In the book "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach, the author discusses an unusual experiment involving a protective boot designed for the hind leg of a mule deer. This effort appears to be perplexing, especially since mule deer do not have hooves like domestic animals, and they are not used for land mine clearance in any country. The attempt raises questions about its practicality and highlights the disconnect between the objectives of such studies and their real-world applications.

Understanding the implications of testing equipment intended for animals that are not utilized in specific tasks can be both amusing and thought-provoking. Roach presents this scenario to illustrate the often convoluted nature of research in fields that intersect with human safety and animal capabilities. By presenting this unusual example, she encourages readers to consider the broader implications of placing human-made innovations on creatures that do not align with the intended practical use.