THE MULE 197 



Poitou mules are celebrated for the shortness and stoutness of 

 their legs, with superior bone and unusually large and finely 

 formed feet. 



The best type of mule must show the general excellent con- 

 formation of the horse in symmetry of form. The body tends 

 to be more cylindrical and smaller than in the horse, but a 

 capacious body is desirable rather than otherwise, though paunchi- 

 ness is objectionable. The nearer the general body conformation 

 approaches that of the superior draft horse, the more completely 

 will the mule suit the demands of the critical trade. In the 

 show ring those mules which meet with marked favor possess 

 the horse form in greatest degree. Legs of superior quality are 

 fine and hard, the bone very smooth and dense, the tendons 

 prominent, and the muscles well developed. The feet of the 

 mule are smaller and longer than those of the horse, and the 

 arch of the foot is greater. In general, the mule is distinguished 

 for superior feet and legs. 



The temperament of the mule is quiet and patient, while for 

 steadiness under the collar and hard pulling he has no equal in 

 the equine world. However, the mule should show an active 

 temperament, with sprightly carriage and style. It has been 

 common to regard the mule as given to kicking, but this is not 

 based on fact, for mules are no worse than horses in this respect. 

 Horses are more nervous and uncertain in temperament than 

 mules and are more subject to fright and consequent runaway. 



The color of the mule is variable, though black, brown, and 

 bay are most common. Besides these, various shades of gray, 

 white, sorrel or chestnut, and buckskin-yellow occur. On the 

 Kansas City market in recent years, according to good authority, 

 the highest-priced draft mule, everything being equal, is the steel 

 gray, red sorrel ranking second, and black third. 



The endurance of the mule is remarkable. It is worked under 

 the severest conditions and shows great power of resistance to 

 fatigue. Tegetmeier quotes from a Texas correspondent : 



Six mules, the leaders no larger than ponies, will take 6000 to 7000 pounds 

 anywhere, making fifteen to thirty miles a day according to the state of the 

 roads, and I have known a team in summer driven fifty miles, with 1000 

 pounds a head of load, to reach water, and not appear to suffer. 



