TRAINING YOUNG DRAFT MULES WITH MR SUMMERS!!!

[@WallaceBrown-dj2gm]

Zack thank you and Mr Summers for the training video with the sorrels. I really liked it.God bless.

[@zachodom7486]

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

[@lindacurtis-bb6xy]

Thank for these videos. Mr.Summers reminds me of my Dad who used mules.

[@zachodom7486]

You are most welcome, and that is awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed the videos. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@DaveBurcham]

I like the way Mr. Summers works them with light hands, the telltale trait of a good trainer, these two girls keep their ears turned to him all the time, patience goes a long way with a mule, Great job Mr. Summers ! Great video Zach 👍

[@zachodom7486]

Yes, sir! Mr. Summers is one of the best. Thank you so much for the kind words and also taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again please

[@marvinhenderson7420]

Years of wisdom. Much respect for Mr. Summer.

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir and thank you kindly! I surely appreciate it. Mr summers is a great guy. Thanks for the kind words and thx for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@stuartdavidson5802]

Thanks Zach for your words and videos. This world needs more of your and Mr Summers wisdom 🙏 🤗

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you my friend, that means a lot to me. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment also. Take care and do come again, please

[@lesterwatson8519]

That Mr. Summers is a mule master for sure.

[@zachodom7486]

That he is…I am thankful to call him my friend. Thank you for the kind words and for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please!

[@Pumpkin-b4e]

I loved this video Mr. Summers is a treasure of knowledge. Thank you gentlemen his red mules are lovely. ❤❤

[@zachodom7486]

Awesome, glad ya enjoyed it and thank you for such kind words. I appreciate it. Thx for taking time to watch and comment also. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@JamesN-ut2jv]

I enjoy every video you do. You and Mr Summer's remind me of a gentleman I hung around when I was younger. Looking back he probably has been my best friend ever. Keep learning and keep reaching us. Rest my friend. You deserve it

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you, my friend! I appreciate the encouragement and the kind words. Thanks for all you do. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Take care and do come again, please

[@billywarpool3625]

Well Zack another great video especially with Mr Summers in it I just enjoy listening to y'all talk about your mule and everything you know yourself I don't have no mules or horses but I sure do love that I love it to learn and I I know I don't get out of the house much but I sure do enjoy listening y'all talk or I can learn I may not never driving you or never drive a horse but I think I can by listening to y'all it's all too fine teachers thank you buddy I enjoyed this video you just don't know how much it means for me to watch your videos thank you so much my friend and you tell me for Summers I enjoy listening to him always enjoy listening to my elders thank you very much to your friend Billy God bless you be safe and be careful thank you again

[@zachodom7486]

Hey Billy! Good to hear from you, my friend. I hope you are doing well. I will tell Mr. Summers for you. I know that will make him feel good thank you for always taking time to watch and comment on our videos and I’m glad you enjoyed them and can get something from them. I appreciate you buddy! Take care and do come again, please.

[@joycehennequin8469]

Such a lovely comment Billy.

[@deltonwatts9726]

Zach thanks for sharing another episode of Mr. Summers and your expertise in training the young mules. May God Richly Bless YOU and your Family, and we appreciate your prayer!

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir my friend, you’re most welcome and I’m glad ya enjoyed it. God has already blessed me far beyond what I deserve no doubt, but thank you nonetheless my friend. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment also! I appreciate it. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@primeredisbest]

Great video! Mr Summers is a treasure to be shared for sure! And the Mules listen for his soft voice to tell them what to do! So cool! You are a treasure too my friend! We greatly appreciate your videos! God bless you and your family my friend!

[@zachodom7486]

I sure do appreciate that, and I know he does as well. Thank you so much for the kind words and thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again please

[@alicepapizan7128]

Thanks again for the info and meeting t by e good Mr summer's. God bless you and your family.

[@zachodom7486]

You are most welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment. take care and do come again, please

[@KenSmith-i2e]

Always a good experience to watch you and Mr. Summers spend some time together, it's great that you have him to listen too.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you my friend! And yes I agree. I love being with him. And talking to him. He’s a great friend. Love him dearly…thx for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please!

[@jaredenders4981]

I sure do enjoy the video's with Mr Summers. It is also a Blessing to see the respect that you give to him. Our elders are a tremendous treasure for us to learn from. May God Bless Mr. Summers and your family as well Zach...

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you sir! Mr Summers has more than earned his place in my life no doubt. He’s a good man first, and second..probably the best mule master I know. I am thankful to have him in my life. No amount of my experience can replace what he is. And when he passes one of these days, a whole lot will be lost. I am doing my best to save what I can while I can. He’s taught me a whole lot about mules, life, and just being a man. I am thankful! Thanks for the kind words my friend! And thanks a whole bunch for watching and commenting. Take care and do come again, please!

