The mule : a treatise on the breeding, training, and uses to which he may be put

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TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine
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200 Westboro Road
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THE MULE.

A TREATISE

BREEDING, TEAINING, AND USES,

TO ■R-UICH

HE MAT BE PUT.

HARYEY RILEY,

6UPKEINTENDENT OF THE GOVEENMEXT COUKAL, WASUINGTON, P.

WASHINGTON :

FRENCH & RICHARDSON,

334 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1867,

By dick «fe FITZGERALD,

In the Clerk's Office of th(- District Court of the United States for the

Southern District of New York.

PEEFAOE.

There is no more useful or willing animal than the
Mule. And perhaps there is no other animal so much
abused, or so little cared for. Popular opinion of his
nature has not been favorable ; and he has had to plod
and work through life against the prejudices of the
ignorant. Still, he has been the great friend of man,
in war and in peace serving him well and faithfully.
If he could tell man what he most needed it would be
kind treatment. We all know how much can be done
to improve the condition and advance the comfort of
this animal ; and he is a true friend of humanity who
does what he can for his benefit. My object in
writing this book was to do what I could toward work-
ing out a much needed reform in the breeding, care, and
treatment of these animals. Let Tne ask that what I
have said in regard to the value of kind treatment be
carefully read and followed. I have had thirty years'
experience in the use of this animal, and during that

4: PREFACE.

time have made his nature a study. The result of that
study is, that humanity as well as economy will be best
served by kindness.

It has indeed seemed to me that the Government
might make a great saving every year by employing
only such teamsters and wagon-masters as had been
thoroughly instructed in the treatment and management
of animals, and were in every way qualified to perform
their duties properly. Indeed, it would seem only rea-
sonable not to trust a man with a valuable team of
animals, or perhaps a train, until he had been thoroughly
instructed in their use, and had received a certificate of
capacity from the Quartermaster's Department. If this
were done, it would go far to establish a system that
would check that great destruction of animal life which
costs the Government so heavy a sum every year.

H. K.

Washington, D. C, April 12, 1867,

CONTENTS.

Pagb

Best Metliod of Breaking 9

Value of Kind Treatment 11

How to Harness 15

Injured by Working too Young 18

What the Mule can Endure 20

Color and Peculiar Habits 24

Mexican Mules, and Packing 29

The Agricultural Committee 36

Working Condition of Mules 41

Spotted Mules 42

Mule-Breeding and Raising 44

How Colts should be Handled 45

Packing Mules 48.

Physical Constitution 54

Value of Harnessing Properly 56

Government Wagons 62

More about Breeding Mules 66

Ancient History of the Mule 69

Table of Statistics 71

14 Portraits of Celebrated Mules T2

Diseases Common to the Mule, and how they Should be treated 80

l^OTE.

I HAVE, in another part of this work, spoken of the mule as being free
from splint. Perhaps I should have said that I had never seen one that
had it, notwithstanding the number I have had to do with. There are,
I know, persons who assert that they have seen mules that had it. I
ought to mention here, also, by way of correction, that there ia another
ailment the mule does not have in common with the horse, and that ia
quarter-crack. The same cause that keeps them from having quarter-
crack preserves them from splint — the want of front action.
* A great many persons insist that a mule has no marrow in the bones
of his legs. This is a very singular error. The bone of the mule's leg
has a cavity, and is as weU filled with marrow as the horse's. It also
varies in just the same proportion as in the horse's leg. The feet of
some mules, however, will crack and spht, but in most cases it is the
result of bad shoeing. It at times occurs from a lack of moisture to
the foot ; and is seen among mules used in cities, where there are no
facilities for driving them into running water every day, to soften tlie
feet and keep them moist.

CHAPTEE I.

HOW MTLES SHOULD BE TREATED IN BEEAKmG. -

I HAVE long had it in contemplation to write some-
thing concerning the mule, in the hope that it might be
of benefit to those who had to deal with him, as well
in as out of the army, and make them better acquainted
with his habits and usefulness. The patient, plodding
mule is indeed an animal that has served us well in the
army, and done a great amount of good for humanity
during the late war. He was in truth a necessity to
the army and tlie Government, and performed a most
important part in supplying our army in the field. That
he will perform an equally important part in the future
movements of our army is equally clear, and should not
be lost sight of by the Government. It has seemed to
me somewhat strange, then, that so little should have
been wTitten concerning him, and so little pains taken
to improve his quality. I have noticed in the army
that those who had most to do with him were the least
acquainted with his habits, and J;ook the least pains to
study his disposition, or to ascertain by proper means
how he could be made the most useful. The Govern-
ment might have saved hundreds of thousands of dol-

8 THE MULE.

lars, if, when the war began, there had been a proper
understanding of this animal among its employees.

Probably no animal has been the subject of more
cruel and brutal treatment than the mule, and it is safe
to say that no animal ever performed his part better,
not even the horse. In breaking the mule, most per-
sons are apt to get out of patience with him. I have
got out of patience with him myself. But patience is
the great essential in breaking, and in the use of it you
will find that you get along much better. The mule
is an unnatural animal, and hence more timid of man
than the horse ; and yet he is tractable, and capable of
being taught to understand what you want him to do.
And when he understands what you want, and has
gained your confidence, you will, if you treat him
kindly, have little trouble in making him perform his
duty.

In commencing to break the mule, take hold of him
gently, and talk to him kindly. Don't spring at him,
as if he were a tiger you were in dread of. Don't yell
at him ; don't jerk him ; don't strike him with a club,
as is too often done ; don't get excited at his jumping
and kicking. Approach and handle him the same as
you would an animal already broken, and through
kindness you will, in less than a week, have your mule
more tractable, better broken, and kinder than you
v/ould in a month, had you used the whip. Mules,
with very few exceptions, are born kickers. Breed
them as you will, the moment they are able to stand
up, and you put your hand on them, they will kick. It
is, indeed, their natural means of defence, and they

THE MULE. 9

resort to it through the force of instinct. In com-
mencing to break them, then, kicking is the first thing
to guard against and overcome. The young mule kicks
because he is afraid of a man. He has seen those in-
trusted with their care beat and abuse the older ones,
and he very naturally fears the same treatment as soon
as a man approaches him. Most persons intrusted with
the care of these young and green mules have not had
experience enough with them to know that this defect
of kicking is soonest remedied by kind treatment.
Careful study of the animal's nature and long experi-
ence with the animal have taught me that, in breaking
the mule, whipping and harsh treatment almost invaria-
bly make him a worse kicker. They certainly make him
more timid and afraid of you. And just as long as you
fight a young mule and keep him afraid of you, just so
long will you be in danger of his kicking you. You
must convince him through kindness that you are not
going to hurt or punish him. And the sooner you do
this, the sooner you are out of danger from his feet.

It may at times become necessary to correct the mule
before he is subdued ; but before doing so he should be
well bridle or halter-broken, and also ased to harness.
He should also be made to know what you are whip-
ping him for. In harnessing up a mule that will kick
or strike with the forefeet, get a rope, or, as we term it
in the army, a lariat. Throw, or put the noose of this
over his head, taking care at the same time that it be
done so that the noose does not- choke him ; then get
the mule on the near side of a w^agon, put the end of
the lariat tlirough the space between the spokes of the
1*

10 THE MTJLE.

fore wheel, then pull the end through so that jou can
walk back with it to the hinder wheel (taking care to
keep it tight), then pass it through the same, and pull
the mule close to the wagon. In this position you can
bridle and harness him without fear of being crippled.
In putting the rope through the above places, it sliould
be put through the wheels, so as to bring it as high as
the mule's breast in front, and flanks in the rear. In
making them fast in this way, they frequently kick
until they get over the rope, or lariat ; hence the neces-
sity of keeping it as high up as possible. If you chance
upon a mule so wild that you cannot handle him in this
way, put a noose of the lariat in the mule's mouth,
and let the eye, or the part where you put the end of
the lariat through, be so as to form another noose. Set
this directly at the root of the mule's ear, pull it tight
on him, taking care to keep the noose in the same
place. But when you get it pulled tight enough, let
some one hold the end of the lariat, and, my word for
it, you will bridle the mule without much further
trouble.

In hitching the mule to a wagon, if he be wild or
vicious, keep tlie lariat the same as I have described
until you get him hitched up, then slack it gently, as
nearly all mules will buck or jump stiff-legged as soon
as you ease up the lariat ; and be careful not to pull
the rope too tight when first put on, as by so doing you
might split the mule's mouth. Let me say here that I
have broken thousands of four and six-mule teams that
not one of the animals had ever had a strap of harness
on when I began with them, and I have driven six-

THE MULE. 11

mule teams lor years on the frontier, but I have yet to
see the first team of unbroken mules that could be
driven with any degree of certainty. I do not mean to
say that they cannot be got along the road ; but I
regard it no driving worthy of the name when a driver
cannot get his team to any place where he may desire
to go in a reasonable time — and this he cannot do
with unbroken mules. With green or unbroken mules,
you must chase or herd them along without the whip,
until you get them to know that you want them to pull
in a wagon. When you have got them in a wagon,
pull their heads round in the direction you want them
to go ; then convince them by your kindness that you
are not going to abuse them, and in twelve days' care-
ful handling you will be able to drive them any way
you please.

In bridling the young mule, it is necessary to have a
bit that will not injure the animal's mouth. Hundreds
of mules belonging to the Government are, in a measure,
ruined by using a bridle bit that is not much thicker
than the wire used by the telegraph. I do not mean
by this that the bridle bit used by the Government in
its blind bridles is not well adapted to the purpose.
If properly made and properly used, it is. Nor do
I think any board of officers could have gotten up or
devised a better harness and wagon for army purposes
than those made in conformity with the decision of the
board of officers that recommended the harness and
wagon now used. The trouble with a great many of
the bits is, that they are not made up to the regulations,
and are too thin. And this bit, when the animal's

12 THE MULE.

head is reined u]) too tight, as army teamsters are very
likely to do, is sure to work a sore mouth.

There are few things in breaking the mule that
should be so carefully guarded against as this. For as
soon as the animal gets a sore mouth, he cannot eat
well, and becomes fretful ; then he cannot drink well,
and as his mouth keeps splitting up on the sides, he
soon gets so that he cannot keep water in it, and
every swallow he attempts to take, the water will spirt
out of the sides, just above the bit. As soon as the
mule finds that he cannot drink without this trouble,
he very naturally pushes his nose into the water above
where his mouth is split, and drinks until the want of
breath forces him to stop, although he has not had suf-
ficient water. The animal, of course, throws up its
head, and the stupid teamster, as a general thing, drives
the mule away from the water with his thirst about
half satisfied.

Mules with their mouths split in this way are not fit
to be used in the teams, and the sooner they are taken
out and cured the better for the army and the Govern-
ment. I have frequently seen Government trains de-
tained several minutes, block the road, and throw the
train into disorder, in order to give a mule with a split
mouth time to drink. In making up teams for a train,
I invariably leave out all mules whose mouths are not
in a sound state, and this I do without regard to the
kind or quality of the animal. But the mule's mouth
can be saved from the condition I have referred to,
if the bit be made in a proper manner.

The bit should be one inch and seven-eighths round,

THE MULE. . 13

and five inches in the draw, or "between the rings. It
should also have a sweep of one quarter of an inch to
the five inches long. I refer now to the bit for the
blind bridle. With a bit of this kind it is almost
impossible to injure the mule's mouth, unless he is very
young, and it cannot be done then if the animal is
handled with proper care.

There is another matter in regard to harnessing the
mule which I deem worthy of notice here. Govern-
ment teamsters, as a general thing, like to see a mule's
head reined tightly up. I confess that, with all my
experience, I have never seen the benefit there was to
be derived from this. I always found that the mule
worked better when allowed to carry his head and neck
in a natural position. When not reined up at all, he
will do more work, out-pull, and wear out the one
that is. At present, nearly all the Government mule-
teams are reined up, and worked with a single rein.
This is the old Virginia way of driving mules. It
used to be said that any negro knew enough to drive
mules. I fear the Government has too long acted on
that idea.

I never heard but one reason given for reining the
heads of a mule-team up tight, and that was, that it
made the animals look better.

The next thing requiring particular attention is the
harnessing. During the war it became customary to
cut the drawing-chains, or, as some call them, the trace-
chains. The object of this was, to bring the mule close
up to his work. The theory was taken from the strings

14 THE MULE.

of horses used in drawing railroad cars througli cities.
Horses that are used for hauling cars in this manner
are generally fed morning, noon, and night ; and are
able to get out of the way of a swingle-tree, should it be
let down so low as to work on the brakes, as it did too
frequently in the army. Besides, the coupling of the
car, or the part they attach the horse to, is two-thirds
the height of a common-sized animal, which, it will be
seen at a glance, is enough to keep the swingle-tree off
his heels. N^ow, the tongue of a G-overnment wagon is
a very different thing. In its proper condition, it is
about on an average height with the mule's hocks ; and,
especially- during the last two years of the war, it was
customary to pull the mule so close up to the swingle-tree
that his hocks would touch it. The result of hitching
in this manner is, that the mule is continually try-
ing to keep out of the way of the swingle-tree, and,
finding that he cannot succeed, he becomes discouraged.
And as soon as he does this he will lag behind ; and as
he gets sore from this continual banging, he will spread
his hind legs and try to avoid the blows; and, in doing
this, he forgets his business and becomes irritable. This
excites the teamster, and, in ninety-nine cases out of a
hundred, he will beat and punish the animal cruelly,
expecting thereby to cure him of the trouble. But,
instead of pacifying the mule, he will only make him
worse, which should, under no circumstances, be done.
The proper course to pursue, and I say so from long
experience, is to stop the team at once, and let all the
traces out to a length that will allow the swingle-tree
to swing half v/ay between the hock and the heel of

TEE MULE. 35

the hoof. In other words, give him room enough to
step, between tlie collar and swingle-tree, so that the
swingle-tree cannot touch his legs when walking at his
longest stride. If the above rule be followed, the
animal will not be apt to touch the swingle- tree.
Indeed, it will not be apt to touch him, unless he be
lazj ; and, in that case, the sooner you get another
mule the better. I say this because one lazy mule will
spoil a good team, invariably. A lazy mule can be
i-iept up to his work with a whip, you will say ; but, in
whipping a lazy animal, you keep the others in such a
state of excitement that they are certain to get poor
and valueless.

There is another advantage in having the drawing-
chains worked at the length I have described. It is
this : The officers that formed the board that recom-
mended the drawing-chain, also recommended a
number of large links on one end of the chain, so
that it could be made longer or shorter, as desired.
If made in conformity with the recommendation of
that board of officers, it can be let out so as to fit the
largest sized mule, and can be taken up to fit the short-
est. When I say this, I mean to include such animals
as are received according to the standard of the Quarter-
master-General's department.

CHAPTEE II.

THE DISADVAiTTAGES OF WORKING MULES THAT AEE TOO
YOUNG.

A GREAT many of the mules purchased by the Govern-
ment during the war were entirely too young for use.
This was particularly so in the West, where both con-
tractor and inspector seemed anxious only to get the
greatest number they could on the hands of the Govern-
ment, without respect to age or quality. I have
harnessed, or rather tried to harness, mules during the
war, that were so young and small that you could
not get collars small enough to fit them. As to the
harness, they were almost buried in it. A great many
of these small mules were but two years old. These
animals were of no use to the Government for a long
time. Indeed, the inspector might just as well have
given his certificate for a lot of milk cows, so far as
they added to our force of transportation. Another
source of trouble has been caused through a mistaken
opinion as to what a young mule could do, and how he
onght to be fed. Employers and others, who had 3'oung
mules under their charge during the war, had, as a
general thing, surplus forage on hand. When they
were in a place where nine pounds of grain could be

THE MULE. 17

procured, and fourteen of haj, the full allowance was
purchased. The surplus resulting from this attracted
notice, and many wondered why it was that the Govern-
ment did not reduce the forage on the mule. These
persons did not for a moment suspect, or imagine, that
a three year old mule has so many loose teeth in his
mouth as to be hardly able to crack a grain of com,
or masticate his oats.

