hooves are the Devil’s play- ground.” After an adjustment or two, we were well on our way without further delay.


At the two-mile marker, there had been


a forest fire the previous year along the trail. The mules had been there to gather the gear of a trail crew that had to evacuate because of the fire. At that time the ground and stumps were still smoldering, so this area was familiar and proved to be no prob- lem in spite of the “black boogers.” Just as we left the burned area, my


riding mule did a little jig, which is rather unusual. As I looked back, the mule pack string, as well as Julie, were also dancing and prancing. I could see a few of those little devils of the woods — wasps! Wasps are not really uncommon to the mountains, but I thought that the cool weather would make them lazy. We have two main types of wasps in the moun- tains: one is the yellowjacket variety and the other is the dreaded bald-faced hornet. They call it bald faced because of a white face on the black body, and they are ca- pable of multiple stings.


Both kinds may live above ground, but


yellowjackets usually live below ground and they may attack when they sense the vibrations of the animals above. Most of


As I looked back, the mule pack string, as well as Julie, were also dancing and prancing.


the time with yellowjackets there will be a few stings and attacks, and as you move away they will not follow. On the other hand, bald-faced hornets were born with the attitude of a one-eyed snake with bad eyesight and a toothache. Well, at this point I surmised that


these were the yellowjacket variety, and we went on without too much a-do. A couple of mules and dogs got stung, but we had no real problems.


I was in the lead with my set of mules, along with the U.S.F.S. packer, and near- ing the first pack bridge while Julie and the dogs were behind us. Perhaps everyone has heard the terms


“Rolling Thunder” or “Sounds like a Freight Train” or “Stampede”? I suggest that you avoid these sounds at all costs, as they cannot do you any benefit at any time in your life! Those are exactly the sounds that I heard just before my riding mule and the pack string got blindsided. It seems unbelievable that mules can go


from a sedate four-mile-per hour pace to thirty-miles-per-hour in less than ten feet! Both Julie and I were suddenly in the


middle of a very serious situation — mule and horse panic! Four mules with packs passed me while we were trying to navi- gate the steep, rocky, tree-lined trail that we were no longer on. The reality of terrible speed, tree branches in your face, bashed legs from pack mules passing and pushing your mount were the order and terror of the


continued on page 34.....


Rocky Mountain Breeders Association Where a successful future begins


Production, Performance & Ranch Horse Sale


Saturday, August 24, 2013 Preview 11 a.m • Sale 1 p.m. Deer Lodge, Montana


Blue Ribbon Pavilion at Fairgrounds


40+ Head AQHA Performance-bred Horses — Weanlings, Yearlings, Broodmares, Riding Horses


Saturday, August 24 RMBA Horse Show & Offspring Incentive Classes • 8 am


Sunday, August 25


Open Horse Show • 9 am Ranch Horse Competition • 10 am


For more information: 406-866-3434 Catalog online: montanarmba.org


10 ROCKY MOUNTAIN RIDER • JULY 2013


PO Box 129 Ulm MT 59485


July 13 - Ranch Horse Competition • Circle L Arena, Bozeman, MT


2013 RMBA Events


Jul 25-27 - Ken McNabb Horsemanship Clinic • Belgrade, MT


Jul 26-27 - Round Pen Shoot Out • Circle L Arena, Bozeman, MT


Jul 28 - Ranch Horse Competition • Circle L Arena, Bozeman, MT


Aug 09-10 - Round Pen Shoot Out & Ranch Horse Competition • Ronan, MT


Aug 31 - Ranch Horse Competition • Fairgrounds, Plains, MT


Join RMBA


Fun for the whole family at Ranch Horse Competitions, Shows, Rodeos and Clinics April-September


Memberships are only $50 per ranch or family


Youth memberships only $20 www.rockymountainrider.com RMR


13th Annual


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