Jacks, Jennets, and Mules 363 



FEEDING OP MULES 



The main difference in feeding mules as compared to 

 horses is that they do better in large bunches. In fatten-, 

 ing mules it is very seldom that they are stall-fed, but 

 are usually run in bunches in small lots and all fed together 

 like cattle. Mules will seldom over-eat or injure one 

 another as would horses under like conditions. If not 

 properly watered and fed, they will have colic and other 

 diseases the same as horses. Usually, however, they seem 

 to have a better sense of self -protection and use better judg- 

 ment in regard to their eating. Mules, however, respond 

 to careful attention and care the same as horses. 



HANDLING OF JACKS 



The average mule-producer does not own jennets, but 

 only a jack which he has purchased from some breeder 

 of jacks and jennets. The jacks should be properly 

 trained to breed and serve mares before they are sold. 

 If they are produced on the farm, care should be taken 

 that they are not raised with the jennets, but are sepa- 

 rated and raised with horses. They should also not be 

 allowed to serve jennets, as very often they will refuse 

 to cover mares after mating with jennets. The equip- 

 ment for handling the jack is very similar to that of 

 handling the stallion except that a pit is needed to lower 

 the mare. The main difference in handling is that the 

 jack is usually more slow in the service. One way of 

 partly, overcoming this is to have a slatted door on his 

 stall which faces on the breeding lot, so that the jack may 

 see the mare some time before he is taken out of the 

 stable. Under silch management he will generally be of 

 quicker service than otherwise. Care should always be 



