CHAPTER XXXVITI 

 THE MULE 



The various breeds of the ass belong to one species known as 

 Equus asinus. The various breeds of the horse belong to a distinct 

 species known as Equus cahallus. The male ass is called a "jack," 

 and the female a "jennet." The cross of a jack on a mare produces 

 a hybrid known as a "mule." The cross of a stallion on a jennet pro- 

 duces a hybrid known as a "hinny." Although it is often stated that 

 the hinny and mule differ in appearance, the hinny tending to be more 

 like a horse and the mule tending more toward the type of a jack, 

 there is no difference in type and appearance between them. Very 

 few hinnies are produced, as jennets are in such demand for producing 

 jacks that they are seldom bred to stallions. Mules and hinnies do 

 not breed, being infertile. As the saying goes, "the mule has no pride 

 of ancestry, and no hope of posterity." 



The ass has no foretop and he has a rat-like tail, flat thighs, rather 

 flat sides, and a long middle. He lacks the full, rounding, short middle, 

 and full thighs of the horse. He has a longer back and loin and shorter 

 croup than the horse, and the croup is often drooping. Many are 

 sickled in hocks and cow hocked. Light quarters and gaskins and 

 rough hips are common. ^ The feet are smaller and narrower than 

 those of the horse. 



Breeds of jacks. — A number of breeds have been imported to the 

 United States, including the Catalonian, Poitou, Maltese, Andalusian, 

 Majorcan, and Italian. American breeders have made various crosses 

 of these breeds and have developed by selection the so-called American 

 Jack, which may be considered a distinct breed. Importations of 

 foreign breeds are no longer made. 



American breeders have selected for size, weight, bone, style, action, 

 constitution, and finish. The present standard calls for 15.2 hands or 

 over for jacks and 15 hands or over for jennets. Prices up to $5,000 

 have been paid by American breeders for American-bred jacks. There 

 is a strong demand for high-class jacks for both jack production and 

 mule production. 



Best type of jack. — The best jack for mule breeding is one having 

 as much size, weight, and substance as possible, without coarseness. 

 He should stand 16 hands or over. Very few jacks exceed 16-1 hands 



1 Anderson and Hooper: American Jack Stock and Mule Production, Ky. Bui. 

 212. 



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