MULE CROSSING: What are Mules Good for Besides Packing and Farming?
By Meredith Hodges
The modern contemporary mule of the late 1970s has emerged as a fine saddle, driving and pack animal. No longer does he come from exclusively low grade mares. With the upgrading of mule breeding, the mule is a new, gentle and versatile animal capable of performing well in all forms of equine athletics. He can do cow work, work and pleasure driving, packing, jumping and is better suited for long trails, yet he still possesses all the traits that have made mules popular throughout the centuries: a willingness to work, an easy keeper, more resistance to parasites and disease, extremely surefooted and his indubitable intelligence that is often confused with stubbornness.
Mules are capable of being used for as many different things as are all breeds of horses put together. Since a mule gets most of his ability from the mare, one need only scout a mule out of a 
particular kind of horse to match the desired ability. A mule out of any breed of horse will be stronger and more durable than the horse out of which he came.
Mules played an important role in our country during the Reconstruction Period: they patiently worked the fields, packed necessary artillery for the army, and served as a durable riding and driving animal in the westward movement.
With the coming of the industrial age, their uses were minimized and they were faced with the possibility of extinction in the march of progress. Today, through the persistent determination of mule enthusiasts, mules are once again emerging as a conceivable asset to our economy and a unique form of athletic achievement and entertainment.
With new and improved training techniques, the mules of today are known for their beauty and outstanding athletic ability, their durability and their intelligence. Their uses are limited only to the imaginations of their owners. It is now commonly known that with proper training, a mule can perform better than the horse it was bred from. Subsequently, mules are not only competing in mule shows, but horse shows as well—in events from cutting to dressage. Cattle ranchers have discovered the mule to be an important asset in their business. He can go all day without tiring and can cover terrain that might discourage a horse, not to mention that the ride is much more comfortable.
Hunters caught in the heavy snows of the Rocky Mountains praise their mules for carrying out heavy game and blazing trails through treacherous snowy ground, leading them and their horses to safety. Sales persons are grateful to both mules and donkeys for their humorous contributions in advertising and children appreciate the companionship and affection that mules can offer.
Even the army has conceded that mules could make their contribution to the economy through their use in mountain light infantry divisions. The only problem that arises is educating people on mule psychology so that they can train them properly.
Though we are still a busy society, with the help of technology we are more able to give the mule the time and appreciation he deserves. Consequently, we are continually discovering new uses for the much-maligned mule, enjoying him more, and in the process, we’re putting the old wives’ tales to rest.
Yesterday’s mules sturdy and strong
The days in the fields were often quite long
The man with the whip sometimes evened the score
With a jolt to the head by a stout two-by-four.
“Understanding” a word not common for slaves
Caused many good mules to go to their graves
“Stubborn and cranky are mules,” said most men
Who used and abused them then were kicked or bitten.
When industry triumphed, the mules quickly faded
But the tales remained and were often quite jaded
Twas never the man with the stout two-by-four
Who was wrong from the start to push mules way too far
But the folks who were ignorant knew only what’s said
And since mules cannot talk, their reputation was dead
They’re known to be pushy, vengeful, and cross
So man abandoned the mule for his exquisite horse.
But even after the industrial revolution, mules exhibited their versatility and once again defined their use for the new age. The military dispersed their cavalries and sold most of their mules in lieu of motorized all-terrain vehicles. However, when they got up into the Rocky Mountains, they still found some areas impenetrable and had to resort to the use of pack mules yet again. In California, there is still a Military Mountain Mule Training Camp. And just recently…
INTERNET
Mules are being used to carry supplies into Western North Carolina
The animals are being used to carry water, diapers and other much-needed essentials into communities isolated after Helene.
Author: James Brierton (WCNC)
Published: 3:29 PM EDT October 1, 2024
Updated: 3:29 PM EDT October 1, 2024
Facebook
WEAVERVILLE, N.C. — After Helene isolated western North Carolina communities with landslides, flash flooding and road damage good Samaritans have had to find creative ways to bring in much-needed supplies.
In addition to aircraft drops by military and civilian pilots, mule packers are using the animals to walk supplies into mountainous communities.
“Mules and equipment are loaded, and the first big batch of supplies has been purchased and loaded,” the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch posted on Facebook Monday. “We have two fully loaded trucks and 20′ stock trailers heading to WNC for assistance!”
Later Monday, the ranchers posted pictures of the animals and supply cargo to social media.
“We will be setting up a staging area and beginning to assist this afternoon,” they wrote on Monday, “and will be bringing up additional loads of supplies once mules are in place!”
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch is based out of Mount Ulla, which is located between Lake Norman and Salisbury in North Carolina. They have been using their Facebook page to announce when they will be at the Food Lion, located at 11745 Statesville Blvd. in Cleveland, NC, to collect donations.
Busy morning as we loaded lots of equipment, supplies, and MULES, to leave for WNC! Please know that we appreciate EVERY kind word, gesture of support, and all that are partnering with us to HELP all that we can! We will be setting up a staging area and beginning to assist this afternoon and will be bringing up additional loads of supplies once mules are in place! #prayingforthoseaffectedbyhelene #mulepower #StrongerTogether #mountainmulepackers #militarymules
The Mountain Mule Packer Ranch partnered with the Cajun Navy, another group of civilian volunteers, to deliver insulin to a family on Monday, according to their Facebook posts.
