Mules and the Canal

Mules played a vital role in the construction and operation of the C&O Canal in the 1800’s. In an age before highways and planes, mules were the “engines” of the boats that traveled along the canal waterway, hauling goods and people between Georgetown and Cumberland. Mules were suited to pull boats along the 184.5 miles of the canal because of their strength, intelligence, and easy-going temperament.   Mules are a hybrid of a donkey and a horse and inherit the best characteristics of each parent. NPS Photo / E. Cowan What Is a Mule? Mules are a perfect example of the hybrid principle: crossing two species to produce a third, often better, species more suited for certain conditions or work. Crossing a female horse (a mare) with a male donkey (a jack) produces a mule. George Washington had ambitions of breeding an "excellent race of mules" in North America. He mated his prize mares with donkeys at Mount Vernon and introduced a powerful breed of mules to the continent. Just as humans inherit certain characteristics from their parents, so do mules: from the father, the donkey, mules get intelligence, long ears and small hooves — imperative for sure-footedness. From the mother, the horse, mules get a cooperative disposition, endurance and strength: pound for pound, one mule equals about one and a half horsepower. All of these attributes made mules the preferred “engines” of C&O Canal boat captains, as they adapted very well to life on a canal boat, could work long hours, and were stronger and smarter than horses and donkeys. "I enjoyed being with the mules. I had a lot of fun with the mules. A mule is intelligent. He has more intelligence than a horse. And good. Gentle. If you treat a mule right, he’ll treat you right." -Captain Jacob Meyers Learn More Discover the world of mules. Explore the history of mules as the "engines" of the C&O Canal and learn about the different types of care that mules need to be healthy and happy.