Know your mules from your hinnies? Kayna Prescott, from The Donkey Sanctuary, takes a look at what mules and hinnies are and why they are often chosen as a work animal
Both hinnies and mules are hybrids, a result of two species breeding together – in these two cases it’s a horse and donkey breeding together. But, I hear you say, ‘doesn’t that make them the same then?’ Well the answer is not quite.
What is a mule?
A mule is produced when a donkey stallion mates with a female horse. Mules often look very horse-like with the donkey’s head and big ears.
What is a hinny?
A hinny is produced when a horse stallion mates with a donkey mare. They look more like horse-like, but very similar to mules.
Read how donkeys differ to horses
What sound do mules and hinnies make?
When it comes to vocalisation mules and hinnies have the best of both worlds: they show a combination of the neigh like a horse and bray like a donkey, at the same time. And not only that, but they have also been recorded wuffling, a quick intake and expel of air, between a neigh and a bray. In short, they are what you might call multilingual.
Can mules and hinnies breed?
Structural differences between the chromosomes inherited from each parent make it virtually impossible for mules and hinnies to breed between themselves. However, in rare circumstances, if mated with a donkey or horse stallion, female mules and hinnes can give birth to live foals. It is so rare that the Romans had a saying for something that was unlikely to happen, “When mules foal. ”
Can you ride mules?
Yes, both mules and hinnies can be ridden and many compete in show jumping, dressage and endurance events.
It is important to understand and accept that mules and hinnies are not like horses. They show characteristics from both donkeys and horses, and their behaviour can shift between a donkey response or a horse response.
They are intelligent and very trainable, but they can be a challenge to understand and work with. Mules can be bigger than donkeys, they have a sense of self-preservation which helps them work in challenging environments and can show great athleticism like a horse.
Mules are often used as draught animals and, due to having characteristics from both species, are often able to take on tough terrain horses and donkeys find challenging.
The charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, says: “Mules and hinnies can show great endurance and hardiness when pulling loads and healthy mules can carry heavier weights than donkeys or horses of a similar size.
What’s a mule train?
Because of their strength and trainability mules are often grouped together as a pack animal. Teams of 18 to 20 mules used to pull a line of wagons carrying cargo become known as mule trains.
Why do we say ‘stubborn as a mule’?
The phrase ‘stubborn as a mule’ is thought to be inspired by the mules’ perceived stubbornness but experts at The Donkey Sanctuary says this reputation is undeserved.
“The belief that mules and hinnies are stubborn is a misconception,” says the charity. “They are clever and very trainable. Being quick to learn, they can pick up good and unwanted habits with equal speed. The misconception that a mule is stubborn may have developed from their donkey father’s sense of self-preservation and an unwillingness to do anything which they perceive as dangerous which causes them to wait and consider if a situation is safe before proceeding.”
Kayna Prescott is Lead Equine Behaviourist at The Donkey Sanctuary.
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world’s largest equine welfare charity. Our vision is a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We run 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to more than 7,000 donkeys and mules. Our hospital treats sick donkeys and trains vets both nationwide and worldwide. Our donkey-assisted activities programme supports the development of people’s life skills and wellbeing by connecting with our donkeys on an emotional and physical level.
Images © The Donkey Sanctuary