dawn, he would prop up his forearm. I think this is an error (1); the correct account is the hadith reported by al-Tirmidhī (2). Stopping to rest during a journey in this manner takes place only before dawn.
His sleep was the most balanced and beneficial kind of sleep. Physicians say that this amounts to one-third of the day and night: eight hours.
Section
His Practice in Riding (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) rode horses, camels, mules, and donkeys. He sometimes rode a horse saddled and sometimes bareback, and would occasionally make it run. Most often he rode alone, though sometimes he carried someone behind him on a camel. At times he carried someone behind him and another in front, making three riders on the camel. He carried men behind him, as well as some of his wives.
His usual mounts were horses and camels. As for mules, the known account is that he had one mule, given to him by one of the kings (3). Mules were not common in Arabia. Indeed, when the mule was given to him, he was asked, “Why not mate stallions with she-donkeys?” He replied, “Only those who do not know do that” (4).