MANUAL OF PACK TKANSPOKTATION. 41 



pack and exercised sufficiently to reduce the "bunch;" otherwise the 

 "bunch" will develop into a "steadfast." 



Do not overlook any "bunches," no matter how small; reduce 

 them at once and animals can always be kept sound, and sound 

 animals will always carry their load and do so with comfort. 



Should the animal be "bunched" under the belly, take out the 

 hay on both sides for a space of about 4 inches above the boot, clear 

 to ribs, and across width of aparejo, leaving a little at both edges. 

 The aparejo, when cinched on the animal, will now shape itself to 

 -the animal's body and relieve the pressure on the belly. 



The "bunch" will disappear when the animal is loaded; one or 

 two hour's travel is sufficient to bring it down. Where hay has 

 been removed, replace a little from day to day, until its proper filling 

 is regained. 



The evidence of a "belly bunch," plainly indicates there has been 

 too much padding (hay) used in the boots of the aparejo, as also 

 from the boots to the "hand hole;" this undue filling of hay causes 

 the boots of the aparejo to stand or flare out from the body of the 

 mule, and prevents the shaping or bending of the aparejo to the 

 conformation of the mule's body, the result is too much pressure 

 brought on the belly in cinching the aparejo to the conformation of 

 the body of the animal, the circulation being stopped by the cinch, 

 and on its removal the skin "puffs up," and we have what is termed 

 a "belly bunch." Therefore to prevent a "belly bunch" the cause 

 must not be provided, and if provided, must be removed; what 

 is wanted is an even pressure bearing surface covered by the cinch and 

 aparejo. As the cinch binds the aparejo to the body of the animal, 

 the body of the aparejo and its boots or ends must bend and shape 

 itself without undue compression of the ribs and belly of the animal; 

 otherwise "body" and "belly bunches" will be sure to occur. 



Sore docks or tails. — This trouble is not clearly understood by the 

 average packmaster and cargador; therefore, to clearly understand 

 the description here given, it will be necessary to remember the 

 meaning of the following terms in reference to the aparejo: 



First. It is said the aparejo is too long or too short. The obvious 

 meaning is, that in fitting the aparejo we attach the crupper and 

 determine by the lacing (crupper) how far forward or rearward the 

 aparejo shall work. When the aparejo is too far forward, or long, 

 the cinch of the aparejo causes an abrasion of the elbow, and interferes 

 with the travel of the animal; if too far rearward, or short, the 

 aparejo will not hold its place; it works itself off to the rear in 

 mountainous country, and will do so even on level ground. 



Second. It is said the aparejo is too deep or too shallow. The 

 obvious meaning is, that in selecting an aparejo to fit the mule, an 

 aparejo is provided that is either too deep or too shallow to properly 

 fit the pack animal; right here is where packmasters and cargadors 

 are apt to provide conditions or the fundamental cause for sore tails. 

 An aparejo that is too deep laps around the belly and has not sufficient 

 grip on the body of the mule to hold the aparejo in its proper place; 

 that is, the aparejo not having sufficient grip on the body of the 

 mule, it slips forward and the dock of the crupper cuts the tail by 

 the impact given, due to the weight of the load in the travel of the 

 animal. 



