Crossing Male Donkeys with Female Horses Produces Sterile Mules

Mules have a long history as tough working animals.

Domesticated horses can mate with donkeys, and the breeds that are crossed will determine the size of the offspring.

Donkeys or Asses

Donkeys were domesticated around 5,000 years ago, at about the same time as horses. Their ancestors were the African Wild Ass (Equs africanus), but they are now considered to be a distinct subspecies (Equs africanus asinus) with many different breeds.

Donkeys have been used for heavy work, carrying packs, and for riding, since ancient times – they still are in many of the poorer parts of the world.

In more affluent regions donkeys have tended to become pets, or riding animals for children.

Horses

There are over 250 recognised breeds of horse, and many have been used to produce mules – different local donkey breeds crossed with the local horse.

Mules and Hinnies

If the father was a donkey then the hybrid is a mule, and if the mother was a donkey it is a hinny. Hinnies tend to be smaller than mules (with typically smaller mothers), and the American Donkey and Mule Society believes that "The genetic inheritance of the hinny is exactly the same as the mule". This having been said the hinny's head is rather more horse-like than the mule's.

• Horses have 64 chromosomes, while donkeys only have 62. This means that the animal produced from a 31 chromosome sperm and a 32 chromosome egg (or the other way round) will have 63 chromosomes.

• All hinnies are sterile, and they are usually castrated early on.

• The vast majority of mules also seem to be infertile, although females have occasionally given birth successfully. A mule that proves to be fertile is known as a 'molly'.

Mules are stronger than horses (weight for weight), and they need less food. These two attributes have made them useful working animals in the past.

In addition mules have a thicker skin than horses, and their hooves are harder and more resistant to infection. These factors made them very suitable plow animals in parts of America with heavy, clay, soils. The thick skin made them able to withstand extreme weather, and their feet required less attention.

Large Mules

The relatively small size of most breeds of donkey imposes a limit to the size of the mule.

Breeding large donkeys, such as the Mammoth Poitou Donkey, and mating them with large horses, such as the Mulassiere, allowed one region in France to produce an enormous mule - the 'Poitevin'.

This very large type of mule (they cannot really be called breeds) was an extremely useful working animal, but there are very few left.

Source: John Blatchford. http://suite101.com

Estimate Your Mule's Weight

 

by Mari Lintin

Knowing your mule's weight is important for things like ordering harness, giving medications, and monitoring your mule's condition. To estimate your mule's weight, measure its girth and length as show in the illustration, enter those numbers in the fields provided below, and click on the "Weight Estimate" button. If you wish to keep records for several mules, enter each mule's name before printing the page showing its estimated weight.

Girth is the circumference of the mule's body about 4" behind its front legs.

Length is the length of the mule's body as measured in a straight line from the point of shoulder to the buttocks.

To calculate go to: http://www.ruralheritage.com/mule_paddock/mule_weight.htm

Mules vs Horses

 

Explaining the differences between mules and horses while understanding why some people prefer one over the other.

There are a lot of people who are curious about mules but do not know a lot about them. Though horses and mules are similar in many ways, they can be completely different in others.

What is a mule?

A mule is the offspring of a jack (male) donkey and a mare (female) horse. Because mules are a hybrid, they do not have the ability to reproduce. Many times the male mules, called Johns, are castrated in order to keep the “stud” tendencies away. The female mules, called Jennies, can either be left with their hormones intact or spayed to keep from coming into heat. Even though mules cannot reproduce, they still carry the hormones for reproduction and will attempt to breed.

Stubborn as a mule

Everyone has heard this phrase and probably been it many times. Mules are a bit on the stubborn side, simply because they are highly intelligent animals. Some people may not agree with this but, mules are actually smarter than horses; making them more difficult to train than horses.

The differences between horses and mules

Just because someone knows how to train horses well, it does not mean they know how to train mules. Though mules are a product of a horse, they think and act differently than most horses.

For the most part, horses are very forgiving animals. If we are having a bad day and end up overcorrecting our horse simply because we are mad, our horses usually forgive us and get over it. A mule on the other hand, may get over it right away but, will not forget about us taking our anger out on him or her. This mule may end up paying us back for having the bad day. It may not be right away, but sometime down the road, this mule may get us in a corner and let us have it. When training mules, we have to put a true meaning behind every disciplinary move we make. If our mules mess up, we discipline according to the offense and then move on.

