”Formerly horse and mule raising, of the better grade of stock, was generally neglected in St. Landry parish, but of late years much progress has been made in that line. It has been demonstrated that a fine class of mules can be raised here cheaply, pasturage upon our loamy prairie lands being excellent and abundant for such purposes. There is now also a quantity of blooded horse-stock in this parish, principally trotting stock and harness animals. Some years ago Mr. John Ware brought to this parish his fine blooded horse, Ethan Allen, and, as an indication of the adaptation of our section to raising good horse stock, I will mention that I have seen Ethan Allan led around the track, within this town, and seventy-five of his descendants at one time following him around the track, nearly all of them having the excellent qualities of speed, docility, and comeliness of their noble old sire.”
Reference Data:
Louisinan Farmers' Institute, Bulletin, Issues 1-5, by Louisiana State Board of Agriculture and Immigration, 1898, page 45
Good article Vicki. I have read that a good harnessed team of mules was a valuable asset to the logging industry dragging logs out of the forests, as well as to farmers for their endurance working in the fields. A finer line of trotting and racing horses was and is an extension of a breeders pride.