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OK - this is an excellent manual for the would be Mule Skinner.
About 7 years ago, I had my Dad read and comment to me this manual. He said the basics were there and there was a lot of info in it he had had to learn on his own.
Dad was born in 1917 and when he was 12-15 years old, he Cowboy'd with for his boyhood friend Dad on their ranch. This is before most houses in the country (and a good many in small towns) had electricity. The summers between the 6th/7th grade and 7th/8th grade I Cowboy'd on the same ranch. I learned a lot. I learned that Dad knew a lot. Until Sept 30 last year, He was my source for all things Cowboy.
One thing he did say was, "Reading this book won't make anyone a mule skinner."
FM 3-05.213 (FM 31-27)
Special Forces Use of Pack Animals
JUNE 2004
From the Preface:
About 7 years ago, I had my Dad read and comment to me this manual. He said the basics were there and there was a lot of info in it he had had to learn on his own.
Dad was born in 1917 and when he was 12-15 years old, he Cowboy'd with for his boyhood friend Dad on their ranch. This is before most houses in the country (and a good many in small towns) had electricity. The summers between the 6th/7th grade and 7th/8th grade I Cowboy'd on the same ranch. I learned a lot. I learned that Dad knew a lot. Until Sept 30 last year, He was my source for all things Cowboy.
One thing he did say was, "Reading this book won't make anyone a mule skinner."
FM 3-05.213 (FM 31-27)
Special Forces Use of Pack Animals
JUNE 2004
From the Preface:
Field manual (FM) 3-05.213 is a guide for Special Forces (SF) personnel to use when conducting training or combat situations using pack animals. It is not a substitute for training with pack animals in the field. This manual provides the techniques of animal pack transport and for organizing and operating pack animal units. It captures some of the expertise and techniques that have been lost in the United States (U.S.) Army over the last 50 years. Care, feeding, and veterinary medicine constitute a considerable portion of the manual; however, this material is not intended as a substitute for veterinary expertise nor will it make a veterinarian out of the reader. SF personnel must have a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, common injuries, diseases (particularly of the feet), feeding, watering, and packing loads to properly care for the animals and to avoid abusing them from overloading or overworking.
Though many types of beasts of burden may be used for pack transportation, this manual focuses on horses, mules, donkeys, and a few other animals. One cannot learn how to pack an animal by reading; there is no substitute for having a horse or mule while practicing how to load a packsaddle for military operations. However, the manual is useful for anyone going into an environment where these skills are applicable.
The most common measurements used in pack animal operations are expressed throughout the text and in many cases are U.S. standard terms rather than metric. Appendix A consists of conversion tables that may be used when mission requirements or environments change.
Though many types of beasts of burden may be used for pack transportation, this manual focuses on horses, mules, donkeys, and a few other animals. One cannot learn how to pack an animal by reading; there is no substitute for having a horse or mule while practicing how to load a packsaddle for military operations. However, the manual is useful for anyone going into an environment where these skills are applicable.
The most common measurements used in pack animal operations are expressed throughout the text and in many cases are U.S. standard terms rather than metric. Appendix A consists of conversion tables that may be used when mission requirements or environments change.
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