312 



THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



Mules are subject to a general prejudice which militates 

 against them in all but limited parts of this country, and on 

 account of this it is difficult to secure competent drivers for them. 



The mule is usually more sagacious than the horse, and is 

 scarcely less responsive to proper treatment, yet the idea prevails 

 that whatever service is gotten out of him must be knocked out, 

 the black-snake whip and gag bit being considered essential fea- 

 tures of mule team appointments. 



Fig. 171. — A Kentucky jack of the aize, aubaiauv^ 



iiiuie bfcediug. 



Mare mules outsell horse mules on account of their smoother 

 turned bodies and the fact that they are more easily kept in 

 condition. 



The Jack. — Jack stock breeders distinguish between the type 

 of jack best adapted to mating with jennies for the production 

 of jack breeding stock and the stamp of jack best suited to mating 

 with mares for the production of mule hybrids. 



The Standard of Excellence, — The jack most desired for 



