About Mules

What is a mule?
A mule is a cross between a mare and a jack (donkey stallion). A cross between a stallion and a jennet (female donkey) is a Hinny. Mules are male and female, just like horses, with all of the sexual organs, so females (called mollys or mare-mules or jenny-mules) do cycle and males (called johns, jack-mules or horse-mules) need to be castrated or they will get stud-y. However, donkeys have 62 chromosomes and horses have 64, so mules have an uneven number, 63, which makes them a sterile hybrid. They do not reproduce.

Are mules stubborn?
What is often called subborness in a mule is a mule's ability to think independently and an ingrained sense of self preservation. Mules have a more complex reasoning ability than most horses and this is what makes them more reliable in hairy situations. Their unwillingness to place themselves in danger is usually to their riders benefit. Many mules will attach themselves to a human with dog-like devotion and will do anything that person asks them to do overriding their reluctance to do something

Do mules kick? Of course, but with more discriminaltion than horses and with a lot more accuracy. There is nowhere in 360 degrees and several feet away that a mule cannot reach you, if he wants you. If it is a warning, you will be expertly tapped. A mule will always have a reason, and if it was not a good reason, then this is a good time for discipline. Once a mule knows that kicking is not acceptable, he will probably never try it again. If he continues to kick- you definitely have the wrong mule. Would you keep a dog that bites you?

Are mules hard to train?

Mules are very intelligent. They think over what they are being taught and so it may sometimes take longer to get the reaction that you are looking for. While training a mule, it is very important to "read" the mule's responses and be willing to adjust the training techniques to help the mule understand what is expected. Impatience, force, and abuse will make a mule suspicious and resentful (and might get you kicked). Slower will get you there faster.

Is it true that you do not have to shoe mules?

Mules hoof walls are very thick. Many people never shoe their mules. However, if you are doing hard riding in rocky areas or many miles on gravel, it is a good idea to shoe your mule to prevent soreness and cracking.


In general, mules live longer than horses.
It should have been- Healthy as a MULE!
(information from Marie at R&M Gaited Mules, Corvallis Montana)