8 THE MULE. 



lars, if, when the war began, there had been a proper 

 understanding of this animal among its employees. 



Probably no animal has been the subject of more 

 cruel and brutal treatment than the mule, and it is safe 

 to say that no animal ever performed his part better, 

 not even the horse. In breaking the mule, most per- 

 sons are apt to get out of patience with him. I have 

 got out of patience with him myself. But patience is 

 the great essential in breaking, and in the use of it you 

 will find that you get along much better. The mule 

 is an unnatural animal, and hence more timid of man 

 than the horse ; and yet he is tractable, and capable of 

 being taught to understand what you want him to do. 

 And when he understands what you want, and has 

 gained your confidence, you will, if you treat him 

 kindly, have little trouble in making him perform his 

 duty. 



In commencing to break the mule, take hold of him 

 gently, and talk to him kindly. Don't spring at him, 

 as if he were a tiger you were in dread of. Don't yell 

 at him ; don't jerk him ; don't strike him with a club, 

 as is too often done ; don't get excited at his jumping 

 and kicking. Approach and handle him the same as 

 you would an animal already broken, and through 

 kindness you will, in less than a week, have your mule 

 more tractable, better broken, and kinder than you 

 v/ould in a month, had you used the whip. Mules, 

 with very few exceptions, are born kickers. Breed 

 them as you will, the moment they are able to stand 

 up, and you put your hand on them, they will kick. It 

 is, indeed, their natural means of defence, and they 



