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a horse of proportionate size ; he is utterly incapable of carr^^ng 

 so great burdens as some have represented, even if loaded and 

 attended by experienced packers,— particularly if the journey is 

 to be continuous and the roads are at all heavy ; his powers of 

 endurance are not greater than those of the hardier kind of 

 horses; he will consume as much food as a horse of proportionate 

 size, if required to do like work and to maintain a like condition; 

 and as to care, he can do without it — so can a horse — but both 

 fail thereby of that eminent thriftiness, sprightliness and longevity 

 which is expected of animals to which it is extended. 



On the other hand, and to his discredit, it is commonly thought 

 that he is naturally vicious, and wholly incapable of appreciating 

 kindly treatment— that the only way to control him is by violence. 

 Hence, those who handle him generally feel as though they are jus- 

 tifiable in whipping, beating, kicking and w^hatsoever other cruelties 

 they may choose to inflict. This is a grievous, foolish and wicked 

 mistake. The mule has one means of defense, and his heels are 

 dangerous to those who wantonly provoke or startle him and 

 place themselves in his way. His long ears are sensitive, and by 

 roughly handling them his combativeness is easily aroused, and 

 distrust is awakened to that degree that renders him almost un- 

 manageable. Yet, the mule mav be so raised and trained as to 

 make him gentle, obedient, even aflfectionateand ready to follow his 

 master like a dog— so trusty that only the one always necessary pre- 

 caution need be observed in dealing with him — to keep out of the 

 way of his heels, which he throws out as instinctively when 

 startled, irritated or approached by a stranger, as a cat thrusts 

 out her claws. It has been remarked that "when a mule gets 

 perfectly gentle, he is unfit for service:" and that, taken in con- 

 nection with the prevailing method of training him. is doubtless 

 true ; but there is a better way, and, if followed, it would result 

 as we have stated above. 



Kow, while the mule is not adapted to everything, and endowed 

 with powers that are adequate to endure starvation and brutal 

 treatment while in the performance of hard and faithful service, 

 he is admirabh' calculated to meet manj^ of the wants of individuals 

 and cornorations ; and his breeding, rearing and training are 