The ranchers have setup their staging area in Montreat on Tuesday. They were planning to make trips into Black Mountain.
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch
October 1, 6:31 a.m.
8:30am update 10/1/24 Mike and the mule team made it to their staging area in Montreat yesterday and have already been helpful to families in need! They will be doing all they can in Black Mountain today. Thankful to Five 11’s Livestock Hauling for offering help in hauling mules so we could bring more supplies up! And appreciate being able to help support Cajun Navy 2016 on their efforts as well!
The team here at the ranch will be shopping for more supplies today, to restock them tomorrow! We appreciate the huge outpouring of requests on how to get supplies to us. Because of the conditions in the mountains and the way the team will be moving around, that is hard to coordinate. I will bring a trailer to the Food Lion Shopping Center this afternoon at approximately 4pm if there is anyone in the area that wants to add to the supplies we are bringing! Please let me know if this is something you’d like to do, and we can be there between 4-5pm today to collect what you have!! God bless you all, and thank you for keeping prayers lifted up!!
Food Lion 11745 Statesville Blvd., Cleveland, NC
EQUUS MAGAZINE
Horse, mule groups aid NC storm victims
Much-needed supplies are being packed and airlifted into affected areas
October 3, 2024
⎯ Edited Press Release
NOTE: This is a developing story that will be updated periodically.
A force of nature called Helene made landfall as a deadly category 4 hurricane late on the evening of September 26, 2024, along the Florida Gulf Coast. One day later, as Helene weakened to a tropical storm, it unleashed damaging winds, unprecedented rainfall and torrential flooding across the southeast U.S., with Georgia and the Carolinas particularly hard hit. Donated hay/Sandhills Pony Club social media.
In some cases, entire inland communities have been wiped out in scenes described as “apocalyptic.” The degree of destruction is staggering, and the death toll continues to rise, with rescue operations in full swing and hundreds of people still believed missing at this writing. In the wake of the devastation, groups such as the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch in Mount Ulla, North Carolina, and the Sandhills Pony Club of Pinebluff, North Carolina, have mobilized to help victims of Helene in that state’s western mountains, many of whom have been stranded for days without food, water, cell power, electricity and passable roads.
Their targets include not only the people in these locations, but their animals, as well.
Packing it in
In the case of the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, a business that offers training in tactical mule packing, the objective is getting much-needed supplies in by pack mule strings to especially hard-to-reach mountain locations. The mules and supplies are being hauled to local staging areas from which they are being deployed. According to reports, each of the mules can carry 200 pounds of supplies, everything from food and water to diapers and medical needs like insulin.
In a recent Facebook post, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch asked that anyone who wants to donate to their mission or who knows of “specific needs and areas” where mule-string help might be warranted please reach out to them at (910) 885-1402. “We can bring supplies or pack in what your group has acquired already,” the post reads. There have also been reports of vital supplies being carried into the mountains by individuals on horseback.
Airlifting hay and animal feed
Meanwhile, members of the Sandhills Pony Club are using airlifts and ATVs to transport donated hay, feed and animal supplies into zones where horses, other livestock and pets have not been evacuated.
Recently added to the pony club’s wish list: Pet food in easily transportable sizes, roll-type temporary fencing, five-gallon jugs for water and small bags of high-performance dog food like Purina Pro-Plan and Diamond Performance (no chicken, please) for the hardworking Search and Rescue dogs.
The group is also asking for additional volunteers to help coordinate this massive relief effort. Call (615) 268-9145 or email sandhillsponyclub@gmail.com for more information.
A post on the club’s Facebook page directs those wishing to help to send donations by Venmo (@Sandhills_PonyClub) or mail a check to Sandhills Pony Club, 255 Cliffman Rd., Pinebluff, NC 28373.
Landing page image from Mountain Mule Packer Ranch social media
“With more time to our leisure the mules of today
Are treated much better and perform just that way
The love and affection the mules can now give
Makes raising and training a warm way to live.
To meet them and greet them, to own one or not
The mules of today exhibit just what they got!
We’ve banned the “Old Wives’ Tales” and made a new rule
If you aren’t too stubborn, why not ride a mule!”
Again with the devastation in North Carolina, South Caroline, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee, mules are once again traveling far into areas that prohibit motorized vehicles from going. There are particularly remote areas in the Appalachian Mountains that can be truly difficult to navigate due to extremely steep trail and low hollers along the riverbanks as described in a book I read about the first women on mules that delivered books to these remote areas. Private citizens with their mules and horses were timely in their response and are definitely continuing to make a difference in the lives of the people who have been left homeless and floundering after this horrible disaster. Mules will always be an asset to our American way of life due to their outstanding characteristics, versatility and ability to go where not all men can go!
To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com, MEREDITH HODGES PUBLIC FIGURE Facebook page, or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Pinterest, Instagram, MeWe, YouTube and Twitter.
Covered in TRAINING MULES & DONKEY: A LOGICAL APPROACH TO TRAINING, TRAINING WITHOUT RESISTANCE and EQUUS REVISITED at www.luckythreeranchstore.com.
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