Another point in that case is this : at three years old,
a mule is in a worse condition, generally, than he is at
any other period in life. At three, he is more subject
to distemper, sore eyes, and inflammation of all parts of
the head and body. He becomes quite weak from not
being able to eat, gets loose and gaunt, and is at that
time more subject and more apt to take contagious
diseases than at any other change he may go through.
There is but one sure way to remedy this evil. Do not
buy three year old mules to put to work that it requires
a five or six year old mule to perform. Six three year
old mules are just about as fit to travel fifteen miles per
day, with an army wagon loaded with twenty-five hun-
dred and their forage, as a boy, six years of age, is fit to
do a man's work. During the first twelve months of
the war, I had charge of one hundred and six mule-
teams, and I noticed in particular, that not one solitary
mule as high as six years old gave out on the trips that
I made with the teams. I also noticed that, on most
occasions, the three year olds gave out, or became so leg-
weary that they could scarce w^alk out of the way of the
swingle- tree, whereas those of four and upward would
be bi-ight and brisk, and able to eat their forage when

18 THE MULE.

tliej came to camp. The three year old mules would
lie down and not eat a bite, through sheer exhaustion.
I also noticed that nearly all the three year old mules
that went to Utah, in 1857, froze to death that winter,
while those whose ages varied from four, and up to ten,
stood the winter and came out in the spring in good
working condition. In August, 1855, I drove a six-
mule team to Fort Kiley, in Kansas Temtory, from
Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri Kiver, loaded with
twelve sacks of grain. It took us thirteen days to make
the trip. "When we reached Fort Riley there were
not fifty mules, in the train of one hundred and fifty,
that would have sold at public sale for thirty dollars,
and a great many gave out on account of being too
young and the want of proper treatment. In the fall
of 1860, I drove a six-mule team, loaded with thirty
hundred weight, twenty-five days' rations for myself and
another man, and twelve days' forage for the team,
being allowed twelve pounds to each mule per day. I
drove this team to Fort Laramie, in Nebraska Territory,
and from there to Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri
River. I made the drive there and back in thirty-eight
days, and laid over two and a half days out of that.
The distance travelled was twelve hundred and thirty-
six miles. After a rest of two days, I started with the
same team, and drove to Fort Scott, in Kansas Terri-
tory, in five days, a distance of one hundred and twenty
miles. I went with Harney's command, and, for the
most part of the time, had no hay, and was forced to
subsist our animals on dry prairie grass, and had a
poor supply of even that. Notwithstanding this, I do

THE MULE. 19

not believe that any mule in the team lost as much as
ten pounds of flesh. Each of these mules, let me say,
was upward of five years old.

In 1858, 1 took a train of mules to Camp Floyd, in
Utah, forty-eight miles south of Salt Lake City.
During the march there were days and nights that
I could not get a drop of water for the animals.
The young mules, three and four years old, gave out
from sheer exhaustion ; while the older ones kept up,
and had to draw the wagons along. E'ow, there are
many purposes to which a young mule maybe put with
advantage ; but they are altogether unfit for army
purposes, and the sooner the Government stops using
them, the better.

When they are purchased for army use, they are al-
most sure to be put into a train, and turned over to the
tender mercies of some teamster, who knows nothing
whatever about the character of the animal. And here
let me say that thousands of the best mules in the army,
during the war, were ruined and made useless to the Gov-
ernment on account of the incompetency and ignorance
of the wagon-masters and teamsters who had to deal
with them. Persons who own private teams and horses
are generally particular to know the character of the per-
son who takes care of them, and to ascertain that he
knows his business. Is he a good driver ? Is he a good
groom ? Is he careful in feeding and watering ? These
are the questions that are asked ; and if he has not these
qualities he will not do. But a teamster in the army has
none of these questions put to him. 'No ; he is intrusted
with a valuable team, and expected to take proper care

20 THE MULE.

of it. when he has not the first qualification to do so.
If he is asked a question at all, it is merely if he has
ever driven a team before. If he answer in the affirma-
tive, and there are any vacancies, he is employed at
once, though he may not know how to lead a mule by
the head properly. This is not alone the case with
teamsters. I have known wagon-masters who really
did not know how to straighten out a six-mule team,
or, indeed, put the harness on them properly. And yet
the wagon-master has almost complete power over the
train. It will be readily seen from this, how much
valuable property may be destroyed by placing incom-
petent men in such places. Wagon-masters, it seems
to me, should not be allowed, under any circumstances,
to have or take charge of a train of animals of any kind
until they are thoroughly competent to handle, harness,
and drive a six-animal team.

There is another matter which needs essential im-
provement. I refer now to the men who are placed
as superintendents over our Government corrals and
depots for animals. Many of these men know little of
either the horse or the mule, and are almost entirely
ignorant of what is necessary for transportation. A
superintendent should have a thorough knowledge of
the character and capacity of all kinds of animals neces-
sary for a good team. He should know at sight the age
and weight of animals, should be able to tell the most-
suitable place for different animals in a team, and where
each would be of the most service. He should know
all parts of his wagon and harness at a glance, be
able to take each portion apart and put them together

THE MULE. 21

again, each in its proper shape and place, and, above
all, he should have practical experience with all kinds
of animals that are used in the army. This is especially
necessary during war.

CHAPTEE HI.

COLOK, CHAKACTER, AND PECULIAKITIES OF MULES.

After being in command of the upper corral, I was
ordered, on the 7th of September, 1864, to take charge
of the Eastern Branch Wagon Park, Washington.
There were at that time in the park twenty-one six-
mule trains. Each train had one hundred and fifty
mules and two horses attached. There were times,
however, when we had as many as forty-two trains of
six-mule teams, with thirty men attached to each
train. In a year from the above date we handled up-
ward of seventy-four thousand mules, each and every
one passing under my inspection and through my
hands.

In handling this large number of animals. I aimed to
ascertain which was the best, the hardest, and the most
durable color for a mule. I did this because great im-
portance has been attached by many to the color of
these animals. Indeed, some of our officers have made
it a distinguishing feature. But color, I am satisfied, is
no criterion to judge by. There is an exception to this,
perhaps, in the cream-colored mule. In most cases, these
cream-colored mules are apt to be soft, and they also
lack strength. This is particularly so v/ith those that

THE MULE. 23

take after the mare, and have manes and tails of the
same color. Those that take after the jack generally
have black stripes round their legs, black manes and
tails, and black stripes down their backs and across their
shoulders, and are more hardy and better animals. I
have frequently seen men, in purchasing a lot of mules,
select those of a certain color, fancying that they were the
hardiest, and yet the animals would be widely different
in their working qualities. Yon may take a black
mule, black mane, black hair in his ears, black at the
flank, between the hips or thighs, and black under the
belly, and put him alongside of a similar sized mule,
marked as I have described above, say light, or what is
called mealy-colored, on each of the above-mentioned
parts, put them in the same condition and flesh, of
similar age and soundness, and, in many cases, the mule
w^ith the light-colored parts will wear the other out.

It is very different with the white mule. He is gen-
erally soft, and can stand but little hardship. I refer
particularly to those that have a white skin. Next to
the white and cream, we have the iron-grey mule. This
color generally indicates a hardy mule. We have now
twelve teams of iron-gray mules in the park, which
have been doing hard work every day since July, 1865 ;
it is now January, 1866. Only one of these mules has
become "unfit for service, and that one was injured by
being kicked by his mate. All our other teams have
had more or less animals made unfit for service and
exchanged.

In speaking of the color of mules, it must not be
inferred that there are no mules that are all of a color

24 THE :NnJLE.

that are not liardj and capable of endurance. I have
had some, whose color did not vary from head to foot,
that were capable of great endurance. But in most
cases, if kept steadily at work from the time they were
three years old until they were eight or ten, they gener-
ally gave out in some part, and became an expense
instead of profit.

Yarious opinions are held as to what the mule can be
made to do under the saddle, many persons asserting
that in crossing the plains he can be made to perform
almost equal to the horse. This is true on the prairie.
But there he works with every advantage over the
horse. In 1858, I rode a mule from Cedar Yalley,
forty-eight miles north of Salt Lake City, to Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas, a distance of nearly fourteen
hundred miles. Starting from Cedar Valley on the
22 d of October, I reached Fort Leavenworth on the
31st of December. At the end of the journey the ani-
mal was completely worn down.

In this condition I put her into Fleming's livery sta-
ble, in Leavenworth City, and was asked if she was
perfectly gentle. One would suppose that, in such a
condition, she would naturally be so. I assured the
hostler that she was ; that I had ridden her nearly a
year, and never knew her to kick. That same morning,
\vhen the hostler went to feed her, she suddenly became
vicious, and kicked him very severely. She was then
about twelve years old. I have since thought that
when a mule gets perfectly gentle he is unfit for service.

Proprietors of omnibuses, stage lines, and city rail-
roads have, in many cases, tried to work mules, as a

THE MULE. 25

matter of economy ; but, as a general thing, tlie experi-
ment proved a failure, and they gave it up and returned
to horses. The great reason for this failure was, that
the persons placed in charge of them knew nothing of
their disposition, and lacked that experience in handling
them which is so necessary to success. But it must be
admitted that, as a general thing, they are not well
adapted for road or city purposes, no matter how much
you may understand driving and handling them.

The mule may be made to do good service on the
prairies, in supplying our army, in towing canal boats,
in hauling cars inside of coal mines — these are his
proper places, where he can jog along and take his own
time, patiently. Work of this kind would, however,
in nearly all cases, break down the spirit of the horse,
and render him useless in a very short time.

I have seen it asserted that there were mules that
had been known to trot in harness in three minutes.
In all my experience, I have never seen any thing of the
kind, and do not believe the mule ever existed that could
do it. It is a remarkably good road horse that will do
this, and I have never yet seen a mule that could com-
pare for speed with a good roadster. I have driven
mules, single and double, night and day, from two t)
ten in a team, and have handled them in every way
that it is possible to handle them, and have in my charge
at this time two hundred of the best mule teams in the
world, and there is not a span among them that could
be forced over the road in four minutes. It is true of
the mule that he will stand more abuse, more beating,
more straining and constant dogging at him than any

26 THE MULE.

other animal used in a team. Eut all the work you can
get out of him, over and above an ordinary day's work,
you have to work as hard as he does to accomplish.

Some curious facts have come under my knowledge
as to what the mule can endure. These facts also
illustrate what can be done with the animal by persons
thoroughly acquainted with his character. While on
the plains, I have known Kiowa and Camanche Indians
to break into our pickets during the night, and steal
mules that had been pronounced completely broken
down by white men. And these mules they have rid-
den sixty and sixty-five miles of a single night. How
these Indians managed to do this, I never could tell. I
have repeatedly seen Mexicans mount mules that our
men had pronounced unfit for further service, and ride
them twenty and twenty-five miles without stopping.
I do not mention this to show that a Mexican can do
more with the mule than an American. He cannot.
And yet there seems to be some sort of fellow-feeling
between these Mexicans and the mule. One seems to
understand the other completely ; and in disposition
there is very little difference. And yet the Mexican is
so brutish in dealing with animals, that I never allowed
one of them to drive a Government team for me. In-
deed, a low Mexican does not seem disposed to work
for a man who will not allow him full latitude in the
abuse of animals.

Packing Mules. — The Mexican is a better packer
than the American. He has had more experience, and
understands all its details better than any other man.
Some of our United States ofiicers have tried to im-

THE MULE. 27

prove on the experience of the Greaser, and have made
what thej called an improvement on the Mexican pack-
saddle. But all the attempts at improvement have
been utter failures. The ranchero, on the Pacific side
of the Sierra Nevadas, is also a good packer ; and he
can beat the Mexican lassoing cattle. But he is the
only man in the United States who can. The reason
for this is, that they went into that country when very
young, and improved on the Mexican, by having cattle,
mules, and horses round them all the time, and being
continually catching them for the pm'pose of branding
and marking.

There is, in Old as well as N'ew Mexico, a class of
mules that are known to us as Spanish, or Mexican
mules. These mules are not large, but for endurance
they are very superior, and, in my opinion, cannot be
excelled. I am not saying too much when I assert,
that I have seen nothing in the United States that could
compare with them. They can, apparently, stand any
amount of starvation and abuse. I have had three
Spanish mules in a train of twenty-nve six-mule teams,
and starting from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on
Colonel (since General) Sumner's expedition, in 1857,
have travelled to Walnut Creek, on the Santa Fe
route, a distance of three hundred miles, in nine days.
And this in the month of August. The usual effects
of hard driving, I noticed, showed but very little on
them. I noticed also, along the march, that with a halt
of less than three hours, feeding on grass that was only,
tolerably thick, they will fill up better and look in bet-
ter condition for resuming the march, than one of our

28 THE MULE.

American mules that liad rested five Lours, and had
tlie same forage. The breed, of course, has something
to do with this. But th^ animal is smaller, more com-
pact than our mules, and, of course, it takes less to fill
him up. It stands to reason, that a mule with a body
half as large as a hogshead cannot satisfy his hunger
in the time it would take a small one. This is the
secret of small mules outlasting large ones on the
prairies. It takes the large one so long to find enough
to eat, when the grass is scanty, that he has not time
enough for rest and recuperation. 1 often found them
leaving camp, in the morning, quite as hungry and dis-
couraged as they were when we halted the previous
evening. "With the small mule it is difierent. He gets
enough to eat, quick, and has time to rest and refresh
himself. The Spanish or Mexican mule, however, is
better as a pack animal, than for a team. They are
vicious, hard to break, and two-thirds of them kick.

In looking over a book, with the title of " Domestic
Animals," I notice that the author, Mr. E. L. Allen,
has copied from the official report of the Agricultural
Committee of South Carolina, and asserts that a mule
is fit for service sooner than a horse. This is not true ;
and to prove that it is not, I will give what I consider
to be ample proof. In the first place, a mule at three
years old is just as much and even more of a colt than
a horse is. And he is as much out of condition, on ac-
count of cutting teeth, distemper, and other colt ail-
ments, as it is possible to be. Get a three year old mule
tired and fatigued, and in nine cases out of ten he will
get so discouraged that it will be next to impossible to

THE MULE. 29

get him home or into camp. A horse colt, if able to
travel at all, will work his w^aj home cheerfully ; but
the young mule will sulk, and in many instances will
not move an inch while life lasts. An honest horse will
try to help himself, and do all he can for you, especially
if you treat him kindly. The mule colt will, just as
likely as not, do all he can to make it inconvenient for
you and him.

To show of how little service three year old mules
are to the Government, I will give the number handled
by me during part of 1864 and 1865.

On the 1st of September, 1864, Ihad charge of five thou-
sand and eighty-two mules ; and during the same month
I received two thousand two hundred and ten, and issued
to the Armies of the Potomac, the James, and the Shen-
andoah, three thousand five hundred and seventy-one,
which left us on hand, on the 1st of October, three
thousand seven hundred and twenty-ona During the
month of October we received only nine hundred and
eighty, and issued two thousand five hundred and thirty,
which left us on hand, on the 1st of ^N'ovember, two
thousand one hundred and seventy-one. During "No-
vember we received two thousand one hundred and
eighty-six, and issued to the army one thousand seven
hundred and fifty-seven, which left us on hand, on the
1st of December, two thousand four hundred and thirty
mules. Now mark the deaths.

During the month of September, 1864, there died in
the corral fifteen mules. In October, six died. In ]^o-
vember, three ; and in December, eight. They were
all two and three years old.

30 THE MULE.

On the 1st of May, 1865, we had on hand four thou-
sand and twelve head, and received, during the same
month, seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight.
We issued, during the same month, fifteen thousand
five hundred and sixty-three, leaving us on hand, on the
1st of June* ix thousand four hundred and eighty-seven.
During this month we received seven thousand nine
hundred and fifty-one, and issued eleven thousand
nine hundred and fifteen. Our mules during these
months were sent out to be herded, and the total num-
ber of deaths during the time was twenty-four. But
two of them were over four years old. Now, it occurs
to me that it would be a great saving to the Government
not to purchase any mules under four years old. This
statement of deaths at the corral is as nothing when
compared with the number of deaths of young mules in
the field. It is, in fact, well established that fully two-
thirds of the deaths in the field are of young animals
under three years of age. This waste of animal life
carries with it an expense it would be diflScult to esti-
mate, but which a remedy might easily be found for.