[@nathanalmond8280]

Thanks so much for sharing the video Zach. Awesome learning from you and Mr. Summers. That's going to be a great pair of mules there also. They are doing well for being under 2 years old. God Bless Y'all.

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you so much and you’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Take care of my friend and do come again, please

[@robertmarino2158]

Great video , so much to learn , a lot of knowledge , stay safe , enjoy & have fun !

[@zachodom7486]

Yes, sir, you are right! And thank you so much. Thank you for taking time to watching comment also. As always! Take care of my friend and do come again, please

[@joycehennequin8469]

Oh wow what a great gentleman Mr Summer is,he gets it so right training his Mules and now l can definitely with out a dought ....your taking after him.Nobody gets anywhere screaming and beating there animals no no no.Firm but gently, light hands and a soft caring voice and lots of patience and a nice thankyou to them at the end of the day weather they have been working or not goes a long long way RESPECT.Thankyou Zach and Mr Summers for sharing this wonderful video.l first came across Mr Summers about two years ago and he really pulled at my heart strings with his kindness to his Mules.

[@zachodom7486]

Yes ma’am, you’re most welcome! Firm but fair is a good method for sure. Thank you kindly and thanks for taking time to watch and comment as always! I appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please.

[@johnnypurkey7545]

I seen you on an episode of rural heritage the other a good job. I also seen Mr summers on an episode when he was a little younger i know it was him i could tell by his voice and looks your in good company y'all two good mule skinners. Big thumbs up 😊😊

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you so much for the kind words! We both appreciate it dearly. And thank you for taking time to watch comment as always. Take care and do come again, please.

[@everestvirtue309]

Dear Zach Thank you for making this wonderful video And thank you for showing me that Psalm The mules are really fantastic to turn like that. Ill be praying for you all there May God bless you all there Take care my friend

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you my friend! For everything..it truly means a lot to me. And thank you for watching all of our videos and also commenting. I appreciate it! Take care and do come again, please!

[@WallaceBrown-dj2gm]

Hi Zack, Its 1:49 am in Maine, can't sleep, love your channel, turned it on and surenuff here ya come up that grade again, hit that tree again, and bango I almost fell out of my recliner. Again. I really liked the explanation between horses and mules. I think mules are not so prevelent in Maine is because the timber has had more time to grow before we could get to it so therefore its much larger just because of time growing. Its getting worked down some but every now and again I see a truck with 3logs across and 3 high and that baby is freighted .l twiched with my clyde stallion in the early 80s and you show that boy a log when he was hooked up and told him to taker to tha landing you wanted to be outtatheway. No tractor can ever come close to the feeling of working with horses and mules and oxen. Im 84 now so those days are over for me but they were just the best days. Id love to be next door so i. Could be at least limming but i probly wont fall down from my recliner so often.ha ha. Keep the mules comming, Stay safe and god bless ya real good.

[@zachodom7486]

You might be right. Horses were prominent up north and mules more prominent down south statistically speaking. Heat has a lot to do with it also. Anyway, sorry ya couldn’t sleep! Maybe next time will be better for sure! Thanks for taking time to watch and comment as always. Take care my friend and do come again, anytime.

[@jacobkennedy112]

Good to hear from the pro! I put my bridles on last also. I like to break them open face first, then use blinders so they don’t pick up on my movements. Great video!

[@zachodom7486]

That’s a good idea brother. Anyway, thanks for watching and commenting. Take care and do come again!

[@davidjewell9197]

Great video thanks for sharing your friends, I would love to meet you all sometime and just shake your hands, God bless you

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir yw! Be glad to meet ya anytime..thx for the kind words and also for watching! I appreciate it. Take care my friend and do come again please

[@MauriceBowling]

Nice job! Thanks for sharing!!

[@zachodom7486]

Awesome, thank you!! Glad to hear from you my friend. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment. I surely appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please

[@mulberrylavenderfarmandbb6592]

Great information! Thank you for sharing!

[@zachodom7486]

You are most welcome! Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@klauskarbaumer6302]

Do you ever take time-off, Mr. Odom? When you are not logging, you go over to a friend to make a video. I am almost Mr. Summers age and I can empathize with his passion working equines.

[@zachodom7486]

Well, let’s just say… Some days I work more than others. I usually don’t work much on Sunday. It is the Lords day, and I try to rest. Thank you, my friend for the kind words. You are always an encourager. Thank you so much. And also thank you for always taking time to watch and comment; take care my friend and do come again, please

[@Douglas4936]

We always put the bridle on last and took it off first. What's the logic behind the way you do it?

