Draft mules skidding and loading logs…Tennessee Mule Logging

[@DaveBurcham]

I love the way the girls (Kate , Alice ) ease into a pull instead of jumping into it , you and the girls do a great job Zack

[@zachodom7486]

Yes! I don’t like all that snatching and jerking. That’s how you tear stuff up and get someone hurt. Thank you for such kind words and also for taking time to watch and comment: take care and do come again, please

[@primeredisbest]

Great video again my friend! I especially enjoyed hearing you explaining about your wagon and how it works! Of course, the Mules are always entertaining to watch and how well they behave despite it being hot out there with all the insects biting them. You have some great Mules my friend! KZbin needed a great channel like yours! God bless you and your family always and stay safe out there!

[@zachodom7486]

That truly does mean the world to me my friend!! Those are true words of encouragement. In a world of so much despair and turmoil, it’s refreshing to have people just like yourself as an audience also. Thank you for being here my friend. I appreciate you! Thx for taking time to watch and comment as always! Take care and do come again, please!!

[@davidjewell9197]

You work hard , be safe and God bless you and your family ❤

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir! And thanks a bunch for watching and commenting..I appreciate you! Take care please, and do come again!

[@bendugas8632]

Thanks for sharing, it amazes me how softly you speak to your mules and the response they give you. You are still very informative and interesting keep them coming. Thank you

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir you’re welcome! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to speak softer and softer. Mr Summers has helped me in particular with that. Because of the way he handles his mules. He always said, “the louder you speak to them, the louder you’re gonna have to speak..if you speak and they don’t listen, then they’re listening hard enough because they have super good hearing. Speak once, and then smack em or whatever it takes to make em go on. Then next time they’ll listen harder.” I’ve found that to be good advice and only takes once or twice of doing. Thank you so much my friend for the kind words and also for always watching. I hope you are doing well. Take care of yourself and do come again, please.

[@klauskarbaumer6302]

The swishing of tails and occasional kicking underneath the belly shows that the mules are fighting the bugs, but nevertheless they stand and wait for your command- result of excellent training and great love and patience for your working partners. They feel that and respond likewise. A joy to behold!

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir. Horse flies have gotten bad this time of year. Especially late evening and early morning. My fly spray I make helps, but you have to reapply it about every hour or two depending on how much they sweat. But bugs still bug em a little. Thanks for the kind words and taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate you my friend. It’s always good to hear from you. Take care and do come again, please

[@nathanalmond8280]

Thanks so much for sharing the video Zach. Great video and I always enjoy you telling us about what you are doing. Kate and Alice are doing well for you. stay safe out there working.

[@zachodom7486]

Thanks buddy! I’m glad ya enjoyed it. That makes it worth doing. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment: take care and do come again, please!

[@james-we6fr]

I enjoy watching a well trained pair work. They probably still have some polishing off but you have a very nice pair of working mules. Enjoy your videos.

[@zachodom7486]

Ty sir! Yes, as long as they’re living we will always be polishing. Training is never over with. Same goes for us humans as well. I try to learn how to do things better and better each day. Thx for taking time to watch and comment. And thx for the kind words. Take care and do come again, please!

[@kennethhall5070]

Great job loading those logs Mr.Odom. Kate and Alice are getting it done.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir! Good to hear from you. Been missing ya in the comments. Thx for watching buddy and commenting. Take care and do come again, please

[@KenSmith-i2e]

Thanks for sharing your journey, Zach. You do a great job.

[@zachodom7486]

Thx a bunch! I appreciate it. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again!

[@everestvirtue309]

Dear Zach Thank you for making this wonderful video I enjoy so much seeing how everything works , especially the chains on the wagon, i watched more than one time so i could really understand how it works to move and also secure the heavy logs. Ill be praying for you and everyone there. Thank you for the quotes from the Bible Take care my friend

[@zachodom7486]

You’re most welcome my friend and I’m glad you enjoyed it and could get something from it. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment. And the prayers and blessing! That’s most important. Take care my friend and do come again!

[@johnnypurkey7545]

Enjoyed the show brother Zack thumbs up 👍

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir, and I’m glad ya enjoyed it! It means a lot to me. That makes it worth doing. Thx for taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again, please!