Now, it is well known that when a mule has reached
the age of four years, you will have very little trouble
with him, so far as sickness and disease are concerned.
Besides, at the age of four he is able to work, and work
well ; and he also understands better what you want
him to do.

The committee appointed to report on this subject
say many mules have been lost by feeding on cut straw
and corn meal. This is something entirely new to me ;
and I am of opinion that more Government mules die

THE MULE. 31

because they do not get enougli of this straw and meal.
The same committee say, also, that in no instance have
they known them to be inflicted with disease other than
inflammation of the intestines, caused by exposure. I
only wish that the members of that committee could have
had access to the afladavits in the Quartermaster-
General's department — they would then have satisfied
themselves that thousands of Government mules have
died with almost every disease the horse is subject to.
And I do not see why they should not be liable to the
same diseases, since they derive life and animation from
the horse. The mule that breeds closest after the jack,
and is marked like him, is the hardiest, can stand fa-
tigue the best, and is less liable to those diseases common
to the horse ; while those which breed close af*"er the
mare, and have no marks of the jack about them, are
liable to all of them.

In the beginning of this chapter I spoke of the color
of mules. I will, in closing, make a few more remarks
on that subject, which may interest the reader. "We
have now at work three dun-colored mules, that were
transferred to the Army of the Potomac in 1862, and
that went through all the campaigns of that army, and
were transferred back to us in June, 1865. They had
been steadily at work, and yet were in good condition,
hardy, and bright, when they were turned in. These
mules have a black stripe across their shoulders, down
their backs, and are what is called " dark-colored duns."
We also have the only full team that has gone through
all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. It
was fitted up at Annapolis, Md., in September, 1861,

32 THE MULE.

under Captain Sautelle, A. Q. M. They are now in
fine condition, and equal to any thing we have in the
corral. The leaders are very fine animals. They are
fourteen hands high, one weighing eight hundred, and
the other eight hundred and forty -five pounds. One of
the middle leaders weighs nine hundred, the other nine
hundred and forty-seven pounds, and fourteen hands
and a half high.

CHAPTER lY.

DISEASES MTJLES AEE LIABLE TO. WHAT HE CAN DilAW,

• ETC., ETC.

The committee also say that the mule is a more
steady animal in his draft than the horse. I think this
the greatest mistake the committee has made. You
have only to observe the manner in which a dray or
heavily-loaded wagon will toss a mule about, and the
way he will toss himself around on the road, to be satis-
fied that the committee have formed an erroneous
opinion on that point. In starting with a load, the
mule, in many cases, works with his feet as if they were
set on a pivot, and hence does not take so firm a hold
of the ground as the horse does. I have never yet seen
a mule in a dray or cart that could keep it from jolting
him round. In the first place, he has not the power to
steady a dray ; and, in the second place, they never can
be taught to do it. In fine, they have not the formation
to handle a dray or cart. What, then, becomes of the
idea that they are as steady in drays or teams as the
horse.

The committee also say that mules are not subject

to such ailments as horses — spavin, glanders, ringbone,

and bots. If I had the committee here, I would show

its members that every other mule in the quartermasters'

departmen*-, over fifteen and a half hands high, is either
2*

34 THE MULE.

spavined, ringbonecl, or in some way injured by the
above-named diseases. The mule may not be so liable
to spavin as the horse, but he has ringbone just the
same. I cannot, for the life of me, see how the com-
mittee could have fallen into this error. There is this,
however, to be taken into consideration : the mule is not
of so sensitive a nature as the horse, and will bear pain
without showing it in lameness. The close observer,
however, can easily detect it. One reason why they do
not show spavin and ringbone so much as the horse, is
because our blacksmiths do not cut their heels as low as
they do a horse's, and consequently that part of the foot
is not made to work so hard. If you believe a mule
has a ringbone, and yet is not lame, just cut his heel
down low, and give him a few good pulls in a muddy
place, and he will soon develop to you both lameness
and rinojbone. Cut his toes down and leave his heels
high, and he will not be apt to go lame with it.

The committee also say that a Mr. Elliott, of the
Patuxent Furnaces, says they hardly ever had a mule
die of disease. This is a strange statement; for the
poorest teams I ever saw, and the very worst bred
stock, were on the Patuxent Piver, through the southern
part of Maryland, and at the markets in TTashington
City. It is pitiable to see, as you can on market days,
the shabby teams driven by the farmers of eastern and
southern Maryland. A more broken-hearted, poverty-
stricken, and dejected-looking set of teams can be seen
nowhere else. The people of Maryland have raised
good horses ; it is high time they waked up to the neces-
sity, and even profit, of raising a better kind of mule.

THE MULE. 35

In regard to the draft power of mules, in com-
parisoa with horses, there are various opinions ; and
yet it is one which ought to be easily settled. I
have tested mules to the verv utmost of their strenofth,
and it was very rare to find a pair that could draw thirty
hundred weight a single year, without being used up com-
pletely. I^ow, it is well known that in the northern
and western States you can find any number of pairs
of horses that will draw thirty-five and forty hun-
dred weight anywhere. And they will keep doing it,
day after day, and retain their condition.

There was one great difiiculty the Agricultural Com-
mittee of South Carolina had to contend with, and it
was this. At the time it had the subject of the mule
under consideration, he was not used generally through-
out the United States. I can easily understand, there-
fore, that the committee obtained its knowledge
from the very few persons who had them, and made
the best report it could under the circumstances.
Indeed, I firmly believe the report was written with the
intention of giving correct information, but it failed
entirely. In recommending any thing of this kind,
great care should be taken not to lead the inexperienced
astray, and to give only such facts as are obtained
from thorouo^h knowledo^e : and no man should be
accepted as authority in the care and treatment of
animals, unless he has had long experience with them,
and has made them a subject of study.

A few words more on breaking the mule. Don't
fight or abuse him. After you have harnessed him,
and he proves to be refractory, keep your own temper,

36 THE ]MTJLE.

slack jour reins, push him round, backward and for-
ward, not roughly ; and it* he will not go, and do what
you want, tie him to a post and let him stand there a
day or so without food or water. Take care, also, that
he does not lie down, and be careful to have a person
to guard him, so that he does not foul in the harness.
If he will not go, after a day or two of this sort of treat-
ment, give him one or two more of it, and my word for
it, he will come to his senses and do any thing you want
from that time forward. Some persons assert that the
mule is a very cunning animal ; others assert that he is
dull and stupid, and cannot be made to understand
what you want. He is, 1 admit, what may be called a
tricky animal ; but, for experiment sake, just play one
or two tricks with him, and he will show you by his
action that he understands them well. Indeed, he
knows a great deal more than he generally gets credit
for, and few animals are more capable of appreciating
proper treatment. Like many other species of animal,
there are scarcely two to be found of precisely the
same temper and disposition, if we except the single
vice of kicking, which they will all do, especially when
well fed and rested. And we can excuse even this vice
in consideration of the fact, that the mule is not a
natural animal, but only an invention of man. Some
persons are inclined to think that, when a mule is
a kicker, he has not been properly broken. I doubt
if you can break a mule so that he will not kick
a stranger at sight, especially if he be under six years
old. The only way to keep a mule from kicking you
is to handle it a great deal when young, and accustom

THE MULE. S7

it to the ways and actions of men. You must tliroiigh
kindness convince it that you are not going to harm or
abuse it ; and you can do that best by taking hold of
it in a gentle manner every time it appears to be
frightened. Such treatment I have always found more
effective than all the beating and abusing you can
apply.

There is another fault the mule has to contend
against. It is the common belief among teamsters and
others that he has less confidence in man than the horse
has, and to improve this they almost invariably apply
the whip. The reason for this want of confidence is
readily found in the fact that mule colts are never
handled with that degree of kindness and care that
horse colts are. They are naturally more stubborn than
the horse, and most of those persons who undertake to
halter or harness them for the first time are even more
stubborn in their disposition than the mule. They
commence to break the animal by beating him in the
most unmerciful manner, and that at once so excites the
mule's stubbornness, that many of them, in this condi-
tion, would not move an inch if you were to cut them
to pieces. And let me say here that nothing should be
so much avoided in breaking this animal as the whip.
The young, unbroken mule cannot be made to under-
stand what you are whipping him for.

It is. a habit with mule drivers in the array, many of
whom are men without feeling for a dumb animal, to
whip mules just to hear their whips crack, and to let
others hear with what dexterity they can do it. It has a
very bad effect on the animals, and some means should

38

THE MULE.

be applied to stop it. Army teamsters and stable-men
seem to regard it as a virtue to be cruel to animals.
They soon cultivate vicious habits, and a bad temper
seems to grow up with their occupation. It naturally
follows, then, that in the treatment of their animals
they do just what they ought not to do. The Govern-
ment has been a very severe sufferer by this; and I
contend that during a war it is just as necessary to have
experienced and well trained teamsters as it is to have
hardened and well trained soldiers.

The mule is peculiar in his dislikes. Many of them,
when first harnessed, so dislike a blind bridle that they
will not work in it. When you find this, let him stand
for say a day in the blinders, and then take them ofiT,
and in forty-nine cases out of fifty he will go at once.

It has been said that the mule never scares or runs
away. This is not true. He is not so apt to get
frightened and run away as the horse is. But any one
who has had long experience with them in the army
knows that they will both get frightened and run away.
They do not, however, lose all their senses when they
get frightened and run away, as the horse does. Bring
a mule back after he has run away, and in most cases
he will not want to do it again. A horse that has once
run away, however, is never safe afterward. Indeed,
in all the tens of thousands of mules that I have
handled, I never yet found an habitual runaway. Their
sluggish nature does not incline them to such tricks.
If a team attempts to run away, one or two of them
will fall down before they have gone far, and this will
stop the remainder. Attempt to put one up to the

THE MULE. 39

same speed jou 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. His 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.

Worhing 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 fins feeling]: common to the horse.

^0 THE MULE.

I have, singular as it may seem, known mules that
have been spavined, curbed, and ringboned, and yet
have been worked for years without exhibiting lame-
ness.

Avoid spotted, or dapple mules ; they are the very
poorest animal you can get. They cannot stand hard
work, and once they get diseased and begin to lose
strength, there is no saving them. The Mexicans call
them pintos, or painted mules. We call them calico
Arabians or Chickasaws. They have generally bad eyes,
which get very sore during the heat and dust of summer,
when many of them go blind. Many of the snow-
white mules are of the same description, and about as
useless. Mules with the white muzzle, or, as some term
it, white-nore white, and with white rings round the
eyes, are also of but little account as work mules.
They can stand no hardship of any kind. Govern-
ment, at least, should never purchase them. In pur-
chasing mules, you must look well to the age, form,
height, eyes, size of bone and muscle, and disposition ;
for these are of more importance than his color. Get
these right and you will have a good animal.

If any gentleman wants to purchase a mule for the
saddle, let him get one bred closer after the mare than
the jack. They are more docile, handle easier, and
are more tractable, and w^ill do what you want with,
less trouble than the other. If possible, also, get
mare mules ; they are much more safe and trusty under
the saddle, and less liable to get stubborn. They are
also better than a horse mule for team purposes. In
short, if I were purchasing mules for myself, I would

THE MULE. 41

give at least fifteen dollars more for mare mules than I
would for horse. They are superior to the horse mule
in every way. One reason is, that they possess all
their natural faculties, while you deprive the horse of
his by altering.

The most disagreeable and unmanageable, and I was
going to say useless, animal in the world, is a stud mule.
They are no benefit to anybody, and yet they are more
troublesome than any other animal. They rarely ever
get fat, and are always fretting ; and it is next to im-
possible to keep them from breaking loose and getting
at mares. Besides, they are exceedingly dangerous to
have amongst horses. They will frequently ^j at the
horse, like a tiger, and bite, tear, and kick him to
pieces. I have known them to shut their eyes, become
furious, and dash over both man and beast to get at a
mare. It is curious, also, that a white mare seems to
have the greatest attractions for them. I have known
a stud mule to take a fancy to a white mare, and it
seemed impossible to keep him away from her. Mules
of all kinds, however, seem to have a peculiar fancy for
white mares and horses, and when this attachment is
once formed, it is almost impossible to separate them.
If you want to drive a herd of five hundred mules any
distance, turn a white or gray mare in among them for,
two or three days, and they will become so attached to
her that you may turn them out, and they will follow
her anywhere. Just let a man lead the mare, and with
two men mounted you can manage the whole herd
almost as well as if they were in a team. Another
way to lead mules is, to put a bell on the mare's neck.

42 THE MTJLE.

The mules will listen for that bell like a lot of school
children, and will follow its tinkling with the same
instinct.

Another curious thing about the mule is this : You
may hitch him up to-day for the first time, and he may
become sullen and refuse to go a step for you. This
may be very j)rovoking, and perhaps excite your tem-
per ; but do not let it, for ten chances to one, if you
take him out of the harness to-day and put him in
again to-morrow, that he will go right off, and do any
thing you want him. It is best always to get a young
mule well used to the harness before you try to work
him in a team. When you get him so that he is not
afraid of the harness, you may consider your mule two-
thirds broke.

I have seen it asserted that a team of mules was
more easily handled than a team of horses. It is im-
possible that this can be so, for the reason that you
never can make a mule as bridle-wise as a horse. To
further prove that this cannot be so, let any reinsman
put as many mules together as there are horses in the
" band wagon" of a show, or circus, and see what he
can do with them. There is not a driver living who
can rein them with the same safety that he can a horse,
and for the very reason, that whenever the mule finds
that he has the advantage of you, he will keep it in
spite of all you can do.

Mule Raismg. — I never could understand why it was
that almost every person, that raises stock, recommends
big, ugly gollips of mares, for mule-breeding. The
principle is certainly a wrong one, as a little study of

THE MULE. 43

nature must show. To produce a good, well-propor-
tioned mule, you must have a good, compact, and ser-
viceable mare. It is just as necessary as in the crossing
of any other animal. It certainly is more profitable
to raise good animals than poor ones ; and you can-
not raise good mules from bad mares, no matter what
the jack is. You invariably see the bad mare in the
flabby, long-legged mule.

It has been held by some of our officers, that the
mule was a better animal for Government service, be-
cause he required less care and feed than the horse, and
would go longer without water. This, again, is a grave
mistake. The mule, if properly taken care of, requires
nearly as much forage as the horse, and should be
groomed and cared for just the same. I refer now to
team animals. Such statements do a great deal of in-
jury, inasmuch as they encourage *the men who have
charge of animals to neglect and abuse them. The
teamster who hears his superior talk in this way will
soon take advantage of it. Animals of all kinds, in a
wild and natural state, have a way of keeping them-
selves clean. If left wild, the mule would do it. But
when man deprives them of the privileges by tying them
up and domesticating them, he must assist them in the
most natural way to keep themselves clean. And this
assistance the animal appreciates to its fullest extent.

How to Handle a Mule Colt. — Owners and raisers of
mules should pay more attention, to their habits when
young. And I would give them this advice : When
the colt is six months old, put a halter on him and let
the strap hang loose. Let your strap be about four feet

44 THE ilULE.

long, so that it will drag on the ground. The animal
will soon accustom himself to this ; and when he
has, take up the end and lead him to the place where
you have been accustomed to feed him. This will
make him familiar with you, and increase his confi-
dence. Handle his ears at times, but don't squeeze
them, for the ear is the most sensitive part of this ani-
mal. As soon as he lets you handle his ears familiarly,
put a loose bridle on him. Put it on and take it off
frequently. In this way you will secure the colt's con-
fidence, and he will retain it until you need him for
work.

Speaking of the sensitiveness of the mule's ear, a
scratch, or the slightest injury to it, will excite their
stubbornness and make them afraid of you. I have
known a mule's ear to be scratched by rough handling,
and for months afterward it was with the greatest
difiiculty you could bridle him. I^othing is more impor-
tant than that you should bridle a young mule properly.
I have found from experience that the best way is this :
stand on the near side, of course ; take the top of the
bridle in your right hand, and the bit in your left ; pass
your arm gently over his eye until that part of the arm
bends his ear down, then slip the bit into his mouth, and
at the same time let your hand be working slowly with
the bearings still on his head and neck, until you have
arranged the head-stall.

