246 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



as 1016 in French literature. The prevailing color is 

 black, with light points, although grays are occasionally 

 found. The height ranges from 14.2 to 15 hands, with the 

 larger specimens sometimes standing somewhat taller. 

 The Poitou is one of the most powerful of the breeds of 

 jacks. He is covered with a thick growth of long, silky 

 hair, which is particularly noticeable in the legs, neck 

 and ears. For this reason he is very unattractive unless 

 kept well groomed. These jacks are in great demand in 

 France, where they are bred to draft mares, from which 

 are produced large mules of the most valuable kind. 



The Poitou in America. — This was the last of the dis- 

 tinctive breeds of jacks to be introduced to this country. 

 Notwithstanding this breed of jacks produces a good 

 type of mules, few are to be found here. In fact, the 

 province of Poitou cannot supply the home demand for 

 the Poitou jack, and the French breeders, at least in cer- 

 tain parts of the county, are obliged to use the Catalonia 

 and the Majorca jack. Because of the great demand, 

 Poitou jacks command fancy prices, many selling for 

 $2,000, with the best specimens realizing approximately 

 twice as much money. According to Knight, the Poitou 

 jack is the best for mule breeding in this country, and he 

 places it above the Catalonian, stating that the mules 

 have sufficient size, with more quality and action than 

 can be obtained by any other breed of jacks. 



The characteristics of the ass. — The domestic ass pre- 

 sents a great contrast to the horse. In the ass, the head 

 is large and bony, the ears very long, the foretop and 

 mane very scanty and the tail has no long hairs except 

 at the lower part. The entire body is often covered with 

 long hair. The bone is often large, while the joints and 

 feet are small. The hind legs have no callosities (chest- 

 nuts), although they are present on the forelegs. The 

 ass makes a peculiar cry called a bray. 



Jacks useful for mule breeding. — This animal is very 

 surefooted in going over mountain passes and slopes dif- 



