Whether you’ve seen them at a farm, a show, or out in the wild, horses and donkeys are commonly recognized by people, but there’s one equine that tends to be overlooked – the mule.

“They’re often referred to as the ‘forgotten equine,’” says Equine Advocates President Susan Wagner. “This is because today, mules are bred primarily for two purposes, so they are not as common as many other breeds of equines.”

A mule is the offspring of a male donkey, or jack, and a female horse, or mare. Like donkeys, mules tend to have long ears and short manes, but their height and body shape more closely resemble horses. However, their muscle composition is different from that of horses. Mules have smoother muscles, and while both are very strong, mules have greater physical strength for their size and more endurance.

“Many are bred for work pulling plows and logs on Amish and Mennonite farms,” said Wagner. “Those mules are usually very large and often a cross between a Mammoth Jack and a female Draft Horse. Mules bred for riding tend to be the size of small horses. Draft cross mules are also wonderful to ride on trails and in competition, and while they may not appear to be as popular as horses, people who have had the opportunity to ride them often become hooked. To say the least, mules are amazing!”

However, many mules are mistreated, neglected, or abused while working or performing under these conditions. All of the mules rescued by Equine Advocates currently living at the sanctuary are former Amish work mules, except for two, Gomez and Gizmo. They were sold while still nursing at their mothers’ sides when we rescued all four from an Amish farmer who was about to send them to auction. Since their mothers were both Amish work horses, we believe Gomez and Gizmo would surely have suffered the same fate as their mothers once they grew older.

When it comes to their mental traits, mules get their intelligence and patience from their donkey sire and courage from their horse dam. While the phrase, ‘stubborn as a mule,’ is well-known, it’s not necessarily true. As animals with high intelligence, mules can have a strong sense of self-preservation, but they respond well to kindness and patience from humans.

“They’re very cuddly once they trust you,” said Equine Advocates Equine Care Manager Melissa Murray. “It takes a while to earn their trust and their respect, but once you do, they’re very, very cuddly.”

Mules also have an important place in history. According to the American Mule Museum, the mule is the oldest known hybrid. It’s believed that the inhabitants of ancient Paphlagonia and Nicaea, the northern and northwestern parts of modern-day Turkey, were the first people to breed mules. By 3000 BCE, they were commonly used pack animals in Egypt. Within the United States, George Washington played a major role in the development of America’s mule population and became the first American mule breeder. It’s said that Washington believed in the mules’ value when it comes to agriculture.

Some more mule facts:

• While a mule is a product of a horse and donkey breeding, the bloodline often ends there, because most mules are infertile and can’t reproduce. This is because mules have 63 chromosomes, a mixture of a horse’s 64 chromosomes and a donkey’s 62 chromosomes. Since mules have an odd number, their chromosomes aren’t able to pair up properly and create successful embryos.
• Mules have played an important role in U.S. military history. They were used as haulers for guns, ammunition, and other supplies. In both World Wars, they often carried wounded soldiers out. In fact, the Army Mules are the mascots for the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
• The cross between a female donkey and a male horse is not a mule; that cross is called a hinny.
• The first cloned equine was a mule named Idaho Gem, who was born May 4, 2003
• Mules tend to show a natural resistance to disease and insects.

We would encourage everyone to learn more about mules and, for those who are able, to give one a loving home.

This column was published in Berkshire Animal World’s June 2022 issue.