Sowhatchett Mule Farm, Inc.
Information
Q: What is a mule?
A: A mule is a cross between a female horse, a mare, and a male donkey, a jack.
The opposite cross, breeding a male horse, a stallion, to a female donkey, a
jenny results in a hinny.
Q: Why are mules sterile?
A: Both mules and hinnys are thought to be sterile due to the chromosome (genetic
material) make up of their parents. A horse has 32 chromosome pairs and a donkey
has 31 pairs. When you mate two animals of different species, such as a horse
and donkey you take half the # of pairs. So, the mule inherents 32 chromosomes
(not pairs) from the horse, the mare, it’s mother or dam and 31 chromosomes
from it’s sire, or father the jack. That results in 63 chromosomes or
31 ½ pairs because one pair is left over from the horse. When the fertilization
takes place and the chromsomes pair together to share information to build the
new baby mule. Well, when the two different species are mated not all of the
chromosomes pair together or are “homologus.” Only 19 of the 63
chromosomes can correspond information and pair together. This is believed to
contribute to why the mule is sterile. Male mules do produce sperm and female
mules do produce ovums or eggs. Although the sperm cells and eggs are normally
infertile because they are not fully mature possibly due to the pairing of the
chromosomes being incomplete and lacking genetic codes to complete the maturation
process. Also, female mules do have estrous cycles and male mules can bred.
Q: Can mules have offspring?
A: Yes. Mules can carry foals and produce milk (female mules that is-). It is
thought that more mules maybe able to reproduce if more mules were bred. But
most people do not even try to breed mules. Mules that have foaled have been
bred to stallions and or jacks.
Q: What do you call a female and male mule?
A: A male mule is referred to as a Horse mule (especially in the eastern part
of the country) or a john mule in the mid-to western part of the U.S. A female
mule is referred to as a mare mule (again in the east) and a molly in the mid-
to western part of the country. Several years ago both john and molly were laymen
or slang terms to referring to the sex of a mule.
Q: What do you call a female and male donkey?
A: A female donkey is referred to as a jenny or jennett. A male donkey is a
jack. A castrated male donkey is called a cut-jack or a gelding donkey.
Q: Do you need to castrate male mules?
A: Yes! Castrating male mules will improve their personality and normally make
them less aggressive due to removing the testicles which produce testosterone.
Q: What is a Gaited Mule?
A: A gaited mule is a mule that performs a gait other than a trot that is smooth,
normally a 4 beat gait, and is WONDERFUL to ride. Gaited mules can walk, rack,
fox trot (which is a two beat, diagonal gait), pace, or perform gaits similar
to a Paso fino horse.
Q: What is the difference in a Walking Mule and a Racking
Mule?
A: A walking mule and a racking mule perform a smooth, 4- beat, lateral gait.
A trot or jog is a 2-beat gait that is normally not as smooth as a running walk
or flat walk. A racking mule also has a 4- beat gait but the complete opposite
foot fall sequence of that of the walking mule. The racking mule some times
thought of as a “single foot” is named that because one single foot
is left on the ground during the sequence of movement. The walking mule is the
complete opposite, three feet on the ground and the walking mule has the noted
knodding of the head in sequence and timing of the gait. Both are smooth and
enjoyable to ride.
Q: What gaits does a walking mule or racking mule perform?
A: A walking mule performs the flat walk, the running walk, and the canter.
Yes, they can canter! The canter is very smooth, a three beat gait and often
referred to as the rocking chair canter. A racking mule typically has a slow
rack, style rack, and if you are showing they may ask for a speed rack or fast
rack. All of these gaits are simply the same gait at an elevated speed.
Q: Can I breed a walking horse to a jack and get a gaited
mule?
A: Well, that’s a start but remember the first question about produce
a mule and the chromosome deal? Well, it’s not that simple. The jack is
equally important and you can increase your chances of producing a gaited mule
by breeding to a gaited donkey, jack.
Q: Can I show and trail ride my mule?
A: Yes. Most definitely. Mules are noted for their versatility and we recommend
you showing and enjoying your mule on the trail. Shows are located all across
the country for gaited mules. The craze and popularity of these mules are spreading
everywhere. The two largest shows for gaited mules are Bishop Mule Days, Bishop,
CA and the Great Celebration Mule Show, Shelbyville, TN. Many state fairs are
adding gaited mule classes to their show sheets.
Q: Can I register my gaited mule?
A: Yes. The Walking and Racking Mule and Donkey Association was established
in 1979. The association offers registration services for mules and donkeys,
supplies list of judges for shows, offers trainers cards, and has an extensive
set of rules for gaited mules that can be used at a show near you. The association
also hosts clinics and seminars on gaited mules to help people better understand
the unique animal.
Q: Where can I get more information on mules and donkeys
such as training, breeding, or current longear events?
A: Try these mule magazines and their websites:
Q: Where can one find information on how to train or
take care of mules and donkeys?
A: Check out the following website, www.luckythreeranch.com,
Meredith Hodges from Loveland, CO owns the Lucky Three Ranch and has many wonderful
videos and books available. She also has a show weekly on the RFD TV channel
on training mules and donkeys. Also, check out this website, www.asspenranch.com,
for more information on training donkeys, Crystal Ward of Placerville, CA is
famous for training donkeys and has a video/DVD out now on the basic care, health,
and training of donkeys from minatures to mammoths.
Q: What if I want unique donkey and mule gifts, art,
jewelry, glassware, etc?
A: Check out this site, www.themulestore.com,
for all of your donkey and mule apparal, home decor, and accessories.
For our most current mules for sale check out, www.longearsmall.com.
For show quality miniature donkeys go to: www.wolfheartranch.com.
To browse the world's largest horse marketplace visit: www.equine.com.
The latest pictures of the Bishop Mule Days 2005 can be found here: www.mustangs4us.com/muledays.htm.
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