[@mikelgeren149]

It is a thing of beauty to see a man and a well trained team of mules work in harmony . 👍

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you kindly! And thx for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@br927]

Always enjoy your videos! God Bless and be safe!

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you, sir! I’m glad you enjoy them. That makes it worth doing. Thank you for always taking time to watch and comment. I surely appreciate it! Take care of yourself my friend and do come again anytime please.

[@deernutOO]

You have great patience and enjoyment with your mules. Enjoy going along at the pace that you are also enjoying. thanks

[@zachodom7486]

Awesome! I’m glad ya enjoyed it. By this time of the day, we were all getting sorta tired. So our pace was def slow. But ya gotta chug along sometimes. Slow and easy wins the race! Anyway, thank you for the kind words and thx for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@alicepapizan7128]

Thanks again Zack for your video. God bless you and your family and all the families who love the Lord Jesus Christ ❤️ and God bless Israel too.

[@zachodom7486]

You’re most welcome and thx for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it! Thank you for the blessings also. Take care my friend and do come again!

[@judyengland2615]

I like longer videos and all the info you give. I'm from Northern Michigan

[@zachodom7486]

Well, thank you ☺️ I’m glad ya enjoy them. It’s good to hear from you. I try to make a mix of longer and shorter videos. Seems some likes the longer ones and some won’t even contemplate them lol. But anyway, thank you again! And thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@canadianHAWK3]

I love the way he log nice and easy .

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you! I really appreciate it. Slow and easy works for me… Take care and do come again, please

[@lesterwatson8519]

I started to ask a question about a cant hook and a peavey but you answered my question in the video. Enjoy your content and the fact you give God the credit in your videos. Good job Brother. Pray for me and I will pray for you that is how it is suppose to work.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir! Yessir I will, and def pray for me. I can always use it. Thank you so much for the encouragement. And thanks for taking time to watch and comment. I surely appreciate it and enjoy hearing from you all. Take care my friend and do come again!

[@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119]

Nice great video showing how you load the logs. Keep up the good work.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you and thanks for taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@richardsurber8226]

Good video Zach. I like how you try to keep it simple. But all them chains I'm gonna have to watch again . That's alright

[@zachodom7486]

Yes, sir! You are welcome… Thank you for taking time to watch comment! And for the kind words. Take care of yourself and do come again anytime please.

[@donaldnickeron3192]

Hello my name is Donald Nickerson & I have worked in the woods most of my life here in Maine, always used horses to do the work . Lot of 4 ft pulp and saw logs too . The work is a lot like what you are doing ,except we have a lot of snow in the winter ,also ice . I have worked in 6 ft of snow & bare ground in Sumer . I have enjoyed your show .

[@zachodom7486]

Hello Mr Donald. Glad to have ya here with us. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment. And tell me about yourself. Glad to have some old hands around. Never know when ya could learn something. So thank you! Take care and do come again, please!

[@deltonwatts9726]

Zach..that is very interesting how you load the logs onto the wagon. I've never seen that done before. You did put in a long hard day....Blessings.

[@zachodom7486]

Awesome! Glad ya enjoyed it and thx for taking time to watch and comment my friend. Thx for the kind words also. Take care and do come again! Please

[@billywarpool3625]

Great video Zack and watch every minute of it I ain't going to keep you know you're busy man enjoy every bit of it buddy You're a your friend Billy

[@zachodom7486]

Hey Billy! Good to hear from you buddy. I hope you’re feeling ok?! Anyway, thx for your kind words brother and thx for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate you! Take care and do come again, anytime!!

[@billywarpool3625]

I'm waiting won't die if I don't get out of here

[@billywarpool3625]

Like I'm going to die if I don't get out of here

[@zachodom7486]

@@billywarpool3625well hopefully soon buddy! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@larryhoward1247]

Zach I can remember you working your mares and you put a small chain on one of them so she would hold her head straight. I noticed your lead mule is doing a pretty good job of holding his head crooked. If it don’t bother you it sure don’t bother me. I enjoy your videos so very much.

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir that’s right. In this case though, she does just fine. The problem is she didn’t like to walk up beside the log wagon. It was sorta new to her since we normally load from the left side and Alice is typically the one walking up beside the wagon. So I had to hold a little pressure on her to make her get right where I wanted her to be. But yessir, the chain will work every time. Thank you for the kind words my friend and thank you for taking time to watch and comment. It’s always good to hear from you! Take care and do come again, please!