It would be a saving of thousands of dollars to the
Government, if, in purchasing mules, it could get them
all halter and bridle-broken. Stablemen, in the em-
ploy of the Government, will not take the trouble to

THE MULE. 45

halter and bridle-break them properly ; and I have
seen hundreds of mules, m the City of Washington,
totally ruined by tying them up behind wagons while
young, and literally dragging them through the streets.
These mules had never, perhaps, had a halter on be-
fore. I have seen them, while tied in this mariner,
jump back, throw themselves down, and be dragged on
the ground until they were nearly dead. And what is
worse, the teamster invariably seeks to remedy this by
beating them. In most cases, the teamster would see
them dragged to death before he would give them a
helping hand. If he knew how to apply a proper
remedy, very likely he would not give himself the
trouble to apply it. I have never been able to find
out how this pernicious habit of tying mules behind
wagons originated ; but the sooner an order is issued
putting a stop to it, the better, for it is nothing less
than a costly torture. The mule, more than any other
animal, wants to see where he is going. He cannot do
this at the tail of an army wagon, though it is an ex-
cellent plan for him to get his head bruised or his
brains knocked out.

Some persons charge it as an habitual vice with the
mule to pull back. I have seen horses contract that
vice, and continue it until they killed themselves.
But, in all my experience with the mule, I never saw
one in which it was a settled vice. During the time I
had charge of the receiving and issuing of horses to the
army, I had a great many horses injured seriously by
this vice of pulling back. Some of these horses became
so badly injured in the spine that I had to send them

46 THE MULE.

to the hospital, then under the charge of Dr. L. H.
Braley. Some were so badly injured that they died in
fits ; others were cured. Even when the mule gets his
neck sore, he will endure it like the ox, and instead
of pulling back, as the horse will, he will come right up
for the purpose of easing it. They do not, as some
suppose, do this because of their sore, but because they
are not sensitive like the horse.

Packing Mules. — In looking over a copy of Mason's
Farrier, or Stud Book, by Mr. Skinner, I find it stated
that a mule is capable of packing six or eight hundred
pounds. Mr. Skinner has evidently never packed
mules, or he would not have made so erroneous a state-
ment. I have been in all our Northern and "Western
Territories, in Old and E'ew Mexico, where nearly all
the business is done by pack animals, mules, and asses ;
and I have also been among the tribes of Indians bor-
dering on the Mexican States, where they have to a great
extent adopted the Spanish method of packing, and yet
I never saw an instance when a mule could be packed
six or eight hundred pounds. Indeed, the people in
these countries would ridicule such an assertion. And
here I pui^ose to give the result of my own experience
in packing, together with that of several others who
have long followed the business.

I also purpose to say something on what I consider
the best mode of packing, the weight suitable for each
animal, and the relative gain or loss that might result
from this method of transportation, as compared with
transportation by wagon. In the first place, packing
ought never to be resorted to, because it cannot be done

THE MULE. 47

witli profit, where the roads are good and wagons and
animals are to be had. In mountains, over deserts
and plains of sand, where forage is scant, and water
only to be had at long intervals, then the pack is a
necessity, and can be used with profit. Let it be under-
stood, also, that in packing, the Spanish pack-mule, as
as well as saddle, is the most suitable. Second : The
Spanish method of packing is, above all others, the most
ancient, the best and most economical. With it the
animal can carry a heavier burden with less injury to
himself. Third : The weight to be packed, under ever
so favorable circumstances, should never be over four
hundred and fifty pounds. Fourth : The American
pack-saddle is a worthless thing, and should never be
used when any considerable amount of weight is re-
quired to be packed.

If I had previously entertained any doubt in regard
to this American pack-saddle, it was removed by what
came under my observation three years ago. While
employed in the quartermasters' depot, at Washington,
D. C.,as superintendent of the General Hospital Stables,'
we at one time received three hundred mules, on which
the experiment of packing with this saddle had been
tried in the Army of the Potomac. It was said this was
one of General Butterfield's experiments. These animals
presented no evidence of being packed more than
once ; but such was the terrible condition of their backs
that the whole number required to be placed at once
under medical treatment. Officers of the army who
knew Dr. Braley, know how invariably successful he
has been in the treatment of Government animals, and

48 THE MULE.

how carefully he treats them. Yet, in spite of all his
skill, and with the best of shelter, fifteen of these ani-
mals died from mortification of their wounds and inju-
ries of the spine. The remainder were a very long time
in recovering, and when they did, their backs, in many
cases, were scarred in such a manner as to render them
unfit ever after for being used for a similar purpose.
The use of the American pack-saddle, and lack of
knowledge on the part of those in charge as to what
mules were suitable for packing, did this. The experi-
enced packer would have seen at a glance that a large
portion of these mules were utterly unfit for the busi-
ness. The experiment was a wretched failure, but cost
the Government some thousands of dollars.

I ought to mention, however, that the class of mules
on which this experiment was tried were loose, leggy
animals, such as I have heretofore described as being
almost unfit for any branch of Government service.
But, by all means, let the Government abandon the
American pack-saddle until some further improvements
are made in it.

!Now, as to the weight a mule can pack. I have seen
the Delaware Indians, with all their efiects packed on
mules, going out on a bufialo hunt. I have seen the
Potawatamies, the Kickapoos, the Pawnees, the Che-
yennes, Pi-Ute, Sioux, Arapahoes, and indeed almost
every tribe that use mules, pack them to the very
extent of their strength, and never yet saw the mule
that could pack what Mr. Skinner asserts. More than
that, I assert here that you cannot find a mule that w^ill
pack even four hundred pounds, and keep his condition

THE MULE. 49

sixty days. Eight Imndred pounds, Mr. Skinner, is a
trying weight for a horse to drag any distance. What,
then, must we think of it on the back of a mule ? The
officers of our quartermasters' department, who have
been out on the plains, understand this matter perfectly.
Any of these gentlemen will tell you that there is not
a pack train of fifty mules in existence, that can pack,
on an average for forty days, three hundred pounds to
the animal.

I will now give you the experience of some of the
best mule packers in the country, in order to show that
what has been written in regard to the mule's strength
is calculated to mislead the reader. In 1856, William
Anderson, a man whom I know well, packed from the
City of Del Korte to Chihuahua and Durango, in Mexi-
co, a distance of Hve hundred miles or thereabout.
Anderson and a man of the name of Frank Roberts
had charge of the pack train. They had seventy-five
mules, and used to pack boxes of dry goods, bales, and
even barrels. They had two Mexican drivers, and
travelled about fifteen miles a day, at most, though-
they took the very best of care of their animals. JS^ow,
the very most it was possible for any mule in this train
to get along with was two hundred and seventy-five
pounds. More than this, they did not have over
twenty-five mules out of the whole number that could
pack two hundred and fifty pounds, the average weight
to the whole train being a little less than two hundred
pounds. To make this fifteen miles a day, they had to
make two drives, letting the animals stop to feed when-
ever they had made seven or eight miles.

3

50 THE MULE.

In 1858, this same Anderson packed for the expedi-
tion sent after the Snake Indians. His train consisted
of some two hundred and fifty or three hundred mules.
They packed from Cordelaine Mission to Walla Walla,
in Oregon. The animals were of a very superior
kind, selected for the purpose of packing out of a very
large lot. Some of the very best of these mules were
packed with three hundred pounds, but at the end of
two weeks gave out completely.

In 1859, this same Anderson packed for a gentleman
of the name of David Reese, living at the Dalles, in
Portland, Oregon. His train consisted of fifty mules,
in good average condition, many of them weighing nine
hundred and fifty pounds, and from thirteen to fourteen
hands high. His average packing was two hundred
and fifty pounds. The distance was three hundred
miles, and it occupied forty days in going and return-
ing. Such was the severity of the labor that nearly
two-thirds of the animals became poor, and their backs
so sore as to be unfit for work. This trip was made
from the Dalles, in Oregon, to Salmon Falls, on the
Columbia River. Anderson asserts it, as the result of
his experience, that, in packing fifty mules a distance
of three hundred miles with two hundred and fifty
pounds, the animals will be so reduced at the end of the
journey as to require at least four weeks to bring them
into condition again. This also conforms with my own
experience.

In 1857, there was started from Fort Laramie,
Nebraska Territory, to go to Fort Bridger with salt, a
train of forty mules. It was in the winter ; each mule

THE MULE. 61

was packed with one hundred and eighty pounds, as
near as we could possibly estimate, and the train was
given in charge of a man of the name of Donovan.
The weather and roads were bad, and the pack proved;
entirely too heavy. Donovan did all he could to get
his train through, but was forced to leave more than:
tvN'o-thirds of it on the way. At that season of the
year, when grass is poor and the weather bad, one hun-
dred and forty or one hundred and fifty pounds is enough
for any mule to pack.

There were also, in 1857, regular pack trains run from
Eed Bluifs, on the Sacramento Kiver, in California, to
Yreka and Curran Kiver. Out of all the mules used
in these trains, none were packed with over two hundred
pounds. To sum up, packing never should be resorted
to when there is any other means of transportation
open. It is, beyond doubt, the most expensive means of
transportation, even when the most experienced packers
are employed. If, however, it were necessary for the
Government to establish a system of packing, it would
be a great saving to import Mexicans, accustomed to
the work, to perform the labor, and Americans to take
charge of the trains. Packing is a very laborious busi-
ness, and very few Americans either care about doing
it, or have the patience necessary to it.

CHAPTEK Y.

PHTSICAIi CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMTLE.

1 NOW propose to say sometliing on the mule's limbs
and feet. It will be observed that the mule has a
jack's leg from the knee down, and in this part of
the leg he is weak ; and with these he frequently has
to carry a horse's body. It stands to reason, then, that
if you feed him until he gets two or three hundred
pounds of extra flesh on him, as many persons do, he
will break down for want of leg-strength. Indeed, the
mule is weakest where the horse is strongest. His feet,
too, are a singular formation, differing very materially
from those of the horse. The mule's feet grow very
slow, and the grain or pores of the hoof are much
closer and harder than those of the horse. It is not so
liable, however, to break or crumble. And yet they
are not so well adapted for work on macadamized or
stony roads, and the more flesh you put on his body,
after a reasonable weight, the more you add to the
means of his destruction.

Observe, for instance, a farmer's mule, or a poor
man's mule working in the city. These persons, with
rare exceptions, feed their mules very little grain, and
they are generally in low flesh. And yet they last a

THE MULE. 63

Terj long time, notwithstanding tlie rongh treatment
they get. When you feed a mule, you must adjust the
proportions of his body to the strength of his limbs and
the kind of service he is required to perform. Expe-
rience has taught me, that the less you feed a mule
below what he will eat clean, just that amount of value
and life is kept out of him.

In relation to feeding animals. Some persons boast
of having horses and mules that eat but little, and are
therefore easily kept. Now, when I want to get a
horse or a mule, these small eaters are the last ones
I would think of purchasing. In nine cases out of ten,
you will find such animals out of condition. When I
find animals in the Government's possession, that cannot
eat the amount necessary to sustain them and give
them proper strength, I invariably throw them out, to be
nursed until they will eat their rations. Animals, to
be kept in good condition, and fit for proper service,
should eat their ten and twelve quarts of grain per
head per day, with hay in proportion — say, twelve
pounds.

I wish here again to correct a popular error, that
the mule does not eat, and requires much less food than
the horse. My experience has been, that a mule, twelve
hands high, and weighing eight hundred pounds, will
eat and, indeed, requires just as much as a horse of
similar dimensions. Give them similar work, keep
them in a stable, or camp them out during the winter
months, and the mule will eat more than the horse will
or can. A mule, however, will eat almost any thing
rather than starve. Straw, pine boards, the bark of

54 THE MULE.

trees, grain sacks, pieces of old leather, do not come
amiss with him when he is hungry. There were many
instances, during the late war, where a team of mnlef?
were found, of a morning, standing over the remains of
what had, the evening before, been a Government
wagon. "When two or more have been kept tied to a
wagon, they have been known to eat each other's tail
off to the bone. And yet the animal, thus deprived of
his caudal appendage, did not evince much pain.

In the South, many of the plantations are worked
with mules, driven by negroes. The mule seems to
understand and appreciate the negro ; and the negro
has a sort of fellow-feeling for the mule. Both are
sluggish and stubborn, and yet they get along well
together. The mule, too, is well suited to plantation
labor, and will outlast a horse at it. The soil is also
light and sandy, and better suited to the mule's feet. A
negro has not much sympathy for a work-horse, and in
a short time will ruin him with abuse, whereas he will
share his corn with the mule. 'Nor does the working
of the soil on southern plantations overtax the power
of the mule.

T/ie Value of Harnessing properly . — In working any
animal, and more especially the mule, it is both humane
and economical to have him harnessed properly. Un-
less he be, the animal cannot perform the labor he is
capable of with ease and comfort. And you cannot
watch too closely to see that every thing works in its
right place. Begin with the bridle, and see that it
does not chafe or cut him. The army blind-bridle,
with the bit alteration attached, is the very best bridle

THE MULE. 55

tliat can be used on either horse or mule. Be careful,
however, tliat the crown-piece is not attached too tight.
Be careful, also, that it does not draw the sides of the
animal's mouth up into wrinkles, for the bit, working
against these, is sure to make the animaPs mouth sore.
The mule's mouth is a very difficult part to heal, and
once it gets sore he becomes unlit for work. Your
bridle should be fitted well to the mule's head before
you attempt to work him in it. Leave your bearing-
line slack, so as to allow the mule the privilege of
learning to walk easy with harness on. It is too fre-
quently the case, that the eyes of mules that are worked
in the Government's service are injured by the blinds
being allowed to work too close to the eyes. This is
caused by the blind-stay being too tight, or perhaps not
split far enough up between the eyes and ears. This
stay should always be split high enough up to allow
the blinds to stand at least one inch and a half from
the eye.

Another, and even more essential part of the har-
ness is the collar. More mules are maimed and even
ruined altogether by improperly fitting collars, than is
generally believed by quartermasters. It requires
more judgment to fit a collar properly on a mule than
it does to fit any other part of the harness. Get your
collar long enough to buckle the strap close up to the
last hole. Then examine the bottom, and see that there
be room enough between the mule's neck or wind-pipe
to lay your open hand in easily. This will leave a
space between the collar and the mule's neck of nearly
two inches. Aside from the creased neck, mules' necks

56 THE MULE.

are nearly all alike in shape. They indeed vary as
little in neck as they do in feet ; and what I say on the
collar will apply to them all. The teamster has always
the means in his own hands of remedying a bad fitting
collar. If the animal does not work easy in it, if it
pinch him somewhere, let it remain in water over
night, put it on the animal wet the next morning, and
in a few minutes it will take the exact formation of the
animal's neck. See that it is properly fitted above and
below to the hames, then the impression which the
collar takes in a natural form will be superior to the
best mechanical skill of the best harness-maker.

There is another thing about collars, which, in my
opinion, is very important. When you are pursuing a
journey with teams of mules, where hay and grain
are scarce, the animals will naturally become poor,
and their necks get thin and small. If once the
collar becomes too large, and you have no way of
exchanging it for a smaller one, of course you must do
the next best thing you can. Kow, first take the collar
off the animal, lay it on a level, and cut about one inch
out of the centre. When you have done this, try it on
the animal again; and if it still continues too large
take a little more from each side of the centre until
you get it right. In this way you can efifect the
remedy you need.

In performing a long journey, the animals will, if
driven hard, soon show you where the collar ought to
be cut. They generally get sore on the outer part of
the shoulder, and this on account of the muscle wasting
away. Teamsters on the plains and in the Western

THE MULE. 57

Territories cut all the collars when starting on a trip.
It takes less time afterward to iit them to the teams,
and to harness and unharness.

When you find out where the collar has injured the
shoulder, cut it and take out enough of the stuffing
to prevent the leather from touching the sore. In this
way the animal will soon get sound-shouldered again.
Let the part of the leather you cut hang loose, so that
when you take the stuffing out you may put it back
and prevent any more than is actually necessary from
coming out.

