MOUTH

.—The good or bad mouth of a horse depends upon the pliability of his temper, and his obedience to the bit. Some horses (particularly those of violent and refractory dispositions) are so truly insensible to every effort of even the best riders, that hardly any kind of bit can be invented to reduce them to subjection; while, on the contrary, there are those, and even blood horses, of such good temper, and constitutional docility; that they may be regulated instantaneously to any purpose, by the most tender bearing of a common snaffle.

MULE

.—The MULE is that well-known cross-bred animal, generated between an ASS and a MARE. Some are, but very rarely, produced by the HORSE with a SHE ASS; but they are smaller, weaker, and of less utility, consequently not bred with design. The mule has all the good qualities of the ass, without its bad ones; it is as patient, and as permanent under labour; it can bear the most incessant fatigue, with the lead sustenance; is without the instinctive stupidity of the ass, and is equally tractable with the horse. The mule, when well descended, and well fed, is adequate to a variety of services, and will, if taken the same care of when young, nearly reach the size of a moderate horse. Many have measured fifteen hands high and upwards, are exceedingly strong and sure-footed, which qualities render them very valuable in the different parts of Europe where the countries are mountainous, and the roads stony, as they will travel with the greatest ease and security where a horse would be very likely to break his neck. They are likewise exceedingly useful in harness, and will draw immense weights for long journies without displaying the least fatigue.

The MULES bred in Spain, with a proper attention to their intentional use, whether for travelling or shew, are bred between very large he-asses and Spanish mares; these are exceedingly tall, stately, and their colour inclining to black. A still larger kind are, however, produced by these asses out of Flanders mares, some of which have been known to reach seventeen hands high, and of equal apparent strength to our common carriage horses; but they are much stronger than horses of their own size, will bear infinitely greater hardships, and are kept at a much less expence; as well as an additional recommendation, that they are not so subject to diseases, which is a material consideration to the justification of their more general use. They are found equally fit for the saddle, as for the more laborious employments of draft and agriculture; they are remarkably docile, are easily broke, and walk or trot with ease to themselves and to the rider.

It has been already remarked, under the head Mare, that foals more frequently take after the DAM than the SIRE, and this is perceptibly striking in MULES; for those bred between an ASS and a MARE, invariably partake more of the nature of the latter than the former; being in general of good formation, lively, swift, and tractable; inheriting only the good qualities of the ass, as his strength, patience, and perseverance, under fatigue; while, on the other hand, those bred betwixt a horse and a she-ass, are more of the nature of the latter, dull, heavy, sluggish, ill-formed, and small in size. What few mules are produced in this kingdom, at least the major part, may be probably bred more from chance than design, by the common intermixture and unrestrained association of asses with mares, upon the large wastes and commons in various parts of the country, where they are frequently seen in the act of propagation. Of mules, it is to be observed, that, although such intermediate animal is produced between the two which generate the third, there the prolific property ceases, and propagation goes no farther. Thus it is with a part of the feathered creation; it is known by those who breed, that a cock goldfinch, or a linnet, will pair with a hen canary, and produce young; but in that offspring the power of procreation entirely ceases, and they are therefore termed MULES.

MUTE

—is a sporting term, applied to a HOUND when he pursues his GAME by the scent, without giving tongue. As some are by much too free, and give tongue too hastily, when in a state of uncertainty, acquiring thereby the degrading denomination of a babbler; so there are others equally tardy in proclaiming the certainty when known. Hounds of each description are considered injurious to the discipline and desirable excellence of the pack, and are generally rejected so soon as their imperfections are known, and too much confirmed for reformation.

MUZZLE

.—Muzzles are made of leather, and are of two sorts; the one called a dressing, the other a setting, muzzle. The first is of the same form as the last, but of different construction, having a few straps crossing each other transversely, and so united as to be about nine inches in depth, and of a shape to cover the nose of the horse so high; to which are annexed two straps; one of which passes up the cheek on each side, and buckles at the top of the head behind the ears; the use of this is to dress such horses in as are disposed to vice with the teeth, as well to prevent the MANGER from injury, as the GROOM from danger. The other is in little use, except in TRAINING STABLES; its form is not unlike the exact shape of a common water-pail, being made of the thickness of substantial leather, having a number of round holes punched in every part of it, for the free admission of air, and is brought into use on those nights preceding a horse's RUNNING engagement on the following day; as well as before taking a SWEAT, or running a TRIAL. It is called a SETTING-MUZZLE, because, when put on, the horse is said "to be set," (that is, to fast;) and the intent is to prevent his consuming the litter, or obtaining more food than what the training-groom has a perfect knowledge of.