How To Pack A Mule | Diamond Hitch

Here is a video showing how I pack mules. There are many ways to pack mules and this is just one way that works great for me.

[@chanceyfuller3695]

The best how to video out there hands down on how to properly pack mules and store everything! Thanks for sharing

[@dancingcowgirl85]

I’ve watched dozens of packing videos and this one is the most comprehensive video I’ve seen. After watching this I feel I could go pack up an animal and it wouldn’t be perfect or pretty but I wouldn’t get in a wreck or hurt said animal. As someone just getting into packing that is comforting and makes me more willing to go and try it not just want to. Thank you.

[@mitchandrew9910]

That’s awsome. I’m glad to hear that. Like I said, I’m sure there’s many more ways to do it but this way works pretty great and Ive packed everything from fridges and stoves to glass windows with this method. I’m glad you found it helpful

[@quags1]

So easy to follow along, really helped me buff the rust off on my packing skills

[@wallacejeffery5786]

He knows how. Most excellent. Been years since I have used a diamond hitch.

[@jerrywald6481]

Great video. SImplicity is the best part. Great job

[@Tripp_777]

I've been on a few trips into the Wilmore with Pete McMahon, he showed me how to pack a few times, but he went so fast it was hard to follow..Would love a chance to get out again...

[@Diggity308]

Definitely going to watch a few more times to pick up on all the tricks. For someone who has packed for 3 seasons I learned a lot! I like how you did it all single man, and on a sawbuck! Would be fun to watch it all full speed!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate. Quite a bit faster at full speed lol about 6 minutes I think

[@Diggity308]

@@mitchandrew9910 I bet! Just watching the few little things you did to save time kinda blew my mind, with how much faster it makes it. I appreciate the knowledge and always enjoy seeing how different people pack. Happy trails!

[@Live_Wild_Outdoors]

BY FAR THE BEST MOST COMPREHENSIVE PACK VIDEO!!! I am a novice packer, and this video is incredibly helpful! Thanks for taking the time to make and explain how to properly pack!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate I appreciate that. There’s lots of ways to pack. I’m sure some are better. This works great for me

[@frankc.4069]

Thank you for posting these videos! Beautiful animals and beautiful country. I could watch these all day!

[@mitchandrew9910]

I’m glad you like them mate

[@roycollison8841]

Outstanding job explaining every step! Great job

[@nmgreg11]

By far, one of the best packing vids I've seen. Thanks!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate

[@morganbeasley]

Great packing video, learned a couple new things. I like how you tied the ropes up, but the diamond I use is quicker to tie.

[@ralphcrosby9622]

I like your method of packing feed bags.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate. Works flowery well for us. We pack a few hundred bags a week so we’ve got it worked out

[@patrickroach7289]

Great video Mitch. Thanks so much.

[@bretdavisdmd]

thanks sir. I could tell you were an Aussie just transplanted to CA

[@mitchandrew9910]

Haha yep you nailed it

[@USNAVDC]

Nice video! Thanks for posting.

[@perryseltz8010]

Thanks Mitch, very informative.

[@MeadowCreekFarmLife]

This was really cool to see! Thank you for taking the time to share. Also, cool tshirt! Merch!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Meadow Creek Farm no worries I’m glad you enjoyed.

[@adamanderson1724]

Hey Mitch. Great video thanks for sharing. I was wondering what the different rope types were for your sling ropes versus the lash rope and for it matter much what kind of ropes they are? Thanks again.

[@TristanBanwell]

Excellent tips, thank you.

[@bretdavisdmd]

Mitch, I'm very interested in doing a pack trip with my family. How do I get info on signing up for something like this? great video btw.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Hey mate. The best way to find out more is to visit www.horseback.com. I don’t work there anymore but I would recommend a 4 or 6 day trip

[@patrickbrown605]

Great video that was defiantly helpful for future packing. Just curious how long is your lash rope? 50 foot?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Yeah mate 55foot is a good length for most packs. If you’re getting into some bigger packs 70 feet is nice to have. You can always clip up extra rope but it’s a pain if you don’t have enough

[@thomascarusillo2140]

Awesome video. Very informative. Question: How much can your mule carry on a long trip? And how much does your mule weigh?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thomas Carusillo Thanks mate. I’m really not educated to tell you max weights. Our mules carry about 100kgs a day for 6 hours a day and doing this they can consistently work. So to max them out it would more but 100kgs is a safe amount. As far as their weight goes they obviously vary in size and weight but I would say generally speaking it’s very similar to a horse which on average is 600 kgs. You can breed mules all different sizes

[@thomascarusillo2140]

@@mitchandrew9910 thank you for the information and the great video.