[@thomasneill6858]

Your blocks is absolutely great Daddys Ole wagon had wooden boasters with holes and pins that you couldn't get out with dynamite

[@zachodom7486]

Oh lord lol. I know what you mean..been there! Lol

[@michaelperry952]

Well Zach I love that stretcher rig. I have the last one my grandmother’s baby brother built. They would ask him Spur will that mule work, he’d say they will all work some of’m just don’t like to! Love ya videos shire

[@zachodom7486]

That is awesome, my friend, and thank you for sharing with me. I love hearing everyone’s stories. Thank you for the kind words, and also for taking time to comment. Take care and come again.

[@judyengland2615]

I'm new to your channel, I'm a fan of working horses with Jim.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you and welcome! Jim and I have been friends for years. Even before KZbin. I think a lot of him. Thank you for being here and taking time to watch and comment. I surely appreciate it.

[@harryjansen6789]

Great video, be safe and be well,

[@zachodom7486]

Ty sir and thx for taking time to watch and comment! Take care and do come again, please

[@thomasneill6858]

Pretty good load of logs a person can get loaded quick those longer logs When daddy was close like you was he would bunch with one mule and load with the other ,your mules is more than good enough to do that

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir I believe they could too. And we didn’t do anything too heavy. Mostly small to medium sized poplar and it’s fairly light. It’s easier with one mule for sure. Especially in tight quarters! I’ll do a video of that soon. Maybe everyone would like that! Thanks for watching my friend as always! I appreciate it. Take care and do come again! Please

[@terrythomas7035]

Most of the mules are seen as dumb but the precision that Kate and Alice perform is mind blowing

[@zachodom7486]

That’s right. Mules are so often misunderstood. But they’re highly intelligent once you learn how to speak their language

[@braddobson2060]

Great video very interesting

[@zachodom7486]

Glad ya enjoyed it and ty kindly! Thx for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please!

[@mrshane5101]

Great job explaining

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you! And thank you for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it. Take care and do come again!!

[@oldadthomas]

Thanks for sharing!

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir Mr Dale! You’re welcome my friend and thanks for taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@raquelgarza6775]

Hello Friend, amazing teamwork. I think your mules are very smart, very well trained and very special. They really know how to work together. I am in Awe. Stay safe, you 3 do great work. God bless you always enjoying your videos.🫶🏼

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you ma’am! I surely appreciate it. I do take a lot of pride in my mules no doubt. I truly love them. I appreciate you being here and always commenting! It helps our videos for sure. Thank you! Thanks for taking time to watch and comment also. I’m glad ya enjoy the videos! That makes it worth doing. Take care of yourself and do come again, please

[@raquelgarza6775]

@@zachodom7486 🫶🏼

[@jefferyblanc9187]

Great video

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir! And thx for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please!

[@DaveBurcham]

Would love to see a video on how you teach the girls how to ease into a pull instead of rushing into it.

[@zachodom7486]

I’ll see if I can work that in sometime…

[@DaveBurcham]

@@zachodom7486 That would be a great video Zack !

[@zachodom7486]

@@DaveBurchamI plan on covering that for sure when I start breaking these colts to work. Then it will really make more sense. Seeing some animals that don’t know any better and teaching them the right way…

[@randallcrane2704]

Very good video thanks very much

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir yw. Were you able to see the blocks and make them out? Thank you for the kind words and also for watching and commenting. Take care and do come again, please

[@randallcrane2704]

Not good enough to make one but thanks very much for that

[@zachodom7486]

@@randallcrane2704I’ll get ya some better for that and send to you. With some measurements

[@zachodom7486]

Mr Randall, Do you have an email I could send these pictures and measurements to you?

