THE MULE. 265 



The mule, I think, is, if anything, more susceptible to treatment 

 than the horse, and he is usually more abused and less cared for than . 

 the horse. The popular opinion m relation to him is not at all fa- 

 vorable ; but I have found that mules could learn anything, about as 

 easily as any intelligent horse. When I was v in Fostoria, O., a man 

 there had a small mule that appeared to be half starved, and, as a 

 matter of pity more than anything else, I was led to buy hirn. We 

 trained this mule to throw boys, and to do anything that the ponies 

 could do. He would squeal, laugh, and do many amusing tricks, 

 and could throw any living man. I sold him when in New York for 

 five hundred dollars to circus men. 



I" would advise in* all cases very kind treatment to mules. Sub- 

 ject rapidly for a few minutes to the Second Method ; it will rarely 

 be necessary to use more, and if the case is not made vicious there 

 should be no exception. If a mule is treated gently, given little 

 presents, and flattered, and especially if spoken to kindly when ap^ 

 proached in the stall, there should be no more trouble in approach- 

 ing him than a horse. It is a matter of a little care and good 

 management. I include here an illustration of mules as driven in 

 the South, and it is but just to state that I have never been more in- 

 terested than to see common negroes drive a team of from four to six 

 mulas before a spring wagon with a single line. Indeed, I am can- 

 did in admitting that it was a greater feat of nice training than any we 

 were able to give in driving horses without reins ; and I often felt 

 like taking off my hat to those negroes in admiration of their re- 

 markable success as teamsters. A negro rides the near pole mule, 

 then a long rein is extended forward to the lead one, and either 

 pulling or jerking indicates to this leader which way to go ; and, so 

 far as I could see, they could be driven as accurately around a cor- 

 ner or any point as cpuld be done with the best of management with 

 reins. 



The treatment of sickness and injuries for mules is practically 

 the same as that for horses. For bruises or saddle gall, I think it 

 advisable to state here that, being so simple, there is nothing su- 

 perior to cold water. Remove pressure from the part, and bathe 

 thoroughly in cold water. This method, simple as it is, stands over 

 all others for allaying acute inflammation. Simply pour on pure cold 

 water, and repeat as may be necessary. In some cases, as described 

 in the medical department, hot and cold water alternated may be 

 better. It will depend upon the amount of constitutional disturb- 

 ance caused by the intensity of the pain. 



