Difference between revisions of "Mule"
(new article) |
(add details) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
While the mule pulls more slowly than the horse, it is more sure-footed and works better under difficult conditions. It is | While the mule pulls more slowly than the horse, it is more sure-footed and works better under difficult conditions. It is | ||
peculiar in many ways and difficult to handle. The owner usually waits until the mule is fully mature (about 5 years old) before assigning heavy work duties. | peculiar in many ways and difficult to handle. The owner usually waits until the mule is fully mature (about 5 years old) before assigning heavy work duties. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The mule combines the patience, sure-footedness and endurance of the donkey with the vigor and strength of the horse. It has a thicker, less sensitive hide than the horse, and can wear a harness longer. It is smaller and eats less, and will eat rought food than a horse. | ||
The mule has more ability to endure heat and human abuse, and to live on poor fodder while carrying heavy loads. It is better at pulling plows and wagons. They live longer and work harder than either donkeys or horses. | The mule has more ability to endure heat and human abuse, and to live on poor fodder while carrying heavy loads. It is better at pulling plows and wagons. They live longer and work harder than either donkeys or horses. | ||
| − | |||
Both male and female mules are almost always sterile. They are produced by specialty breeders. | Both male and female mules are almost always sterile. They are produced by specialty breeders. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 20: | ||
Since prehistoric times mules have been raised by people the | Since prehistoric times mules have been raised by people the | ||
| − | world over. They are especially popular in Asia and historically were of great importance in the American South. The U.S. Army used them for military transport in the late 19th century, and indeed in World War II in Italy, where rough mountain conditions made trucks useless. In the United States, | + | world over. They are especially popular in Asia and historically were of great importance in the American South. The U.S. Army used them for military transport in the late 19th century, and indeed in World War II in Italy, where rough mountain conditions made trucks useless. In the United States, cotton picking machines and tractors have replaced virtually all working mules, but they are still raised by hobbyists. |
| − | |||
===United States=== | ===United States=== | ||
| − | By 1808 the U.S. had 855,000 mules, worth $66 million. By | + | The "American Standard Donkey" is descended from two largeSpanish jacks that were given to George Washington by the King of Spain. These donkeys are used to produce most mules. All used is the smaller "Standard Donkey" (formerly called the ''burro'''). |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | By 1808 the U.S. had 855,000 mules, worth $66 million. By 1897 the numbers had expanded to 2.2 million, worth $103 million. Then came the cotton boom, especialy in Texas, so that in 1910 there were 4.1 million mules, worth $120 each. One fourth were in Texas. | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* Arnold, Watson C. "The Mule: The Worker that 'Can't Get No Respect,'" ''Southwestern Historical Quarterly'' (July 2008) 112:35-52 | * Arnold, Watson C. "The Mule: The Worker that 'Can't Get No Respect,'" ''Southwestern Historical Quarterly'' (July 2008) 112:35-52 | ||
| + | ====notes==== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 16:14, October 31, 2008
The mule is hybrid mammal, created by crossbreeding a smaller male donkey or ass (called a jack) and a larger female horse (called a mare).[1]
Comparisons with horses
The mule has characteristics of both parents. It has the long ears, tufted tail, and slender legs and hoofs of the donkey, but in coat, shape height and weight is more like the larger horse. Like the donkey, it brays when the horse neighs and has an obstinate, cautious disposition. The tail is always different; horses have a short tailbone with long hair, while mules have a long tailbone with a tassel at the end.
Mules on average are 15-17 hands tall and weigh 1,100 to 1,400 pounds.
While the mule pulls more slowly than the horse, it is more sure-footed and works better under difficult conditions. It is peculiar in many ways and difficult to handle. The owner usually waits until the mule is fully mature (about 5 years old) before assigning heavy work duties.
The mule combines the patience, sure-footedness and endurance of the donkey with the vigor and strength of the horse. It has a thicker, less sensitive hide than the horse, and can wear a harness longer. It is smaller and eats less, and will eat rought food than a horse.
The mule has more ability to endure heat and human abuse, and to live on poor fodder while carrying heavy loads. It is better at pulling plows and wagons. They live longer and work harder than either donkeys or horses.
Both male and female mules are almost always sterile. They are produced by specialty breeders.
History
Horses get far more attention because of their speed, beauty and military roles. The mule has the story of poverty and tedious hard work. In the history of farming, however, the mnule is the more important animal, especially in American history.
Since prehistoric times mules have been raised by people the world over. They are especially popular in Asia and historically were of great importance in the American South. The U.S. Army used them for military transport in the late 19th century, and indeed in World War II in Italy, where rough mountain conditions made trucks useless. In the United States, cotton picking machines and tractors have replaced virtually all working mules, but they are still raised by hobbyists.
United States
The "American Standard Donkey" is descended from two largeSpanish jacks that were given to George Washington by the King of Spain. These donkeys are used to produce most mules. All used is the smaller "Standard Donkey" (formerly called the burro').
By 1808 the U.S. had 855,000 mules, worth $66 million. By 1897 the numbers had expanded to 2.2 million, worth $103 million. Then came the cotton boom, especialy in Texas, so that in 1910 there were 4.1 million mules, worth $120 each. One fourth were in Texas.
Bibliography
- Arnold, Watson C. "The Mule: The Worker that 'Can't Get No Respect,'" Southwestern Historical Quarterly (July 2008) 112:35-52
notes
- ↑ A "hinney" is a crossbreed between a male horse and a female donkey. It is rare.