Cross between a donkey and a horse

Mules and hinnies are similar. They are both a cross between a horse and a donkey, with unique characteristics that make them special.

The mule is a domestic equine hybrid between a donkey and a horse. It is the offspring of a male donkey a jack and a female horse a mare. Mules vary widely in size, and may be of any color. They are more patient, hardier and longer-lived than horses, and are perceived as less obstinate and more intelligent than donkeys. A female mule that has oestrus cycles, and so could, in theory, carry a foetus, is called a "molly" or "Molly mule", although the term is sometimes used to refer to female mules in general. A male mule is properly called a "horse mule", although it is often called a "john mule", which is the correct term for a gelded mule.

Cross between a donkey and a horse

A mule is the offspring of a male donkey a jack and a female horse a mare. A horse has 64 chromosomes, and a donkey has The mule ends up with However, a male mule should be gelded in order to make him a safe and sociable animal. Except for the long ears, mules look very similar to horses, but their muscle composition is different. Mules have smoother muscles than horses. Both are very strong, but the mule has greater physical strength for its size, and more endurance. A mule gets its athletic ability from the horse and its intelligence from the donkey. Mules and donkeys actually have a natural attraction to humans. When treated with patience, kindness and understanding, they learn to trust and obey.

May come in a variety of colors. Your vet can seek advice from the veterinary department at The Donkey Sanctuary if they have any questions or concerns.

Mules and hinnies are similar. They are both a cross between a horse and a donkey, with unique characteristics that make them special. Find out more here. Because they are so similar, the terms 'mule' and 'hinny' are used interchangeably, with hinnies often being referred to as mules. Takedown request View complete answer on thedonkeysanctuary.

An ass and a donkey are terms often used interchangeably to refer to the same animal, while a mule is a hybrid offspring produced by crossing a male donkey jack with a female horse mare. It is understandable that these terms can become confused with each other since they are all similar in some ways. Moreover, many people use these terms incorrectly or differ according to culture. If you have every wondered what is the difference between an ass, donkey and mule , AnimalWised explains how to tell the difference. We provide a comparison of a donkey vs. Perhaps the most well-known and most used of these terms is the donkey. It is likely we are aware of the donkey since they are found all over the world.

Cross between a donkey and a horse

A hinny is a domestic equine hybrid , the offspring of a male horse a stallion and a female donkey a jenny. It is the reciprocal cross to the more common mule , which is the product of a male donkey a jack and a female horse a mare. The hinny is distinct from the mule both in physiology and temperament as a consequence of genomic imprinting and is also less common. The hinny is the offspring of a stallion and a jenny or female donkey, and is thus the reciprocal cross to the more common mule foaled by a jack male donkey out of a mare. Like the mule, the hinny displays hybrid vigour heterosis. In general terms, in both these hybrids the foreparts and head of the animal are similar to those of the sire, while the hindparts and tail are more similar to those of the dam.

Roamans

Retrieved 3 January Equidae Evolution of the horse Wild horse Domestication of the horse. Newfoundland Pony. Contents move to sidebar hide. Because they are so similar, the terms 'mule' and 'hinny' are used interchangeably, with hinnies often being referred to as mules. Mules and hinnies are remarkable animals. Pregnancy is rare, but can occasionally occur naturally, as well as through embryo transfer. According to most reports, hinnies are sterile and are not capable of reproduction. Many have no sperm in the emission, others have sperm that is not motile. Breeding of mules became possible only when the range of the domestic horse, which originated in Central Asia in about BC , extended into that of the domestic ass, which originated in north-eastern Africa. Generally speaking, a mule, or donkey, can carry more weight than a horse because of the unique muscle structure of the animal.

It may surprise you, then, to learn they are actually two separate animals!

But a handful of mule and donkey lovers were determined to keep that from happening. Iron Age pig. Both the mule and the hinny have more endurance by far than the horse, and are more resistant to parasites and disease, require less feed for good health, have tougher hooves than the horse, and have an incredible sense of self preservation that keeps them safe, which is often mistaken for stubbornness. Mules and donkeys can carry proportionately more weight than a horse of the same size. Where are donkeys and mules registered? BBC News. Key facts about mules and hinnies Mule: The result of a donkey stallion mating with a female horse. Toggle limited content width. Mules vary widely in size, from small miniature mules under cm 50 in to large and powerful draught mules standing up to cm 70 in at the withers. That a hybrid should possess more reason, memory, obstinacy, social affection, powers of muscular endurance, and length of life, than either of its parents, seems to indicate that art has here outdone nature". ISBN Renner, G. Novice equine owners should not train mules or hinnies.