[@montanamornings8526]

Great video. I’m sending it on yo my son whose on fire line. On his 24 off. He’ll inherit my pack equipment. How can I get some of your tee shirts. Good Luck to Young Man.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate. Unfortunately I don’t have any for sale sorry

[@BrettVaughnB100]

Good stuff

[@Ouachita.Mule.School]

Good video. What feed do yall feed your mule? Just the hay cubes?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Because of our location we weren’t allowed to pack in hay bales so they were on alfalfa cubes. Just have to be careful with em and water em down and keep em well fed so they don’t eat em too fast. At least that’s what I found. They were on hay bales in town

[@gregstang5950]

Great videos! keep em coming! I picked up a red roan mule by the name of Wendell from a RW dispersal sale about 6 or 7 years ago now. Just wondering if you or aanyone you work with there would have any more history on the guy, over the years he has basically turned into a pen favorite with a lot of character and a big puppy dog on the trail, most days we don't even have him ponied, and at night he doesnt need to be hobbled, Just grazes and then goes and lays down under his spot on the highline.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate. The guy that started Wendell still works for the company. He says he was a sharp looking mule and he really liked him, but he was a bit of a handful in the beginning haha. That’s cool. Hearing how he was in the beginning I’m not at all surprised that that’s how he is now. 🤙🏼

[@gregstang5950]

@@mitchandrew9910 yeah, it’s been a process. It took a lot of time and groundwork, but it’s always impressive to see how much smarter he is than our horses. He figured out latch gates, he stands there pawing at the tail of the knot when he’s tied some times with his eyeball about an inch from the knot watching to see if it’s loosening because he must’ve got himself loose a time or to ( we’re guessing) And he really only listens well to me and my dad. When we first brought him home if he ever got away on the trail he would just go and hide in the willows and you wouldn’t be able to get close to him. Now all we have to say is whoa and he stops wherever he is to put a lead on or hobbles. He even trims and shoes a pro now ha. He’s never been a mean animal, just had trust issues I guess ha

[@mitchandrew9910]

@@gregstang5950 mules are so cool. I’ve found the smarter they are, the more time it takes to get them to trust you and listen to you. They also get bored really easy which would explain opening gates and untieing himself. We have a couple of mules that will unite themselves and then continue to untie everyone else. But the smarter and more mischievous they are, the more amazing they are when it finally clicks

[@gregstang5950]

@@mitchandrew9910 yeah that all makes sense for sure. I had a cougar 3D archery target I set up in the yard about 100 yards away from the pens, the horses looked at it for 10 min. Wendell stood in the same spot at the fence for almost 10 hours and stared before he figured it was ok haha

[@gregstang5950]

@@mitchandrew9910 so how did you get into doing what you do?? I mean... I pack for fun , it’s prob the biggest thing that takes up my time in the spring, summer and fall. Do you find that it being your job takes away from being able to enjoy it? Or does it just add to it?

[@jasonnbeckstrand2025]

Mitch Great video, how long is your basket rope? 80 to 100 feet total? or maybe 70 feet. A decker basket rope is 35 feet.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Yeah 70 feet mate. 35 a side

[@bobdh8858]

👍🐴🤠

[@rhettrosgen]

is this at Banff trail riders?!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Yes

[@brennonrasmussen3526]

Wondering what are the dimensions of your wood boxes?

[@mitchandrew9910]

The boxes in this video are roughly 18.5 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 25.5 inches long. But these boxes specifically were only that wide to fit a carton of beer nice and snug so it didn’t slide around. (We had others built to the width of a case of wine). I’d say the length is close to the plastic panniers that you can buy and the hight would be similar too. Having wider boxes like this definatly opens up options for what they can be used for.

[@brennonrasmussen3526]

​@@mitchandrew9910thank you sir!

[@Live_Wild_Outdoors]

How long are your basket ropes?

[@mitchandrew9910]

I’m having a hard time remembering exactly. But I’m pretty certain the total length is 55 feet. There’s total length, as the left and right ropes are one length and tied in the cloves hitch in the middle. 55 feet is excessive for most packs. But better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

[@Live_Wild_Outdoors]

@@mitchandrew9910 Thanks, that’s about what I would have guessed. Maybe 25’ per side. I’m packing down into elk hunting camp next week. I’m gonna use some of your methods!

[@mitchandrew9910]

Good stuff mate. Yeah it’s been a while since I’ve rigged up a saddle so I could have that length mixed up with the lash rope length. But I don’t think it’s far off

[@cassidylockard1527]

How tall is that mule

[@mitchandrew9910]

Hasn’t been sticked. But he would be around 16 hands.

[@Jmisslyn]

Why is the mule hobbled ?

[@mitchandrew9910]

Just to help him stand still while I was making this video

[@Jmisslyn]

Gotcha Do you happen to hire seasonal workers ?

[@mitchandrew9910]

I don’t work for this place any more but they do hire lots of seasonal staff in the summer. www.horseback.com

[@plumcrazypreston2797]

A mule is a half-ass horse.

[@adamanderson1724]

Hey Mitch. Great video thanks for sharing. I was wondering what the different rope types were for your sling ropes versus the lash rope and for it matter much what kind of ropes they are? Thanks again.

[@mitchandrew9910]

Thanks mate. The sling rope is a cheap nylon rope. Somthing a little thinner. Around 6mm (quarter inch). The lash rope I like to use climbing rope. But any heavier duty rope will do. About 12mm (half inch) is probably good. It needs to be a bit stronger and the thicker rope helps you get it tight. New ropes can be a pain until they get all their memory out and get a little dirty. The type of rope as far as I’m concerned isn’t too important but I would steer clear of cotton rope because it can be hard to untie.