MULE CROSSING: Differences Among Horses, Mules and Donkeys

Posted Aug 7 2022

By Meredith Hodges

After discussing this with my veterinarian, Greg Farrand from Fort Collins, Colorado, we both agree that since horses, mules and donkeys are all equines, it would be difficult to make any distinction among these three types of animals with regard to their vital signs: pulse respiration and temperature. They would all fall within the designated ranges below that are excerpted from my book, “A Guide to Raising & Showing Equines.” The only real differences would be with regard to each individual equine and not among groups of equines. There has not been any credible scientific study to be able to differentiate the different types of equine groups in this manner and I would venture to guess that it would be the same with all equines, including zebras and hybrids. Therefore, I believe that citing the vital signs ranges would be appropriate, but not citing medians (modals).

Daytime rectal temp mule foal/yearling 37.5C-38.5C normal range
Pulse at rest – adult mule; normal 26-40
Pulse at rest foals 2-4 weeks; normal range 70-90
Pulse at rest mule 6-12 months; normal range 45-60
Pulse at rest mule 2-3 years; 40-50

Actual differences would be as follows:

Horse

Reactive-Flight reflex

Fragile health

More bulk musculature
(like a weight lifter)

Awkward on uneven ground

Round platter-type hooves

Longer slope to shoulders and hips

Limited stamina

Energy waster

Forgets what he learns

More reactive than intelligent

Neigh – exhale

64 chromosomes

Self-preservation not strong

Tolerant of humans

Expensive to maintain

Can have excessive vet bills

Constant hoof management needed

Cannot see their hind feet

Can only kick forward and Backwards

Colors strictly defined within the breeds

Mature at six years

Will fight if entangled

Low level training goes quickly,
but not necessarily remembered

Upper level training improves
generally at the same rate

Mule

Thinking & Reactive-freeze/flight reflexes

Tougher/more resistant to parasites
and disease

Predominantly smooth muscle with
some bulk (combination of
smooth & bulk muscle)

More sure-footed than a horse

Oval, narrow, more upright hoof
structure than a horse

Steeper shoulders and hips than horses

Incredible stamina

Energy conserver

Remembers everything he learns

Very intelligent

Neigh-bray or combination
thereof – inhale and exhale

Generally 63 chromosomes

Strong sense of self preservation

Suspicious, but very
affectionate toward humans

Cheaper to keep – more durable

Fewer vet bills

Tougher hooves – less management

Can see their hind feet

Can kick, forward,
backwards and sideways

More variations in color
contributed by both parents

Mature at eight years

Will wait to be rescued if entangled

Low level training take more time

Upper level training goes faster

Donkey

Thinking equine-freeze reflex

Same as a mule (genetic contribution)

Predominantly smooth muscle

Most sure-footed

Oval, narrow, more upright
hoof structure than a mule

Steeper shoulders
and hips than a mule

Virtually intolerant to stress

Most energy conserver

Remembers, but only
complies when he wants to

Most intelligent

Bray-inhale and exhale

62 chromosomes

Ultimate sense of
self-preservation

Generally, very affectionate
toward humans

Cheapest to keep – very durable

Least number of vet bills

Toughest hooves – least
management needed

Can see their hind feet

Same as the mule

Less variations in
color than the mule

Mature at eight years

Will break loose or wait
to be rescued if entangled

Low level training takes
the most time

Not necessarily interested
in upper level training

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Tags: donkeys, Horses, lucky three ranch, Meredith Hodges, Mule Crossing, mules