20 Mule Wagon Train 

This is one of my favorite videos of all time

Cool. In the California mountains north of LA back around 1910, my Grandfather (a young man at the time) used to run a 24 -28 horse drawn jerkline team through the mountains hauling freight from town to town. He used to scoff at the 24 mule team show in the 50's. The freighters used to have several bells mounted on the collars of the leaders to warn anyone coming the other way about their presence. If they ever wrecked, and another teamster came along and helped them out, they had to give their bells to the helper. Getting into town, or camp without bells was considered to be a very embarrassing thing, as it showed you to not be up to the standards of good teamster, as you couldn't haul freight without wrecking. That's where the old saying, " I'll be there with bells on," comes from.

Wow! Very impressive! A lot of people underestimate how smart mules are. That must have taken a lot of training to get them to each know their job so well. Very neat!

I can't even imagine what it's like controlling all of them!!! Especially when they are first matched! Great stuff!!! Thanks! 😃👍

Only way to get a long rig like that around sharp turns. Awesome.

What a great image of 'history in motion'! Love it!

Wow, wow, wow, fantastic post!

@auctionnnnut Glad you liked the video! If you go to Bishop Mule Days in Bishop, CA this spring, you will see the hitch perform. I know there are plenty of good mule teamsters in TX; just check around. But Bobby is the only one I know of doing the 20 mule jerk line hitch.

THAT was interesting.... I was a bit confused until I read why the mules were jumping. At first I thought they were being naughty...... And now that I know why, I am even more amazed! I have just started my research on Mules in preparation to buy one. The more I learn, the more I can't wait to get one. Wonderful Video! Thanks!

I drove the Smiser Mules in the 80's. You had the mules jump the chain to keep tension on the chain when making a turn. Two pairs would jump the chain & pull on it . When the turn was completed they'd jump back into position.

Nice, My mom works for Coyote Mule Co. I can't wait for my next trip south.

The lead horse farted The swing horse spring And the wheeler sh%t on the wagon tounge !

Wow! Those are well-trained mules!!

This is awesome! Regards from Poland!

Mules are amazingly smart. I think Bobby - the muleskinner who trained these mules - would tell you that it takes several months for a mule to get the hang of it, pull with the rest of the team - and the ones who have to jump do take a little time to get it - and the other amazing thing is they all respond to voice commands - when they hear their names called out.

Mules Are Awesome!

Simply Amazing!!

Great team of mules!

Thanks for posting video.

Mules. . . we love 'em, but sometimes they can be contrary souls. Just goes to show you how easily a mule gets bored hahaha.

Why do they jump over the middle line? Should they do this or whats the reason?

@alpha18412 Mules are smarter than horses and actually smarter than a lot of people. :) Once they pick up something they don't forget it. I find them easier to train than horses.

Powers to the mules

how do you steer them lol? I've never driven anything, just rode..

I was wondering how much would be to make a cowboy chuckwagon

Hi guys i love this!!! is there a leader among them???

Who trained them mules?

I have seen this before. I wouild like to see a horse be able and smart enough to do that! Amazing. I am in the wrong part of the country!

is this buy circle MT

Not being a muleteer I had to watch this three times before I figured out what was happening. Amazing. How long does it take to train a supposedly dumb animal to understand that concept?

why mule ? why not ox

Que merda é essa?

maltreatment

Mules Are Awesome!