Army mules (1908)

[Sparky Lily]

Another extract from my grandfather's book. I have no experience of mules, but some of this this reads just like the stereotype - but is it true?

Of all the pack animals the mule is the favourite, and although frequently employed as a draught or riding animal, it is as a pack carrier that we know him best. He is capable of great endurance, tolerates thirst well, can put up with changes of climate and food, and is not fastidious regarding the latter. The shape of his back makes it easy to fit him with a saddle, while the toughness of his hide helps to preserve it from galls. Mules are usually cheerful, intelligent animals, appreciate proper handling, and resent violence. They are particularly free kickers, often shy with strangers, and touchy about the head and ears; but with attendants that understand them, they are by no means troublesome, and easy to look after and keep in condition.
Their one drawback from a military standpoint is their liability to stampede under fire. This, however, may be largely overcome by training, as is witnessed by the mountain artillery of India.

There's also a special note about travelling mules by train:

The habit these animals possess of gnawing woodwork should not be forgotten when they are tied to truck sides; a smearing of softsoap will prevent it.

[poohsmate]

I think this is great, What's the book called SL?:)

[egg007]

amazing animals, this is rita she is 5 and broken and looking to be rescued so if anyone knows anyone after a good mule have a look on second chance equines, she doesnt have long :(
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq249/essexgirl_01/rita-1.jpg

and this is ceasar he is 18mths old he is also very urgently needing saving...

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq249/essexgirl_01/cesar3.jpg

[Sparky Lily]

I think this is great, What's the book called SL?:)

It's called simply ANIMAL MANAGEMENT with the date 1908 and "Prepared in the Veterinary Department for General Staff, War Office". Published by HMSO. My grandfather's copy was reprinted in 1916 and was priced 1s 6d net.

There's a catalogue of other military books at the front, including such gems as:

Arabic Grammar. Two parts. 1887. (Sold to Officers only)

Armourers. Instructions for, in the care, repair, browning, &c., of Small Arms, Machine Guns, "Parapet" Carriages, and for the care of Bicycles. 1912. (Reprinted, with Amendments, 1916)

Command. The Art of. By Colonel von Spohn. Translated.

I'd love to see those!

[learningcurve]

I know nothing about mules, never even met one.

Writer paints a nice picture of them.:)

[diplomaticandtactful]

the mules did a huge job in the war, though they did cut their vocal cords so they couldnt bray and give away where the troops were.

they were hugely influential and trustworthy beast of burden who carried huge packs, or hauled guns over dreadful terrain

the column in trafalgar square that is spare should be dedicated to all the war animals who didn't have a choice but were cannon fodder never the less. the number of equines killed in ww2 is surprisingly high, you think of them as ww1 but they were used in their thousands in ww2.

[lobeliaoverhill]

the column in trafalgar square that is spare should be dedicated to all the war animals who didn't have a choice but were cannon fodder never the less. the number of equines killed in ww2 is surprisingly high, you think of them as ww1 but they were used in their thousands in ww2.

someone should start a petition!

[kayjayhorses]

the mules did a huge job in the war, though they did cut their vocal cords so they couldnt bray and give away where the troops were.

they were hugely influential and trustworthy beast of burden who carried huge packs, or hauled guns over dreadful terrain

the column in trafalgar square that is spare should be dedicated to all the war animals who didn't have a choice but were cannon fodder never the less. the number of equines killed in ww2 is surprisingly high, you think of them as ww1 but they were used in their thousands in ww2.

You know I think you are so right - that would be a wonderful tribute, these animals were fundermental and yes never had a choice.

[lynnemh]

id sign that petition- who's starting one @ no 10.? i didnt know they cut the mules vocal cords, di they cut the horse too?

[Skib]

It's called simply ANIMAL MANAGEMENT with the date 1908 and "Prepared in the Veterinary Department for General Staff, War Office". Published by HMSO. My grandfather's copy was reprinted in 1916 and was priced 1s 6d net.

