Being a continuation of our First Person article on the adventures on mule back of a California community banker

By Ashley Bray, contributing editor

To some, mule-packing and riding may seem like a leftover from days gone by. And while it's true that mules come with a rich history, it's a history that's very much continuing into the present day.

But why mules and not horses? James Holly, president and CEO of $1.4 billon-assets Bank of the Sierra, Porterville, Calif., explains that they are built better-physically and mentally-for traveling in the mountains. Mules have harder hooves that are smaller and are a better fit for narrow, rocky trails. The animals are also narrower in the shoulders and stronger pound for pound.

But one of the biggest benefits is that a mule's disposition is better suited to travel. Bred from a horse, which is a flight animal, and a donkey, which is a stand-and-fight animal, the mule ends up with the best of both temperaments. It is overall a less anxious and more sure-footed animal. "The way I describe a mule is that they have this built-in disinclination to hurt themselves," says Holly. "And that's where this ‘stubborn as a mule' thing comes in. It's beyond being stubborn-they're just smarter."

And breeders have become smarter, as well. In the past, a marginal mare/horse was bred with a donkey to produce a mediocre mule. Now, things have changed. "I think in the last 40 years we've taken really good quality mares from all the traditional horse breeds," says Holly.

For example, a large horse such as a Clydesdale is bred to create a working mule, and a smaller, Quarter Horse is used to breed smaller-boned, riding mules. Three of Holly's four mules are bred from Quarter Horses.

As breeders have improved, so too has the community surrounding mules. Enthusiasts can attend a number of shows throughout the year. One of the largest is Mule Days, held on Memorial Day weekend in Bishop, Calif., with more than 30,000 attendees. There are also two national, monthly magazines dedicated to all things mules-Western Mule Magazine and Mules and More-and Holly subscribes to both.

With such a community surrounding mules, it's easy to understand why mule packing and riding can become more than just a hobby. For Holly, it's the only way to travel in the mountains that make up his backyard.

<< First Person: Why walk when you can ride?

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