THE MULE. 833 



And yet some of the very traits that are so much decried in the mule, are the very best 

 traits that either mule or horse could possess. What is wanted, is to train a mule up prop 

 erly in the way it should go, and rny word for it, when it is old it will not depart from it. 

 We should use kindness instead of abuse, arid there would seldom be any kicking or biting, 

 and the mule will learn far quicker than most horses what is wanted. Mules are naturally 

 very timid animals, and have a great deal of curiosity. The latter trait I have often observed 

 in driving a number of loose mules along the public highway. They will stop and notice 

 every strange object along the road, and will, occasionally, turn off on &quot;by- roads to gaze at 

 something, and yet, to show how quickly they learn, and how easily managed, after a day s 

 driving, a few calls from the driver will generally bring them back to the main road. Some, 

 occasionally, are very roguish, and seem to take a delight in running far enough away from 

 the drove to cause the driver some uneasiness, but, with a little patience and firmness, they 

 are soon broken of the habit. Mules have also a very affectionate disposition, but one pecu 

 liarity of theirs (and this same trait is peculiar to the elephant) is that of remembering and 

 resenting an injury; therefore, the more quietly we go about handling and breaking them, 

 the less trouble we will have with them, and the less disposition they will ever possess to kick 

 at any one. A showman once announced, whilst performing his bear, that he broke him with 

 kindness, adding and a club. My advice in breaking mules is, be sure to adopt the kind 

 ness part of it, but, under no circumstances, use the club. Many a mule is spoiled by ignorant 

 and thoughtless persons seizing it by the ear and holding on to that sensitive organ until the 

 mule becomes so much afraid that it is almost impossible to bridle it. Some can never be 

 entirely cured of the timidity thus produced.&quot; 



Hon. J. B. Smith, of Pennsylvania, says: &quot;I had the pleasure, once, of owning a pair of 

 mules. I bought them when they were two years old, and made up my mind that they could 

 be broken the same as a horse, if treated in the same way. I got a friend to assist, and we 

 went to work and broke them the same as colts, using them kindly; and a better pair of 

 mules never were used. Any one could drive them. I could hitch them into a buggy 

 together, and they would go well. All you would have to say was go. A mule lives on 

 less than a horse, does more work, and is less liable to die. 



&quot; In our minds they are very valuable. We drive one into a gang-way half a mile, taking 

 a light for loading. After the car is loaded and the mule started, he will find his way out 

 over the proper track without any light at all. Then all you have to do is to start him again, 

 and he will go back to where they are mining. I believe the mule should have the same 

 treatment as the horse, and then he will have as kind a disposition. If you whip and scold 

 him every time he does anything wrong, and make a scape-goat of him generally, in course 

 of time he will not mind anybody, not even yourself. But if you treat him right, he will do 

 right in return.&quot; 



We lay it down as a general principle, that any animal is far more valuable for service of 

 any kind, and hence worth more money, for simply the kind and humane treatment it has 

 received from birth to maturity, and that much-abused animal, the mule, is no exception to 

 this principle. 



Shoeing. All that has been said with reference to the shoeing of horses applies with 

 equal force to the shoeing of mules, the half-brother of the horse. Do not permit the frog 

 or sole of the foot of the mule to be cut, any more than that of the horse, for it will be sure 

 to bring injury to the feet sooner or later. If a mule is troublesome about being shod, blind 

 fold him by putting a bandage before his eyes, and he will generally yield. Timidity and 

 fear of being harmed will generally be the cause of resistance in such cases, rather than 

 obstinacy. When they cease to fear man, and have confidence in his kind intentions, they 

 will use their heels and teeth less in self-defence, and prove less shy and willful. 



Diseases of the Mule. For treatment of diseases of mules, sec DISEASES OF THE 

 HORSE, since all remedial agencies apply equally well to both animals. 



