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Don and Patty Jo Schmalz decided to raise
mules for a business many years ago when they were outfitting and
guiding in the Yellowstone/Cody area of Northwest Wyoming! The Western
Horseman Magazine, and other noted magazines, many many times featured
Don's famous "Black Mule String" that sometimes had as many as 12-16
mules in it, as they carried camp, duffel, game meat, and about anything
you could "throw at them", over hundreds of miles of wilderness trails!
After 37 years of packing and riding the backcountry trails of the
Absaroka, Washakie, and Yellowstone Backcountry and Wilderness, they
decided to call it quits a few years ago and do something they had
always wanted to do! RAISING MULES!! The mules they are raising are not really being raised for
packing as many of their ancestors were, but as trim, fine-featured
RIDING AND SHOW MULES! It took a few years to get to the point they are
now and they are just coming into the first year of "fine riding
stock"! They have 3 year olds, 2 year olds, yearlings, and a new crop of
this years colts to choose from! Some people like to do ALL the training
themselves-thus, not wanting anyone else to "mess" with their mule! The Schmalz's will start them-help gentle and halter break them- and turn
them over to you if that is what you want! If it is advanced training
you want, they have excellent trainers in the valley who will turn them
into champions! Longtime best friend Tanya Tucker owns three mules
that they are keeping at the ranch and training for her! So stop on by
and visit with Don and Patty Jo about their Mountain Mules.
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 Patty Jo "lovin' up"
one of her babies.
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Don showing
"The Tennessee Mule Artist",
Bonnie Shields, one of their
prize babies. |
