94 MULES AND MULE BREEDING. 



out of ten, will never try his utmost again ; and exactly 

 the same result occurs in riding a horse to a standstill with 

 hounds. Not so, however, with the mule. You may load 

 him as much as you like, whether on his own back or on 

 wheels, and, if properly managed, he will always go down 

 on his very knees and do his utmost ; and, if unable to 

 move his load to-day, will try just as hard to-morrow. 



Unnecessary brutality is often brought into play in 

 breaking and using mules. There is no necessity for any- 

 thing of the kind. There is a certain amount of firmness, 

 decision, and patience required, but no brutality, which only 

 engenders vice, which will show itself in an old mule that 

 has been habitually ill-treated. The animaPs nature should 

 be studied. He is affectionate and quick in perception, but 

 nervous and afraid of strangers. This is the first thing to 

 recollect in dealing with mules. Make friends with him, 

 speak to him kindly whenever you approach him, feed him 

 a little every day, and in a week you may do what you like 

 with him. Mules, so nervous from having been ill-treated 

 that it is not safe for anyone ignorant of their nature to 

 go near them, by kind and at the same time firm treatment, 

 as a rule, become perfectly quiet and tractable. 



