THE MULE. 9 



resort to it through the force of instinct. In com- 

 mencing to break them, then, kicking is the first thing 

 to guard against and overcome. The young mule kicks 

 because he is afraid of a man. He has seen those in- 

 trusted with their care beat and abuse the older ones, 

 and he very naturally fears the same treatment as soon 

 as a man approaches him. Most persons intrusted with 

 the care of these young and green mules have not had 

 experience enough with them to know that this defect 

 of kicking is soonest remedied by kind treatment. 

 Careful study of the animal's nature and long experi- 

 ence with the animal have taught me that, in breaking 

 the mule, whipping and harsh treatment almost invaria- 

 bly make him a worse kicker. They certainly make him 

 more timid and afraid of you. And just as long as you 

 fight a young mule and keep him afraid of you, just so 

 long will you be in danger of his kicking you. You 

 must convince him through kindness that you are not 

 going to hurt or punish him. And the sooner you do 

 this, the sooner you are out of danger from his feet. 



It may at times become necessary to correct the mule 

 before he is subdued ; but before doing so he should be 

 well bridle or halter-broken, and also ased to harness. 

 He should also be made to know what you are whip- 

 ping him for. In harnessing up a mule that will kick 

 or strike with the forefeet, get a rope, or, as we term it 

 in the army, a lariat. Throw, or put the noose of this 

 over his head, taking care at the same time that it be 

 done so that the noose does not- choke him ; then get 

 the mule on the near side of a w^agon, put the end of 

 the lariat tlirough the space between the spokes of the 

 1* 



