160 MULES. 



well-limbed, and large, being mostly bred out of fine 

 Spanish mares. They are sometimes fifteen or six- 

 teen hands high, and the best of them worth forty or 

 fifty pounds. No creatures are so proper for large 

 burdens, and none so sure footed. They are much 

 stronger for draft than our horses, and are often as 

 thick set as our dray horses, and will travel several 

 months together, with six or eight hundred weight 

 upon their backs. Some think it surprising that these 

 animals are not more propagated here, as they are so 

 much hardier and stronger than horses, less subject to 

 diseases, and capable of living and working to twice 

 the age of a horse. Those that are bred in cold coun- 

 tries are more hardy and fit for labour than those brea 

 in hot ; and those which are light made are fitter for 

 riding than horses, as to the walk and trot ; but they 

 are apt to gallop rough ; though these do it much less 

 than the short-made ones. The general complaint 

 made against them is, that they kick and are stubborn; 

 but this is owing to neglect in breeding them, for they 

 are as gentle as horses, in countries where they are 

 bred with proper care. 



In the breeding of mules, mares that are of a very 

 large breed and well made, should be employed. 

 They should be young, full of life, large barrelled, but 

 smalled limbed, with a moderate sized head, and a 

 good forehead. It is found of advantage to have the 

 foals from the time of their being dropped often 

 handled, to make them gentle : it prevents their hurt- 

 ing themselves by skittishness and sudden frights ; and 

 they are much easier broken at the proper age, and 

 become docile and harmless, having nothing of that 

 viciousness which is so commonly complained of in 

 these animals. They may be broken at three years 



