Alexandria — George Washington was not only the “father of our country” but also of the American Mule. General Washington was a renowned far and wide as a horseman, but also an innovative farmer. Surprising to many is his special interest in mules. He knew they were superior to horses in many ways. They were hardier, lived longer and ate less, so he believed they were what farmers needed to plow their fields and use in other agricultural work. He set out to create an excellent breed of mules, but the problem was obtaining proper breeding stock.
The best mules in the world resided in Spain, but were the exclusive monopoly of the King Charles III of Spain, who guarded them against any export. By 1795, Washington was an international celebrity. When the King heard of General Washington’s quest for the best breeding stock of mules, as a gesture to the famous man, he sent him two of his finest Spanish Jacks as a “Royal Gift.” Only one survived the cross-Atlantic journey, landing safely in Boston. It was followed by several more from the King and two additional ones from Lafayette that were acquired from Spain by questionable means.
Washington arranged for 30 mares of his own and more from his neighbors to be bred by the “Royal Mule.” Within a couple of years there were 57 new mules at Mount Vernon. Washington farmed them out across the country to improve the nation’s stock, and they formed the basis for the American mule. Until supplanted by the internal combustion engine, mules performed invaluable services on countless American farms. The famous American Army mules that were in military service through World War II were descendants from this stock.