[@thirzapeevey2395]

I don't jump back and forth in your long videos. I just watch what I can while I'm taking a break from whatever I'm working on, and then leave it until the next break. After you load one or two logs, those girls catch on to what you are doing and can pretty much do it themselves. That said, the look of confusion they gave you the first time you asked them to go to the other end and drag the log back... Mules like that used to be all over when I first moved to southern Ky in the 70's. All of them were roughly 30+ years old, having been foaled during WWII when gas was rationed. You can hardly find a mule anymore. My friends, who were horse and mule traders, always had some around back then. The flies are horrible. They are being awfully patient about it. Just in case folks couldn't see what you were doing when you hitched: never hook the back end before the front end. A mule or horse that is hooked behind but not in front has no steering or brakes, and if they spook and start when you don't want them to, that can cause a horrible runaway and pile up. A horse that is hooked in front but not behind has steering and brakes, but it is really hard to pull the wagon, so if they spook and start, they will likely just stop, but if they do manage to start the load from the pole chains, they still have steering and brakes, and can turn and stop the load. I know you weren't doing that, but if someone is watching who doesn't know, and they are trying to learn to do this, it looked for a minute like you were hooking the spreader to the wagon. All farming and logging is dangerous, and I have to remind myself of that all the time, when I see someone do something dangerous with a team. One of my neighbors back on the farm lost her dad at age 16 when the team of mules he was driving spooked and ran away, pulling him under a cultipacker and dragging him and the cultipacker across the field. Someone heard him feebly calling for help, and they got the implement off him and carried him to the house, but he died. Then again, one of my high school friends lost her dad, also a neighbor of ours, when he was skidding logs with a tractor and it rolled over on him. It is all dangerous, and you must always keep your wits about you.

[@zachodom7486]

Yes ma’am! There is a certain amount of danger in about everything a person does. There are things I do when starting a team just to prevent safety concerns later. One of them is a solid whoa. Anything after that, is honey on the biscuits. But anyway, thank you for the kind words and also taking time to always watch and comment. I surely appreciate it, and thx for sharing your experiences with me. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@jimmylafrance2881]

Hello zach its Jim up in Peterborough, Ontario canada, tell me my friend the poplar trees we have up here look like a birch log . Have you ever noticed that? Thanks for your time .have a great day.

[@zachodom7486]

Hey Jim! I guess in certain places that is possible. Different growing conditions and minerals in the ground can cause differences also. Here in Tennessee, we have what is called “Tulip” poplar or “yellow” poplar. It is real good building material if you cut it when it’s mature. The smaller stuff is kinda “whiter” in color and won’t hold up very long. It’ll rot quick. Anyway, thanks for the question my friend. And thx for taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it. Take care my friend and do come again, please!

[@kylemarvin4384]

Dudes drive a skid steer loader and think they're hot stuff, but Zach Odom is the real deal.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you! I just tried to be realistic and do what needs doing… Thank you kindly! And thank you for taking time to watch comment. Take care and do come again.

[@terrythomas7035]

That’s my girls

[@zachodom7486]

Yes ma’am!

[@terrythomas7035]

That’s not ocd that’s just taking pride in your work

[@zachodom7486]

Yes ma’am! That’s what my wife says too. Thank you for all the kind words and always taking time to watch and comment: take care of yourself and do come again, anytime!

[@raquelgarza6775]

With all due respect Sir, I believe you are losing weight… ❤️ All that hard work I believe. I personally lost 60 pounds not always easy. You make everything you do all your hard work look so simple. Best to you always. ❤

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you ma’am for such kind words. I could stand to lose a lot more lol. I usually do drop some during the summer. 60 pounds is an accomplishment for sure..proud for you! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@raquelgarza6775]

@@zachodom7486 Thank you so much Best to yous all always

[@terryhelms1578]

very good video! I was wondering you ever have blow out on tire while mules pulling a load?

[@zachodom7486]

I try to keep my tires in good shape, and prevent it. But yes, I have had tires at times go flat and blowout. But it’s very rare. Thank you for the question and also for taking time to watch and comment: thx for the kind words!! Take care and do come again!

[@raquelgarza6775]

Zach, I had a question for you. I noticed in the videos that the mules lift their front legs a lot. Does that mean they’re tired of standing, they’re bored or they’re just read adjusting their weight? I figured you would know and I was just curious probably a dumb question but I figured I’d ask since you’re so nice about Questions and all. 🤣

[@zachodom7486]

Hello Ms Raquel! So, the main reason is because of flies irritating them. It’s getting hot now and the bugs are coming out full force. I use a homemade fly spray to help keep them off of them. But you have to reapply it pretty often. And they needed some more on them at the time of this video. Thank you for the question. And there’s never a dumb question imho 😉😉😉

[@raquelgarza6775]

@@zachodom7486 🫶🏼

[@darryn.leedavis7212]

Currently are you only using the one pair of mules???

