by About the Mule – by Dave Skillington
Mule Definition
A mule is an offspring from a Jack (donkey) and a female horse, while the reverse of such is called a Hinny. They are almost always sterile, however there are some rare cases where mules and Hinnies have been able to produce offspring. Donkeys have a total of 62 chromosomes and horses have 64—so a mule being a hybrid, has a total of 63 chromosomes.
Mules have some of the strong traits of their father, those being—-patience, endurance, agility in being sure footed in unstable terrain, and plus their hooves are much stronger, and they go lame less often.
A male mule is called a John or horse mule, whereas a female mule is called a Molly or mare mule. To own one and the pleasure you will receive in dealing with these animals is something everyone should experience.
Work Mules vs. Riding Mules:
Work Mules or as they are called by most people Draft Mules are bred to work, the average size weight is 1,300 to 1,500 pounds, whereas the Riding Mules that are bred to ride, the average weight is 700 to 850 pounds. The Jack (donkey) is the father in both cases, whereas the draft or work mule mother is a draft horse the breed being—Belgian, Percheron, or Clydesdales; the Riding Mule mother is a Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, Appaloosa, etc.
