oad for a mule upon
a long journey.

In traveling over a rocky country, and upon all long journeys, horses
and mules should be shod, to prevent their hoofs wearing out or
breaking. The mountaineers contend that beasts travel better without
shoeing, but I have several times had occasion to regret the omission
of this very necessary precaution. A few extra shoes and nails, with a
small hammer, will enable travelers to keep their animals shod.

In turning out pack animals to graze, it is well either to keep the
lariat ropes upon them with the ends trailing upon the ground, or to
hopple them, as no corral can be made into which they may be driven in
order to catch them. A very good way to catch an animal without driving
him into an inclosure is for two men to take a long rope and stretch it
out at the height of the animal's neck; some men then drive him slowly
up against it, when one of the men with the rope runs around behind the
animal and back to the front again, thus taking a turn with the rope
around his neck and holding him secure.

To prevent an animal from kicking, take a forked stick and make the
forked part fast to the bridle-bit, bringing the two ends above the
head and securing them there, leaving the part of the stick below the
fork of sufficient length to reach near the ground when the animal's
head is in its natural position. He can not kick up unless he lowers
his head, and the stick effectually prevents that.

Tether-ropes should be so attached to the neck of the animal as not to
slip and choke him, and the picket-pins never be left on the ropes
except when in the ground, as, in the event of a stampede, they are
very likely to swing around and injure the animals.

Many experienced travelers were formerly in the habit of securing their
animals with a strap or iron ring fastened around the fetlock of one
fore foot, and this attached to the tether-rope. This method holds the
animal very securely to the picket-pin, but when the rope is first put
on, and before he becomes accustomed to it, he is liable to throw
himself down and get hurt; so that I think the plan of tethering by the
neck or halter is the safest, and, so far as I have observed, is now
universally practiced.

The mountaineers and Indians seldom tether their animals, but prefer
the plan of hoppling, as this gives them more latitude for ranging and
selecting the choicest grass.

Two methods of hoppling are practiced among the Indians and hunt