[@zachodom7486]

Old timers will tell you, that when you put the bridle on that means to the animal to quit messing around. It is time to go to work. We also have chin straps on our bridles. Which will allow us to lead a mule and have more control over it. I do not think there is a right way and a wrong way. A man should do whatever works for him. That is my opinion. I always put my collars on first. I slip it over their head and onto their neck. Then I put my bridles on. Anyway, thank you for the question and thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and come again.

[@squirrelsoutdooradventures3705]

I love watching all your videos and those some of them might kind of go on a bit all your videos I've seen including the one that started me watching your channel from rural heritage have been super informative and set my imagination on fire so to speak. For quite a while now I have wanted my own pair of draft animals will there be just a simple pair of donkeys or even something like a pair of oxen but I think nothing excites me more than the thought of a good pair of mules I can do just about anything with. I'd love to be able to drive them or ride them. Recently I was clear and trails in the national Forest by where I live and wished that I'd had a good pair of mules and some logging equipment cuz it would have made our job a whole lot easier lol. All we had was chainsaws and some off-road cars with some winches on the front. Our cedar trees here are ridiculous in size and take quite a bit of doing to move. I feel like a good pair of mules and maybe a log cart and I cant hook would have made our job that day a whole lot easier.

[@zachodom7486]

I bet they would’ve for sure. That’s pretty awesome my friend and I hope you can have your own animals someday. Everyone should experience it at least once in their life. I absolutely love mine. Anyway, thanks for the kind words and for taking time to watch and comment! I surely appreciate it. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@kennybolt8329]

Is that a loose hay loader behind y'all? Do y'all put up some loose hay? I ain't but 65 but still learning a lot from people like you and Mr Summers. Keep up the good work.

[@zachodom7486]

No sir, that is not. They are grain elevators for snapped corn. Thank you for such kind words and also thank you for watching and commenting as always. Take care of my friend and come again.

[@MishCreates01]

A question 🙋🏼‍♀️ how do you decide which mule will work on each side of the team 👀🤠 thanks for sharing your knowledge and Mr Summer’s insights and experience 🙏🏻 blessings and blessed

[@zachodom7486]

We will usually put the bigger animal on the right hand side. That will allow for plowing in a furrow and also road crown when working to a wagon on the road. In all actuality, it really does not matter. But traditionally, that is the way it is done. Thank you for the question and taking time to watch and comment. I appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please

[@oldadthomas]

thanks for sharing

[@zachodom7486]

You’re welcome and thank you. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment! Take care and do come again, please

[@br927]

Mr. Summers is the man! You can barely here him! Speak soft, carry a big stick!( Just kidding) I like it when you put Mr. Summers on here! Would like to see the others!

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you, sir! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Mr. Summers a special for sure. Anyway, thank you for always taking time to watch and comment. Take care my friend and do come again, please

[@charlenestrickland5080]

i love watching the show. we have Belgium horses and clydesdales. my husband wants a mule

[@zachodom7486]

Nice! He should def get one if he’s never owned one 😊thank you for the kind words and taking time to watch and comment. I surely appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please.

[@thomasneill6858]

Don't wait to long about another update I sure want to see the reading and writing lessons I like to have never got my mules side step like they was post to, I was just like you said had to have help Made me feel like an idot

[@zachodom7486]

Yessir. I tried all kinda crap to try and get them right. Then one day…it finally clicked. The more ground skidding ya can do really really helps! I’ll do my best Mr Thomas. And thanks a bunch for taking time to watch and comment. I am thankful for Mr Summers. Take care my friend and do come again!

[@terrythomas7035]

I love to see their ears turn to his voice

[@zachodom7486]

Yes, ma’am me too

[@elizabethmurray7325]

I’ve been a recent subscriber, and have been enjoying your channel. I do really wish you were using a separate microphone when interviewing Mr. Summers. I was able to hear/comprehend what he was saying at all. The sound of the chains was too loud when I turned my volume up to try to hear him. Hopefully you can find an easy inexpensive solution for future videos. I also appreciate the scripture you share with each video. God bless you and your family.

[@zachodom7486]

Hey there! I’ve got some mics but they’re not real good. They get scratchy and also will just cut off on their own at times. So I’ve gotta come up with some better ones. It’s also hard to modulate the mics between me and him also. Because we’re on opposite ends of the sound spectrum. But anyway, I’ll do what I can. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@woodsgremlin9995]

I've driven a lot of horses but never owned a mule. Two mules used to called a span of mules. I haven't heard that phrase for many years. What is the reason for the " pigeon wing" blinds used on mules? Do they tip their head back and look over conventional blinds?

