Mules in the modern military

[pondpony]

The Feb. 15 edition of The New Yorker has an article on mules in the modern military. It also talks about a mule auction, Amish use of mules, and mules for riders who have ruined knees. A synopsis is available at http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...fa_fact_orlean but you have to subscribe (or buy a copy) to read the whole thing.

[naters]

Yep, we have a few army mules at the barn here at bragg

[Alagirl]

The BUndeswehr in Germany had a string of pack animals, both mules and Haffies for their units in the Alpes...there is still no better way to get to some places way up there.

[ironcowgirl]

We had a team of draft mules at the college I went too. They where the first horses I saw when I went to campus, scared me to death. The ears on them are insane. Good foot to foot & 1/2 long.

[Guilherme]

The Marines run a packing school in CA that used by all the services.

Mules (and horses) still have a role to play in certain tactical circumstances.

G.

[JanM]

Fort Carson has a big monument over the grave of Hambone, a mule who whipped the horses hineys in jumping contests so they banned mules from the jumping contests. And they featured him in a Life magazine article too. They even used a couple of mules when they were constructing the underground command center at Cheyenne Mountain too.

[dizzywriter]

The CIA used mules to deliver advanced weapons to the mujahadeen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

[JER]

My mule has the nuclear codes. Or so he says.

[dizzywriter]

My mule has the nuclear codes. Or so he says.

If you have a talking mule, you must be Shrek.

Ooops, I meant donkey.

[IBWmassage]

lol...I've been helping my husband with plans for his unit to acquire a couple long ears for the guys to practice packing and working with. 'Cause apparently it's caused issues a couple times when the guys couldn't convince the pack animals to go where they need them

[lolalola]

Yes, the article said virtually none of the soldiers have any prior horse experience, let alone mule experience.

[Watermark Farm]

Three day eventing started out as a test of a military mount and evolved into a modern-day competition.

Isn't it interesting that mules, despite their long history with the mounted military, cannot compete in recognized Eventing competitions? They are considered "a distraction" to modern-day event horses.

[JanM]

The Special Forces soldiers were being trained in riding at a location near Woodland Park, CO., and I imagine they still are. There is a great Shriners organization right next to I-25 close to Ft Carson that has a huge mule ride for parades and appearances, and always have a white mule or two in honor of Hambone (the Shriners group supplied the bronze plaque for his grave at his monument on post).

IBW-contact the local mule clubs, since I bet someone would either let them come to their farm and train with their mules or would loan them some mules, and I know they'll help with instructors.

[IBWmassage]

jan- thanks. I'll pass that on. They were previously going TDY to the facility at Carson, but have decided to do some training here.

[Jumping_the_moon]

IBW - I thought there were a couple of mules at the stables at Campbell? I know there were last year. There's a farm just out on 79 too.. can't think of the name. Down towards Dover. They could help too.

[Guilherme]

Mules have been used for saddle work in many armies, but horses are preferred. I suspect the reason is two fold:

First, they were in very great demand as draft and pack animals.

Second, the blind prejudice of cavalry officers.

During the American Civil War a Union command, Wilder's Lightning Brigade, was a force of infantry troops mounted on mules and horses. Mules were used because, at the time, horses were not available in sufficient numbers to supply all the claimants for their services.

Wilder also equipped his force with 7 shot Spencer rifles. He mustered his brigade, took a vote, and the troops voted to obtain the Spencers. He got a loan from his hometown bank in Indiana to buy the weapons and each man had to sign a personal note for $35 for his weapon. This entire affair so embarrassed the Government that it paid for the rifles and no one had to spend their own money.

G.

[JER]

The US military really is half-assed.



(I think mules should be put in charge of all wars. The world would be far more peaceful and much more interesting.)

[jenm]

I'm thinking my three year old mule might be ready for boot camp!

[Albion]

General Crook always rode a mule on campaign during the Indian Wars. I've got a picture somewhere of him, his mule, and his two Apache scouts.

[certifiedgirl]

Three day eventing started out as a test of a military mount and evolved into a modern-day competition.

Isn't it interesting that mules, despite their long history with the mounted military, cannot compete in recognized Eventing competitions? They are considered "a distraction" to modern-day event horses.

You're kidding me???? If they are the easily distracted it sounds like they need some more training! I think mules are really cool, and some are beautiful too, just like some horses are.

Plus, Fenway Bartholomule writes one of my favorite blogs- check it out:

http://www.braysofourlives.com/

That is one smart mule