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Contents
- The donkey: its own species
- The mule: donkey father and horse mother
- The hinny: horse father and donkey mother
- Why mules are usually sterile
- How to recognize the animals in the pasture
- And where does donkey milk come from?
- Mules in history and today
- Character: cautious, not stubborn
- Frequently asked questions
- Read more and shop
Donkey, mule, hinny: these three are often confused. The difference is actually quite simple. The donkey is its own species. Mules and hinnies are crosses between donkeys and horses. The key is which animal is the father and which is the mother. In this article, we explain the differences, show a comparison table, and tell you how to recognize the animals in the pasture.
The donkey: its own species
The domestic donkey is descended from the African wild ass. Like the horse, it belongs to the horse family, but it is its own species. Typical features are its long ears, short upright mane, and tail with a tuft at the end. Many donkeys have a dark cross on their back. We explain where this comes from in our article about the cross on the donkey's back.
Donkeys come in many sizes, from the small miniature donkey to the large Poitou donkey with its shaggy coat. You can find an overview in our article about donkey breeds.
The mule: donkey father and horse mother
A mule is produced when a donkey father mates with a horse mother. The mother is therefore a horse. Mules are usually large and powerful. Their bodies resemble those of horses. Their heads, ears, and hooves resemble those of donkeys. Their voice is somewhere between a whinny and a bray.
Mules are considered sure-footed, hardy, and economical. That is why they were used for centuries as pack and riding animals in the mountains. They are the more common of the two crosses.
The hinny: horse father and donkey mother
With the hinny, it is the other way around. A horse father mates with a donkey mother. The mother is therefore a donkey. Hinnies are usually smaller than mules. Their build is more donkey-like. Their ears are often shorter, while their mane and tail are more horse-like.
Hinnies are rarer. A mating between a horse father and a donkey mother is less common. That is why you will almost always encounter mules in practice.
| Feature | Donkey | Mule | Hinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Donkey | Donkey | Horse |
| Mother | Donkey | Horse | Donkey |
| Size | small to large | usually large | usually smaller |
| Ears | very long | long | rather short |
| Tail | tuft at the end | rather horse-like | horse-like |
| Reproduction | fertile | almost always sterile | almost always sterile |
| Frequency | common | more common | rare |
Why mules are usually sterile
The reason lies in their chromosomes. Donkeys have 62, horses have 64. Their offspring receive half from each parent and have 63. This odd number cannot be divided evenly during the formation of egg and sperm cells. That is why mules and hinnies can almost never have offspring of their own. Very rare exceptions have been documented, but they are true exceptions.
How to recognize the animals in the pasture
With a little practice, you will quickly learn to tell them apart. Follow these steps:
- Look at the ears: Very long ears indicate a donkey or mule. Shorter ears are more likely to belong to a hinny or horse.
- Check the tail: A tail with a tuft at the end is typical of a donkey. A full, long tail indicates horse ancestry.
- Estimate the size: A large animal with a donkey head on a horse body is usually a mule.
- Look at the mane: Short and upright on a donkey. Longer and falling on a horse and often on a hinny.
- Listen: A clear bray comes from a donkey. A mixed sound may indicate a mule.
- Ask: You will only know for sure if you know the parents. Owners are usually happy to provide information.
Remember this mnemonic: a hinny is a horse father with a donkey mother. A mule is the other way around.
And where does donkey milk come from?
Donkey milk comes exclusively from donkey mothers. Mules and hinnies play no role in this. Because a donkey gives only two to three liters a day, donkey milk is rare. Anyone who would like to try milk and cheese together will find fresh donkey milk and donkey cheese in the Gourmet Tasting Set.
Mules in history and today
Mules have accompanied humans for thousands of years. They were even selectively bred in antiquity. They combine traits from both parents. From the donkey, they get sure-footedness, endurance, and economy. From the horse, they get size and strength.
In the mountains, mules carried salt, wine, wood, and mail along narrow paths. Armies used them as pack animals. In many regions of the world, they are still in use today, especially in difficult terrain where no vehicle can go. In Europe, they are now seen mainly on hiking trips, trekking tours, and for leisure.
Character: cautious, not stubborn
Donkeys and mules have a reputation for being stubborn. This is a misunderstanding. Both assess a situation before acting. A horse flees in danger. A donkey stands still and looks carefully. This behavior protects it from dangerous missteps in steep terrain.
Mules have often inherited this caution. At the same time, they are capable of learning and like working with people once they have built trust. Pressure rarely achieves the desired result with either. Patience, calm, and clear signals work much better.
If you want to learn more about the emotional lives of donkeys, read our article on whether donkeys have feelings. There you will discover how closely donkeys form bonds and how they show joy, fear, and jealousy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a mule and a hinny?
In a mule, the father is a donkey and the mother is a horse. In a hinny, it is the other way around.
Can mules have foals?
Almost never. Due to their odd number of chromosomes, they are almost always sterile.
Is a mule larger than a donkey?
Usually yes, because the mother is a horse. However, there are also very large donkey breeds, such as the Poitou donkey.
Are mules stubborn?
Mules and donkeys can sometimes seem stubborn. Usually, they assess a situation carefully before acting. This is caution, not obstinacy.
