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Mule-Packing Clinic
Gain Confidence, Experience and Safety!
Hello Trail Riders,
You'll learn the art of mule packing and mountain riding. All the techniques for safe and knowledgeable handling of mules and guiding them through wild country. The most comprehensive mule-packing course in America, guaranteed.

The goal of this clinic is to enable you to begin mule packing on your own —


with confidence, experience and safety! The techniques are simple and easy to learn — no complicated hitches or expensive gear. I have professionally guided recreational & hunting pack trips in America's southwest for over 20 years. — Jim Mater
Day One — Ground Work at U-Trail Ranch
Mule Packing Techniques
Partnership with your riding animal, training the horse and rider, riding from the heart, safety and first-aid.
Pack Animals
Meet the pack animal, saddling, gear preparation, loading the animals, hitches and knots, trail guiding a pack string and safety tips.
Camping
Overnight highlining, camp set-up, feeding and watering, equine first aid kits. Plus National Forest Service's Leave-No-Trace principals.
Day Two — Wilderness Overnight Experience
Each rider saddles and packs their riding and packing animal. Student guides pack animals to a wilderness overnight camp. We set up camp and continue wilderness training.
Day Three — Return to U-Trail Ranch
We break camp, pack up, saddle and load the pack animals. We return to the trailhead. A full day of training and experience.
Three-Day Clinic includes all training, lodging, food and working mules/riding animals.
Price: $195.00 Per Day, plus 8.50% tax.
 
Jim Mater's Credentials
  • Conducted commercial wilderness pack trips for over 20 years within the Gila and Blue Wilderness in southwest New Mexico
  • Completed U.S. Forest Service Outfitting/Guide School
  • Led two expeditions for National Geographic magazine
  • Trained horses and mules for commercial riding and packing work
  • Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster
  • Conducted countless elk hunting trips
  • Trained hundreds of riders and riding animals for specific skills in mountain and rough terrain riding


Contact Info
 
Just thought I would drop you a line to say thanks for a wonderful wilderness clinic. I really enjoyed learning about packing. I was really impressed by the knowledge and expertise and the work involved in such a clinic.   

— Dave Kitchen, Holt, MO