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Date Posted: 14:40:21 11/22/02 Fri
Author: Cheri
Subject: Friday's horse fact..
In reply to: Cheri 's message, "A New Week. Daily Inspirations, and Horse Facts..." on 12:25:54 11/18/02 Mon



Health Concerns of Mules and Donkeys..


Part 5..


Basics Of The Beasts..


Donkeys and mules differ somewhat from horses in conformation. The most noticeable aspect, of course, in-volves the ears. The donkey has the longest ears, while the mule seems to be about midway between the donkey and the horse.

The necks of donkeys and mules are characteristically straighter than the necks of horses, and both have far less prominent withers than most horses.

The croup and rump of the donkey and mule also have a distinctive shape, usually far less muscular in appearance than those of the horse.

The mane and tail of the donkey are coarse. The mane is stiff and upright, rarely lying over. The mule will have combination hair--usually a thin forelock and coarse mane hair.

Generally speaking, donkey hooves are smaller and rounder than those of a horse, and the pasterns are more upright. The feet of the mule fall somewhere in between horse and donkey. They often tend to be more like the feet of the horse, but are more upright and boxy.

Before we get into some of the other differences, especially those involving health concerns, we should address the delicate topic of temperament.

We all have heard, and perhaps used, the term "stubborn as a mule" or "stubborn jackass." This is a delicate topic, because the true mule aficionado will take instant and serious umbrage when mules are classified as stubborn brutes, while the person who has had only slight and passing contact with them will declare that the term is accurate.

Betsy Hutchins, secretary of the American Donkey and Mule Society, as well as a mule owner and exhibitor, has this to say on the subject of stubbornness:

"Mules are not stubborn. Neither are donkeys, for that matter. Too many mules and donkeys have been carelessly broken or not trained at all and are expected to know what to do and to obey immediately. Too many mules have been treated roughly and frightened when young, instead of made confident in their handlers. And, too many handlers have failed to take into account that strong sense of self preservation that a mule has.

Yes, if you want him to work too hard for his well-being, especially in hot weather, he will be 'stubborn,' and, yes, if you try to frighten or hurt him, he will definitely be 'stubborn' and might even fight back."

Mules seem to have an inbuilt protection device that does not allow them to be worked beyond their capacity.
There are horses which are so willing that they literally can be ridden to death. Not so, the mule. When it reaches a certain point of exhaustion, it simply shuts down and will go no farther until rested. To some this is classified as stubbornness.
The mule also appears to endure heat much better than the horse.


Tomorrows fact .. Hutchins tells this story:

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[> Saturday's inspiration.. -- Cheri, 18:03:40 11/23/02 Sat



GIVE THANKS ALWAYS

_________________________

Psalm 100 (NRSV)

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

_________________________

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other.

- Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NRSV)

_________________________

NORMALLY, a cold, dark, rainy day tends to make me depressed. But on a recent autumn day I breathed a prayer of thanks for the pouring rain. The hard, dry earth needed moisture. As I looked out the window, I was suddenly aware of a scene of great beauty. The shapely leaves of the sweet-gum tree were beginning to change color. Bright, golden leaves shone out amid the many green ones. Behind and interspersed between the leaves, the very dark, almost black branches curved in interesting patterns.

I was elated by the beauty I had seen after my brief prayer of thanksgiving. No longer depressed, I wanted to get my paints and brushes and capture that scene immediately. Everything was there to create a pleasing picture. Then I remembered other times of sadness and grief when giving thanks had lifted me out of depression.

The Bible's admonition to rejoice always and "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess. 5:16-17) sometimes seems impossible to obey. But when we do, we can see God at work in our lives, creating a beautiful picture that includes both light and dark, sadness and joy.


Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving us all things. We are
especially thankful for joy in times of sorrow and light in the darkness. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God is present with us in both good times and bad.

-- Patsy Sanders (Illinois, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Artists
_________________________


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