Mules are very smart animals; by far smarter than horses and sometimes, smarter than us. When training a horse, a good trainer can read a horse’s body language and stay one or two steps ahead of that horse at all times. A mule on the other hand, is usually reading our body language and tries to stay ahead of us. Training mules takes a very keen eye and skilled person who can think way ahead of that mule and know exactly what he or she is going to do. With horses, this can be very simple to do. A mule on the other hand, is always trying to outthink and outsmart the person training him or her.

Mules are less likely to get hurt than a horse is. Mules are great at problem solving so when they get themselves into a dangerous situation; instead of freaking out and getting hurt like some horses may, a mule will think his or her way out of trouble.

Mules are a lot hardier and stronger an animal than horses. Many mule owners and trainers do not put shoes on their mules simply because their feet are so hard. A mule’s feet are very strong and are built with longer, straighter walls than a horse’s feet. The bottom side of a mule’s foot has a deep cup to it; helping to avoid bruising and abscesses where many horse’s soles are flat.

Both horses and mules cannot see directly behind them. So when horses run away from something they are afraid of, the only way they can see what scared them is by either stopping and facing the danger or running a big circle around it. Mules on the other hand, can run a straight line away from the danger with their heads turned; looking back at what scared them.

Mules are more aggressive than most horses. Many horses can be turned out in an area where there are lambs, calves, and dogs. The horses learn to coexist with these other animals and usually will not try to hurt them. A mule however, can kill or seriously injure any smaller animals that may wander into the field. A mule’s aggression is more along the lines of being curious. If a small animal wanders into the field, a mule will usually be the first to check it out. If this animal does not run, chances are they mule will leave it alone. If the animal shows fear and runs from the mule, the mule will pursue by chasing it. A mule may turn aggressive at this point; possibly running the animal until it injures itself or actually killing it. There have been instances where mules have killed calves by picking them up with their teeth and slamming them back down. Just because mules can be more aggressive than horses, this does not make them horrible animals. They just need to be treated with caution when around other animals.

Mules aren’t for everyone

Mules are smart animals and do make great athletes. Just about anything a horse can be trained to do, a mule can do too. Mules just aren’t for everyone, and many people shouldn’t even try to train them. The people who are successful at training and showing mules are great horsemen and horsewomen.

Many people do not like mules because they are harder to train than horses. Mules are also easier to mess up than a horse and should only be trained by someone who is well experienced with them.

If mules are an animal you are interested in learning more about, don’t try to master training one by yourself. Even if you have a lot of experience training horses, find someone who is experienced in training mules. They can teach you the things you need to know for a safe and productive training experience.

Source: http://suite101.com

Guard Donkeys, Mules Protect Against Predators

Goat and Sheep Farmers Use Burros to Watch Their Herds

Donkeys are loyal, economical guardians against herd predators like coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. They also sound a loud alarm for all types of intruders.

Donkeys, or burros, possess natural herding instincts combined with an innate aggressive dislike for coyotes and similar predators. Donkeys are capable of killing a dog or coyote. Their braying is a warning that these predators recognize and tend to avoid.

Goat and sheep farmers from Canada to Texas are using donkeys and mules to guard their herds from predators. Many people also use them as nannies with their horse and pony herds, especially weanlings and yearlings.

Why Donkeys and Mules Make Good Herd Guardians

Mules, offspring of a male donkey bred to a horse, also carry the natural animosity and aggressiveness toward such predators and are used as herd guardians, though donkeys are generally preferred.

Donkeys are fast on their feet and have a lightening kick that carries a punch, as do mules. Both animals have strong teeth and jaws carried on strong necks. These physical attributes give them muscle against predators.

They have their limitations in situations involving a pack of several predators that can circle them, as any lone guardian animal will have. Further, a donkey or mule cannot defend so well against large predators such as bears and mountain lions, although there are some documented incidents of mules winning bouts with mountain lions.

The coyote, though, a predator which is becoming increasingly prevalent even in residential areas, has a natural healthy respect for donkeys and will tend to avoid them. Donkeys have been known to kill coyotes.

It is the mutual aversion between donkeys and coyotes and dogs that make donkeys effective babysitters for sheep and goat ranchers. In addition, donkeys are easy keepers, and fit well into the herd environment.

Using Guard Donkeys or Mules to Protect Herds and Farmyards

Standard and mammoth donkeys are the type to use. Miniatures are not big enough to serve guard duty.

