Pack Animals RSS
Backcountry Tips: The Best Way to Keep a Pack String Hydrated
There are many reasons why people choose to use long-eared critters. It seems that donkeys are becoming more and more popular. They are being utilized as farm companions, they're great under saddle or as pack animals, and folks even compete in halter class and other arena events with them. Donkeys have many positive attributes. If you ever ask a donkey owner why they like them, chances are you'll get an earful. As a packer, one of the positive things about utilizing donkeys and mules is their ability to survive on lower quality forage and less water than a horse. It...
Pannier Load Balancing Tips and Tricks
Many skills are required to properly haul loads with equines. Knowledge of proper lashings and hitches seems to be a lost art. I've seen some crazy stuff when it comes to inexperienced people tying down loads. Whether it’s a box hitch, diamond hitch or squaw hitch, folks who regularly pack with broom tails will always have their favorite method. An old packer once commented about the controversy of which hitch is best: "If you get from the trailhead to camp without losing any packing gear or injuring humans or your animals, then you probably did something right." Although this has...
"Donkeys Walk Too Slowly!"
I read a post recently on a donkey/pack mule online forum where a commenter listed various reasons why he did not care to use donkeys as pack animals. Among other things, one of the reasons he cited was that “donkeys walk too slowly.” Huh, I thought. That’s interesting. I don’t know where he would come up with that idea. First of all, on average, a donkey walks about the same speed as a man. Of course, there are factors like the weight of the load (and how it’s adjusted), the terrain, the weather, and in some cases, the animal’s mood which...
Things Happen for a Reason
I believe all things happen for a reason and the people we come in contact with have influence on our lives and us on theirs. Sometimes life circumstances change and with those changes come new friends and new experiences. Things you may never have thought of can suddenly become a reality. After all, I had no real idea of what direction my life would take after I retired from the military. I retired in April 2014 after almost 25 years of dedicated service. While most folks have a pretty solid plan for life after military retirement, mine was still kind...
