Harness Up! with Haste Draft Horses and Mules

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You can learn a lot about animals by watching what they do when nobody is clapping. Sitting in the shop with wagons behind us, we talk with Corey Herschkowitz of the Rubuck Nevada YouTube channel, a day-working cowboy from northern Nevada who lives the miles, the sagebrush, and the early mornings that most people only see on a screen. He is passing through Kentucky to pick up a Clydesdale stud colt, and the conversation quickly turns into a practical, honest look at how working horses are made. 

We dig into the difference between a horse that is “broke,” a horse that is just “tired,” and a horse that is truly gentle because it understands the job. Corey explains why a cowboy’s long hours and unpredictable conditions can build mental toughness that short programs miss, and we swap stories about cutting horses, Thoroughbreds started with real trail miles, and how horses can learn to separate one job from another. If you care about horsemanship, ranch life, and buying a dependable riding horse, these details matter. 

Then it gets personal. We talk about road fatigue, pushing drives too hard, and a life-changing wreck hauling mules that led to months in the hospital, learning to walk again, and leaning on the horse community for support. We also compare mules vs horses, discuss longevity and hardiness, and get into feeding and management topics like hay nets, sand colic, straight alfalfa, and why dry-climate hay is a different product than humid-country hay. 

If you like real stories and usable takeaways from the draft horse, mule, and cowboy world, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who works animals, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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He grew up Old Order Amish with rules so tight they reached all the way down to orange triangles, borrowed phones, and even which animals you were allowed to own. Then Eli Yoder left at 18 believing he was headed for hell, not because he had a perfect plan, but because staying felt like it might destroy him. That tension between fear, freedom, and faith drives one of the most honest conversations we’ve had around Amish culture and what it really means to start over.

We talk through Eli’s background as the grandson of a bishop, the pressure of legalism and shunning, and the strange loopholes outsiders notice, like hiring someone else to drive a vehicle you can legally own. He shares what came after he left: years of partying, drugs, and trying to outrun the weight of what he’d been taught, followed by a hard-won shift toward a relationship-based faith that later became the heart of his online content. If you’ve ever tried to untangle religion from God, or rebuild after a high-control environment, you’ll recognize the questions this raises.

Because this is Harness Up, we also go deep on the horse side: Belgian work horses, plowing, horse and buggy life, Mount Hope auctions, and the secret horse training that brought church consequences down on his family. We even get into mules, harnessing, and the wild explanations some communities use to justify bans. Listen, share this with a friend who loves draft horses, mules, or real-life testimony, and please subscribe and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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You can learn more about a saddle in five minutes with a real saddle maker than in five hours of scrolling. Tonight we’re talking with Reed Veit of Reed Veit Saddlery in Roundup, Montana, a young craftsman building custom saddles and tack for horses and mules and doing it the hard way: one tree, one hide, one careful decision at a time.

We get into what a saddle tree actually is, why the bars and angles matter so much, and why the best trees can take months to show up at your shop door. Reed breaks down how custom saddle building really works, from covering the tree to shaping a rig that fits a specific animal. If you’ve ever wondered why a saddle that “looks fine” can still roll, pinch, or leave your mule sore, this conversation connects the dots with plain language and real shop experience.

Then we tackle the question we hear nonstop in the mule world: do you need a mule saddle? We talk mule conformation, narrower backs, lower withers, and why some folks get away with a horse saddle while others fight tack problems forever. We also swap opinions on steep-country setups like britching versus a crupper, including the safety and pressure-point trade-offs that riders don’t always think about until something goes wrong. Along the way, you’ll hear why the mule community is so tight, plus stories about clinicians, friendships, and the odd way mules can change the whole direction of your life.

If you want to reach Reed, he’s on Facebook and Instagram at Reed Veit Saddlery, and you can also call him at 406-654-7669. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a mule friend, and leave a rating or review so more folks can find Harness Up.

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A lot of people think mules are just “harder horses” until they’ve had one look them in the eye, decide you’re worth trusting, and then follow you like a shadow. That’s where this conversation goes with Jason and Alyssa from Mountain Built, the Idaho creators who turned filming mules, Mustangs, and the backcountry into a full-time YouTube living.

We talk about how Mountain Built started as a simple way to document their life, then slowly grew into a business that now pays the mortgage. Jason and Alyssa share what it’s really like to create equine content, from hauling camera gear into rough country to the hours of editing and voiceover work that viewers never see. We get into the strange and wonderful moment when fans recognize you at mule sales, and how the YouTube community can feel like real-life family.

On the animal side, we dig into green-mule reality: bucking, bolting at cows, confidence building, and why clinics and miles in the saddle change everything. We also talk Mustang adoption and training with their horse Rooster, saddle-fit challenges, DNA test surprises, and what it means to pack out elk with young, learning animals. We finish with practical mule wisdom: toughness, easier care, donkey-leaning versus horse-leaning mules, and why choosing a horse or a mule depends on the individual animal and the rider’s experience.

