Quote Originally Posted by Mark in Rochester View Post
Mules could negotiate jungle or mountainous terrain that no horse or vehicle could traverse
A common misconception, it persists to this day in the western USAicon. Yes, four footed beasts are a great way to move stuff and people in mountains but mules aren't better than horses. They were initially used by the US Army because they were cheaper than horses, and being hybrids were not susceptible to certain genetic diseases found in poorly bred horses. I am a horse owner and have ridden and packed horses in MT in the high mountains. They are every bit as sure footed as mules, and actually easier to handle.