See that your hames fit well, for they are a matter
of great importance in a mule's drawing. Unless your
hames fit your collar well, you are sure to have trouble
with your harness, and your mule will work badly.
Some persons think, because a mule can be accustom-
ed to work with almost any thing for a harness, that
money is saved in letting him do it. This is a great
mistake. You serve the best economy when you har-
ness him well and make his working comfortable.
Indeed, a mule can do more work with a bad-fitting
collar and harness than a man can walk with a bad-
fitting boot. Try your hames on, and draw them tight
enough at the top of the mule's neck, so that they will
not work or roll round. They should be tight enough
to fit well without pinching the neck or shoulder, and,
in fine, fit as neatly as a man's shirt-collar.

Do not get the bulge part of your collar down too

low. If you do, you interfere with the machinery that

propels the mule's fore legs. Again, if you raise it too

high, you at once interfere with his wind. There is an

3*

58 THE MULE.

exact place for the bulge of the collar, and it is on the
point of the mule's shoulder. Some persons use a pad
made of sheepskin on the top of the collar. Take it
off, for it does no good, and get a piece of thick leather,
free from wrinkles, ten or twelve inches long and seven
wide ; slit it crosswise an inch or so from each end,
leaving about an inch in the centre. Fit this in, in
place of the pad of sheepskin, and you will have a
cheaper, more durable, and cooler neck-gear for the
animal. You cannot keep a mule's neck in good con-
dition with heating and quilted pads. The same is true
of padded saddles. I have perhaps ridden as much as
any other man in the service, of my age, and yet I
never could keep a horse's back in good condition with
a padded saddle when I rode over twenty-five or thirty
miles a day.

There is another evil which ought to be remedied.
I refer now to the throat-latch. Hundreds of mules
are in a measure ruined by allowing the throat-latch to
be worked too tight. A tight throat-latch invariably
makes his head sore. Besides, it interferes with a part
which, if it were not for, you would not have the mule —
his wind. I have frequently known mules' heads so
injured by the throat-latch that they would not allow
you to bridle them, or indeed touch their heads. And
to bridle a mule with a sore head requires a little more
patience than nature generally supplies man with.

Let a mule's ears alone. It is very common with
teamsters and others, when they want to harness mules,
to catch them by the ears, put twitches on their ears.
Even blacksmiths, who certainly ought to know better,

THE MULE. 59

are in the habit of putting tongs and twitches in their
ears when they shoe them. !N'ow, against all these bar-
barous and inhuman practices, I here, in the name
of humanity, enter my protest. The animal becomes
almost worthless by the injuries caused by such practices.
There are extreme cases in which the twitch may be
resorted to, but it should in all cases be applied to the
nose, and only then when all mildet means have failed.

But there is another, and much better, method of
handling and overcoming the vices of refractory mules.
I refer to the lariat. Throw the noose over the head
of the unruly mule, then draw him carefully up to a
wagon, as if for the purpose of bridling him. In case
he is extremely hard to bridle, or vicious, throw an
additional lariat or rope over his head, fixing it pre-
cisely as represented in the drawing. By this method
you can hold any mule. But even this method had bet
ter be avoided unless where it is absolutely necessary.

It is now August, 1866. "We are working five hun-
dred and fifty-eight animals, from six o'clock in the
morning until seven o'clock at night, and out of this
number we have not got ten sore or galled animals.
The reason is, because we do not use a single padded
saddle or collar. Also, that the part of the harness
that the heaviest strain comes on is kept as smooth and
pliable as it is possible for it to be. Look well to your
drawing-chains, too, and see that they are kept of an
even length. If your collar gets gummy or dirty,
don't scrape it with a knife ; wash it, and preserve the
smooth surface. Your breeching, or wheel harness, is
also another very important part ; see that it does not

60 THE MULE.

cut and cliafe the animal so as to wear the hair off, or
injure the skin. If yon get this too tight, it is impos-
sible for the animal to stretch out and walk free.
Besides obstructing the animal's gait, liowever, the
straps will hold the collar and hames so tight to his
shoulder as to make him sore on the top of his neck.
These straps should always he slack enough to allow
the mule perfect freedom when at his best walk.

And now I liave a few words to say on Government
wagons. Government wagons, as now made, can be
used for other purposes besides the army. The large-
sized Government wagon is, it has been proved, too
heavy for four hoi-ses. The smaller sized one is nearer
right ; but whenever yoa take an ordinary load on it
(the smaller one), and have a rough country to move
through, it will give out. It is too heavy for two
horses and a light load, and yet not heavy enough to
carry twenty-five hundred or three thousand pounds, a
four-horse load, when the roads are in any way bad.
They do tolerably well about cities, established posts,
and indeed anywhere where the roads are good, and
they are not subject to much strain. Improvements on
the Government wagon have been attempted, but the
result has been failure. The more simple you can get
such wagons, the better, and this is why the original
yet stands as the best. There is, however, great differ-
ence in the material used, and some makers make
better wagons than others. The six and eight-mule
wagon, the largest size used for road and field pur-
poses, is, in my humble opinion, the very best adapted
to the uses of our American army.

THE IvniLE. Gl

During the rebellion there were a great many
wagons used that were not of the army pattern. One
of these, I remember, was called the Wheeling wagon,
and used to a great extent for light work, and did well.
On this account many persons recommended them. I
could not, and for this reason : they are too compli-
cated, and they are much too light to carry the ordinary
load of a six-mule team. At the end of the war it was
shown that the army pattern wagon had been worked
more, had been repaired less, and was in better condi-
tion than any other wagon used. I refer now to those
made in Philadelphia, by Wilson & Childs, or Wilson,
Childs & Co. They are known in the army as the
Wilson wagon. The very best place to test the dura-
bility of a wagon is on the plains. Run it there, one
summer, when there is bnt little wet weather, where
there are all kinds of roads to travel on and loads to
carry, and if it stands that it will stand any thing. The
Avagon-brake, instead of the lock-chain, is a great and
very valuable improvement made during the war.
Having a brake on the wagon saves the time and
trouble of stopping at the top of every hill to lock the
wheels, and again at the bottom to unlock them. Offi-
cers of the army know how much trouble this used to
cause, how it used to block up the roads, and delay the
movements of troops impatient to get ahead. The lock-
chain ground out the wagon tire in one spot. The
brake saves that ; and it also saves the animal's neck
from that bruising and chafing incident to the dead
strain that was required when dragging the locked wheel.

There is another difficulty that has been overcome by

62 THE MTJLE.

tlie wagon-brake. In stopping to lock wheels on the
top of a hill, your train get into disorder. In most
cases, when trains are moving on the road, there is a
space of ten or fifteen feet between the wagons. Each
team, then, will naturally close up that space as it comes
to the place for halting to lock. N^ow, about the time
the first teamster gets his wheel locked, the one in the
rear of him is dismounting for the same purpose. This
being repeated along the train, it is not difiicult to see
how the space must increase, and irregularity follow.
The more wagons you have to lock with the drag-chain,
the further you get the teams apart. When you have
a large body of wagons moving together, it naturally
follows that, with such a halt as this, the teams in the
rear must make twenty-five halts, or stops, and starts,
for every one that the head team makes.

When the teamster driving the second team gets
ready to lock, the first, or head team, starts up. This
excites the mule of the second to do the same, and so
all along the train. This irritates the teamster, and he
is compelled to run up and catch the wheel-mules by
the head, to make them stop, so that he can lock his
wheels. In nine cases out of ten he will waste time in
punishing his animals for what they do not understand.
He never thinks for a moment that the mule is accus-
tomed to start up when the wagon ahead of him moves,
and supposes he is doing his duty. In many cases,
when he had got his wheels locked, he had so excited
his mules that they would run down the hill, cripple
some of the men, break the wagon, cause a '' smash-up "
in the train, and perhaps destroy the very rations and

THE MULE. ^ 63

clotlies on wliich some poor soldier's life depended. We
all know what delay and disaster have resulted from the
roads being blocked up in this manner. The brake,
thanks to the inventor, offers a remedy for all this. It
also saves the neck and shoulders of every animal in the
train ; it saves the feet of the wheelers ; it saves the
harness ; it saves the lead and swing mules from being
stopped so quick that they cut themselves ; and it saves
the wheels at least twenty per cent. Those who have had
wagons thrown over precipices, or labored and strug-
gled in mud and water two and three hours at a time,
can easily understand how time and trouble could have
been saved if the wagon could have been locked in any
way after it started over those places. The best brake,
by all odds, is that which fastens with a lever chain to
the brake-bar. I do not like those which attach with a
rope, and for the reason that the lazy teamster can sit
on the saddle-mule and lock and unlock, while, with
the chain and lever, he must get off. In this way he
relieves the saddle-mule's back.

We all know that, in riding mules down steep or long .
hills, you do much to stiffen them up and wear them
out.

CHAPTER yi.

SOMETHING MOKE AEOUT BREEDING MULES.

Befoee I close this work, I desire to say sometliing
more about breeding mules. It has long been a popu-
lar error that to get a good mule colt you must breed
from large mares. The average sized, compact mare, is
by all odds the superior animal to breed mules from.
Experience has satisfied me that very large mules are
about as useless for army service as very large men are
for troopers. You can get no great amount of service
out of either. One is good at destroying rations ; the
other at lowering haystacks and corn-bins. Of all the
number we had in the army, I never saw six of these
large, overgrown mules that were of much service. In-
deed, I have yet to see the value in any animal that
runs or rushes to an overgrowth. The same is true
with man, beast, or vegetable. I will get the average
size of either of them, and you wiU acknowledge the
superiority.

The only advantage these large mares may give to
the mule is in the size of the feet and bone that they
may impart. The heavier you can get the bone and
feet, the better. And yet you can rarely get even this,
and for the reason that I have before given, that the

THE MULE. 65

mare, in nineteen cases out of twenty, breeds close after
the jack, more especially in the feet and legs. It makes
little difference how yon cross mares and jacks, the re-
sult is almost certain to be a horse's body, a jack's legs
and feet, a jack's ears, and, in most cases, a jack's
marks.

^NTature has directed this crossing for the best, since
the closer the mare breeds after the jack the better the
mule. The highest marked mules, and the deepest of
the different colors, I have invariably found to be the
best. What is it, let us inquire, that makes the Mexi-
can mule hardy, trim, robust, well-marked after the
jack, and so serviceable ? It is nothing more nor less
than breeding from sound, serviceable, compact, and
spirited Mexican or mustang mares. You must, in
fact, use the same judgment in crossing these animals
as you would if you wanted to produce a good race or
trotting horse.

We are told, in Mason and Skinner's Stud Book, that
in breeding mules the mares should be large barrelled,
small limbed, with a moderate-sized head and a good
forehead. This, it seems to me, wiU strike our officers
as a very novel recommendation. The mule's limbs
and feet are the identical parts you want as large as
possible, as every one that has had much to do with
the animal knows. You rarely find a mule that has
legs as large as a horse. But the mule, from having a
horse's body, will fatten and fill up, and become just as
heavy as the body of an average-sized horse. Having,
then, to carry this extra amount of fat and flesh on the
slender legs and feet of a jackass, you can easily see what

6G THE MULE.

the result must be. "No ; you will be perfectly safe iu
getting your mule as large-legged as you can. And by
all means let the mare you breed from have a good,
sound, healthy block of a foot. Then the colt will
stand some chance of inheriting a portion of it. It is
natural that the larger you get his feet the steadier he
will travel. Some persons will tell you that these
small feet are natural, and are best adapted to the ani-
mal. But they forgot that the mule is not a natural
animal, only an invention of man. Let your mare and
jack be each of the average size, the jack well marked,
and 1^0. 1 of his kind, and I will take the product and
wear out any other style of breed. Indeed, you have
only to appeal to your better judgment to convince
you as to what would result from putting a jack, seven
or eight hands high, to a mare of sixteen or more.

I have witnessed some curious results in mule breed-
ing, and which it may be well enough to mention here.
I have seen frequent instances where one of the very
best jacks in the country had been put to mares of good
quality and spirit. Putting them to such contemptible
animals seemed to degrade them, to destroy their
natural will and temper. The result was a sort of bas-
tard mule, a small-legged, small-footed, cowardly ani-
mal, inheriting all the vices of the mule and none of
the horse's virtues — the very meanest of his kind.

CHAPTER YII.

AKCIENT HISTOEY OF THE MULE.

The mule seems to liave been used by the ancients
in a great variety of ways ; but what should have
prompted his production must for ever remain a mystery.
Tliat they early discovered his great usefulness in making
long journeys, climbing mountains, and crossing deserts
of burnings and, when subsistence and water were scarce,
and horses would have perished, is well established.
That he would soon recover from the severe effects of
these long and trying journeys must also have been of
great value in their eyes. But however much they
valued him for his usefulness, they seem not to have
had the slightest veneration for him, as they had for.
some other animals. I am led to believe, then, that it
was his great usefulness in crossing the sandy deserts
tliat led to his production. It is a proof, also, that where
the ass was at hand there also was the horse, or the
mule could not have been produced. Any people with
sufficient knowledge to produce the mule would also
have had sufficient knowledge to discover the difference
Ijetween him and the horse, and would have given the
preference to the liorse in all service except that I have
just described. And yet, in the early history of the

68. THE MULE.

world, we find men of rank, and even rulers, using them
on state and similar occasions ; and this when it might
have been supposed that the horse, being the nobler
animal, would have made more display.

The Scriptures tell us that Absalom, when he led
the rebel hosts against his father David, rode on a mule,
that he rode under an oak, and hung himself by the
hair of his head. Then, again, we hear of the mule at
the inauguration of King Solomon. It is but reasonable
to suppose that the horse would have been used on that
great occasion, had he been present. On the other hand,
it is not reasonable to suppose that the ass, or any thing
pertaining to him, was held in high esteem by a nation
that beKeved they were commanded by God, through
their prophet Moses, not to work the ox and the ass
together. It must be inferred from this that the ass
was not held in very high esteem, and that the prohibi-
tion was for the purpose of not degrading the ox, he
being of that family of which the perfect males were
used for sacrifice. The ass, of course, was never allowed
to appear on the sacred altar. And yet He who came
to save our fallen race, and open the gates of heaven,
and fulfil the words of the prophet, rode a female of
this apparently degraded race of animals when He made
his triumphal march into the city of the temple of the
living God.

THE MULE.

List of Mules Received^ Died, and Shot, at the Depot of Washing-
ton, D. C.from 1st February, 1863, to 2>\st July, 1866.

Month.

1868.

1864.

1865.

1866.

1

%

S

(2

5

o

1
1

5

.a

CO

>

1

Jan ...

..

..

..

624

14

76

3,677

66

226

169

Feb....

135

96

7

329

16

62

1,603

S4

150

34

2

1

March.

2,552

150

4

448

10

64

2,823

77

169

13

April..

2,906

118

61

1,305

15

47

6,102

106

223

29

1

May...

1,087

56

46

2,440

18

52

11,780

68

211

20

1

June..

3,848

120

118

4,410

76

48

19,304

178

49

2

July . .

1,731

94

335

4,702

74

125

13,398

462

68

62

Aug...

5,250

51

159

5,431

88

281

1,275

284

23

••

Sept...

2,884

72

248

1,198

64

176

1,536

8

18

Oct....

1,166

86

202

1,468

81

134

876

Nov...

2,934

80

204

3,036

35

123

252

8

..

Dec...
Total..

2,832

14

113

3,923

66

158

324

4

..

27,275

887

1,497

29,414

557

1,296

62,950

1,835

1,137

829

4

1

Date.

Received.

Died.

Shot.

1863

27,275

29,414

62,950

829

837

557

1,835

. 4

1,497

1,296

1,137

1

1864

1865

1866

Total .. ..

119,963

2.733

8,931

70 THE MULE.

riCTUBES OF SOME OF OUR MOST CELEBRATED ARMY
MULES.

I have had photographs taken of some of our mules.
A number of these animals performed extraordinary
service in connection with the Army of the Potomac
and the "Western Army. One of them, a remarkable
animal, made the great circuit of Sherman's campaign,
and has an historical interest. I propose to give you
these illustrations according to their numbers.