I am so interested to see this post - I missed your first one. I assume your grandfather was the owner rather than the author and hope that all the threads about this book may be moved from the café area to the General part of the forum so they are not deleted.

My grandfather served with his horses in the Royal Field Artillery in France 1915-1916 and I am very interested in a booklet "Horse Management in the Field at Home and Abroad." Gale and Polden. London, 1919. published right at the end of the war by my grandfather's friend and mentor the great Polo trainer Edward Miller. This was Miller's repost to the official handbook.

I have for many years tried and failed to buy a copy.

I (and the librarians) also failed to find the army publications dealing with Horse care in WW1 even when I visited the library of the Army Museum. But of course all the searches were for horse management - and you have shown that the title we should have hunted for was Animal Management.

Is your handbook very complicated? One point made by Miller was that by the late years of the war many of the men looking after horses had absolutely no experience of handling horses and needed a much clearer and more reasoned hand book, if the horses were not to suffer.

[Ruskii]

That sounds like a fascinating book.

I remember when I was at school, our teacher had a copy of an interview that and old student of hers (sister was in my class) did an interview with a great aunt . who's father had fought in the Boer War. in this one and I think the same applied to WW1 for the Aussies, they took their horses with them, but due to disease risk at the end of the war, something that this lady said really hit home to me and I was so upset when I heard it at 14.

'They had survived for 2 years together in that war, she had saved his life, carried him without any complaint through the fights, seen many terrible sights, but the hardest part for Dad was shooting her, as he couldnt bring her home.'

Ah "£$" I'm starting to cry now writing that :(

[Mike]

If you haven't seen already we do have some 'old' info on army horse and mules in the How It Was section

http://www.newrider.com/Library/How_it_Was/mules.html

[Trewsers]

'They had survived for 2 years together in that war, she had saved his life, carried him without any complaint through the fights, seen many terrible sights, but the hardest part for Dad was shooting her, as he couldnt bring her home.'

Ah "£$" I'm starting to cry now writing that :(

Aw, yes, that is sad:(

[lynnemh]

that is sad, but probably much better than the fate of most of the equines at the end of the war. because the military didnt want or couldnt afford the expense of shipping them home, they were either butchered for meat or sold into slavery in saltmines, etc. some thanks they got!

[Sparky Lily]

[I]
Is your handbook very complicated? One point made by Miller was that by the late years of the war many of the men looking after horses had absolutely no experience of handling horses and needed a much clearer and more reasoned hand book, if the horses were not to suffer.

The book is comprehensive in its coverage of the subject, but possibly a bit dense - 340 pages of fairly small print. Lots of anatomical detail and procedures for every envisaged eventuality. The diagrams seem to be identical to those I remember in the Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship. As might be expected, the emphasis is on the practicalities of keeping animals "efficient" - but to be efficient, they had to be fit and healthy. I haven't read it all, but I would estimate that at least 90% would be regarded as good practice today, even allowing for scientific advances. The reason(s) behind all parts of the procedures are given in some detail - for example, there is a whole section on the anatomy of the spine to explain why no part of the saddle should be in contact with it. Not surprisingly, there's not a lot on equine psychology.

I think the book is fascinating, and would have been great for anyone who wanted to work with horses in particular. However, for someone with no prior knowledge and no real interest, but who needed to learn fast how to care for the animals in his charge, it is probably too detailed. I expect he booklet you know about would have met this need much better.

Mike - thanks for the link. I hadn't noticed this bit in the library before - so that's a few more hours reading to fit in somewhere!

[poohsmate]

If you haven't seen already we do have some 'old' info on army horse and mules in the How It Was section

http://www.newrider.com/Library/How_it_Was/mules.html

Thnaks for that mike i missed that:D

[lynnemh]

just want to ask; is there still a "how it was" section on here? i would love to read all the posts on it

[Esther.D]

I didn't even know that existed either Mike.

Fascinating stuff, I knew a man who was a muleteer in WW2 in Burma, they were carrying radio equipment. He loved his mules.