Subscribe for more real conversations about mules, horses, driving, and the people living it, and if you enjoyed this one, share it with a mule friend and leave a review.

Check out MTN BUILT YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MTN_BUILT

Also, MTN BUILT HUNTS- https://www.youtube.com/@mtnbuilthunts

Buy MTN BUILT Merch HERE - https://mtnbuiltmerch.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoofMEdgHFCZR83vAcryewoB1QswmcNM1ib385Jv0kN2mcC7WLu_

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Eight seconds can hide a lifetime of work, and sometimes it hides an injury that could’ve ended everything. We’re joined by Brody Dent, an 18-year-old PRCA bareback rider from Bend, Oregon, to talk about what it really takes to chase a pro rodeo career when you didn’t grow up in a rodeo family and you’re learning fast on the road. Brody shares how he found mentors, why the rodeo community is more reachable than most people think, and how hearing the right words from the right champion can light a fire. 

Then the conversation turns hard. Brody tells the full story of a major wreck in Deadwood, South Dakota that dislocated his SC joint and pushed his collarbone off his sternum. He finished the ride, tried to look tough for the cameras, and later learned that getting back on too soon could have torn critical arteries in his neck. We talk reconstruction surgery, PRCA sports medicine, physical therapy, and the bigger battle: trusting your body again when your mind keeps replaying the worst moment. If you care about athlete recovery, mental toughness, and faith under pressure, this part will stick with you. 

We also get practical for anyone curious about bareback riding. Brody breaks down the equipment, from bareback rigging and rosin to tape, elbow braces, and what “getting hung up” really means. We dig into bucking horses, why many are big draft crosses, and how rodeo travel works when money, miles, and entries are always on the line. Subscribe for more real conversations from the horse world, share this with a rodeo fan, and leave a review. What’s the toughest comeback you’ve ever had to make?

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Nevada ranching is not a postcard; it is wind, distance, rock, and hard decisions that most people never have to make. Tonight, we sit down with Cory from Roobuck Nevada, a day-working cowboy who hauls his own horses, takes short jobs wherever he is needed, and documents the real thing on YouTube without staging a single moment.

We get into what separates a working horse from a performance horse, why half draft horses are getting popular out West, and how a tough old Mustang can still be the kind of partner you trust when the country gets mean. Cory also lays out the unfiltered mustang conversation: what feral horses do to springs, fences, and rangeland, why some ranches restrict mares, and how the public perception often clashes with life on the ground.

From there, we talk desert grazing and the surprising nutrition hiding in scrubby plants like winterfat, plus the make-or-break reality of western irrigation and water rights. Cory explains how reservoir water, acre-feet, and water shares shape what land is worth, then shifts into calving season, Foothills Abortion, and everyday risks from predators to hunter conflicts on open country.

We finish with money and mindset: cattle prices, cowboy wages, diesel costs, and practical advice for young cowboys and cowgirls who want a real start. If you like straight talk about ranch life, horsemanship, and the modern American cowboy, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more folks can find the show.

Check out Cory's Website - https://roobucknevada.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooWlGlLYnQrtTxPYLtAQJK3E14J_eIRwvTS-YZtSS5Wkh6K5LqU

Subscribe to Cory on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXz6p19rq_rMVuaomZOIxXg

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A reining run can look effortless until you realize what’s happening: a quarter horse moving at full speed, sliding to a stop, spinning with precision, and changing leads on a draped rein without the rider “holding” the horse together. That kind of softness at speed doesn’t come from tricks. It comes from training choices, timing, and a mindset that keeps the horse comfortable enough to be athletic.

We’re joined by Luca Fappani, a Scottsdale, Arizona, reining horse trainer who started his own business at 21 and competes across the country. We talk about the growth of reining through The Last Cowboy and the Run For A Million in Las Vegas, plus how YouTube and social media open the western lifestyle to people who’ve never stepped into a barn. If you’ve ever wondered why these events sell out, why prices and interest have surged, or what makes reining such a spectator sport, this conversation connects the dots.

Then we get into training philosophy and horse care. Luca breaks down the “head down” debate in reining horse training, how relaxation changes posture and performance, and why he starts young horses in a hackamore to build body control before focusing on more direct face pressure. We also talk real-life barn management: balancing show season travel with keeping two-year-olds progressing at home, staffing assistants and grooms, turnout and daily movement, and practical nutrition like alfalfa cubes, grass hay, and individualized grain.

If you enjoy honest talk about horsemanship, performance horses, and the mental game of competition, hit subscribe, share this with a horse friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Check out Luca's website - https://lucafappani.com/

Subscribe to Luca's YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@LucaFappaniPerformanceHorses

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A tough mare, a winter shock, and a door that opened at just the right time—this is how LC Horsemanship found its footing in the heart of Lexington. We sit down with LaRodre to trace his journey from Mississippi’s gaited culture and dirt-road Standardbred racing to the Thoroughbred capital, where attention to detail, patience, and timing rewired his approach to training and business.

