The Mule: A Treatise on the Breeding, Training, and Uses to Which He May Be Put

Harvey Riley wrote this treatise after three decades working with mules, and his affection for these stubborn, capable animals shines through every page. Published in 1869, when mules were indispensable to agriculture and warfare, Riley offers practical wisdom on breeding, training, and handling, but his real mission is something more radical: convincing his contemporaries that kindness yields better results than cruelty. He laments the ignorance and brutality common in mule handling, especially in military contexts, and argues that understanding an animal's nature is the first step toward earning its trust. This isn't dry veterinary literature. It's a working man's honest book, full of specific observations and earned lessons that still ring true for anyone who works with animals today. Whether you're drawn to agricultural history, the roots of animal welfare thinking, or simply the peculiar charm of a 19th-century expert railing against the foolishness of his era, Riley's treatise rewards the curious reader.