THE HORSE, BREEDING AND RAISING. 107 



XI. Mides. 



The breeding and rearing of mules, so common in many portions of 

 the United States, requires more than a passing consideration. To obtain 

 the best results in crossing with the ass demands as much intelliorent care 

 as in the case of the horse : and the mule-breeder will find it much to his 

 advantage thoroughly to inform himself as to how these results are to 

 be obtained. 



Many mistaken impressions prevail as to the relative usefulness of the 

 mule, as compared with the cost of breeding and maintenance. 



It is thought by the inexperienced that he is almost equally adapted to 

 every kind of draft work to which the horse may be put ; that his power 

 as a pack-animal is much greater than that of the horse ; that his endur- 

 ance is greater ; that he can subsist on less food ; and that he demands 

 every way less care. All these things are set down to his advantage ; but 

 in most instances the impressions are wholly erroneous. As a general 

 thing, he is not well adapted to road or to city purposes at all. Especially 

 are hard roads and pavements destructive to him if he is large of body 

 and disproportionately small of leg. He is not so stout as a horse of 

 proportionate size ; he is utterly incapable of carrying so great burdens 

 as some have represented, even if loaded and attended by experienced 

 packers, — particularly if the journey is to be continuous and the roads 

 are at all heavy ; his powers of endurance are not greater than those of 

 the hardier kinds of horses ; he will consume as much food as a horse of 

 proportionate size, if required to do like work and to maintain a like con- 

 dition ; and as to care, he can do without it — so can a horse — but both 

 fail thereby of that eminent thriftiness, sprightliness and longevity which 

 is to be expected of animals to 'which it is extended. 



On the other hand, and to his- discredit, it is commonly thought that 

 he is naturally vicious, and wholly incapable of appreciating kindly treat- 

 ment — that the only way to control him is by violence. Hence, those 

 who handle him generally feel as though they are justifiable in whipping, 

 beating, kicking and whatsoever other cruelties they may choose to inflict. 

 This is a grievous, foolish and wicked mistake. The mule has one means 

 of defense, and his heels are dangerous to those who wantonly provoke 

 or startle him and place themselves in his way. His long ears are sensi- 

 live, and by roughly handling them his combativeness is easily aroused, 

 and distrust is awakened to that degree that renders him almost unman- 

 ageable. Yet, the mule may be so raised and trained as to make him 

 gentle, obedient, even affectionate and ready to follow his master like a 

 dog — so trusty that only the one always necessary precaution need be 

 observed in dealing with him — to keep out of the way of his heels, which 