[@zachodom7486]

I have two pairs, but I haven’t started breaking my colts yet. I am still waiting on harness for them to get here. Then I’ll have two teams to work. It’ll be nice, especially on the big loads and hills. Thanks for the question, and taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@stuartpulvermacher6861]

How often do your mules get fed and do they need water during their work day?

[@zachodom7486]

The mules get all the feed they want. They have free access to hay 24/7 when not working. And I keep grain in their feed boxes throughout the day. So free choice anytime they wanna eat. We do break for a quick lunch and I offer them water then. But they typically don’t want any. Mules don’t drink water like horses do typically. They don’t eat as much either. Which is why mules were preferred down south years ago. Easier keepers, tolerate heat better, and just tough. They get plenty of breaks though throughout the day. And they don’t work 24/7 like some people think. Now me however, I have to do it all. I have to cut the timber, skid, haul the timber, look at timber, etc etc. More times than not, they’re standing around watching me work. Lol. And they don’t come to the woods everyday with me either. Some days I just cut and leave them at home where they get plenty of turnout time to rest and relax. So, they’re well taken care of. As they should be; especially when they’re helping make your living. I care for my mules a bunch. And I love them. I take a lot of pride in them. Anyway, thanks for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@bigmule35]

@@zachodom7486 , these Fjord horses I work are the same as mules in many ways. The generally do not want water when they are working and to be honest they do not want to eat a lot . Seems they know they need to cool down a bit and then they eat and drink. They are also very easy keeps like mules are..

[@zachodom7486]

@@bigmule35I’ve always admired fjords. They’re nice horses and even make nice mules too 😊

[@rexnoel1419]

How long did it take you to teach those mules to do that pulling and loading? Due y use G and ha talking to them?

[@zachodom7486]

Well, we’re always training. No matter their age. But generally speaking…I can take a mule from zero to loading logs like this in 2-3 months. The more they do, the more they learn. You just have to take your time and let em learn it on their time: it takes as long as it takes. Some learn quick than others. And yes, I use gee and haw. If ya listen real close on the video, you can hear me speaking to them. Anyway, thanks for the question: and taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again, please!

[@JohnWhite-gq1wy]

Wouldn't it be faster to yard all five-6 logs up to the wagon first then load them? Or what you're reason not too? Are there many mule colt for sale around you I prefer Belgians type myself, God bless! John

[@zachodom7486]

The more you got up there the more rolling you have to do with the peavey. Some of the logs when they’re bigger, you can’t roll with the peavey. Sometimes I’ll skid two or even three up to the wagon before loading…but no more than that at a time. And you have to be careful what logs go where. It’s like a puzzle. They won’t sit right on the wagon if you get it wrong. And that usually causes you to have to start all over. I don’t know of any colts right now. There are a few people who keep some. But your best bet is the fall and winter colt sales that come in Lebanon TN and Russellville KY. They’ll have a bunch of all shapes and sizes and colors. Thanks for the kind words John, and thanks for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@JohnWhite-gq1wy]

@@zachodom7486 thanks when are those sales usually?

[@zachodom7486]

@@JohnWhite-gq1wyusually the first week of January. Reese Brothers, Bluegrass Sale, and Hoovers Mule sale. They’re all three about the same time and within 150 miles of each other. Then after those sales will be the PA mule sales. There will be a bunch of colts at all of those sales. You can also try and call Carl Bilbrey at [phone]. He keeps several colts up to two year olds. He might have what you’re looking for. He’s located in Cookeville TN. Johnny Kelso is another you can try at [phone]. And he’s in Murray KY. Brad Redmon would be another one at [phone]. He’s in KY. Anyway, hope this helps you. Take care

[@terrythomas7035]

I don’t know if it was Kate or Alice around 35-36 kept looking to left wasn’t paying attention and bumped the cart

[@zachodom7486]

She didn’t like being right up beside it and I had to hold her over a little lol.

[@terrythomas7035]

Ahh ok

[@sammybailey5543]

Zack did you raise your mules and how many do you have

[@zachodom7486]

I have had Kate and Alice since they were two years old. My other two mules, May and June, I raised. I used to raise quite a few. But I got out of the colt business; now I just have four mules. Thank you for the question Mark and thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@randymitchell8844]

How much do your mules weigh?

[@zachodom7486]

1500# and still growing