No. 1, then, is a very remarkable six-mule team.
It was fitted out at Berryville, Maryland, early in the
spring of 1861, under the directions of Captain Saw-
telle, A. Q. M. They are all small, compact mules,
and I had them photographed in order to show them
together. The leaders and swing, or, as some call them,
the middle leaders, have been worked steadily together
in the same team since December 31, 1861. They
have also been driven by the same driver, a colored
man, of the name of Edward Wesley Williams. He
was with Captain Sawtelle until the 1st of March,
1862 ; was then transferred, with his team, to the City
of Washington, and placed under a wagon-master of
the name of Horn, who belonged to Harrisburg, Pa.
Wesley took good care of his team, and was kept at
constant work with it in Washington, until May 14,
1862. He was then transferred, with his team, to a
train that was ordered to join General McClellan at
Fort Monroe. He then followed the fortunes of the
Army of the Potomac up the Peninsula ; was at the
siege of Yorktown, the battle of Williamsburg, and in

THE MULE. 71

the swamps of the Chickahominy. He was also in the
seven days' battles, and brought up at Harrison's Land-
ing with the Army of the Potomac. He then drove his
team back to Fort Monroe, where they were shipped,
with the animals of the Army of the Potomac, for
Washington. He was set to work as soon as he reached
a landing, and participated in hauling ammunition at
the second battle of Bull Kun. He then followed the
army to Antietam, and from that battle-field to Freder-
icksburg, where he hauled ammunition during the ter-
rible disaster under General Burnside. The team then
belonged to a train of which John Dorny was wagon-
master. "When General Hooker took command of the
army this team followed him through the Chancellor-
ville and Chantilly fights. It also followed the
Army of the Potomac until General Grant took com-
mand, when the train it belonged to was sent to City
Point. This brings us up to 1864. It was with
the army in front of Petersburg, and, during that win-
ter, the saddle mule was killed by the enemy's shot
while the team was going for a load of wood. In short,
they were worked every day until Richmond was taken.
In June, 1865, they were transferred back to the City
of Washington. It is now August, 1866, and they are
still working in the train, and make one of the very best
teams we have. I refer now to the leaders and swing
mules, as they are the only four that are together, and
that followed the Army of the Potomac through all its
campaigns. There is not a mule of the four that is
over fourteen and a half hands high, and not one that
weighs over nine hundred pounds. This team, I ought

Y2 THE MULE.

to add here, has frequently been without a bite of hay
or grain for four or five days, and nothing to eat but
what they could pick up along the road. And there are
instances when they have been twenty-four hours with-
out a sup of water. The experienced eye will see that
they have round, compact bodies, and stand well on
their feet.

'No. 2 is the leader of the team, and for light work on
the prairies, packing, or any similar work, is a model
mule. Indeed, she cannot be surpassed. Her bone and
muscle is full, and she is not inclined to run to flesh.

No, 3 is the off-leader of the same team. She is a
good eater, tough, hardy, and a good worker, — in every
way a first-class mule. I would advise persons pur-
chasing mules to notice her form. She is a little sprung
in the knees ; but this has in no way interfered with
her working. This was occasioned by allowing the heels
on her fore-feet to grow out too much. During, and for
some time after, the second battle of Bull Run, the train
to which she belonged was kept at very hard work. The
shoes that were on her at that time, to use the driver's
own language, were "put on to stay." Indeed, he
informed me that they were on so long, that he con-
cluded they had grown to the feet. And in this case,
as in many others, for want of a little knowledge of the
peculiarities of a mule's feet, and the injury that results
from over-growth, the animal had to suffer, and was
permanently injured.

No. 4 is the off-swing, or middle-leader mule. She
is perfectly sound, of good height, a good eater, and a
great worker. She is also well adapted for packing,

^ l'

'Ikkf

-'' ^m,-

*

(#),|i,'»!iii'^te^',

\^jimwi ''T'ri^^vv

i\i!!Mriri''

^'hh\<<l

'l\ 'i'iii>

imff '

n

Hm^^()r0

THE MULE. 73

and a tolerably good rider. Her ears and eyes are of
the very finest kind, and her whole head indicates intel-
ligence. Her front parts are perfection itself. She is
also remarkably kind.

No. 5 is the near swing mule, or middle leader. She
is what is called a mouse-color, and is the fattest mule
in the team. She underwent the entire campaigns of
the Army of the Potomac, and is to-day without a
blemish, and capable of doing as much work as any
mule in the pack. Her powers of endurance, as well as
her ability to withstand starvation and abuse, are
beyond description. I have had mules of her build
with me in trains, in the Western Territories, that
endured hardship and starvation to an extent almost
incredible ; and yet they were remarkably kind when
well treated, and would follow me like dogs, and,
indeed, try to show me how much they could endure
without flinching.

No. 6 is an off-wheel mule, of ordinary quality. I
had to take the spotted mules from the wheels of this
team, as they were not equal to the work required of
them, and got very sore in front.

'No. T is a spotted, or, as the Mexicans call them, a
calico mule. He and his mate were sent to the Army
of the Potomac about the time General Grant took
command of it. They were worked as wheel
mules in the team until 1866, when this one, like
nearly all spotted animals, showed his w^eak parts by
letting up in his fore-feet, which became contracted to
such an extent that the surgeon had to cut them nearly
off. We were compelled to let him go barefoot until

74 THE MULE.

they grew out. This is one of the spotted mules I have
referred to before. You never can rely on them.

'No. 8 is the mate of No. 7. His head, ears, and
front shoulder indicate him to be of Canadian stock.
His neck and front shoulder, as you will see, are fault-
less. But on looking closely at his eyes you will find
them to be sore, and running water continually. I
have noticed that nearly all animals in the army that
are marked in this way have weak and inflamed eyes.
A farmer should never purchase them.

No. 9 is a swing mule that has undergone a great
deal of hardship. She is tolerably well formed but
inclined to kick. She is also hard to keep in good
condition, and unless great care is taken with her she
would give out in the hind feet, where she now shows
considerable fullness. When a mule's neck lacks the
ordinary thickness there must be some direct cause for
it, and you should set about finding out what it ia.
Lack of food is sometimes the cause. But in my
opinion creased neck very frequently so affects the
passages to and from the head, that the organs that
should work in depositing flesh, fat, or muscle become
deranged, and the neck becomes weak and in a dis-
ordered state. Purchasers would do well to discard
these creased-neck mules.

No. 10 is an animal of an entirely diflferent character
from E"o. 9. She is remarkably gentle and tractable,
of good form, and great endurance, and will work in
any way. She is fifteen hands and one inch high,
weighs ten hundred and fifty pounds, and is seven
years old. This celebrated animal went through all

THE MULE. 75

of General Sherman's campaigns, and is as sound and
active to-day as a four-year old.

'No, 11 is one of those peculiar animals I have
described elsewhere. He is all bones and belly. His
legs are long, and of little use as legs. He is five years
old, sixteen and a half hands high, and weighs thirteen
hundred and ninety pounds. One of his hind legs
shows a thorough pin. His hocks are all out of shape,
and his legs are stuck into his hoofs on nearly the same
principle that you stick a post into the ground. The
reason why his pastern-joints show so straight is, that
the heels on the hind feet have been badly trimmed
when shaving. They too have been permitted to grow
too long, and thus he is thrown into the position you
now see him. This mule belongs to a class that is
raised to a considerable extent, and prized very highly
in Pennsylvania. In the army they were of very little
use except to devour forage.

No. 12 is what may be called a pack mule of the
first class. He is seven years old, fifteen and a half
hands high, and weighs eleven hundred and fifty-six
pounds. This animal has endured almost incredible
hardships. He is made for it, as you will readily see.
He is what is called a portly mule, but is not inclined
to run to belly unless over-fed and not worked. He
has a remarkably kind disposition, is healthy, and a
good feeder. This animal has but one evil to contend
with. His off hind foot has grown too long, and plainly
shows how much too far back if throws the pastern-
joint. This is in a measure the effect of bad shoeing.
It is very rare to find a blacksmith who discovers this

76 THE MULE.

fact until it is too late. Now there is nothing more
easy than to ruin a mule by letting his toes grow
too long. Doctor L. H. Braley, chief veterinary sur-
geon of the army, is now developing a plan for
shoeing mules, which I consider the very best that has
been suggested. His treatment of the foot when well,
and how to keep it so ; and how to treat the foot by
shoeing when it becomes injured, is the best that can
be adopted.

No. 13 is a mule that has been worked in a two-mule
train which has been in my charge for about a
year. She was previously worked in a six-mule train,
as the off- wheel mule. She is five years old, rising ;
size, fifteen hands and three inches high, and weighs
fourteen hundred and twenty-two pounds. She was
received into the Government service at Wheeling,
"Virginia, and when shipped or transferred to this depot,
with four hundred others, was but two years old, rising
three. She was worked, at least a year or more, too
young ; and to this cause I attribute certain injuries
w^hich I shall speak of hereafter. This mule, with two
hundred others, was transferred to the Army of the Poto-
mac, and went through its campaigns from 1864 up to the
fall of Eichmond. She is an excellent worker, and her
neck, head, and fore shoulders are as fine as can be.
Indeed, they are a perfect development of the horse.
But her hips or flank joints are very deficient. Owing
to her being worked too young, the muscles of the hind
legs have given way, and they have become crooked.
This is done frequently by the animal being placed as
a wheeler when too young, and holding back under a

THE MULE. 77

heavy load. If you want to see how quick you can
ruin young mules, place them in the wheels.

'No. 14 is the off-wheel mule of a six-mule team. I
had this mule photographed for the purpose of showing
the effects of hitching animals so short to the team that
the swingle-tree will strike or rest on their hocks. I re-
ferred to this great evil in another place. This mule
is but six years old, sixteen hands high, and weighs
nearly sixteen hundred pounds. Aside from the hocks,
she is the best made and the best looking mule in the
park ; and is also a remarkably good worker. You
will notice, however, that the caps of her hocks are so
swollen and calloused by the action of the swingle-tree
as to make them permanently disfigured. The position
I have placed this mule in, as relates to the wagon
wheel, is the proper position to put all wild, green, con-
trary or stubborn mules in when they are hard to bridle.

This is the severest use to which a lariat can be put
on mule or horse. The person using it, however, should
be careful to see that it sets well back to the shoulder
of the animal. I refer now to the part of the loop that
is around the neck. The end of the lariat should al-
ways be held by a man, and not made fast to any part
of the wagon, so that if the animal falls or throws him-
self, you can slack up the lariat and save him from
injury. Three applications of the buck will conquer
them so thoroughly that you will have little trouble
afterwards. Be careful to keep the lariat, in front, as
high as the mule's breast ; and see also that they are
pulled up close to the front wheel before pulling it
through the hind wheel.

78 THE MULE.

DISEASES COMMON TO THE MULE, AND HOW THEY SHOULD
BE TREATED.

The mule does not differ materially from the horse
ill the diseases he is afflicted with. He however suffers
less from them, owing to lack of sensibility. It may
be useful here to make a few remarks on the various
diseases he is subject to, and to recommend a course of
treatment which I have practiced and seen practiced,
and which I believe is the best that can be applied.

DISTEMPER IN COLTS.

This disease is peculiar to young mules. Its symp-
toms develop with soreness and swelling of the glands
of the throat, a cough, difficulty of swallowing, dis-
charging at the nostrils, and general prostration. If
not properly treated it is surely fatal.

Treatment : — Give light bran mashes, plenty of
common salt, and keep the animal in a warm and dry
stable. You need not clothe, for the mule, unlike the
horse, is not used to clothing. If the swelling under
the throat shows a disposition to ulcerate, which it
generally does, do nothing to prevent it. Encourage
the ulcer, and let it come to a head gradually, for this is
the easiest and most natural way that the trouble, which
at first seems to pervade the whole system, can be got
rid of. When the ulcer appears soft enough to lance,
do so, and be careful to avoid the glands and veins.
Lance through the skin in the soft spot, which appears
almost ready to break. If the throat is at any time so

THE MULE. 79

swollen as to render swallowing difficult, give water
frequently, about milk warm, with nourishing feed of
oats, corn, or rye meal — the last is the best. If this
treatment, which is very simple, be carefully carried
out, few animals will fail to recover.

CATARRH OR CX)LDS.

This disease seldom attacks the mule. We have had
many thousands of them in camp, and out of the whole
number, I do not recollect of a case where it either
destroyed or disabled a single animal. In fact, it is a
question with me whether mules will take cold when
kept as the Government keeps them — camped out, or
standing in sheds where the temperature is the same as
outdoors.

GLANDERS.

This is one of the most destructive of diseases with
which the horse family is afflicted, and one that has set
the best veterinary skill of the world at defiance. A
remedy for it has yet to be discovered. I have deemed
it proper here, however, to carefully describe its symp-
toms, and to recommend that all animals showing symp-
toms of it be kept by themselves until their case be
definitely ascertained. When you have ascertained to
a certainty that they are afflicted with the disease, de-
stroy them as quick as possible. See, too, that the
place where they have been kept is thoroughly cleansed
and sprinkled with lime, for the disease is contagious,
and the slightest particle of virus will spread it anew.

80 THE MULE,

Farcy is but one stage of tliis terrible disease, but is not
necessarily fatal while in this stage. It should, how-
ever, be treated with great care and caution. Farcy
can also be conveyed to others by inoculation. Any
one who has had the field for observation the author has
for the last four years, would become convinced that
the recommendations I am about to make describe the
only course to be taken with this contagious disease.
The number of its victims under my observation were
counted by thousands. All that can be done is to pre-
vent, if possible, the disease taking place, and to destroy
when ascertained to a certainty that the animal has
contracted it. I would say here, however, that this sub-
ject will soon be thoroughly handled in a work soon to be
]3ublished by Doctor Braley, head veterinary surgeon
of the army. He will undoubtedly throw some light
on the subject that has not yet appeared in print.

SYMPTOMS.

First : — When it appears in a natural form, without
the agency of contagion or inoculation, dryness of the
skin, entire omission of insensible perspiration, starring
of the coat. Sometimes slight discoloring can be ob-
served about the forehead and lower part of the ears.
Drowsiness, want of lustre in the eye, slight swelling on
the inside of the hind legs, extending iip to the bu-boa.
This condition of things may continue for several days,
and will be followed by enlargement between the legs.
The iiiflanimation incident to this may entirely subside,
or it may continue to enlarge, and break out in ulcers

THE MULE. 81

on the lactiles of the lymphatic, which accompanieg
the large veins. In the last case it has appeared in the
form of Farcy. This being the case, the countenance
assumes a more cheerful look, and the animal otherwise
shows signs of relief from the discharges of poisonous
matter. If it remain in this state, death is not generally
the result. If the system be toned up it will sometimes
heal, and the animal will seem to be in a recovering
state of health. Yet, from watching the symptoms and
general health of the animal afterwards, you will be
convinced that the disease is only checked, not eradi-
cated. Acting in the system, it only waits a favorable
opportunity to act as a secondary agent in colds, gene-
ral debility, or exposure, when it will make its appear-
ance and produce death.

But in the first case, as shown by the swelling in the
hind legs, if the swelling disappear, and general debility
of the system continues ; if the eyes grow more drowsy,
and discharge from the lower corners ; and if this is
followed by discharge from the nostrils, slight swelling
and hardening of the sub-maxillary glands, which are
between the under jaws, then it is clearly developed
glanders. All the glands in the body have now become
involved or poisoned, and death must follow in the
course of ten or fifteen days, as the constitution of the
animal may be in a condition to combat the disease.

If this disease be annoyed by inoculation from the
fo.rcy heads of farcied animals into suppurating sores
on other animals, it will be very slow in its progress,
especially if it attack the other in a region remote. from
the lymphatic. If in a saddle-gall, it ^ill make sores

4*

82 THE MULE.

very difficult to heal. If there is any such thing as
checking the disease in its progress, it is in these three
cases.

