2013 Trail Riding Issue
The April 2013 issue of
Mules and More is our 3rd annual trail riding
issue. Throughout this issue, you will find
everything you need to get ready for trail
riding season: we have stories and photos from
subscribers, some of our staff writers focused
on trail riding, and we gathered our
favorite trail riding picks in our trail riding
guide. We have gathered lots of tips and tricks,
from what to bring on the trail to how to get
out there more often. This is the online preview
- for the whole issue, check your mailbox (if
you are a subscriber) and enjoy.
2013 Trail Guide (opens in a PDF) |
Tips and Tricks Preview:
Granny’s Trail Tips
by Anna Arnold,
Romoland, Calif., fastmule@live.com
It’s time to think of the
routine check-up for the mules; teeth need to be
checked, worming and shots are all due around
this time also. With traveling to so many
outside places, it is essential for all who show
and trail ride to keep up on vaccinations.
Watering out of community water is not a good
idea; take your own water and container when
possible. I have a collapsible bucket that fits
in my cantle bag and use it if water is
available from a source other than the common
watering hole.
Clean the pens upon your
arrival before you use them. If you can, put
fresh shavings down. Also, clean your area
before you leave. Most of the horse camps in
this area are now being run by volunteers, and
for us to be able to use these sites it is our
responsibility to clean and pick up our own
litter. If trash containers are full, take your
trash with you; don’t pile it up for critters to
scatter about.
Another thing with trail
riding days approaching be sure you have an
animal and human first aid kit. It doesn’t need
to contain a lot. I have a small bag with blood
stop, vet wrap, sanitary napkins, which work
great for pressure bandages, as well as many
other uses, and a bag of bandages, duct tape and
baling twine. If you are going out for more than
a day ride you will want to take a larger supply
such as a stitching kit, bute, and granule
tranquilizer. Just be prepared. Don’t forget a
small flashlight, and check the batteries before
you leave.
Keep much of the same items
in your mule trailer. I also keep a small
package of meat tenderizer, which works great on
insect stings. Just dampen the area and put a
little tenderizer directly on the spot. You can
also purchase a bug sting stick. Take these with
you when you ride.
I have health problems and
don’t put my meds in my saddle bag. Ladies: I
hook them to my bra, that way if I am separated
from my mule I still have them with me. You
should do the same if you need emergency meds.
And, don’t forget water, small amounts can be
carried in a fanny pack with your meds if you
have more than your bra can carry. Okay,
you’re ready to pack up and ride!
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Subscriber Stories
Preview:
Mules and Friends
Make Trip of a Lifetime Possible
by Dolores Haisler, Elgin,
Texas
Photo:
ELIZABETH MOODY, SANDY SMITH,
DOLORES HAISLER and DARLENE LITTLE of Marble
Falls, Texas, in Arizona
I am a 56 year old woman who
feels like I am getting all my childhood wishes
answered. I have always wanted to ride. I grew
up with my grandparents, and my grandfather
always had a horse. I too had a Shetland pony
but just never got to be a great rider or had
the opportunity to ride with others. About 20
years ago I bought a horse from my uncle. I rode
some, living out in the country, but didn't have
any girlfriends who rode and my husband was a
cow man not a horse man.
About nine years ago my
daughter wanted a horse. My husband accompanied
her to a 4-H class that was being held at our
local vets office. He came home thinking horses
are just too much trouble and have too many
issues that can go wrong with them. I don't
remember how we decided on mules, but we went to
our local horse sale and bought a beautiful red
mare mule we named Chula. She was a beautiful,
sweet mule but not being a strong rider I was
afraid she was too much mule for me and my
daughter. We eventually sold her. I still miss
her. We then bought a little mule at an auction.
Yep, bad news. We met a mule trainer who
convinced us she would make a good riding mule
until she threw me on a fence, not once, but
twice. You have heard of if you get thrown off
get back on, ha. I did and she succeeded to walk
with me calmly and then got nuts again and this
time I was down for the count. As it turned out
our "mule trainer" suddenly decided the mule had
a black heart and we needed to sell her. No
problem on my end. I actually remember trading
her for some feed.
Then the woman who we had
sold Chula to called and said she had a mule for
sale. We drove down to see him and I liked
him. He had beautiful brown eyes and was big.
Big enough to tote me around and not make me
feel too guilty about my weight. Petite would
not be a word used to describe me. I brought Ben
home without riding him and soon found out he
was pretty green, but not mean. We grew to love
one another. There were times I would get mad at
him and tell my husband I wanted to get rid of
him for this reason or that, but my husband
always reminded me of how gentle and good
natured he was.
We were looking for another
mule for my daughter and ran into an ad for a
mule we were interested in. Elizabeth Moody sold
us a fine mule named Simple Sarah and ended up
becoming a great friend. She gave me a name of a
local woman in my area that she knew who rode
and owned mules as well. We took Sarah home and
I had problems with her. I got frustrated and
called this woman, Rhonda, and asked if she
could please help me with my mule problem. She
was at our house within the hour. It turns out
the mule wasn’t the problem, I was. Rhonda
invited me to go to a local riding place,
Mckinney Roughs. It’s only about a 30 minute
drive from our house. She introduced me to
several of her riding girlfriends and now I have
wonderful girlfriends, pretty close to my age,
who I ride with and invite me to ride all the
time; more offers than I can participate in
since I am still working full time. The
friendships I have made with women who also
enjoy riding is priceless. I met another group
of galloping grannies, as we called ourselves,
and while the club fizzed out, I gained two very
special women friends. One of my girlfriends is
in her early 70's and still rides all the time
with her granddaughter. She loves her horses and
she loves my Ben.
I could go on and on about
Ben, this gentle mule whom I have come to love
more than I could ever explain in words. He is
young, only 11, so I hope he is my lover boy for
many years to come. I have worked and worked
with him and WE have become very good partners.
I had the opportunity to take a clinic with
Steve Edwards and just weeks ago returned from
Arizona where I took an eight day trip with four
girlfriends. I was anxious before the trip,
wondering whether I should or not. I decided to
cowgirl up and left my husband, who encouraged
me to go on this trip of a lifetime. We stayed
at the Steve Edwards ranch and he took us out
riding in the beautiful Arizona Superstition
Mountains. While there we met his apprentice, a
young gentleman, Dan. Dan and Steve personally
gave me pointers all week long and we rode some
areas that I know I will never get to ride
again. The memories were priceless. At Steve's
I also met an artist friend of his named Windy
who is working on a beautiful piece of
"threading," in which she takes Ben’s picture
and will freelance his profile with thread. I am
sure I am not explaining the process right,
however it is beautiful art.
Windy took us on a trail
ride at a local trail head. It was absolutely
heaven. She, too, had some very helpful tips for
me. I have been riding Ben for about eight years
now and we have come a very long way
together. I just can’t see myself riding
another mule, not to mention that my friends all
love Ben, too. He did wonderfully, carrying me
on the Arizona trail rides. We had five
wonderful trips up and down the beautiful
Arizona mountains.
I know this story goes on
and on but it was nice to reminisce about how I
got started riding. I live through Granny's
articles when she writes about going here and
there on her fine looking mule. My trip to
Arizona really made me appreciate my mule and my
girlfriends who have helped me become a stronger
rider. They couldn't do anything about the love
I have for Ben because its a love that just
can’t get stronger.
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