I too am enjoying this thread. Comcur with a good one (mule)is great and a bad one is really terrible. There is a difference in the folks who grew up in this life out in the world and not just the arena. Arena knowledge is not wrong, but one needs much more for the wildlands.
As far as learning to ride and pack, it would be absolutly great to go with an oldtimer and learn from his (or hers!) decades of knowledge. What they have paid for in blood and calluses is beyond price. The animals you need have to have a very sound mind, and reasonably sound body. And you need to know how to "read" them to know how to handle em. Good luck in this process of learning, it could be very rewarding for you..
My husband is still shoeing all week every week at 67, I am 55, need a knee replaced, but we are sure planning on a Colorado hunting trip for elk this fall. With out our riding/packing mules, we can do it, without, no way.
