If you are going to be packing a horse or mule make sure and get a quality decker pack saddle. I prefer the Ray Holes deckers. With them or at least the old ones you can heat the brass bars bend them out a little and throw a saddle blanket on them and ride them like a regular saddle(a little rough) better than bare back.
With the decker if your horse or mule is high withered you will need an extra heavy/thick saddle blanket and the part that you put over the withers will need to be cut out so the withers aren't rubbed raw. Had that happen on one of my old horses long ago. Once I started using the extra blanket with the slot cut out no more problems.

Boulder Tuff, all these guys have gave you some dang good advise, I will try to add to it a little, if you can find a outfitter or guide to kinda hang out with for a couple seasons would be great, tell them you will work hard for them just to learn from them, set up camp, tare down and pack up, cook, do dish's , feed hounds, tack up the riding stock anything to keep you in the woods with them and listen and learn , to some this is hard work, to guys like us its just part of the deal, part of the hunt, at 18 years old , just call it working your way thru college , your goals may not be outfitting or guiding , but in the real world when you do this kind of hunting with horses and mules just for pleasure you will find yourself doing all the things I have listed in this post. Useing the right stuff will no longer be a issue , you will know after a couple seasons with these guys what will work and what will be a waste of money and time, heck I'll be on here asking you what to use and I'am 3 times your age, ha ha , no I've been there and done that and I'am to old to go back, but I wish you the best and if your mad dog tuff and hang with it the rewards can't even be put into words. when your old and in the rocking chair all the hunts all the bears all the lion's all the rivers all the mountains , its all in your head and nobody can take that from you , you did it and made the memory's now enjoy it and tell your grandkids about the time etc. etc .