A mule is superior to the horse both physically and mentally but the mule's stubbornness is misunderstood. The mule is an exceptional animal.
The mule's popularity is significantly below that of the horse. Even though, in recent years, fans of this hybrid have grown, the mule has a very long way to go before it becomes equally accepted. However, examined side by side, the mule's physical attributes outshine that of the horse. Also, in terms of intelligence, the mule is many levels above the horse.
What is a Mule?
A mule is a hybrid. The production of hybrids is very common in the agricultural field. It takes place with both plants and animals. In the case of the mule, it is the offspring of a donkey stallion and a horse mare. It is also possible to cross a stallion horse and a jenny (female donkey) which is then known as a hinny. This latter combination is less frequent because the offspring produced could be too big and difficult for the jenny to foal.
Mules do not Reproduce
Horses have 64 chromosomes, donkeys have 62 and the hybrid offspring, the mule, has an uneven 63 chromosomes. The uneven number in the mule usually prevents the chromosomes from pairing up and creating a successful embryo.
All male mules are infertile and are normally gelded to ensure their sociability. Most female mules are also infertile but there have been some rare exceptions where a female mule had offspring. The occurrence is about one in a million.
Mule is an Example of Hybrid Vigor
When a donkey and a horse are mated, the outcome is a genetically superior offspring. This occurrence is referred to as hybrid vigor. Mules become the benefactors of the best traits of the parents. From the donkey, the mule inherits intelligence, strength, surefootedness, endurance and perseverance. From the horse, the mule inherits athletic ability, speed and beauty.
Mule's Physical Characteristics Compared to the Horse
The muscular and skeletal structure of the mule differs from that of a horse. The mule has long smooth muscle while the horse has differentiated muscle masses. The smooth muscle is built for endurance while the muscle masses are built for bursts of strength. In human terms it is like comparing a ballerina to a wrestler.
A horse has two basic ligaments which keep the hip socket together. The accessory ligament at the hip socket prevents the bone from moving sideways. Most mules don't have this accessory ligament which allows for a greater range of motion. It is likely that, because of this greater flexibility, a mule's kick so easily finds its target.
The mule's muscle structure and narrower build contributes to its surefootedness and a smoother gait. As a result of the smoother gait, a mule is more comfortable to ride and even people who have back problems are able to ride in reasonable comfort.
The mule is stronger than the horse and can carry more weight than a horse of equal size. Pound for pound, a mule can outwork a horse. Although it does not have the speed of the horse, the mule will far outlast the horse in stamina and endurance. This is only partly due to its physical characteristics. The other part has to do with its intelligence.
The mule is a tremendous high-jumper. Unlike a horse that jumps from a galloping approach, the mule jumps from a standing start. It can jump its height from a standstill -- without a rider.
Mule's Health Status Compared to the Horse
A mule eats approximately 25-30% less than a comparably sized horse. It also has fewer feeding problems. A mule rarely overeats and is less likely to colic or founder. It also requires less water and tolerates heat better. This may be due to the origins of the donkey from Africa and Asia.
A mule is more resistant to disease and has a longer life span than a horse. It continues to work into its 30s and has a lifespan into the 40s and even 50s.
Most horses have a flight response when encountering unknown situations while donkeys have the freeze reflex. The mule can also have the flight reflex given that it is part horse. However, because it is also part donkey, if properly trained, that flight reflex can be significantly modified to a 'stop and wait' response, thereby, reducing possible accidents and injury.
Mule Intelligence Study
Mules have been perceived as more intelligent than horses and a recent study done among 6 horses, 6 donkeys and 6 mules confirms this position. The test consisted of sets of 2 food buckets marked with different symbols. The mules differentiated between more pairs of symbols more consistently than did the horses or donkeys. Food rewards were provided for correct choices.
This greater intelligence is attributed to hybrid vigor as are some of the superior physical characteristics of the mule.
Mule's Outstanding Quality
A mule will not place itself in danger. It has a very strong self-preservation instinct. This instinct gives it a different behavioral pattern. It is not stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. The mule is very smart and calculating and thinks before it acts. It is an independent thinker and assesses situations. This trait has to be respected in order to successfully train a mule. You cannot make a mule do what it doesn't want to do.
A large element of a mule's training involves persuading the mule to forego some of its own decision making and to trust its owner. This is possible because mules are also very social animals and have a need to bond with their owner. A lasting friendship must be established with a mule. This requires patience, kindness and understanding. In turn, such an approach will eventually build trust and finally obedience -- resulting in a well-trained mule.
As a mount, a well-trained mule is superior to an equally trained horse because the mule's instinct for self-preservation also creates a safety net for the rider. Well-trained mules are highly valued by their owners and often envied by others.
Training a Mule
Training a mule has to be a labor of love.
A good horse trainer is not automatically a good mule trainer. Different skills are required to train mules. A mule trainer has to understand mule motivation and behavior. It is best for a mule owner to acquire training skills.
There are times, when horses are sent to a trainer for extra schooling. However, according to Meredith Hodges, who has 35 years of experience with mules, this should be avoided with mules, where possible. Mules tend to bond with the person who trains them. She equates sending them elsewhere to asking 'someone else to go out and make a friend for you'. It is important for the owner to grow the relationship with his/her mule and to use every opportunity to interact with it.
With patience and proper instruction an owner can develop his/her mule into an outstanding riding companion and loyal friend.
Source: Vi Brown, http://suite101.com
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