West Elk Equine

02/14/2025

Filling Yondu’s trough may not be the most efficient task on the Ranch, but it's certainly one of the most entertaining

02/10/2025

Between 1883 and 1889, a 20-mule team made the arduous 165-mile journey out of Death Valley and across the desert to the railhead in Mojave, California, hauling 10 short tons of sodium borate per trip.

The wagons' rear wheels, towering at seven feet, and were reinforced with 1-inch-thick iron tires. The solid oak wagon beds measured 16 feet in length and 6 feet in depth, with an empty weight of 7,800 pounds. The entire convoy stretched over 180 feet, comprising of three wagons: the first acted as a trailer, the second was the "tender" or "back action," and the last served as the water wagon.

When fully loaded, the mule train weighed around 73,200 pounds. The water tank, which held 1,200 US gallons, provided the mules with the necessary water to sustain them throughout the journey. During the summer months, an additional 500-gallon water wagon was added for dry camps along the route.

Over six years, the 20-mule teams successfully transported more than 20 million pounds (10,000 tons) of borax out of Death Valley.

There were two horses that also made up the team. They were closest to the wagon, known as wheelers, and were ridden by one of the two teamsters required to operate the wagons. Though larger than the mules, the horses were less intelligent and less adapted to the harsh desert conditions. Mules, on the other hand, were favored for desert freighting, as described in Remi Nadeau's Nadeau's Freighting Teams in the Mojave.

The teamster controlled the mules using a single long rein, known as a "jerk line," and a blacksnake whip. He usually rode the left wheeler but could also manage the team from the trailer seat, especially when navigating steep descents. The swamper, who typically rode on the trailer, operated the brake on hilly terrain. Armed with a can of small rocks, the swamper could nudge any sluggish mules back to work.

Both men were responsible for preparing the team, taking care of the mules' needs, and addressing any repairs or veterinary issues. During midday breaks, the mules were fed and watered while still harnessed, while night stops included corrals and feed boxes.

Each day's journey averaged about 17 miles, with the entire one-way trip taking around ten days. Cabins were built along the way for overnight stops for the teamsters and swampers to rest.

In 1894, a steam engine named "Dinah" was brought in to replace the mules. However, Dinah proved to be no match for durability and dependability of the epic 20 mule team's power. She broke down and was towed back to town by the very mules she tried to replace.

And yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is where the brand known to this day as - 20 Mule Team Borax - began its humble origins.

02/08/2025

UNDER CONTRACT Rosalina is a sweet 14.1hh experienced pack mule who is also green-broke to ride. She is a great pack animal and has carried camps and game many, many miles. She is comfortable in a string in any position. She is 8 years old and easy to handle. She is green under saddle, but she just needs more miles and confidence building. This mule is easy to work with and very friendly once she is bonded with you. She was challenging to catch when I first got her and now she comes to greet me in the pasture. She has a lovely kind face and she will make a fantastic riding mule with a few more wet saddle pads. She has no dangerous habits, no buck, bolt, or rear. She is currently more confident riding with other animals than alone but she has made great progress. I am only selling her green as I have too many projects at the moment, but I am happy to continue training her and list her for more if I don’t find her the right home now. Available now to an excellent home for 4️⃣🥕🥕🥕Located in Gunnison, Colorado.

02/08/2025

I call this video 360° of pain. I mostly captured my first fall off Groot my longhorn steer with a 360 camera yesterday. Groot ran into a snowbank and went down on his knees, and I went up and over his head between his horns. My loyal boy at least stood by me while regained my composure 🤣.

02/07/2025

Groot was feeling extra fresh today and decided to takeoff and run towards a snowbank and proceeded to trip and fall. I went over his head between his horns and had the wind knocked out of me. I’m hoping I caught the fall on the 360 camera I had along for the ride 🤣

02/05/2025

02/04/2025

Shrimp Fishing on Horseback for 700 Years

For nearly 700 years, the shrimpers of Oostduinkerke, Belgium, have been training draft horses to help them pursue the local catch. Typically weighing more than 2,000 pounds, these horses are well suited to the task of carrying fishermen through the cold waters of the North Sea. Yet despite its historical importance, Oostduinkerke is the last place on Earth to use this traditional form of fishing. Currently, just 19 or so fishermen continue the practice.

Shrimp fishing on horseback is one of the most difficult fishing practices in history as it requires mastery of both large horses and tiny shrimp. A “paardenvisser” walks a horse parallel to the sea about 100 meters from the shore dragging a large net with a metal chain that « scares » grey shrimp into the net. The Brabant draft horses are large and powerful while the shrimp are a delicate delicacy in Belgian cuisine.

02/03/2025

June is a phenomenal 15.1hh spotted mammoth donkey Jenny that is approximately 12 years old. She has had two gorgeous foals and this year’s c**t we are retaining as our next breeding jack. She is a great and attentive mom, and I have never encountered another spotted Jenny of her size and quality. She is confirmed in-foal to our mammoth jack Lake Nowhere Judah for June mammoth donkey foal. She comes with a live foal guarantee on that foal. She is a bit standoffish when compared to my other donkeys, but you can easily catch her in a pasture; she is easy to trim, breed, and handle. She has not been saddle-trained but would make a fantastic saddle donkey and turn heads everywhere she goes. I would be willing to start her lightly since she is bred for an additional fee. She moves like a horse; she is forward-moving, and has a stunning and very thick build. She is built like a mammoth jack. I am sitting firm at 1️⃣5️⃣🥕🥕🥕on her as my jack c**ts have been selling for 🔟k and my jennies for 8️⃣k-🔟k. This is a two-for-one deal, and I would rather keep her and foal her out than sell her for much less than she and her foal are worth.

I am listing a handful of phenomenal animals to take a little off my overflowing plate and make more time for my family! This girl gives me heartburn to list, so you’ll need to take her off my hands before I change my mind. I will be selective about her home and she must go to a home with at least one other donkey. I am not interested in haggling on her price because she’s worth every penny, and I have never met another Jenny who is her equal. The only reason I am listing her is that I am keeping her son as my up-and-coming spotted jack c**t, and I plan on using him to breed my jennies moving forward. We had multiple offers on this c**t so there will be no issue selling her foal. PM me for more details. Located in Gunnison Colorado. We can assist with booking shipping.

02/02/2025

Baby is always laying at least halfway out of her bed 🤣

02/02/2025

Western day at Isabelle’s school wasn't too hard to pull off. I was the only parent who dressed up 🤣.

02/01/2025

Yondu is coming along so nicely. I adore this camel.

02/01/2025

Our foster fail Baby has brought so much joy and comedy into our lives ♥️

01/31/2025

Strange love! Yondu and Clancy are sooo weird. At least they are both members of the camelid family? 🤷🏻‍♀️

01/31/2025

How Groot managed to mold a turd around his ox k**b is beyond me