Mules and donkeys are wonderful animals. They are intelligent, strong and make marvelous equine companions. However, they are different enough from horses, that it is important to learn as much as you can about them before actually interacting with them. The mule is half horse and half donkey. Dame and sire each contribute to the overall character and physical attributes of the mule, so in order to feed, maintain and train your mule properly you must understand the donkey half of the mule as well as the horse half.

In this section, you’ll find general information to familiarize yourself with the differences among horses, mules and donkeys. The mule, primarily used in the past for packing and draft work, is now enjoying his status as a superior riding and driving animal. Old stereotypes about mules persist, due to impatient and demanding trainers, but when a mule is treated fairly, with kindness, respect and consideration, you’ll find no better riding and driving companion! Horses can be bullied into submission, but the mule and donkey cannot. They need patient, sequential and logical instruction to succeed, much as children need grade school, to help them become educated and well-behaved adults. This is why it is so important to educate yourself about donkeys and mules before obtaining one.

Subject:

A Novel Mule (11/16/03)
Autographing Books (11/30/06)
Backsliding in Training? (6/25/05)
Breeding/Training The Gaited Mule (07/25/07)
Color Genetics (9/15/04)
Color genetics in mules (01/02/07)
Determining how much weight a mule can comfortably carry (01/0/07)
Differences in Breeds? (1/4/05)
Differences in sex of mules (5/1/04)
Dispelling old mule stereotypes (07/25/07)
Donkey aggressive to be haltered. (6/14/05)
Donkey Gelding Attacking Herd (8/9/05)
Donkey Registry (7-26-09)
Equine Program Clinic? (3/1/05)
Full & Half Grade Draft Horse Registry Open! (7/11/05)
Funny Faces & Antics (9/27/04)
Handicapped Rider Training? (11/28/04)
How much weight on hinny? (3/11/04)
How Tell Hinny From Mule? (10/5/04)
Is a blanket necessary in cold weather? (01/02/07)
Jerking Away Lead Rope. (5/5/04)
LOOSE MARE AND FOAL - NEED HELP!! (3/15/05)
Lucky Three Ranch Clinics? (8/2/04)
Lucky Three Ranch Visitors? (4/28/04)
Measuring For Athletic Potential (07/25/07)
Methods work on burro? (1/19/05)
Mule Aggressive Towards Pets (10/16/04)
Mule Behavior During Cycles (1/8/05)
Mule Bucking While In Lope (1/28/05)
Mule Chat Group (2/28/04)
Mule Falls Over On Farrier (3/6/05)
Mule Indifferent to Owner (2/1/05)
Mule research inquiry (12/20/03)
Mule/Donkey Vision (07/25/07)
Mules Foaling (2/28/05)
Mules in Timbuktu (1/9/04)
Putting kids on young stallion's back (7/15/09)
Re: Limited space (1/28/04)
Should I get a mule? (1/3/04)
Springtime Questions (12/10/04)
Stubborn As A Mule - Refute (6/30/04)
To Geld or Not To Geld? (9/9/05)
Too Young For Herd? (2/15/05)
Training Area Size? (7/26/04)
Training videos on DVD (07/25/07)
Types Of Donkeys (9/2/04)
Visit & Ride Lucky Three Mules? (8/27/04)
What do ring cuts signify? (4/29/05)
What is a "Gaited" Mule? (3/30/05)
When To Start Riding? (2/21/05)
Where To Go From Here? (6/1/04)
Who can ride donkeys? (07/25/07)
Who Pays Pre-Purchase Vet Bill? (1/11/05)
Why Mules In Grand Canyon/Molokai Mule Rides? (07/25/07)
Windy Valley Ranch background (01/02/07)