I have observed that when it has been taken in a
sore mouth it has followed down the cheek to the sub-
maxillary gland, and ended in a clear case of glanders
or farcy. There is another form in which this disease
can be taken, and which is, of all others, the most
treacherous and dangerous, yet never producing death
without the agency of other diseases — always carrying
with it the germs of infection, and ready to convey it to
debilitated subjects and cause their death. The animal
will still live himself, and show no sign of disease further
than I am about to describe in the position. It is that
which is taken in at the nostrils and attacks the sub-
maxillary glands, which become enlarged and will
remain so. When these become overloaded there will
be a discharge at the nose. That being thrown off, it
may be some time before any further discharge will be
seen from the same source. In some cases, when the
discharge is constant, this can be easily distinguished
from gleet or ozena, from the healthy and natural appear-
ance of the membranes of the nose, which at first are
pale, then become fiery red or purple. In gleet the
discharges from the nostrils, as in ozena, are of a very light
color. In glanders they are first of a deep yellow, then
of a dirty gray — almost slate color.

Mules affected with glanders of this kind, although it
may seem hard from their otherwise healthy appear-
ance, should be destroyed. They indeed carry with
them the germs of infection and death, without any

THE MULE. 83

visible marks in their appearance to warn those who
have the care of animals against their danger.

TEETHING.

As mules seldom change hands to any great extent
until two or three years old, it is not deemed necessary
here to say any thing of their age until they have
reached two years, so as to give the inexperienced a
wider scope. The mule's mouth undergoes exactly the
same changes as the horse's. Between the ages of two
and three these changes begin to take place in the
mule's mouth. The front incisor teeth, two above and
two below, are replaced by the horse for permanent
teeth. These teeth are larger than the others, have two
grooves in the outer converse surface, and the mark is
long, narrow, deep, and black. Not having attained
their full growth, they are somewhat lower than the
others, the mark in the two next nippers being nearly
worn out, and is also wearing away in the corner
nippers.

A mule at three years old ought to have the central
permanent nippers growing, the other two pairs uniting,
six grinders in each jaw, above and below, the first and
fifth level with the others, and the sixth protruding.
As the permanent nippers wear and continue to grow,
a narrow portion of the cone-shaped tooth is exposed to
the attrition ; and they look as if they had been com-
pressed. This is not so, however ; the mark of some
gradiially disappears as the pit is worn away. At the

84 THE MULE.

age of three and a half or four years the next pair of
nippers will be changed, and the month at that time
cannot he mistaken. The central nippers will have
nearly attained their full growth, and a vacuity will be
laft where the second stood ; or, they will begin to peep
above the gum, and the corner ones will be diminished
in breadth and worn down, the mark becoming small
and faint. At this period also the second pair of grind-
ers will be shed. At four years the central nippers will
be fully developed, the sharp edges somewhat worn off,
and the marks shorter, wider, and fainter. The next
pair will be up, but they will be small, with the mark
deep and extending quite across. Their comer nippers
will be larger than the inside ones, yet smaller than
they were, and flat, and nearly worn out. The sixth
grinder will have risen to a level with the others ; and
the tushes will begin to appear in the male animal.
The female seldom has them, although the germ is
always present in the jaw. At four years and a half,
or between that and five, the last important change
takes place in the mouth of the mule. The corner nip-
pers are shed, and the permanent ones begin to appear.
When the central nippers are considerably worn, and
the next pair are showing marks of wear, the tush will
have protruded, and will generally be a full half inch in
height. Externally it has a rounded prominence, with
a groove on either side, and is evidently hollow within.
At six years old tlie mark on the central nippers is
worn out. There will, however, still be a difference of
color in the center of the tooth. The cement filling up
the hole made by the dipping in of the enamel, will

THE MULE. 85

present a browner hue than the other part of the tooth.
It will be surrounded by an edge of enamel, and there
will remain a little depression in the center, and also a
depression around the case of the enamel. But the
deep hole in the center of the enamel, with the black-
ened surface it presents, and the elevated edge of the
enamel, wdll have disappeared. The mule may now be
said to have a perfect mouth, all the teeth being pro-
duced and fully grown.

What I have said above must not be taken as a posi-
tive guide in all cases, for mules' mouths are frequently
torn, twisted, smashed, and knocked into all kinds of
shapes by cruel treatment, and the inexperience, to use
no harsher term, of those who have charge of them.
Indeed, I have known cases of cruelty so severe that
it were impossible to tell the age of the animal from his
teeth.

At seven years old the mark, in the way in which I
have described it, is worn out in the four central nip-
pers, and is also fast wearing away in the corner teeth.
I refer now to a natural mouth that has not been sub-
jected to injuries. At eight years old the mark is gone
from all the bottom nippers, and may be said to be
quite out of the mouth. There is nothing remaining in
the bottom nippers by which the age of the mule can
be positively ascertained. The tushes are a poor guide
at any time in the hfe of the animal to ascertain his
age by ; they, more than any other of the teeth, being
most exposed to the injuries I l\ave referred to. From
this time forward, the changes that take place in the
teetli may bo of some assistance in forming an opinion;

86 THE :^ruLE.

but there are no marks in tlie teeth by which a year,
more or less, can be positively ascertained. You can
ascertain almost as much from the general appearance
of the animal as from an examination of the mouth.
The mule, if he be long-lived, has the same effect in
changing his general appearance from youth to old age
as is shown on the rest of the animal creation.

DISEASES OF THE TEETH.

There are few if any diseases to which the mule's
teeth are subject, after the permanent teeth are de-
veloped ; but during the time of their changes I have
been led to believe that he sufiers more inconvenience,
or at least as much as any other animal — not so much
on account of the suffering that nature inflicts upon
him, as through the inexperience and cruelty of those
who are generally intrusted with his care. I will
here speak first of lampass. The animal's mouth is
made sore and sensitive by teething ; and this irritation
and soreness is increased by the use of improper bits.
As if this were not enough, resort is had to that barbar-
ous and inhuman practice of burning out lampass. This
I do, and always have protested against. If the gums
are swollen from the cutting of teeth, which is about all
the cause for their inflamed and enlarged appearance,
a light stroke of a lancet or sharp knife over the gums,
at a point where the teeth are forcing their way
through, and a little regard to the animal's diet, will
be all that is necessary. It must not be forgotten, that
at this time tlio animal's mouth is too sore and sensitive

THE MULE. 87

to masticate hard food, sucli as corn. With the de-
velopment of the teeth, however, the lampass will
generally disappear.

THE EYE.

Mules are remarkable for having good eyes. Occa-
sionally they become inflamed and sore. In such cases
the application of cold water, and the removing of the
cause, whether it be from chafing of the blinders,
forcing the blood to the head through the influence of
badly fitting collars, or any other cause known, is all
I can recommend in their case.

THE TONGUE.

Mules suffer much from injury to the tongue, caused
by the bad treatment of those who have charge of them,
and also from sore mouth, produced in the same man-
ner. The best thing for this is a light decoction of
white-oak bark, applied with a sponge to the sore parts.
Charcoal, mixed in water, and applied in the same
manner, is good. Any quantity of this can be used, as
it is not dangerous. If possible, give the animal nourish-
ing gruels, or bran mashes ; and, above all, keep the bit
out of the mouth until it is perfectly healed.

POLL-EVIL.

This is a disease the nmle more^ than all other animals
is subject to. This is more particularly so with those
brought into the service of the Government unbroken.

bo THE MULE.

It will be very easily seen that the necessary course of
training, halter-breaking, &c., will expose them to
many of the causes of this disease. Aside from this,
the inhuman treatment of teamsters, and others who
liave charge of them, frequently produces it in its worst
form. It begins with an ulcer or sore at the junction
where the head and neck join ; and from its position,
more than any other cause, is very difficult to heal.
The first thing to be done, when the swelling appears,
is to use hot fomentations. If these are not at hand,
use cold water frequently. Keep the bridle and halter
from tlie parts. In case inflammation cannot be abated,
and ulceration takes place, the only means to effect a
cure, with safety and certainty, is by the use of the
seton. This should be applied only by a hand well
skilled in the use of it. The person should also well
understand the anatomy of the parts, as injuries com-
mitted with the seton-needle, in those parts, are often
more serious and more difficult of cure than the disease
caused by the first injury.

FISTULA.

This is a disease the mule is more subject to than any
other animal in Government use. And this, on account
of his being used as a beast of burden by almost all
nations and classes of people, and because he is the
worst cared for. Fistula is the result of a bruise. Some
animals have been known to produce it by rolling on
stones and other hard substances. It generally makes
is appearance first in the way of a rise or swelling

THE iriJLE. 89

where the saddle has been allowed to press too hard on
the withers, and especially when the animal has high
and lean ones. As the animal becomes reduced in flesh,
the withers, as a matter of course, are more exposed
and appear higher, on account of the muscle wasting
from each side of the back-bone. This, under the sad-
dle, can be remedied to a great extent, bj adding an ad-
ditional fold to the saddle blanket, or in making the pad
of the saddle high enough to keep it from the withers.
In packing with the pack-saddle this is more difficult,
as the weight is generally a dead, heavy substance, and
as the animal steps low or high, the pack does the same.
Much, however, might be done by care in packing, to
prevent injury to the withers and bruising of the back-
bone. TV hen the withers begin to swell and inflamma-
tion sets in, or a tumor begins to form, the whole may-
be driven away and the fistula scattered or avoided by
frequent or almost constant applications of cold water —
the same as is recommended in poll- evil. But if, in
despite of this, the swelling should continue or become
larger, warm fomentations, poultices, and stimulating
embrocations should be applied, in order to bring the
protuberance to its full formation as soon as possible.
When full, a seton should be passed, by a skillful hand,
fi-om the top to the bottom of the tumor, so that all the
pus may have free access of escape. The incision
should be kept free until all the matter has escaped and
the wound shows signs of healing. The after treatment
must be similar to that recommended in the case of
poll-evil. The above treatment, if properly admin-
istered, will in nearly all cases of fistula effect a cure.

90 THE MULE.

COLLAE-GALLS.

Sore necks, saddle-galls, and stilfasts, are a species
of injury and sore, which are in many cases very diffi-
cult of cure, especially saddle-galls on mules that have
to be ridden every day. One of the best remedies for
saddle gall is to heighten the saddle up as much as pos-
sible, and bathe the back with cold water as often as
an opportunity affords. In many cases this will drive
the fever away and scatter the trouble that is about to
take place. This, however, does not always scatter, for
the trouble will often continue, a root forming in the
center of what we call the saddle-gall. The edges of
this will be clear, and the stilfast hold only by the
root. I have had many cases of this kind occur
with the mule, both on his back- and neck, mostly
caused on the latter part by the collar being too loose.
And I have found but one way to effectually cure them.
Some persons advise cutting, which I think is too tedi-
ous and painful to the animal. My advice is to take
a pair of pincers, or forceps of any kind, and pull it out.
Thts done, bathe frequently with cold water, and keep
the collar or saddle as much free of the sore as possible.
This will do more towards relieving the animal and
healing the injury than all the medicine you can give.
A little soothing oil, or grease free from salt, may be
rubbed lightly on the parts as they begin to heal. This
is a very simple but effective remedy.

THKTJSH.

This is another trouble with which the mule is afflicted.
Cut away the parts of the frog that seem to be destroyed,

THE MULE. 91

clean tlie parts well with castile-soap, and apply mu-
riatic acid. If you liave not this at hand, a little tar
mixed with salt, and placed on oakum or tow, and ap-
plied, will do nearly as well. Apply this every day,
keeping the parts well dressed, and the feet according
to directions in shoeing, and the trouble will soon dis-
appear.

CHEST FOUNDERS.

Mules are not subject to this disease. Some persons
assert that they are, but it is a mistake. These persons
mistake for founder in the chest what is nothing more
than a case of contraction of the feet. I have repeat-
edly seen veterinary surgeons connected with the army,
on being asked what was the trouble with a mule, look
wise, and declare the complaint chest founder, swelling
of the shoulders, &c. I was inclined to put some faith
in the wisdom of these gentlemen, until Doctor Braley,
chief veterinary surgeon of the department of Washing-
ton, produced the most convincing proofs that it was
almost an impossibility for these animals to become
injured in the shoulder. "When mules become sore in
front, look well to their feet, and in nine cases out of
ten, you will lind the cause of the trouble there. In
very many cases a good practical shoer can remove
the trouble by proper paring and shoeing.

BLEEDING.

It was always a subject of inquiry with me, who
originated the system of bleeding ; and why it was that

92 THE MULE.

all kinds of doctors and physicians persist in taking tlie
stream of life itself from the system in order to preserve
life. In the case of General Washington, which I copy
from the Independent Chronicle of Boston, January 6,
1800, the editor, using " James Craik, physician, and
Elisha C. Dick, physician," as authority, states that a
bleeder was procured in the neighborhood, who took
from the General's arm from twelve to fourteen ounces
of blood, in the morning ; and in the afternoon of the
same day was bled copiously twice. More than that,
it was agreed upon by these same enlightened doctors,
to try the result of another blood-letting, by which
thirty-two ounces more was drawn. And, wonderful
as it may seem to the intelligent mind at this day, they
state that all this was done without the slightest alle-
viation of the disease. The world has become more wise
now, and experience has shown how ridiculous this sys-
tem of bleeding was. What is true in regard to the
human system is also true in regard to the animal.
There are some extreme cases in which I have no doubt
moderate bleeding might render relief. But these cases
are so few that it should only be suffered to be done by
an experienced, careful, and skillful person. My advice
is, avoid it in all cases where you can.

COLIC.

The mule is quite subject to this complaint. It is
what is commonly known as belly-ache. Over doses of
cold water will produce it. There is nothing, however,
so likely to produce it in the mule as changes of grain.

THE MULE. 93

Musty corn will also produce it, and should never be
given to animals. I recollect, in 1856, when I was in
New Mexico, at Fort Union, we had several mules die
from eating what is termed Spanish or Mexican corn, a
small blue and purplish grain. It was exceedingly
hard and flinty, and, in fact, more like buckshot than
grain. We fed about four quarts of this to the mule,
at the first feed. The result was, they swelled up,
began to pant, look round at their sides, sweat above
the eyes and at the flanks. Then they commenced to
roll, spring up suddenly, lie down again, roll and try to
lie on their backs. Then they would spring up, and
after standing a few seconds, fall down, and groan, and
pant. At length they would resign themselves to what
they apparently knew to be their fate, and die. And
yet, singular as it may seem, the animal could be accus-
tomed to this grain by judicious feeding at first.

We did not know at that time what to give the ani-
mal to relieve or cure him ; and the Government lost
hundreds of valuable animals through our want of
knowledge. Whenever these violent cases appear, get
some common soap, make a strong suds and drench the
mule with it. I have found in every case where I used
it that the mule got well. It is the alkali in the soap
that neutralizes the gases. There is another good
receipt, and it is generally to be found in camp. Take
two ounces of saleratus, put it into a pint of water,
shake well, and then drench with the same. Above
all things, keep whisky and othe> stimulants away, as
they only serve to aggravate the disease.

94: THE MULE.

PHYSICKING.

This is another of those imaginary cures resorted to
by persons having charge of mules. Yery many of
these persons honestly believe that it is necessary to
clean the animal out every spring with large doses of
poisonous and other truck. This, they say, ought to be
given to loosen the hide, soften the hair, &c. In my
opinion it does very little good. If his dung gets dry,
and his hair hard and crispy, give him bran mashes
mixed with his grain, and a teaspoonful of salt at each
feed. If there is grass, let him graze a few hours every
day. This will do more towards softening his coat and
loosening his bowels than any thing else. When real
disease makes its appearance, it is time to use medi-
cines ; but they should be applied by some one who
thoroughly understands them.

STRINGHALT.

This sometimes occurs in the mule. It is a sudden,
nervous, quick jerk of either or both of the hind legs.
In the mule it frequently shows but little after being
worked an hour or so. It is what I regard as unsound-
ness, and a mule badly affected with it is generally of
but little use. It is often the result of strains, caused
by backing, pulling and twisting, and heavy falls. You
can detect it in its slightest form by turning the animal
short around to the right or to the left. Turn him in
tlie track he stands in, as near as possible, and tlien
back him. It' he has it, one of these three ways will

THE MULE, 95

develop its symptoms. There are a great many opin-
ions as to the soundness or unsoundness of an animal
afflicted with this complaint. If I had now a good
animal afflicted with it, the pain caused to my feelings
by looking at it would be a serious drawback.