Ideally a donkey will be raised with a herd of sheep or goats to become their protector naturally. A female donkey (jenny) is preferable, although gelded males have been used with some success. Ungelded jacks do not work.

Alternatively, one can select an individual young adult female donkey and introduce her to the herd. Once a donkey has bonded with her herd she will become its protector.

Similarly a donkey will be territorial and protective of her farmyard environment and announce intruders, animal and human, with loud braying. A donkey alarm can be heard for quite a distance.

Because individual animals have their idiosyncrasies, it must not be assumed that every donkey or mule will automatically be a good guard animal. In the early stages of herd introduction, the donkey's behavior with the herd must be monitored to be sure of compatibility, bonding and good guardianship.

Guard donkeys work best with sheep or goat herds of 100 or less ranging in a reasonable size range. If the distance is too far flung, meaning that herd individuals will be widely separated, the donkey's ability to be effective will be limited.

Similarly, a large herd puts too much demand on a single guard animal's capability. One guard donkey per pasture or group is recommended for effective protection.

Because donkeys have a natural adversity to dogs, working guard donkeys in proximity with sheep dogs may be dicey. Management of herd duties between the donkey and the herd dogs will be an important dynamic to plan out. On the other hand, donkeys are naturally docile with people, unless given a very good reason not to be.

Many breeders of horses and ponies use donkeys to protect their herds when out at pasture. Jennies are good babysitters for weanlings and yearlings.

Feeding Guard Donkeys with the Herd and General Care

An advantage of guard donkeys and mules is that they are easy keepers. They do well grazing with the herd.

A caution is to be sure that donkeys do not eat rich grain, hay or overly lush grass high in protein. These feeds will make them prone to obesity, founder and other metabolic illnesses such as hyperlipaemia.

Other care requirements of donkeys and mules are fairly minimal. Compared to horses, they are inexpensive animals to keep and manage. They need their feet trimmed from time to time and should have inoculations and general vet care recommended for equines in their geographic region. Their legs are susceptible to bleeding and scabbing from biting flies, which is something to watch over in fly season.

With proper care and management guard donkeys and mules can be expected to serve for 10 to 15 years.

Source: Linda Ashar. http://suite101.com

Mule Psychology 101: Mule Truths

 

By Cindy K. (McKinnon) Roberts

True or False:  A mule will wait ten or twenty years to kick you or get back at you.  This is false.I hear stories of owners that have owned a mule for x amount of years and then on that one given day...wham!  Their own mule kicks them.  Mules are deliberate and calculating animals.  They do not forget their life experiences, good or bad.  However, they do not hang out in their stall and put a notch in the wood rail for every act of indiscretion that came from Farmer Joe.  Mule's do not think to themselves "hmmmm...let's see, I will give this guy something to remember, for all those times he whipped me."  Mules and other animals, like people, can have a bad day. 

They develop conditions such as arthritis when they get older.  They can be in pain and having a bad day at the same time.  Honestly, when a 1200 pound mule is having a bad day, you do not want to mess with them....or tigers (ask Roy!) or gorillas for that matter.  I have to think that owners that have been struck by their own mule have failed to properly train them in a positive manner in the first place.  Using fear or force does not work on mules.  Mule and horse owners that get comfortable  in their handling of their animal(s),  get preoccupied and then they are in a vulnerable situation where they get hurt.

No, mules don't wait twenty years to do you in; they get old and cranky just like people and deserve to be treated well throughout their lives.

Source: http://www.everycowgirlsdream.com

DIAGRAM OF A DONKEY SKELETON

Mules

Plodding Along: the humble horsepower of transportation

Mules deserve to be remembered for the important roles they played in the history of transportation.

A Mule is a non-reproducing crossbreed; half horse, half donkey. Donkeys are also called asses or burros (burro is Spanish), and are known for having long ears and a strong sense of self preservation.

Mules have ears almost as long, and strength and stamina, they can carry up to their own weight, but the smart mule skinner loads them with about half their own weight. A mule skinner is a professional mule driver, he is armed with a leather whip which can literally take the hair off of (skin) a mule without doing permanent harm to the animal. He also understands how to balance loads on a mule’s back, and find the leader of a team, the bell mule. If a good bell mule is selected all the mules will follow the bell in a straight line and not wander off or stop to graze. This line is called a mule train.

