Who Owns Pack Horses and Mules?

[300rum]

I always thought the Horse and Mule info on here was a little thin.  Just wondering how many of us are out there? 

[andersonjk4]

Following along.  I have a young pack/trail horse in training. 

[Houndhunter]

I don't own but get to use them for work a month or two out of the year, so I voted deckers  .

[elkslayer069]

I’ve got 6 mules and use deckers. I use bags, boxes, and manties depending what’s going on.

[bearpaw]

I sold my horses and lease horses every year now. I have both deckers and sawbucks, some of my guides and packers like using one or the other better, so I have both types. Another very handy item not on your list, Over-The-Saddle pack bags, you can roll them up, tie them on with Latigo's behind the saddle and ride without having to lead a pack animal, very handy when hunting off horseback. If you kill an animal, piece it up, load up the horse, and lead out the horse.

[andersonjk4]

I sold my horses and lease horses every year now. I have both deckers and sawbucks, some of my guides and packers like using one or the other better, so I have both types. Another very handy item not on your list, Over-The-Saddle pack bags, you can roll them up, tie them on with Latigo's behind the saddle and ride without having to lead a pack animal, very handy when hunting off horseback. If you kill an animal, piece it up, load up the horse, and lead out the horse.

Glad you brought that up.  Those are something I have been looking at since I only have a single animal for now.  It would be great to hear others experience with over the saddle bags. 

[elkslayer069]

I like the pack lite meat panniers for packing meat on a ridding saddle. Their made by mountain ridge gear. They both roll up really nicely together something like 12”x6” and are really lite around 3 pounds I think.

[bearpaw]

I sold my horses and lease horses every year now. I have both deckers and sawbucks, some of my guides and packers like using one or the other better, so I have both types. Another very handy item not on your list, Over-The-Saddle pack bags, you can roll them up, tie them on with Latigo's behind the saddle and ride without having to lead a pack animal, very handy when hunting off horseback. If you kill an animal, piece it up, load up the horse, and lead out the horse.

Glad you brought that up.  Those are something I have been looking at since I only have a single animal for now.  It would be great to hear others experience with over the saddle bags.

 

I wouldn't buy any panniers/saddle bags that are not iron/bear cloth or similar, lighter weight materials don't last. I've packed out lots of game and camps with my iron/bear cloth bags, they have stood up to the test of time. I have three ripped up canvas and lighter nylon saddle panniers of the same design that did not make it more than 1 or 2 seasons, they simply are not strong enough material, if your horse rubs on a tree they can come apart.

This company has the best prices on panniers that I have found, I just bought two more pairs of Utah style pack saddle bags this fall:
https://www.smithandedwards.com/departments/saddle-bags---pack-panniers-558.html

[bearpaw]

This page explains differences in materials. I suppose a recreational person who isn't using their bags on a continual basis would be fine with the canvas bags. I have a habit of looking at everything for the long term with heavy use!

We do use the canvas mantees with the deckers quite often and they have lasted pretty well.

https://www.smithandedwards.com/departments/saddle-bags---pack-panniers-558.html?top=30

[elkslayer069]

Yeah it only takes one stob stick or branch.

[bearpaw]

Another item that is handy if you want to use panniers with a decker pack saddle rather than mantees:
https://www.amazon.com/Outfitters-Supply-Decker-Hooks-Saddle/dp/B0032CN0V4

[2MANY]

7 head.
Ray Holes Deckers, Ray Holes panniers with or without the matching molded boxes.
Waterproof duffle bag top packs.

[elkslayer069]

Few pictures from this summer before I broke my arm. Getting a few miles on my green 3 year old John.

[elkslayer069]

.

[elkslayer069]

Also got to visit the vet twice in a week this summer. One porcupine one T post.

[jackelope]

@mtncook

[300rum]

I worry about having to take care of a porcupine encounter in the field.   

Also got to visit the vet twice in a week this summer. One porcupine one T post.

[Machias]

That sucks elkslayer069!!!

Love the longears!!!

[andersonjk4]

Great looking mule!  I will likely add a mule in near future.   

[vandeman17]

We have 2 horses, one that is old and a pasture pony and the other we are working on to be a solid trail horse. If I were to get anything else, it would be a llama. I will gladly hike in to my area instead of ride in exchange for how much less work they are and how many more places they will go.

[300rum]

Are you doing it yourself or do you have him with someone?

Following along.  I have a young pack/trail horse in training.

[300rum]

They are handy, I didn't think about that although I have some for the saddle too.  They just make sense even if you are packing mules, they can give you an extra pack animal if you need it, once goes down or?

I sold my horses and lease horses every year now. I have both deckers and sawbucks, some of my guides and packers like using one or the other better, so I have both types. Another very handy item not on your list, Over-The-Saddle pack bags, you can roll them up, tie them on with Latigo's behind the saddle and ride without having to lead a pack animal, very handy when hunting off horseback. If you kill an animal, piece it up, load up the horse, and lead out the horse.

[andersonjk4]

Are you doing it yourself or do you have him with someone?

Following along.  I have a young pack/trail horse in training.

Mostly myself.  He is 5yo and been around the block, started out as a ranch horse in Wyoming, was purchased by a local high school girl to be a rodeo/gaming horse, but didn't have the "get-up-and-go" she wanted for that purpose.  Now we have him.  As a trail horse, he's pretty good.  Still working on some things. 

As far as packing goes thats where he is green.  For now I have just been leading him around with a regular saddle on and walking him in/around/over obstacles and just letting us get used to each other.  I am planning on getting a pack saddle on him in the spring and start putting some weight and different things in there.  I can hunt out of my (future) back yard, so hopefully I will be able to work with him next fall with real meat, but still be close to home. 

I am open to any and all advice though.   

[HntnFsh]

Good looking animals! Was that a west side pack?
Thought I saw a nice bull rack on your truck yesterday.  Was hoping you healed up enough to get out after them.
 

[300rum]

Have someone on here give you a hide and throw it up over his food trough or water trough (if he's on pasture). 

If it has a head on it, even better, put it on the fence so it looks like a wonky deer or elk or whatever.  He'll get used to it eventually. 

Are you doing it yourself or do you have him with someone?

Following along.  I have a young pack/trail horse in training.

Mostly myself.  He is 5yo and been around the block, started out as a ranch horse in Wyoming, was purchased by a local high school girl to be a rodeo/gaming horse, but didn't have the "get-up-and-go" she wanted for that purpose.  Now we have him.  As a trail horse, he's pretty good.  Still working on some things. 

As far as packing goes thats where he is green.  For now I have just been leading him around with a regular saddle on and walking him in/around/over obstacles and just letting us get used to each other.  I am planning on getting a pack saddle on him in the spring and start putting some weight and different things in there.  I can hunt out of my (future) back yard, so hopefully I will be able to work with him next fall with real meat, but still be close to home. 

I am open to any and all advice though.

[elkslayer069]

Good looking animals! Was that a west side pack?
Thought I saw a nice bull rack on your truck yesterday.  Was hoping you healed up enough to get out after them.

No I didn’t I’m still in the thick of it unfortunately. That was east side archery buck I was showing a buddy how to cape out. Here’s another shot of my main riding mule Goldie and I in the gospel humps in Idaho last summer.

[nwwanderer]

Glad to see so many supporting the local hay market, be careful out there

[2MANY]

ES069,
Congrats on knowing correct scabbard hanging.

Oh and the best advice I can give with horses is never take your wife's horse on a hunting trip.
Lol
Got many friends that have made that mistake.