Would you ride your horse if the SHTF stuff happens? (calves, coyote)

[ognend]

Originally Posted by MissingAll4Seasons

Mules aren't much smaller than some horses, and they can be even more headstrong. Ever heard the phrase "Stubborn as a Mule"? But, yes, it varies greatly from animal to animals... I've known mules that were gentle and calm, and ones that you were afraid to even get near enough to feed. A good mules is just as easy to ride as a good horse, and a bad mule is just as hard as a bad horse.

Biggest problem with mules in a SHTF scenario is that they're sterile. Unless you have a horse and a donkey to breed, you aren't getting anymore mules.

Unless you want to ride a stallion horse (which I think way too many people do - especially ones that shouldn't), your other choice is a mare for breeding. But yeah, the sterility is an issue if you want or need to breed them, good point.

OD

[ognend]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Don't get me started on donkeys!

We had a mare (18 YOA) on our property, a lovely thoroughbred, for almost a year. A neighbor leased her property to a guy with a donkey. That lil devil went thru the 5 strands of barb'wire to be with the mare. We caught him when he followed her in for the afternoon feedup, and put him in a barn stall. He SCREAMED endlessly the first night, battering the wooden walls, and finally DUG his way out and fled.

The next day we put more boards up and trapped him again, this time permanently. He was a wicked lil bugger; always rearing, turning to kick, biting - totally out of control. I left a note on the neighbor's door.

Dear neighbor,

I have your sorry ass at last. Your ass has been so much trouble. He couldn't keep his lil ass at home, kept following our mare around, showing his ass. We finally have your ass in a stall in our barn. Please come and haul your ass out of here at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
SCGranny (the new people)

Everyone got a kick out of it; the property owner and the guy who's ass it was. He did come down to get it, and we have been friends ever since. Although he sold his ass at last.

Back in eastern Europe or Italy (in the mountains and especially in the South) it is very common to see an old lady in her 60s+ sitting on a donkey sidewise with a little switch in her hand going up some pretty steep mountain village roads. Donkeys are smart (albeit stubborn sometimes), they are also known as excellent watchdogs. You can make a horse do something, you can't make a donkey or a mule do something, they have to think it's their idea . Also, donkeys will remember if you have done them wrong and payback is always a question of where and when you least expect it

OD

[Countrysue]

Okay - male donkeys have an ego problem. They think those tall mares are just another challenge. However, donkeys are hardy, patient and, if you are 5'4", they are just the right height! They are smart enough not to walk into dangerous situations, unlike horses.

Our neighbor had 2 donkeys. They pulled his hay cart, plowed his fields and gave us kids many a ride. We would ride them into the river, and use them as diving platforms.

Another thing - when they die, you don't need a backhoe to bury them.

I have been around horses, mule and donkeys. Horses are fast, beautiful, and generally dumb. Mules are stuborn and intelligent. Mules require an owner that is smarter then they are. I prefer donkeys. I am sure that some are nasty, but I haven't met them. Or course, you can't braid their manes and tails into fancy patterns like you can a horse. Of well, can't have everything.

[Mac_Muz]

Originally Posted by ognend

Unless you want to ride a stallion horse (which I think way too many people do - especially ones that shouldn't), your other choice is a mare for breeding. But yeah, the sterility is an issue if you want or need to breed them, good point.

OD

There are geldings of course.. 'Fixed' male horses' much more common, and lots more docile than stallions.

I wouldn't want any stallion unless I intended to bred horses.

Wagons and the first time a horse meets one can be very interesting.
I bought a beat up Farmington NH made Spring Wagon, and fixed it all up. It was something like a buck board, the main difference is that buck board springs go from side to side on the same axle and a Spring wagons springs go fore and aft sharing both axels.

It took a good bit of getting used to things before my horse was ready to pull that wagon. The first was getting used to a harness again, and I walked alot ground driving. Then I made a sledge for her to drag, which was junk, and I didn't need to fear trashing any thing made well or costing a lot. That created a few interesting rides since I could sit on it. Death flashed before my eyes more than one doing that too. In the end it was worth the trouble.