Mule trains were the primary cargo movers in parts of Mexico until the 1950's, and were important on rough terrain throughout the old west. They are excellent on narrow trails or mountain terrain, and the 20 mule team hauling borax out of canyons like the Grand Canyon remains a famous image. The mule train consists of individual mules with loads tied to their backs, they can move a surprising amount. The old way was to tie what is called a “diamond hitch” across the load over the animals back. This makes a sort of net over the load and can be tightened by pulling just one rope. The modern way is to have load saddles that loads can be attached to.

Mules are hardier than horses and can live on less food and water, a mule can live on pasture where a horse would starve; they also have stronger resistances to heat and cold than horses. These traits made them very useful in dessert terrain. Mules were also used in the deepest Mexican mines, and some were underground so long that they could not see in daylight when finally brought out.

Besides all these tasks, Mules are also excellent for working a farm. Mules are good plough and wagon pullers and were very popular as work animals throughout the U.S. George Washington is said to have bred the first mules in America from a burro sent to him by the King of Spain. It is known that he kept over 40 mules at his Mount Vernon plantation. Mules are stubborn if treated badly, but will generally work without complaint for someone they trust. The famous old western movie line, “What is it Bessy”, also has some basis, a good mule that refuses to do what is asked often senses some danger the human has not yet noticed. Mules can, however, be permanently “ruint” (i.e. ruined) by mistreatment. The mule's main liability is its inability to reproduce, but this peculiarity does not inhibit the sex drive, and male mules are generally castrated to make them somewhat more manageable.

Like the farmers and skinners that worked them, Mules quietly made a very large impact on history and transportation in America, Mexico, South America, and a lot of old world countries as well. Mules were still used on rough terrain by the U.S. Army Quartermasters Corps as late as WWII, long after the glory days of the cavalry horse were over. I guess there may be something to be said for plodding along, rather than charging forward, after all.

Source: John Crandall. http://suite101.com

Donkeys, Man's Forgotten Friend

 

Donkeys are intelligent, affectionate, healthy, long lived, and cheap to keep animals, so why are we now allowing them to die in record numbers?

Donkeys were first domesticated in Egypt about 6,000 years ago. Since their earliest association with mankind, they have been loyal and uncomplaining servants. An early Pakistani proverb states, “To carry a load without resting, to be not bothered by heat or cold, and always to be content: these things we can learn from a donkey”. Donkeys quickly spread from Egypt to all area cultures where they provided transportation, carried heavy loads on their back, served as draft animals, helped to plow the fields, to turn grist mills, and guarded livestock from predation. In addition, their milk and meat provided substance for the ancient family and still does for families today in many parts of the world.

Remarkable animal

Many breeds of donkey have been developed in the service of mankind. Donkeys range in size from the Miniature Mediterranean which stands only 36 inches at the shoulder, to the Mammoth Jack which can be 56 inches and even taller. They can have short, slick hair like the burro of the American southwest, or can have wooly long hair like the French Poitou. One thing they all have in common is their ability to endure heat and cold, lack of water and poor quality food. Pound for pound they are stronger than the horse and better climbers in hills and mountains. Their hooves are tougher and require less care than the hooves of horses. Donkeys can live up to 40 years (about twice as long as horses).

The perfect pet

The first donkey that I ever owned was a gift from a friend. My friend told me that during a hunting trip his brother had taken an ax handle and hit this donkey right between the eyes. Although it was a vicious and powerful blow, the brother was more hurt by this cowardly action than was the donkey. The donkey merely blinked and moved away, while the brother’s hand was bleeding and he reported considerable pain from the jarring impact of the blow.

I quickly renamed this donkey Genghis Kahn, because he put me in mind of the small Mongolian horses that the Mongols rode. When Genghis first arrived at my ½ acre pasture he was a bit leery of me, however, after two days of carrots, apples, back combing and ear scratching we became fast friends. Genghis would follow me about the pasture and nuzzle me each time I stopped. Often my young son would climb upon his back as he walked around the pasture. Genghis seemed to enjoy the companionship. Later, I would ride that brave little donkey on mountainous trails where he proved to be a strong, steady and dependable climber.

We decided to get Genghis a companion, which I purchased at an auction for $25. He was a three year old, standard size uncut jack who had been raised wild. Until a few days before the sale, he had never seen a human. Within two days of his arrival, he was completely gentle. My 12 -year-old son, Ryan, named him Black Jack.

