THE MULE. 39 



same speed you would a horse, over a rough road, and 

 you will have performed wonders if he does not fall and 

 break your bones. 



The mule, especially if large, cannot stand hard 

 roads and pavements. Ills limbs are too small for his 

 body, and they generally give out. You will notice 

 that all good judges of road and trotting horses like to 

 see a good strong bone in the leg. This is actually 

 necessary. The mule, you will notice, is very deficient 

 in leg, and generally have poor muscle. And many of 

 them are what is called cat-hammed. 



Working Condition of Mules. — Most persons, when 

 they see a good, fat, slick mule, are apt to exclaim : 

 " What a fine mule there is ! " He takes it for granted 

 that because the animal is fat, tall, and heavy, he must 

 be a good work animal. This, however, is no criterion 

 to judge by. A mule, to be in good condition for 

 work, should never be any fatter than what is known 

 as good working condition. One of fourteen and a 

 half hands high, to be in good working condition, 

 should not weigh over nine hundred and fifty pounds. 

 One of fifteen hands high should not weigh over one 

 thousand pounds. If he does, his legs will in a very 

 short time give out, and he will have to go to the 

 hospital. In working a mule with too much flesh, it 

 will produce curbs, spavin, ringbone, or crooked hocks. 

 The muscles and tendons of their small legs are not 

 capable of carrying a heavy weight of body for any 

 length of time. He may not, as I have said before, 

 show his blemishes in lameness, but it is only because 

 he lacks that fine feeling common to the horse. 



