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Page 1: Mules · 2016-06-05 · Mules in Switzerland Mules in Switzerland g by Rachel Leiterman and Jen Roeser rior to the opening of roads and railroad routes, goods and people were hauled
Page 2: Mules · 2016-06-05 · Mules in Switzerland Mules in Switzerland g by Rachel Leiterman and Jen Roeser rior to the opening of roads and railroad routes, goods and people were hauled

Mules in Switzerland

Mules in Switzerland

by Rachel Leiterman and Jen Roeser

g rior to the opening of roads and railroad routes, goods and people

were hauled through the Swiss Saas Valley, on the backs of mules Alps on mules. In fact, many of as late as 1949. The mule post Switzerland's famous and scenic office in the Saas Valley at one time hiking paths follow historical included up to 120 animals. The mule tracks. Mules were used services of mules to the Swiss Post in the cantons of Ticino, Grison were commemorated in 1987 by and Valais for mail transport. the issuance of a stamp depicting Packages and mail were carried a postman leading a mule laden to the resort of Saas-Fee, in the with packages of letters.

MAULTIER MUSEUM SCHWEIZ

www.maultier-museum .c h

281 COLLECTOR'S MAGAZINE· Mules Around the World

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Page 3: Mules · 2016-06-05 · Mules in Switzerland Mules in Switzerland g by Rachel Leiterman and Jen Roeser rior to the opening of roads and railroad routes, goods and people were hauled

Mules in Switzerland

mountains. His entrepreneurial ideas expanded to include supplying the tourists that carne to the area, hauling freight to construction projects and ultimately constructing bobsled runs, ski jumps and a tourist hotel with lovely sled and coach rides. Today, Diego and Carolin Costa Egelhorn, also natural horsemanship educators, operate the beautiful resort business and training clinics with over 30 horses. Many of them are Freibergers, the Swiss mountain horse, which are often used to produce mules.

Until widespread mechanization, thousands of Today, the number of mules in Switzerland has mules were used in the Swiss Army, to move declined from about 3000 in the 1960s to between soldiers and materials. Though the use of 300 and 500. The Interessengemeinschaft Fur mules declined after World War II, the Swiss Das Maultier, or Swiss Mule Association, Army still purchases horses and · mules for a pack animal company. According to Urs Heer, natural horsemanship educator, mule packer and fan, the Swiss Army purchased 10 new mules in 2016. Like here, the Swiss military is re-invigorating packing with mules as a valid option in the 21st century reality of warfare.

Urs also shared a story of a poor young man, Luigi Costa, who in 1907, left his horne in the south of the country, crossing the Bernina Pass on foot with dreams and big plans. He found a small farm (now the Alpine Museum), purchased mules and began his business of freight hauling and building small huts in the

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MuleDays.org· 2016 MULE DAYS CELEBRATION 129

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Mules in Switzerland

Continued from pg. 29 ---+

organized in 1989, hosts a two-day ride each year in different regions of Switzerland. Last year, an exhibition on mules opened at the Cultural Center Sinsteden in Germany. According to Josefine Jacksch, editor of the Mule Association Magazine, the exhibit is titled "Mules, the Forgotten Heroes." The work of the Swiss association is an incredible project in researching, archiving and collecting the photos, information, relics and articles of use that tell the story of the mule's service in the beautiful mountain country.

The Maultier Museum Schweiz, or Mule Museum of Switzerland, is planned in the town of Turtmann in the canton ofValais. The museum includes a satellite open-air site in Ballenberg,

30 I COLLECTOR'S MAGAZINE· Mules Around the World

at the location of a historical roadhouse which stood on the Gotthard route, one of the main north-south routes for packers across the Alps. To see the museum sites sounds like the perfect reason to take a trip to Switzerland! •

Be sure to check these websites for more incredible information:

The Swiss Mule Museum: www.ig-maultier.ch

Stalla Costa and Natural Horsemanship: www.stalla-costa.ch

Also, watch the film produced by the museum: ''MULl'': www.maultier-film.ch!cmslindexlphp

Urs Heer, Natural Horsemanship, Swiss Army packing and gear: www.uheer.ch

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Page 5: Mules · 2016-06-05 · Mules in Switzerland Mules in Switzerland g by Rachel Leiterman and Jen Roeser rior to the opening of roads and railroad routes, goods and people were hauled

Mules in Switzerland

Chamonix Mulets

The BISHOP LIONS CLUB Welcomes You To

MULE DAYS Pancake Breakfast at the Tri-County Fairgrounds Thursday through Monday.

Includes Sausage, Orange Juice, Coffee, Milk and All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes e~N

Please come out and enjoy! - 7:30 am - 9:30 am - -: Stop hy Leo's Pizza in FoodAlley I

Stop by our Corn Dog and Drink Booth! Corn Dogs • Hot Dogs • Hamburgers • Soft Drinks • Iced Tea • Coffee

7~~! Enjoy yourselves~ and please corne back!

Mu/eOays.org· 2016 MULE DAYS CELEBRATION 131