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Mules really ? How many mules in a team?
Two, the biggest problem though is that they need special train due to their personalities.
a Team starts at two... Mules work harder on less feed and wont work themselves to death. a good thing. They used mules exclusively to haul Borax. Twenty to Forty mules at a time on a single Jerk line. IN order to make the switch back turns on the road they were taught to jump the
traces chain to allow for more control of the direction of the pull.
It takes special team work to become a mule skinner.... Because mules are more intelligent (that hybrid vigor) you have to let them do some thinking... But when they trust you they are pretty much kick a.... um Butt.
View from the Box or drivers seat
Jumping the Chain
By the way I am just a history buff I have only ever driven a single. But I had a roommate who swore by mules and had one that passed at the ripe old age of 45. She went to all the Mule days events... Her specialty was Period dress.
Mules take special gear because while they look like horses with big ears they have a different shaped back and neck their center of balance is different too. Bridles buckle at the top to avoid crushing sensitive ears.
Oh and feet are different you should have a horse shoer that knows how to trim and fit a mule properly.
deb
