BEMABKS ON THE USE OF MULES. 141 



work. Indeed, it is next to impossible to load, say, a 

 15 hand mule, and this stupid attempt to utilise tall mules 

 for pack work always results in failure, and then the mule 

 is blamed. To speak generally, a pack mule should never 

 exceed 14 hands in height. From 12 hands to 13.2 is 

 better. The load of such an animal should not exceed 

 2001b., exclusive of the pack saddle, which is often 

 unnecessarily heavy. To produce pack mules the jack 

 may vary in height from 12 hands to 13.2, and the mare 

 from which the mule is to be bred should be about the 

 same height. In breeding in India it is found extremely 

 difficult to keep down the height of pack mules. When 

 nature allows two distinct species, like the horse and ass, 

 to breed together, the resulting mule will generally grow 

 to a greater height than either of its parents if properly- 

 fed during the growing stage. The Italian "Razza" jack, 

 standing from 12 hands to 13.2, produces excellent pack 

 mules, with great courage and endurance. 



To get mules for heavy draught, whether on the farm, 

 for the town dray, for hauling in the docks, or towing on 

 canals, there is no jack that will surpass that of Poitou if 

 properly chosen and mated with heavy mares. If mules 

 are required for trotting and galloping work, as in the 

 coaches of Southern Africa, the Catalonian jack, when he 

 is not narrow chested and high on the leg, is the best, as 

 he has more courage than the Poitou. Lighter and better 

 bred mares must also be selected for this purpose, and it is- 

 essential that the mares shall be good-tempered. The 

 Kentucky mule is well known for his courage and generally- 

 good qualities. This is chiefly on account of the mares 

 having a cross of thoroughbred blood in their veins, and 

 this, with "the assistance of a good jack of Catalonian 

 origin, has made the Kentucky mule what he is. The sight 



