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Mule Riding the High Country of Columbus, Montana
Joining the North American Saddle Mule Association’s (NASMA) Versatility Trail Program (VTP), has truly motivated me to spend more time in the saddle with my mule Beau. I purchased Beau in June of 2014 from Bryan MaHoney, at the Jake Clark Mule Days Sale. He is a 10-year old bay, 15.1 hand John mule out of a quarter horse mare. Since our first ride, we have carried a GPS to log every mile and hour spent riding. This fall we officially logged 2,000 VTP Hours and received a jacket from NASMA for our accomplishment. To date we have logged over 5,500 miles. That number still staggers me as I am within reach of passing the miles my husband has on his hotrod – in under one year!
In Montana, the winters are harsh and the summers are hot. That said, we ride twelve months out of the year. In the summer, I will head out early before it gets too hot, or head up to the mountains. In the winter, if the wind isn’t blowing, the sun is shining and it’s over 15 degrees I will ride. Together we have logged 425 miles in November, December and January. It has been a difficult winter with temperatures 34 degrees below zero and several feet of snow on the ground for months!
Beau is a fun mule but like most mules, he has a few quirks. For instance, he memorizes a trail from the very first time we ride it. On subsequent rides, he will then automatically want to go the same tree I tied him to before, stop at the same watering hole, or take the same route we did the first time. I honestly love how he pays attention and retains this information. I do not have any problems re-directing him to where I want him to go. He loves peanut butter. For the shorter rides, I will share a packet of Ritz Cracker Sandwiches with peanut butter. He gets three and I get three. He will stop on the trail when he hears the crinkle of the cellophane opening. On longer rides, we share a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich.
Our favorite trail is the East Rosebud’s Beaten Path, in the Custer National Forest, in South Central Montana. This trail offers a little of everything. I consider it an extreme trail, because of the rocks, drop offs and narrow portions. It is worth the ride if, and only if, you are not afraid of heights and
breathtaking views, extreme rock climbs, switchbacks, long meadows to lope, bridges, lakes everywhere and narrow trails that give those nervous about heights the chills. I find it exhilarating. Next summer several members of our local Back County Horsemen group are planning to ride from Trail Number 15, the Beaten Path to Cooke City in one day. At 26 miles, it is quite feasible.