THE MULE 



311 



than a horse does, accepting his lot more philosophically, being 

 naturally more of a plodder and therefore more steady and less 

 fretful. 



On account of the peculiar form and structure of the mule's 

 foot, he is less subject to foot lameness and the ordinary injurious 

 effects of shoeing than is the horse, which is more commonly 

 incapacitated for work on this account than any other. Lame- 



FiG. 170.- 



-A rugged pair of more drafty form and ample bone, representative of the best 

 grade sought for mine use. 



ness in a mule is most often due to spavins and ringbones, but he 

 will get along with a spavin which would practically put a horse 

 out of business. Mules are almost invariably good walkers. 

 Stabling requirements for mules are much less elaborate than for 

 horses, double stalls, with or without bales, or even pens in which 

 a number are turned loose, being all that is needed. Age and 

 infirmities seem to count less against mules, and as a rule an old 

 or second-hand pair will outsell horses of equal merit. 