[lifelongMOgal]

Originally Posted by ognend

Back in eastern Europe or Italy (in the mountains and especially in the South) it is very common to see an old lady in her 60s+ sitting on a donkey sidewise with a little switch in her hand going up some pretty steep mountain village roads. Donkeys are smart (albeit stubborn sometimes), they are also known as excellent watchdogs. You can make a horse do something, you can't make a donkey or a mule do something, they have to think it's their idea . Also, donkeys will remember if you have done them wrong and payback is always a question of where and when you least expect it

OD

I know donkeys are often kept amongst livestock to protect them from coyotes. A good donkey won't hesitate to stomp the living snot out of a coyote. I've also seen donkey's used to pull a stubborn bull by the nose and teach it to follow on lead.

Maybe I'll have to start with a donkey and work my way up.

[Mac_Muz]

Or maybe you just convinced me I want a donkey Do they come 15 hands high?

[Aptor hours]

Originally Posted by Countrysue

Okay - male donkeys have an ego problem. They think those tall mares are just another challenge. However, donkeys are hardy, patient and, if you are 5'4", they are just the right height! They are smart enough not to walk into dangerous situations, unlike horses.

Our neighbor had 2 donkeys. They pulled his hay cart, plowed his fields and gave us kids many a ride. We would ride them into the river, and use them as diving platforms.

Another thing - when they die, you don't need a backhoe to bury them.

I have been around horses, mule and donkeys. Horses are fast, beautiful, and generally dumb. Mules are stuborn and intelligent. Mules require an owner that is smarter then they are. I prefer donkeys. I am sure that some are nasty, but I haven't met them. Or course, you can't braid their manes and tails into fancy patterns like you can a horse. Of well, can't have everything.

Great information on Donkeys! I do have to say the Donkeys are totally adorable that I have seen, but, I have not worked with them much at all although I would like to

[ognend]

Originally Posted by Aptor hours

Great information on Donkeys! I do have to say the Donkeys are totally adorable that I have seen, but, I have not worked with them much at all although I would like to

Just beware. Donkeys do have a mind of their own and if they see a weakness in you, they will exploit it. Also, they remember the bad stuff, so don't be mean (for no reason) to a donkey and NEVER hit them. They will pay you back when you least expect it and it ain't gonna be pretty

[Cali BassMan]

Originally Posted by ognend

) it is very common to see an old lady in her 60s+ sitting on a donkey sidewise with a little switch in her hand going up some pretty steep mountain village roads. \OD

reminds me of two mules for sister Sarah....

[SCGranny]

I've been around horses that were sly, sneaky, and just plain mean; but I've also worked with horses that were tremendously intelligent (like my current one). Gracie defends the cattle herd against coyotes, and actually goes up and gets the herd, herds them into the corral, when a storm is pending, or if the coyotes move in yipping on the back hill. One of our cows didn't come into the corral to have her calf (our cows download quickly) but had it up on a back hill. We found them late in the evening. DH went down to get a bucket of water and feed for momcow (It was hot), the rest of the herd were crowded around her. They all decided to move off (in the wrong direction)- and take the momcow with them. Gracie was standing next to me, she looked down at me, and I told her quietly, "Get'm". She ran over and herded them all back into a tight knot, and wouldn't let them move til DH brought the feed and water.

I've never worked with mules, and I'm glad some folks have worked with and trained donkeys - but every donkey I've ever met had the attitude of a banty rooster - "YEAH I'm short but I can take yuh!" I do blame a lack of training or poor breeding for the most part; but our friend got his donkey at 6 months, kept him for a year, and that donkey refused to do anything except fight every and anyone - even after he was gelded.

Like I said before, if you are thinking about getting any sort of animal for any sort of purpose, you need to get them early and work them into the tasks that you want them to do. Keeping an animal in a pasture until you are ready to pack up and go will only result in more problems.