Colorado Outfitters - Saddling Pack Stock and Basic Packing Skills

[@46rambo49]

always good to watch somebody that knows what they are doing. Thanks. happy trails

My father was a Guide/outfitter along with being the caretaker of the Rio Grande Reservoir on the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness and the Rio Grande National forest in the 1950’s

[@jayschwartz1380]

Looking forward to our first pack trip this spring, thanks for the great instructions.

[@jessepitt]

I like your little brown and white assistant.

[@reterwilliger]

Assuming you mean the pack mule, Roxanne. Unfortunately, she's no longer with us. She passed away over a year ago. One of the best we had...we certainly miss her!

[@jessepitt]

I’m very sorry to here that. I know how that feels.

[@reterwilliger]

Thank you.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

@@reterwilliger oh no! She was lovely I am so sorry to hear that. I am really enjoying your channel!

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Very interesting. I always fancied taking my horses on a camping trip (I know it isn't the same sort of weight but it's nice to see how to do it properly.). I saw another guy do this and this guy is much better, he is much more considerate of the animal which is lovely btw. I never saw a real mule because I am from the UK.

[@reterwilliger]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, the packer doing the instruction is not only one of the best packers I know but also one heck of a horseman! Understand on mules, we use them a lot here especially within the Outfitting Business. The can carry more weight pound for pound than a horse and are very "sure-footed" in the mountains too!

[@michaelc2509]

Thanks for taking the time to shoot this video.

[@darlenehoover6577]

This is just what I was looking for. Thanks for the instruction. 🙂👍

[@stevewhite3899]

Lot of crap and unsafe stuff on here, this video was refreshing ,nice job , you would be fun to work with. Any videos on packing meat?

[@reterwilliger]

Thank you! Unfortunately we don't have any on packing meat at this time.

[@bill84345]

I am retiring and planning on doing some long range packing. In planning the feed factor makes it difficult. My people say an average horse/mule can carry 200 pounds. Some people make referrence to 20%. When I do some calculations on amount of feed I need for 7 days my pack weight requirements get high. So I was wondering what is the most you have packed pounds/percent. I understand that if you exceed 200lbs/20% you have to be careful. Also I have found this @t and would appreciate your view on its weight guidelines. It isn't something from the 1800s it is up to date and was used in Afganistan.

[@reterwilliger]

Most Outfitters don't like to pack more than 120-150 lbs on stock (depending on their size). Yes, there are times you might put more on a big draft mule (i.e. 175-180 lbs) but that is the exception rather than the normal. One thing to keep in mind with packing is the weight is not constantly balanced like with a rider. Another tip is to stay away from heavy top loads, they have caused more wrecks than anything! Ideally, with grazing a couple of animals at a time on pack trips it can eliminate the need to pack a bunch of feed. This requires getting your stock used to being hobbled which most times doesn't take much and also planning your stops where your stock can graze and be watered. Hope this helps and happy trails!

[@bill84345]

@@reterwilliger Thanks. I understand the dead weight aspect. I understand some animals never grasp that. What has be your experience of animals not making a pack animal because not being able to adjust to dead weight. 1 in 10, 1 in 20, 1 in 5?

[@reterwilliger]

Most will take to packing but need to be used to the pack saddle including a britchen. As you would expect, you want to get all the wrinkles ironed out with your stock before taking them on a trip including working with them at home and perhaps some shorter trips / trial runs! One last item is some animals never really take well to blood and packing meat. Not sure if you're planning on doing any of that say hunting trip but certainly something to be aware of if you are.

[@bill84345]

Thanks you very much. I am planning on doing the CDT will do a year of training before I start. 1-2 day and some week trips. What do you think about Special Forces saying a pack animal can carry 35% of body weight unless it is extremely hilly or top heavy? They are dealing in life or death not just playing.

[@reterwilliger]

I believe they are correct. However, the difference between what I am saying vs what they are saying is this...what a given horse or mule is capable of is one thing but in the outfitting business we don't want to put our stock under high end stress to the max every day. That is a recipe for lame stock. In the military, their priorities and funds are of course way different. They must do what they need to do to get the job done. A last point here is that with heavier loads, they are of course more difficult to work with loading / unloading, etc... if you don''t have a lot of packing experience, this can lead to accidents for you and your stock which you don't want!

[@LukeShort-q5t]

SHOW HOW PACK ELK

[@colormecutecanines]

Are your straps biothane webbing or leather and why? I'm curious as to weather biothane or hold up for this application?

[@reterwilliger]

Not certain what you are referring to by "straps". However, with the decker pack saddle show here, the breast collar, britchen and latigo are all leather. In my opinion, leather is better! You can keep it soft with proper care (which of course is important for not soring your stock) and will last for years!

[@colormecutecanines]

@@reterwilliger I just meant all the pieces holding it together. Like the britchin and breast collar and such. Most I've noticed are leather but I wasn't sure if yours were. I know Amish use biothane webbing a lot in their harnesses. Wasn't sure if this application would be suitable for biothane or not. Have you ever seen it used on pack saddles?

[@reterwilliger]

@@colormecutecanines Ok now I understand....I have not ever seen biothane webbing used in the 12 years I've worked in the Outfitting Business. That's not to say it couldn't be but just never seen it here in the West. Some of the best packers I've worked (I've done my share of packing but my primary role has been guiding) with are Amish (including the one in this video) and have never heard them make mention of it either.

[@colormecutecanines]

@@reterwilliger ok thank you for your input. Maybe it was just a Pennsylvania thing :)

[@scuffedkicks9016]

It’s a pannierd lol