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The reins pass from snowless sleigh rides in Colorado to wall tents in Utah’s high country, then straight onto a movie set where a good team might wait hours to hear “action.” We sit down with outfitter and wrangler Randy Melton of Flying J Outfitters to unpack what it really takes to build mule teams that outwork draft horses in the mountains and stay rock-steady under the lights of Hollywood.

Randy shares how he and his wife Alicia juggle guiding hunts in the Uinta Mountains with supplying teams, wagons, and stagecoaches to productions like Horizon and 1923. He opens up about the practical side of breeding—replacing a lost mammoth jack with a young, 16-hand prospect to throw bigger, calmer, hard-footed colts—and why draft-cross, standard-height mules make the best packers when you’re hanging panniers fast at a busy trailhead. We dive into sawbuck versus Decker saddles, double-diamond hitches, packing grain for long camps, and the quiet hero of backcountry logistics: InReach satellite texting.

The stories stretch from a four-up hitch in the Army cavalry detachment to wrangling on set with Kevin Costner and helping a nervous Leonardo DiCaprio relax into a saddle. Along the way, Randy explains why continuity can nix braided tails, why “good mules ain’t cheap and cheap mules ain’t good,” and how patience turns young stock into steady partners that appreciate the word “woe.” If you’ve ever wondered how film-ready teams are made, how outfitters keep remote camps running for weeks, or why seasoned hands choose mules over horses for heavy work, this one’s for you.

Ready to hear the grit, the gear, and the hard-won wisdom behind truly reliable teams? Hit play, subscribe for more conversations from the wagon seat, and share this episode with a friend who loves mules, mountains, or great stories. Your reviews help more folks find the show—what part grabbed you most?

Check out Randy's website - https://www.flyingjoutfitters.com/

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What does it take to ride from Utah to the Atlantic Ocean and back on two Mustangs—and finish with zero lameness? We sit down with Jake of Year of the Mustang for a raw, practical, and heartening look at a 6,000-mile journey powered by faith, preparation, and the sheer grit of two remarkable geldings. From setting a departure date years in advance to trimming pack weight down to the essentials, Jake shows how big goals get real when you put them on the calendar and break them into honest, testable steps.

We dig into the nuts and bolts that long riders and horse owners crave: how to plan routes around public lands, water, and grazing; why packing less can save your horses’ backs; and how Mustangs handle forage changes that would sideline many domestic horses. Jake shares how GPS kept navigation simple, how he shod his own horses on the road with borrowed forges, and why traffic management in the East demanded tough choices—like sending his mare home for safety. He also offers the “rule of tens” for conditioning: don’t attempt ten days if you haven’t nailed two, don’t reach for a month if you haven’t mastered a week.

The story unfolds further as we delve into Mustang genetics, adoption pathways, and the surprising range of types you’ll find across the West—including lines with draft heritage that can suit real work. There are vivid field notes too: a mountain lion standoff by a dark river, bighorn sheep, black bears, a tornado touchdown nearby, and that quiet moment of touching ocean water in New Jersey with the skyline on the horizon. Through it all, the Mustangs’ resilience stands out—healthy weight, strong feet, and steady minds under changing feed, weather, and terrain.

If you’re curious about long-distance horse travel, Mustang adoption, hoof care on the road, or how to turn a “someday” ride into a lived journey, you’ll find hard-won insights and encouragement here. Subscribe for more stories and practical takeaways, share this with a horse‑loving friend, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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https://yearofthemustang.com/en-usd

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Missed us on the road? We’re back with a truckload of stories from 37 states, a wagon train that rolled through Victor’s farm, and a blueprint for a bigger, better year ahead. Between campfire hymns, bluegrass jam sessions, and a few hair-raising roadside lessons, we break down what it takes to keep draft horses and mules steady, safe, and sound when the miles stack up.

We swap highlights from a coast-to-coast run—Florida seafood feasts, Vermont mountain views, a security-guarded night at a busy truck stop—and the small choices that make travel humane for the teams. You’ll hear how we feed and water inside a wide-body trailer, why sleeping near the animals matters, and the simple rest rule that probably saved us. We also map out the clinics we’re planning across the country, focused on practical skills: loading and balance, overnight care, pressure-release timing, mule mindset, and navigating busy environments without lighting a fuse.

Victor opens up about his quarter horse mare that bucked him clean out of the saddle and how getting back on reshaped his training plan. We preview upcoming guest voices—seasoned mule trainers and a rider who drove mustangs across the country—plus a local lens on cattle markets and butchery that grounds the romance of the road in real economics. Along the way, our community shows up in force: fans who became friends, a borrowed fiddle bow that saved a bluegrass set, and a cabin by the barn where travelers can rest and swap stories.

If you love draft horses, mules, wagon trains, and the culture that surrounds them, this one’s for you. Tap play, then leave a rating on Apple or Spotify, subscribe on YouTube at Haste Draft Horses and Mules, and share this episode with a friend who needs a little trail dust in their feed. Your reviews and shares keep this community rolling.

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