Trail Help

[RUTTIN]

A lot of it was a fake baby (obviously) and I always tell her I don't know if I would tell to many people you were in that movie. You really need to watch the whole thing if you haven't already. My sides hurt for days after watching it.

 

[Kevin Root]

A lot of it was a fake baby (obviously) and I always tell her I don't know if I would tell to many people you were in that movie. You really need to watch the whole thing if you haven't already. My sides hurt for days after watching it.

Ruttin, I've watched the whole film a few times now, just finding it last year though. I found the 1978 "Buffalo Rider" original out there later and watched it but the version with "The Possum Posse" singing is the one I found first and it busted up my side. It is definitely a side buster for sure. I think your wife should be proud of being in that film. Tell her thanks from me.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I have ridden and packed horses and packed mules, but most guys that use riding mules seem to like them. I think it really comes down to the individual animal. They have a lot of personality.

One thing to remember about having horses or mules for hunting, is not going too big! When you start getting to 16 or 17 hands, it can be tough getting up on your horse in the snow with all your gear when your tired.

 

[xtreme]

True BB. I am even considering as small as 13.3 but most likely 14.2 and probably a horse. Horses seem to be more people friendly. Ruttin posted, bombproof, I took note of that. Drelk posted, whichever, and I took note of that. I have had both.

 

[BKC]

Whatever you get, I would reccomend not having it shod. A good hoof that is barefoot should hold up just fine if you mainly use it for hunting, packing and summer time trail rides. It is just 1 more thing you have to worry about on the trail if they throw a shoe.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Whatever you get, I would reccomend not having it shod. A good hoof that is barefoot should hold up just fine if you mainly use it for hunting, packing and summer time trail rides. It is just 1 more thing you have to worry about on the trail if they throw a shoe.

I respectfully disagree here. I would recommend keeping up on shoes. Shoe 'em every 8 weeks. I like 'em sharp shod on the fronts too, for the ice.

 

[BKC]

6 times a year, per horse, for a farrier can get pretty expensive. A good set of nippers and a rasp can keep my horses in top shape. My mustangs have never had a shoe. When I got my quarter horse, I pulled her shoes and keep her well trimmed. All three are solid. I guess it all depends on how you use them, what kind of terrain you use them on and if you can shoe or trim them yourself. I would guess there are more shod horses out there. BB, you are probably in the majority.

 

[packer58]

One thing to remember about having horses or mules for hunting, is not going too big! When you start getting to 16 or 17 hands, it can be tough getting up on your horse in the snow with all your gear when your tired.

Not only getting in the saddle for us shorter guys but finishing off the top pack becomes almost out of reach on animals 16 hands or better.

 

[Eberle]

I've got a 50" standard jack that I breed to 15hh-15.2hh foundation bred quarter horses. My mules mature bewteen 14-15hh, most are 14.2hh & they are all stocky built. They can jump fences like deer, easy to get on & off. You don't have to worry about tree limbs in your face as much. You are right packer its hard to reach tying up your pack on tall mules.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

BKC,

To each their own. As you know your horse will let you know if something is wrong. The mountain trails I ride are rock-on-rock. I am sure there are some hard-feet horses that would do OK, but I am not risking it, and I haven't had a problem. The additional traction from borium shoes up front is super nice during the late season.

As far as expense, it runs about 90 buck a change, which is an expense, but so is pasture, feed, vet, tack, trailer, etc. No matter what you get into a horse for, none of them are cheap.