Introduction
A Note of Appreciation
BEGINNING SECTION Introducing the Mule
Chapter 1: MULES of the PAST
Ancient Mule
George Washington’s Dream
Man’s Dependable Helping Hand
20-Mule Team—An Amazing Story
J. C. Penney’s Contribution
Chapter 2: TODAY’S MULE as a SPORT ANIMAL
Athletic Abilities Today
1976 Endurance Ride
Chapter 3: PROMINENT MULE LANDMARKS
Columbia, Tennessee
Other Tennessee Towns
Missouri and Texas
Bishop, California
Mules in the United Kingdom
Mule-Named Places
Chapter 4: MULE and DONKEY TERMS and VARIATIONS
Common Mule Terms
Mules of Size
Common Donkey Terms
Donkeys of Size
Donkey Breeds
Registries and Acronyms
Hinny
Onager
Zebra
Zebroid
INTERMEDIATE SECTION Important Mule Facts
Chapter 5: SEXUALITY and FERTILITY of the MULE
Sexual Preference
Mollys in Season and Jack Mules
Fertility
Twins
Chapter 6: MULE COLORS EXPLAINED
Intense Colors
Self Colors
Other Colors
Chapter 7: FITTING TACK— DRESSING your MULE
Saddle
Bridle
Harness
Chapter 8: BUYING the IDEAL MULE
Questions to Ask Yourself
Where to Look
When You Think You’ve Found Him
Conformation
Attitude
Head, Neck, Withers
Body, Legs, Chest
Action
Chapter 9: CHOOSING JACKS and MARES for BREEDING
Jack Considerations
Qualities Given to the Mule
Attitude
Head and Neck
Body
Legs and Height
Breeding for Color
ADVANCED SECTION: Essential Mule Wisdom
Chapter 10: MULE GOSSIP: TRUTH or MYTH?
Work
Smarts
Training
Companionship
Care
Medical
Let Those Mule Folks Talk!
Chapter 11: MULE CARE
Food and Water
Shelter
Grooming
Hoof Care
Farriers
Miscellaneous Ailments
Special Three-Year-Old Attention
Older Mules
Chapter 12: MULE IDIOSYNCRASIES
The Natural Horse
The Natural Donkey
How This Applies to the Mule
Watch Your Small Livestock
Mule Ears
Flying Hooves
Gray Mares and Mules
Mule Dependency
Instinct, Intelligence, or Game-Playing?
Telepathic Communication
Chapter 13: TRAINING MULES
Mule Wisdom
Profile of a Good Trainer
Love, Discipline, and Timing
Training the Human
The Psychic Mule
Imprinting
Learning From the Older Mule
Chapter 14: SOLVING MULE PROBLEMS
Fix a Problem? Well, How Old Is He?
Before You Mount Up
Set Up, Wait, and Reward
Go Left, Mule, Go Left!
Leading a Friend
Leading Is Not Just Following
Game-Playing in Bridling
Catch That Mule!
Water-Crossing Fear
The Fear Point—Clipping
The Kicking Mule
Brushing—A Prelude to a No-Kick Mule
Picking Up That Foot Safely
The Forbidden Fruit—Wandering and Bucking
INDEX
PHOTO & ILLUSTRATION INDEX
SUGGESTED READING
REFERENCES