CEAIMP.

I have now under my charge several mules that are
subject to this complaint. It does not really injure
them for service, but it is very disagreeable to those
having them in charge. It frequently requires from
half an hour to two hours to get them rubbed so as the
blood gets to its proper circulation, and to get them to
walk without dragging their legs. In cases where
they are attacked violently, they will appear to lose all
use of their legs. I have known cases when a sudden
stroke with a light piece of board, so as to cause a sur-
prise, would drive it away. In other cases sudden
application of the whip would have the same effect.

sPAvm.

It is generally believed that the mule does not inherit
this disease. But this is not altogether true. Small,
compact mules, bred after the jack, are indeed not
subject to it. On the contrary, large mules, bred from
large, coarse mares, are very frequently afflicted with
it. The author has under his charge at the present
time quite a number of those kind of mules, in which
this disease is visible. At times, when w^orked hard,

96 THE MULE.

they are sore and lain»8. The only thing to be recom-
mended in this case is careful treatment, and as much
rest at intervals as it is possible to give them. Hand
rubbing and application of stimulant liniments, or tinc-
ture of arnica, is about all that can be done. The old
method of firing and blistering only puts the animal
to torture and the owner to expense. A cure can never
be effected through it, and therefore should never be
tried.

EIKGBONE.

These appear on the same kind of large, bony mules
as referred to in cases of spavin, and are incurable.
They can, however, be relieved by the same process as
recommended in spavin. Relief can also be afforded
by letting the heels of the affected feet grow down
to considerable length, or shoeing with a high-heeled
shoe, and thus taking the weight or strain off the
injured parts. The only way to make the best use of
an animal afflicted with this disease, is to abandon
experiments to effect a cure, as they will only be
attended with expense and disappointment.

MANGE.

Mules are subject to this disease when kept in large
numbers, as in the army. This is peculiarly a cuticle
disease, like the itch in the human system, and yields
to the same course of treatment. A mixture of sul-
phur and hog's lard, one pint of the latter to
two of the former. Rub the animal all over, then

THE MULE. 97

cover with a blanket. After standing two days, wash
him clean with soft-soap and water. After this process
has been gone through, keep the animal blanketed for
a few days, as he will be liable to take cold. Feed
with bran mashes, plenty of common salt, and water.
This will relieve the bowels all that is necessary, and
can scarcely fail of effecting a cnre. Another method,
but not so certain in its effect, is to make a decoction of
tobacco, say about one pound of the stems to two gal-
lons of water, boiled until the strength is extracted
from the weed, and when cool enough, bathe the mule
well with it from head to foot, let him dry off, and
do not curry him for a day or two. Then curry him
well, and if the itching appear again, repeat the bath-
ing two or three times, and it will produce a cure.
The same treatment will apply in case of lice, which
frequently occurs where mules are kept in large num-
bers. Mercury should never be used in any form,
internally or externally, on an animal so much expased
as the mule.

GEEASE-HEEL.

Clean the parts well with castile-soap and warm
water. As soon as you have discovered the disease,
stop wetting the legs, as that only aggravates it, and
use ointment made from the following substances :
Powdered charcoal, two ounces ; lard or tallow, four
ounces ; sulphur, two ounces. Mix them well together,
then rub the ointment in well with your hand on the
affected parts. If the above is not at hand, get gun-

98 THE MULE.

powder, some lard or tallow, in equal parts, and apply
in the same manner. If the animal be poor, and his
system need toning up, give him plenty of nourishing
food, with bran mash mixed plentifully with the grain.
Add a teaspoonful of salt two or three times a day, as
it will aid in keeping the bowels open. If the stable
bottoms, or floors, or yards are filthy, see that they are
properly cleaned, as filthiness is one of the causes of
tliis disease. The same treatment will apply to
scratches, as they are the same disease in a difierent
form.

To avoid scratches and grease-heel during the winter,
or indeed at any other season, the hair on the mule's
heels should never be cut. Kor should the mud, in
winter season, be washed off, but allowed to dry on the
animal's legs, and tlien rubbed off with hay or straw.
This washing, and cutting the hair off the legs, leave
them without any protection, and is, in many cases, the
cause of grease-heel and scratches.

SHOES, SHOEING, AND THE FOOT.

The foot, its diseases, and how to shoe it properly,
is a subject much discussed among horsemen. Nearly
every farrier and blacksmith has a way of his own for
curing diseased feet, and shoeing. ISTo matter how
absurd it may be, he will insist that it has merits
superior to all others, and it would be next to impossible
to convince him of his error. Skillful veterinarians
now understand perfectly all the diseases peculiar to
the foot, and the means of effecting a cure. They

THE MULE. 99

understand, also, what sort of shoe is needed for the
feet of different animals. Latterly a number of shoes
have been invented and patented, all professing to be
exactly what is wanted to relieve and cure diseased feet
of all kinds. One man has a shoe he calls " concave^''
and says it will cure contraction, corns, thrush, quarter-
crack, toe-crack, &c., &c. But when you come to ex-
amine it closely, you will find it nothing more than a
nicely dressed piece of iron, made almost in the shape of
a half moon. After a fair trial, however, it will be
found of no more virtue in curing diseases or relieving
the animal than the ordinary shoe used by a country
smithy. Another inventive genius springs up and
asserts that he has discovered a shoe that will cure all
sorts of diseased feet; and brings at least a bushel
basket full of letters from persons he declares to be in-
terested in the horse, confirming what he has said of
the virtues of his shoe. But a short trial of this won-
derful shoe only goes to show how little these persons
understand the whole subject, and how easy a matter it
is to procure letters ' recommending what they have
invented.

Another has a " specific method " for shoeing, which
is to cut away the toe right in the center of the foot,
cut away the bars on the inside of the foot, cut and
clean away all around on the inside of the hoof, then to
let the animal stand on a board floor, so that his feet
would be in the position a saucer would represent with
one piece broken out at the front and two at the back.
This I consider the most inhuman method in the art
of shoeing. Turn this saucer upside down and see

100 THE MULE.

how little pressure it would bear, and you will have
some idea of the cruelty of applying this " specific
method." Sometimes bar-shoes and other contrivances
are used, to keep the inside of the foot from coming
down. But why do this? Why not get at once a
shoe adapted to the spreading of the foot. Tyrell's
shoe for this purpose is the best I have yet seen. We
have used it in the Government service for two years,
and experience has taught me that it has advantages
that ought not to be overlooked. But even this shoe
may be used to disadvantage by ignorant hands. In-
deed, in the hands of a blacksmith who prefers "his
own way," some kinds of feet may be just as badly in-
jured by it as others are benefited. The United States
Army affords the largest field for gaining practical
knowledge concerning the diseases, especially of the
feet, with which horses and mules are afi&icted. During
the late war, when so little care was given to animals
in the field, when they were injured in every con-
ceivable manner, and by all sorts of accidents, the
veterinary found a field for study such as has never
been opened before.

Experience has taught me, that common sense is one
of the most essential things in the treatment of a horse's
foot. You must remember that horses' feet differ as
well as men's, and require different treatment, espe-
cially in shoeing. You must shoe the foot according to
its peculiarity and demands, not according to any
specific " system of shoe." Give the ground surface
a level bearing, let the frog come to the ground, and
the weight of the mule rest on tlie frog as much as any

TTIS MULE. 101

other part of the foot. If it project beyond the shoo,
so much the better. That is what it was made for, and
to catch the weight on an elastic principle. Never,
under any circumstances, cut it away. Put two nails
in the shoe on each side, and both forward of. the
quarters, and one in the toe, directly in front of the
foot. Let those on the sides be an inch apart, then
you will be sure not to cut and tear the foot. Let the
nails and nail-holes be small, for they will then aid in
saving the foot. It will still further aid in saving it by
letting the nails run well up into the hoof, for that keeps
the shoe steadier on the foot. The hoof is just as
thick to within an inch of the top, and is generally
sounder, and of a better substance, than it is at the
bottom. Keep the first reason for shoeing apparent
in your mind always — that you only shoe your mule
because his feet will not stand the roads without it.
And whenever you can, shoe him with a shoe exactly
the shape of his foot. Some blacksmiths will insist on
a shoe, and then cutting and shaping the foot to it.
The first or central surface of the hoof, made hard by
the animal's own peculiar way of traveling, indicates
the manner in which he should be shod. All the art in
the world cannot improve this, for it is the model pre-
pared by nature. Let the shoes be as light as possible,
and without calks if it can be afforded, as the mule
always travels unsteady on them. The Goodenough
shoe is far superior to the old ^calked shoe, and will
answer every purpose where holding is necessary. It is
also good in mountainous countries, and there is no
danger of the animal calking himself with it. I have

102 THE MIJLE.

carefully observed the different effect of shoes, while
with troops on the march. I accompanied the Seventh
Infantry, in 1858, in its march to Cedar Yalley, in
Utah, a distance of fourteen hundred miles, and noticed
that scarcely a man who wore regulation shoes had a
blister on his feet, while the civilians, who did not, were
continually falling out, and dropping to the rear, from
the effects of narrow and improper shoes and boots.
The same is the case with the animal. The foot must
have something flat and broad to bear on. The first
care of those having charge of mules, should be to see
that their feet are kept in as near a natural state as
possible. Then, if all the laws of nature be observed,
and strictly obeyed, the animal's feet will last as long,
and be as sound in his domestic state as he would be in.
a state of nature.

The most ordinary observer will soon find that the
outer portion or covering of the mule's foot possesses
very little animal life, and has no sensibility, like the
hair or covering of the body. Indeed, the foot of the
horse and mule is a dense block of horn, and must
therefore be influenced and governed by certain chemical
laws, which control the elements that come in contact
with it. Hence it was that the feet of these animals
was made to bear on the hard ground, and to be wet
naturally every time the horse drank. Drought and
heat will contract and make hard and brittle the sub-
stance of which the feet is composed ; while on the
other hand cooling and moisture will expand it, and
render it pliable and soft. JSTature has provided every-
thing necessary to preserve and protect this foot, while

THE MULE. 103

the animal is in a natural state ; but when brouglit into
domestic use, it requires the good sense of man, whose
servant he is, to artificially employ those means which
nature has provided, to keep it perfectly healthy.

When, then, the foot is in a healthy state, wet it at
least twice a day ; and do not be content with merely
throwing cold water on the outside, for the foot takes
in very little if any moisture through the wall. In short,
it absorbs moisture most through the frog and solo,
particularly in the region where the sole joins the wall.
This, if covered by a tight shoe, closes the medium, and
prevents the proper supply. Horses that are shod
should be allowed to stand in moist places as much as
possible. Use clay or loam floors, especially if the
horse has to stand much of his time. Stone or brick is
the next best, as the foot of the animal will absorb
moisture from either of these. Dry pine planks are
the very worst, because they attract moisture from the
horse's foot. Where animals have to stand idle much
of the time, keep their feet well stuffed with cow ma-
nure at night. That is the best and cheapest preserva-
tive of the feet that you can use.

ADVICE TO BLACKSMITHS.

Let me enjoin you, for humanity's sake, that when
you first undertake to shoe a young animal, you will
not forget the value of kind treatment. Keep its head
turned away from the glaring fije, the clinking anvil,
(fee, (fee. Let the man whom he has been accustomed
to, the groom or owner, stand at his head, and talk to
him kindly. When you approach him for the first

104 THE MULE.

time, let it be without those implements you are to use
in his shoeing. Speak to him gently, then take up his
foot. If he refuse to let you do this, let the person
having him in charge do it. A young animal will
allow this with a person he is accustomed to, when he
will repel a stranger. By treating him kindly you can
make him understand what is wanted; by abusing
him you will only frighten him into obstinacy. When^
you have got the animal under perfect subjection, ex-
amine the foot carefully, and you will find the heels, at
the back part of the frog, entirely free from that mem-
ber, which is soft and spongy. When the foot is down,
resting on the ground, grasp the heels in your strong
hand, press them inwards towards the frog, and you
wall immediately find that they will yield. You will
then see that what yields so easily to the mere pressure
of the hand will expand and spread out when the weight
of the body is thrown on it. This should give you an
idea of what you have to do in shoeing that foot, and
your practical knowledge should stand you well in an
argument with any of those "learned professors," who
declare the foot of the mule does not expand or contract.
In truth it is one of its necessary conditions. After being
a long time badly shod, nearly or all of this necessary
principle of the foot will be lost. You should there-
fore study to preserve it. And here let me give you
what little aid experience has enabled me to do. You
will observe the ground surface of the foot, no matter
how high the arch may be, to be at least half an inch
wide, and sometimes more than an inch, with the heels
spread out at the outside quarter. Do not cut away

THE MULE. 105

this important brace. It is as necessary to tiie heel of
the animal, to guard him against lateral motion, on
which the whole of the above structure depends, as the
toes are to the human being. Curve the outside of the
shoe nearly to fit the foot, and you will find the inside
heel a little straighter, especially if the animal be nar-
row-breasted, and the feet stand close together. iN'ature
has provided this safeguard to prevent its striking the
opposite leg. After the shoe is prepared to fit the foot,
as I have before described, rasp the bottom level — it
will be found nearly so. Do not put a knife to the sole
or the frog. Tlie sole of the foot, remember, is its life,
and the frog its defender. In punching the shoe, two
nail-holes on a side, on a foot like this, are sufficient to
hold on a shoe. Three may be used, if set in their
proper places, without injury to the foot. Practice will
teach you that any more nailing than this is unneces-
sary. I have used two nails on a side on an animal
with not the best of a foot, and very high action, and he
has worn them entirely out without throwing either of
them off. Previous to punching the shoe, observe the
grain of the foot. It will be seen that the fibres of the
hoof run from the top of the foot, or coronary border,
towards the toe, in most feet, at an angle of about
forty-five degrees. It will be plain, then, that if the
nails are driven with the grain of the horn, they will
drive much easier, and hold better, and be less liable
to cut and crack the fibers.

Another benefit can be derived from this process of
nailing. "When the foot comes to the ground, the nails
act as a brace to keep the foot from slipping forward

5*

106 THE MTTLE.

off the sboe. This renders that very ingenious foot
destroyer, the toe-clip, unnecessary. Then, in punching
the shoe, hold the top of the pritchell toward the heel
of the shoe, so as to get the hole in the shoe on an
angle with the grain of the hoof. Punch the holes large
enough, so that the nails will not hind in the shoe, nor
require unnecessary hammering or bruising of the foot
to get them up to their proper place. Prepare the nails
well, point them thin and narrow ; and, as I have said
before, use as small a nail as possible.

When you proceed to nail on the shoe, take a slight
hold at the bottom, so as to be sure that the nail starts
in the wall of the foot instead of the sole. Let it come
out as high up as possible. Tou need not be afraid of
pricking with nails set in this way, as the wall of the
foot is as thick, until you get within half an inch of the
top, as it is where you set the naiJ. l^ails driven in this
way injure the feet less, hold on longer, and are stronger
than when driven in any other way*. If you have any
doubt of this, test it in this manner : when you take
off an old shoe to set a new one, and cut the clinches
(which should be done in all cases), you will find the
old nail and the clinches not started up ; and in draw-
ing the nail out you will also find the foot not slipped
or cracked ; and that the horn binds the nail until it is
entirely drawn out. Indeed, I have known the hole to
almost close as the nail left it.

Set the two front nails well towards the toe, so as
not to be more than two inches apart when measured
across the bottom of the foot. Let the next two divide
the distance from that to the heel, so as to leave from

THE MULE. 107

two to two and a lialf inches free of nails, as the
form of the foot may allow. Lastly, before nailing
on the shoe, and while it is cold on the anvil, strike
the surface that comes next to the foot on the out-
side, a few blows with the hammer, right across the
heels, and see also that the outside of the heels is a
shade lowest, so that the animal in throwing his weight
upon them will spread out, and not pinch in his feet.

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Metiicioi
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