On the third day Black Jack lived with us, Ryan and I argued about who would try to ride him first. I believed that Ryan should ride, as I was bigger, stronger and more capable of holding him with the rope. Ryan argued that I should ride due to the fact that I was heavier and he wouldn’t be able to buck as hard. However, I played the daddy card and with much trepidation Ryan got on; we waited for the rodeo to begin.

Much to our surprise he never bucked. He tiptoed forward, stopped and looked around not knowing exactly what to do. Then I had an idea; as Ryan rode Genghis and the danger seemed over, I boldly hopped upon Black Jack. He quickly got the clue from Genghis about what was expected from a respectable saddle donkey, and on that very day we rode up and down small hills for about an hour. Black Jack proved to be an even better riding donkey than Genghis.

The current crisis

Because of the severe drought in Texas and Oklahoma, there is not much grazing left. Ranchers have to buy hay to keep their cattle, sheep, goats and horses alive. Unfortunately, the donkey has been deemed to be expendable and is starving to death by the hundreds. Fortunately, organizations like the Peaceful Valley Donkey Ranch are doing their best to save this intelligent and friendly animal. It is possible to adopt rescued donkeys through this organization, or donate money to help in their efforts. If you can adopt, donate or share this article with a friend you will have the pleasure of perhaps saving one of these remarkable animals.

Sources: Sue Weaver, The Donkey Companion, 2008. Storey Publishing, LLC; First Edition edition. ISBN-10: 160342038X; ISBN-13: 978-1603420389.

Source: Lance Morton. http://suite101.com

Mule Questions

 

HOW BIG DO MULES GROW?
Anything from about 32" to 18hh plus, depending on the size of the parents, but most mules in Britain at present are under 13.2hh.

DO MULES COME IN MALE AND FEMALE AND CAN THEY HAVE FOALS?
They have all the normal sexual characteristics, both physical and temperamental, but males are always infertile, and females normally so - fertile mules are very rare indeed. However, males should be castrated to avoid them becoming aggressive; most females come into season either regularly or occasionally, but are only rarely 'mareish'.

WHAT CAN YOU USE MULES FOR?
Anything you can use horses and ponies for, depending only on size: riding - racing, endurance riding, hunting, jumping, gymkhanas, dressage, shepherding etc.; in harness - private driving, scurrying, cross country, dressage, light and heavy haulage, agricultural work; under pack - for work or leisure.

ARE MULES REALLY BAD TEMPERED AND DO THEY KICK?
Mules are only bad-tempered if handled incorrectly and with lack of understanding. They can kick with great speed and accuracy, but only do so in self-defence, when they are afraid or think something is going to hurt them.

ARE MULES AS STUBBORN AS EVERYONE SAYS?
They are exceptionally intelligent, which some handlers find difficult to cope with; this, and their great sense of self-preservation (which means they also look after their rider or cargo) accounts for their totally undeserved reputation for stubbornness. If mule and handler trust and understand each other, so that the mule knows that what he is asked to do is in his interests, there will be no problems.

HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR A MULE?
An impossible question; as a general rule, a small, young, unbroken mule will cost the same as or slightly less than a similar pony, e.g. £50-£80; a big, mature, well-trained and handled mule, which can be ridden and driven, being rarer than a similar horse, could cost more, e.g.£1,000- £1,500. So much depends on supply and demand, and these prices are only a very rough guide.

WHERE CAN I BUY A MULE?
They are sold at horse sales, advertised in horse magazines, and the BMS keeps a register of mules for sale and wanted, being contacted from time to time by people with mules for sale.

HOW DO I BREED MY OWN?
Choose the parents with care; the mare's conformation should compensate for any faults in the jack, and she should have a similar amount of bone to that required in your mule; both parents should have good temperaments. Big jack donkeys are few and far between in Britain at present, but a donkey can serve a mare up to 3hh larger than himself; if he is unwilling and not all donkeys will serve mares - or if you want to breed with a mare more than 3hh bigger than the jack, it is relatively easy to use artificial insemination.

ARE MULES DIFFICULT TO LOOK AFTER?
They are very easy to look after in that they are rarely ill or lame, rarely need shoeing, are not fussy about their food and can withstand extremes of climate.

ARE MULES DIFFICULT TO TRAIN?
No, but their natures are different to horses';.you must gain your mule's trust and learn to understand each other, and then he will do anything for you.

Source: http://www.britishmulesociety.co.uk/