I was looking at some Americana on the Archive website, and came across two books by Joseph H. Batty.
The following biographical note comes from the one on the practical taxidermy:
Well, in the book on hunting (first published in 1879) there is a chapter on mules and native Indian ponies used in the hunting expeditions in the Western American wilderness during the 1870s and 1880s.
It is quite interesting and I am happy to share it with you:
''HOW
TO HUNT AND TRAP''
CHAPTER
III.
MULES
AND HORSES.
An
Irishman spoke truthfully when he said, " The hunter's best
horse is a mule;" and the great prejudice that people have
against them arises more from ignorance of their natures than any
other cause. Mules are kind, gentle, and easily managed, and after
long usage one becomes much attached to them. A quick, long-legged
mule, of medium size, will, if carefully trained, make a useful
animal, and has the human trait of liking to be persuaded rather than
driven. All dumb beasts will, in their way, express much gratitude,
and usually serve a considerate master faithfully. A mule that has
been abused is always jerking his head about as if expecting each
moment to be struck.
In
the mountains a mule will outclimb or outpack a pony, and keep fat on
the poorest of food. Mules eat an incredible quantity of grass, and
their accommodating sides expand to make space for any amount ;
indeed, the exact capacity of their stomachs is something that has
never been fully calculated. A packer is often in a state of despair
on finding a cincho* a foot or so short, that a few hours before was
slack.
A
good mule will pick his way over loose stones, fallen timber and
rocks ; shows great sagacity in fording rapid rivers with uncertain
bottoms, and with free rein will take a bewildered hunter to camp
through storm and darkness. When mounted and still-hunting, every
stick and stone is avoided, fallen timber is crossed without the
sound of a misplaced hoof, and the hunter is carried silently over
all kinds
of surfaces. The best trails are chosen, and with large ears
"pricked," the mule stands instinctively at sight of game
and gives chance for a good shot. Some will stand fire remarkably
well and pack warm game without a tremor; others will become violent,
and on seeing dead game or smelling blood, will buck and kick
furiously. All mules are affected by the smell of a bear. We had a
great struggle with one while packing the skeleton and skin of a
grizzly ; he resisted very strongly during the first few days of
travel, but finally carried the load four hundred miles. Most mules
are slow travelers, but occasionally a fast one is found. Recently a
hunter in Montana owned one that would catch a bull buffalo; the
cows, however, were too much for him. When riding a mule, a broad
cincho* and wide crouper is needed, as the saddle is inclined to slip
forward and turn, particularly when going down hill.
A
mule that insists upon being lazy can scarcely be spurred into
activity; with a good leader they will sometimes quicken their pace,
as they do not like to be left behind.
The high tempered Mexicans must have great skill in managing them, as
they have not the patience to wait their motions. They are very
powerful when frightened, and require the full strength of a lariat
to keep them in place when away from the herd, A small mule walked
into camp one day dragging a good sized pine tree, to which he had
been tied four miles distant, and we greeted the rider a few hours
after as he came in sight with the saddle on his shoulder. They have
great confidence in a horse, and will often follow him in single file
when it would be impossible to drive them. When large mounted parties
are hunting, a bell mare is picketed, and the other animals will not
leave her unless the feed is very poor. Mules known in Western
parlance as buck mules, excel some horses in real beauty; their plump
quarters, tapering legs, small hoofs and glossy coat, with the
characteristic black stripe down the back, make them attractive
animals.
Mules
are easily frightened into a stampede ; they are much given to
rolling, and will often do so when packed for a march.
Indian
ponies are the horses usually used by hunters. They are scarcely
fourteen hands high, of rather light build, and have bright,
intelligent eyes. Indians have a faculty of getting a great deal of
work out of them, and the ponies, in their hands, are at all tireless
submissive; when managed by the whites, they become stubborn and
lazy, and the mule is more generally preferred.
These
ponies are good travelers, have greater power of endurance than the
American horses, and are useful in many cases; they should not be run
too hard or loaded
too
heavily; and when climbing a mountain side, they should be tacked up
to lessen the angle of ascent, and give sure footing. When trails are
rough, and obstructed
with
rocks and fallen timber, the ponies should be dismounted and led by
taking the rein over the arm. In attempting to pull they often become
stubborn and unmanageable. Faulty management has ruined many horses
and mules. When they attempt to draw away at the end of the rein it
is advisable not to pull forcibly, particularly if a curb bit is
used, as they always resist it. All riding animals
are
often urged over too great a distance without food. They should be
allowed to stop and feed occasionally, if only for a few moments. A
herd must be watched and
not
allowed to drink too much alkaline water, or rush for water into
quicksands; in many places on the upper Missouri the soil is so
treacherous that it is impossible to lead stock to water.
In
picketing a horse, a lariat, about thirty-five or forty feet long,
should be
used.
It should be tied rather tightly to prevent its slipping and choking
him; it will also keep his feet from getting through when brushing
flies from neck and ears. The foot, when once through, is not easily
withdrawn, and often causes a severe struggle; when a horse is
sharp-shod his head and neck sometimes become
so
badly lacerated, that he will bleed to death, or strangle from the
effects
of
the rope and the swelling o£ the wounded parts. The iron picket pin,
with a swivel and four concave sides, is light of weight and very
secure.
Some
ponies ride easy; others, a little knee sprung, will more than settle
a man's dinner when going down hill; when cantering on level ground,
however, their defective gait is no inconvenience.
Speed
is one quality which makes a horse preferable to the mule ; he can
hunt the buffalo, and take the hunter quickly to camp; he will not
stampede as easily as the
mule,
and will stand fire better.
ps
*Cincho obviously is a cinch or girth strap
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