274 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Halts. 



Crossing 

 rivers. 



Shoei 



The ordinary distance of which mule transport is capable is 20 to 

 25 miles a day, carrying 160 lbs. and the saddle ; and this only when in 

 gl^ood condition, if the rate is to be maintained for a considerable 

 period. 



After a march, the loads having been removed, the girths should be 

 gradually slackened, unless it is quite certain that the animal's condition 

 is so hard that girth swellings will not result from suddenly releasing the 

 pressure on the skin. 



Halts. — When unsaddled mules should be allowed to roll, a proceeding 

 they thoroughly enjoy and one which rapidly dries the heated back. 

 They are usually shackled by foot shackles with short chains, as they 

 invariably chew ropes. 



They should be grazed wherever this is practicable, and the practice 

 of herding them and teaching them to follow a bell mare is very useful 

 for this purpose. 



The herding of mules, that is, teaching them to graze quietly when 

 turned loose, is paid particular attention to in America, and certainly is 

 a great advantage if it can be done. 



CrossJ?ig rivers. — Mules are good swimmers, and can ford fairly deep 

 streams, but great care must be exercised in fording with loads on, as the 

 animal is top heavy, and if taken out of its depth will probably turn on 

 its side and drown. As a rule loads should be removed unless it is 

 certain that the ford is practicable. In swimming, the same rules as for 

 horses are applicable. 



SJioei7ig. — Wherever the work and roads cause excessive wear of the 

 feet, mules are shod in exactly the same way as horses. Their feet generally 

 are strong, the horn tough, thick and quick growing, so that on unmetalled 

 roads they are frequently worked unshod. In such cases all the attention 

 necessary is to round off the edges of the wall occasionally to prevent 

 it splitting, and to lower the heels or shorten the toes if required, in order 

 to keep the hoof to its proper proportions. As a rule the feet are 

 inclined to grow high at the heels, and this is the point which wants most 

 frequent attention. 



THE DONKEY. 



The 

 donke^'. 



The donkey is for his size an excellent pack animal, and is so 

 employed in many countries including India, Egypt, Somaliland, Persia 

 and China. His pace is slow, compared with the mule, and his load is 

 only 100 lbs. against 160 lbs., but they demand comparatively little 