[@zachodom7486]

Hello! Yes I have heard of a “span” before as well. So pigeon winged blinders were used on mules mainly because of their peripheral vision is better wider angled than a horse. A mule see around its sides better than a horse can if that makes sense. So, the pigeon winged blinders wrap around the mules eyes better and prevent them from seeing over and/or around the smaller square blinders that’s typically used on a horse. Hope this answers your question. Thank you for the kind words and also for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please!

[@rogerpadgett3189]

Great video you need to give Mr Summers A microphone so we can Here 😅😅

[@zachodom7486]

Haha, yeah he’s pretty soft. I have microphones, but sometimes they don’t work as good. Scratchy and half time will cut out. I need some better ones for sure. Anyway, thank you for taking time to watch and comment! I appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please!

[@kennybolt8329]

Need a mike on Mr. Summers !❤

[@zachodom7486]

I do have some… But they are not much good. Sometimes they will be scratchy and also cut off mid video. I am going to look into getting some more though and thank you for the suggestion.

[@kennethhall5070]

Mr. Odom how do you and Mr. Sommers get your mules to know their name from the other when they are working together?

[@zachodom7486]

Yes! The first things we teach them is their name and whoa! So yes, they will know their names. Anyway, thx for taking time to watch and comment my friend! I appreciate it. Take care and do come again, please

[@davidkirksey8521]

I know nothing about logging. Do the mules achieve something that tractors do not? Or do you use mules because it is fun/different?

[@zachodom7486]

Well, they don’t tear up the ground like heavy equipment does. They don’t skin up young timber as bad as heavy equipment. Usually when we leave a place, you don’t even know we’ve been there other than some tops laying here and there. There are some jobs that animals can get that machines can’t due to sensitive areas. So that’s a plus. And then, for me personally it’s more peaceful. It’s quiet! Slower paced and less overhead. You can run your operation by yourself vs a crew with heavy equipment usually takes 3-4 men to make it really pay off. I’m a one man show here. And the mules allow that for me. Also, the animals can think for themselves therefore can help me at times when I need them too. Once they know their job. A well broke pair of animals is just like having another man on the job. Anyway, this is just a few reasons why I choose them. Thanks for the questions. And thanks for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@joycehennequin8469]

Peaceful ,quiet and intouch with nature ❤

[@zachodom7486]

@@joycehennequin8469yes ma’am!

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

What the reason you use chains for the tugs. Instead of leather. I guess you just explained one reason at 7:00

[@zachodom7486]

For me, I like the way they lay on the harness. They are also less maintenance; but I think the reason they originated…Was because back in the day, leather was very expensive compared to chain. Easier to get too. And down south everyone was poor. So a lot of mule harness was made with just trace chain. And we’ve held onto it forever. I also like the way it stores on the harness when you are not using it compared to tugs…it lays better. Anyway, I hope this helps answer your question. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@bain5872]

Amen!

[@zachodom7486]

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

[@aporter701]

It is good that you are gleaning as much knowledge as you are in this field. It is a dying skill these days.

[@zachodom7486]

Yes, it is… Thank you so much! And thank you for taking time to watch and comment. Take care and do come again.

[@lorettazohner1525]

Do u all ways haven't the same mule right or left ?

[@zachodom7486]

Pretty much yes. Once we decide which side we want them to work on. That’s pretty much where they stay. Now, we do work our mules single quite a bit. And in three and four abreast hitches. So they’re used to being in different configurations. They just stay on the same side when working with their mate. If you break them right in the beginning, I haven’t found a need to swap them around. They’ll work wherever you put them. Anyway, hope this answers your question. And thank you for taking time to watch and comment: take care and do come again, please

[@terrythomas7035]

I’ll tell you what he is an agile man

[@zachodom7486]

He sure is! Especially for his age… Thank you ma’am for always taking time to watch and comment. Take care and stop by anytime.

[@kalayne6713]

I beg you, when your working animals are too old and weak, let them retire, please dont send them to the kill pen. They work without complaint and deserve the reward of rest and care. Just like old humans.

[@zachodom7486]

You have no worries here my friend. We take care of our mules their “entire” lives. Not only just when they’re young. Mr Summers older mules are well into their twenties and still doing excellent. And he wouldn’t let em go for nothing. Neither would I. We love our mules and they’re a part of our family. I don’t know what kind of experiences you’ve had. But I can assure, we ain’t that way. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Take care and do come again, please

[@canadianHAWK3]

Ok

[@zachodom7486]

Thank you kindly! And thank you for always taking time to watch and comment on our videos. I surely appreciate it. Take care my friend and come again, please