MULES. 137 



lock on his mane — which he knew he possessed, full of spirits 

 and with affection like that of a dog, crying his heart out in the 

 corner of a corral when the time came for his shipment to 

 South Africa, summed up the nature of that handsome little 

 fellow — and of mules in general. Their happy nature goes a 

 long way towards their success. They have a habit of worming 

 their way into the hearts of our soldiers, and very soon friendly 

 relations are established that work for the common good. Their 

 endurance, their comparative freedom from sickness, their 

 pluck and stout heartedness when properly treated, their ability 

 to perform work under adverse circumstances and when 

 short commons are necessitated, are their usual attributes ; and 

 their employment in war is a great economic factor. These 

 remarks stand for all mules, whether American or otherwise. 



The majority of American mules employed in the various 

 Theatres of War were for light draught purposes, supplying 

 the place of light draught horses in Ammunition Columns, etc., 

 of Formations, and receiving the same rations as light draught 

 horses. To the latter factor the superiority of the mule over the 

 light draught horse is greatly ascribed. If well fed, he thrives 

 on work, and in times of idleness he will quickly get fat. As an 

 instance of ability to stand the vicissitudes of campaign I will 

 quote again the Somme operations in 1916. This offensive 

 period resulted in 16,074 Debility (poor condition) cases evacua- 

 ted to Veterinary Hospitals on Lines of Communications, of 

 which total only 404 were mules. The percentage of inefficiency 

 was 4"42 for horses and '61 for mules ; horses suffered there- 

 fore seven times more than mules. During the winter seasons 

 they gave us far less trouble than horses (1 to 3, about) from skin 

 disease, and Eespiratory disease was practically nil. These are 

 very strong arguments in favour of the mule. I call to mind 

 the limbered General Service Wagon mules of the 17th Lancers 

 going through the streets of Abbeville on a snowy day. They 

 were pictures of health, and the bloom of their coats shone in 

 spite of the snow. It is only one instance of many, and it 

 made one feel proud to belong to our Army. 



The pack mules of Infantry and Signals, smaller in height, 

 were also very good. Cavalry, for their Machine guns, by reason 

 of more rapid movement, have pack horses. 



