What about your team?
Probably the most contentious issue for the California-bound emigrant was whether to
pull his wagon with oxen, mules, or horses. Each had its
advantages and disadvantages, and the arguments could, and did, grow as heated as the
Chevy vs. Ford debates of today.
 |
 |
 |
HORSES
|
MULES
|
|
must be fed grain |
must be fed grain |
native vegetation sufficient |
faster |
faster |
slower (approx. 15 more days) |
tolerate heat |
tolerate heat |
don’t do well in hot weather |
most expensive (wide variation) |
expensive
($60 - $70 each) |
cheapest
($40 - $50 a pair) |
desirable to Indians |
less desirable to Indians |
least desirable to Indians |
require expensive harness |
require expensive harness |
only ox yoke, bows and chain |
poor traction in sand & mud |
poor traction in sand & mud |
good traction in sand & mud |
generally good temperment |
bad temperment |
good temperment |
tend to run off |
tend to stray |
tend to stay around camp |
strong |
not as strong |
strongest |
most often used in later years
(to get ahead & stay ahead) |
|
most often used in early years |
What Is An Ox, Anyway?
AND THEN THERE ARE PACK MULES...
Not one of us had ever seen a mule packed before this morning. Some New Mexicans who
came in with the trading party gave us our first lesson, and it was a very valuable one,
although experience and necessity, the best of tutors, instructed us afterwards, so that
many became adepts in the art of handling and packing mules. We had not proceeded more
than two miles, before several of our packs were swinging under the bellies of the
animals. These being re-arranged, to the best of our poor skill, (and very poor skill it
was,) in a short time other packs would be in the same condition.
The mules, stupid as we regarded them, knew more about this business than we did; and
several times I thought I could detect them in giving a wise wink and sly leer, as much as
to say, that we were perfect novices, and if they could speak, they would give us the
benefit of their advice and instruction. A Mexican pack mule is one of the most sagacious
and intelligent quadrupeds that I have ever met with.
—Edwin Bryant, What I Saw In California, June 28, 1846