We unpack his clear, repeatable process for starting Colts: create quiet, build willingness, and make point-and-go confidence the default. Whether the horse is headed for the track, the show pen, or the ranch, he applies the same foundation and avoids shortcuts that turn into baggage later. He explains why he caps his program at six outside horses, handles every detail himself, and keeps owners informed so progress never stalls. Along the way, we talk race, Colts, first rides, trail exposure, and the difference a calm mind makes when pressure shows up.

Visibility becomes the next frontier. LaRodre shares the struggle to get on camera, why word of mouth has kept him busy, and how simple video habits can scale trust without diluting quality. We trade tips on low-friction tools, the value of weekly training snippets, and why a vlog can connect with horse people and newcomers alike. There’s plenty of Kentucky flavor, too: the electricity of Keeneland week, Road to the Horse, clinic takeaways, and a spirited detour into Lexington food favorites. And yes, we make the case for a good mule as a sure-footed, loyal partner that can anchor the whole program.

If you’re building a horsemanship business, training a young horse, or chasing a steadier seat in the saddle, you’ll leave with practical ideas you can use tomorrow: tighter communication, better routines, honest updates, and a mindset built on readiness. Enjoy the ride, then subscribe, share this with a friend who loves horses, and leave a review to tell us your favorite takeaway.

Check out LaRodra' Cox Website- https://www.lchorsemanship.com/

www.drafthorsesandmulesforsale.com

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Real power doesn’t need glitter. We sit down with Travis and Ashley from southern Illinois to trace a bold move: importing a French Percheron stallion to bring back the old-style draft—shorter, heavier, smarter, and sound from hoof to head. What starts as a love story with a rock-solid mare becomes a cross-Atlantic quest for bone, brains, and better feet.

Walk through their two-week tour of German farms and the French national stud, where selection is stricter, bloodlines span centuries, and stallions must earn their place in the book. They explain how that discipline shows up in the horses: compact frames, minimal feather, round cupped hooves, and calm, teachable minds. Then meet “Nemo,” a dark dapple gray with black legs, 16.1 hands and roughly 1,700 pounds, who rides like a big quarter horse and drives with a quiet, thinking attitude. We cover training choices, why they started him under saddle first, and what makes him a standout for true draft crosses that look the part and work all day.

If you’ve watched hitch trends stretch Percherons taller and narrower, this conversation offers a different path. We unpack registry differences, breeding goals, semen collection and shipping, and color genetics, including plans to test for homozygous gray. There’s a practical through-line for farmers, teamsters, carriage pros, mule lovers, and anyone who wants a versatile half draft with real width and a soft eye. And yes, their imported filly sets the stage for full-French foals registered in both France and the U.S.

Come for the story; stay for the blueprint to revive a working Percheron that fits modern jobs and old values. If you care about sound feet, sane minds, and draft horses that actually draft, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow horse person, and leave a review telling us which old-style traits you want to see return.

For more info on breeding your mare to Nemo De La Noe

 - Contact me at (606) 303-5669 

Thank you for your support, and God Bless You! 

Your friend, Steven D Haste------

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What if logging didn’t churn ruts and diesel smoke, but moved to the rhythm of hooves and a steady voice on the lines? We sit down on the porch with John from Down The Trail Logging, a one-man operation powered by two American Brabant horses, to unpack how low-impact forestry works when you swap a skidder for a team. From the first used harness found on Facebook to moving real board footage in tough markets, John shares the craft behind layout, felling, hitching, and hauling your own loads when the region lacks trucking support.

We get practical about the timber economy—why white oak stays reliable, how black walnut becomes a windfall, and why railroad ties are the quiet backbone of cash flow. John explains the hidden math of horse logging: you can’t waste steps, you need sound, conditioned animals, and you win by showing up when the ground is wet and machines sit out. Safety and faith ground the work. We talk about tragedy in the woods, a life-changing highway crash, and the daily habits—prayer, planning escape paths, and honest self-checks—that keep a teamster around for tomorrow.

Community weaves through the story. YouTube began as proof that the work is real and became a bridge for landowners, city listeners, and old hands who miss the feel of lines in their palms. We trade notes on clinics, mentors who teach with clarity, and why beginners shouldn’t expect young stock to pay the bills until they’re fit for it. Above all, we come back to balance: doing right by the woods, the landowner, the mill, the horses, and yourself. If you’re curious about draft horses, low-impact logging, and the blend of grit and grace it takes to make a living this way, this porch chat will stick with you.

If this conversation moved you, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend who loves horses or forestry, and leave a review to help more folks find the show.

Check out our website - https://drafthorsesandmulesforsale.com/

Subscribe to Down The Trail Logging on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@downthetraillogging/videos

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