Numpty mule question!

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superted1989

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We have a small herd of 'assisted' grass liveries, a few youngsters and some retireds, and part of my job is their care. One of the new youngsters, lovely chap that he is, bears more than a passing resemblance to a mule! His owner told us he came from a sale, unhandled, on the mainland somewhere but we haven't seen her since.
On discussing his 'mule likeness' with YO, she wondered if maybe he did have a bit of donkey in there somewhere! I don't know if I read it somewhere, heard it, or, just plain made it up, but I've always though mules (and other hybrids) are sterile.
So, numpty question, are mules sterile? And, if they are, would you still have to geld a male mule (for behaviour) or, do they live as nature intended?

Thanks in advance
 
Hmm from what I've read the chances of a mule (especially a male one) producing offspring is very low. There have been a few cases of female ones being pregnant but apparently no recorded cases of males reproducing, although that is not cited so it might not be 100%.

But I think the accepted thought is that mules are sterile.
 
As sheep said, all male mules and the vast majority of females are infertile (to due with the different chromosome numbers in horses and donks).

Saying this, even if the males are infertile, that only removes the 'ability' to make a mare pregnant, not the 'urge'! They will still behave like an entire so far better to geld.
 
Thanks, so pleased I hadn't just invented the thought that mules are sterile!
So, it could be slightly, but not very likely, that there may have been a fertile female mule somewhere in the ponies past? I shall have to ask his owner, when I see her, if I can post a picture, he really does have a donkey look about him!
 
superted1989 said:
So, it could be slightly, but not very likely, that there may have been a fertile female mule somewhere in the ponies past? I shall have to ask his owner, when I see her, if I can post a picture, he really does have a donkey look about him!
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Extremely unlikely, there have only been 2 recorded cases in the last 25 years or so, one in China and one in the US.

More likely a first cross, although if he is more 'horselike' it is more likely he is a hinny (female donk/male horse) than a mule.
 
rhino said:
Extremely unlikely, there have only been 2 recorded cases in the last 25 years or so, one in China and one in the US.

More likely a first cross, although if he is more 'horselike' it is more likely he is a hinny (female donk/male horse) than a mule.
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Oh well, he's not going to make our yard famous by having donkey grandparents then :( ! He doesn't have donkey features, his head is donkey shaped if that makes sense? Also, his back end has a sort of donkey shape to it (he's only 3 though) and he has striping just below his knees. All in all, he's a poppet to handle, just a bit 'odd' looking!
 
forestfantasy said:
Also interesting to note that donkeys can carry lungworm, don't know whether mules can??
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Ah, this old chestnut again. ALL equines can "carry" lungworm, not just donkeys. The simple remedy is to WORM donkeys (which I assume most donkey owners do), something which used not to be routinely done, thus resulting in the "donkeys carry lungworm" slur. Donkeys which are properly wormed pose no risk to horses.
 
superted1989 said:
Oh well, he's not going to make our yard famous by having donkey grandparents then :( ! He doesn't have donkey features, his head is donkey shaped if that makes sense? Also, his back end has a sort of donkey shape to it (he's only 3 though) and he has striping just below his knees. All in all, he's a poppet to handle, just a bit 'odd' looking!
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He cuold have some Fjord in there. They have a dorsal stripe and some have really cute zebra leggings on!
 
forestfantasy said:
Also interesting to note that donkeys can carry lungworm, don't know whether mules can??
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Anything can if its not wormed correctly

Whether it can produce a foal or not get it gelded! A mule stallion can be dangerous remember they are fight not flight

As for foals there have been several in china (where they have lots of mules)the Brazilian mule foaled 4 and the one in Ahmania (although that was stillborn) then there's the Morocan mule

_38422981_mule2_300.jpg


and the American one

birth_mom200.jpg
 
Cortez said:
Ah, this old chestnut again. ALL equines can "carry" lungworm, not just donkeys. The simple remedy is to WORM donkeys (which I assume most donkey owners do), something which used not to be routinely done, thus resulting in the "donkeys carry lungworm" slur. Donkeys which are properly wormed pose no risk to horses.
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How refreshing to read a knowledgeable and informed post on this topic. I have been keeping my donkeys with my horses for many, many years and I have never had a case of lungworm in any of them. A good worming routine for BOTH horses and donkeys is all that is necessary.

It is also a fact that horses can get lung worm off pasture that isnt anywhere near donkeys - apparently the offending eggs can be carried onto grazing by snails and birds. Just a bit of useless information!:o
 
Cortez said:
Ah, this old chestnut again. ALL equines can "carry" lungworm, not just donkeys. The simple remedy is to WORM donkeys (which I assume most donkey owners do), something which used not to be routinely done, thus resulting in the "donkeys carry lungworm" slur. Donkeys which are properly wormed pose no risk to horses.
Click to expand...

This is absolutely spot on!
FDC
 
:eek:
Ok so it seems i have been jumped of for the lungworm comment!

Yes i know horses can carry it/have it etc & that both should be wormed for it.

I just remember my instructor mentioning it once when we were doing worming for our bhs stages.

I am no Donkey expert & don't profess to be, it was just a snippet of info i remembered!
 
I suspected that forestfantasy,but it makes you wonder how many other students she misinformed that still think that and pass it on.;)

For classicalfan :D

mulegaitedfjord.jpg
 
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