR mount.  The best place that I learned about mules was attending a local Mule Day event and had the opportunity to speak with (mule) folks in person. Mule Day events are held throughout the USA and Canada.  A possible of source of more mule information in your State is the Kansas Draft Horse and Mule Club <http://members.cox.net/kdhma>

 

T’mi

www.trotsar.org

 

On Behalf Of ALLEN SNYDER
Subject: [MSAR] Mules for MSAR

 

How many of you own and use mules for search work?   I have only worked with horses for about 28 years and have been learning about horse mounted work for about 2 years.  There are some great qualities mules have that may be very advantageous, but I would appreciate resources  and what to avoid.  Thank you. 

 

 Dana S.  in Kansas