The D&L Blog

A grand return

Written by Tim Cramer, DLNHC Facilities & Infrastructure Manager

There are many harbingers of spring; first the daffodils, those trailblazing beauties that give a first glimpse of what’s to come, the cherry blossoms in their delicate, fragile beauty, and plenty of showers to bring forth all that new life. Here at Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, we know it is spring when two of our most treasured employees return to the National Canal Museum from their winter hiatus. When Hank and George return to Hugh Moore Park, spring has officially arrived.

Hank and George are our two mules that have the honor of pulling the Josiah White II canal boat. They returned to the park on Monday, April 7th. Their arrival was greeted by most of the DLHNC staff. As they scampered into their paddock, they shook off the shackles of winter and happily feasted on new grass and chunks of carrot that they love so well.

A mule is a hybrid animal, one of the oldest hybrids known to humankind. They are a cross between a horse and a donkey. Mules have the strength of a horse and the intelligence and endurance of a donkey. Our mules are draft mules; their mothers were Percheron draft horses, and their fathers were donkeys. This breeding produces a large animal, much larger than a normal mule. Hank and George are roughly 1200 pounds apiece, and as such they are well equipped for the job they do.

My favorite thing about Hank and George is that they bring a lot of different people into my orbit. One of the more interesting is our farrier, Joe. Joe has been working with our mules since we got them. A good farrier is vital to keeping equines healthy because much can be gained or lost through the feet. Hooves are like our fingernails in that they grow constantly. To keep them balanced and healthy, our boys get their hooves trimmed and fitted with shoes monthly. First the old shoes come off, then he trims the hooves using a combination of nippers, a hoof knife, and a rasp. Each hoof then gets a custom fitted shoe. One by one they come out of the forge, are hammered into shape, and nailed onto the hoof. I find this fascinating, and I never tire of observing this process.

Next for the mules will be a good bath and a haircut. We like to cut their manes short like a donkey, which helps their collars and harnesses fit much easier and helps them to be more comfortable while they work.

With all that done Hank and George will be equipped to begin their next boat season. They’ll shed their winter coats, and the extra pounds gained during their winter break. Public boat rides will begin in June. Hank, George, and the rest of us at the DLHNC hope to see you this summer on the canal.