Show mules and horses making comeback wartime war time auto restrictions plus present and impending future ra tion ings are the cause ol of horses and mules making a comeback As gasoline becomes more restricted stricter ed and tires cant be replaced or re treaded as the full force of industrial america gets behind its uncle sams war machine see more and more horses and mules going through their dally daily chores recent reports coming from both the south and the west show such a revival in breeding and in the sale of available horse and mule stocks decline began la in 1920 it was in 1920 that the decline in the number of horses and mules began to take place that year there were over 25 million from 1920 to 1940 the latest data available the decline was over 45 per cent to a figure of a little better than 13 million milli ozI the decline might ight work have been greater but tor for the work of the horse and mule association of america which organized in 1920 to check the drop traders today are beginning to benefit by the increased demand tor for the animals tor for prices are advancing in 1941 owners 0 of stables experienced their worst year as tar far as sales were concerned but since then both old and new customers have been coming around for a little littie airet class trading swapping or buying so much so BO that many of the stable owners and auctioneers are planning on building new centers or reopening old places Old timers those who really know good horseflesh as faras being real workers are getting interested once again but there Is one difficulty which Is handicapping horse breeders bleeders bre eders and that is the lack of good breeding breedin stock from europe the pos possibility of a permanent stoppage ol of beegi belgian an male horses horse because of the nazi occupation of belgium Is certain one writer discussing the situation in a veterinary journal brought out the fact ol of a lack of eu european ro stock very well it was noted led though that all is not a dismal picture ture for as many traders and breeders bleeders bre eders in the united states state s will tell there are plenty ol of good stallions in wit this country |