Oxen, donkeys and mules?

[Demented Donkey Dame]

Now that I have been working with Mammoth Donkeys and from my past experience with mules, I do have to say that the mule is more horse like than donkey. The mare’s influence has instilled more of her qualities in that young mules mind. When working with the four year old mules vs the two year old colts right off the range, never handled, the mules were ten times tougher to break. I can remember mules not only bucking off the rider but not stopping until the saddle was gone too. My dad was unloaded once when the mule exploded going uphill really for no reason except the mule had gone as far as he wanted to go that day. We had a heck of a time hauling my father off that mountain and he was a long way back in there. To me there just is not enough donkey in a mule and way to much horse.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Now a hinny would tend to have more of the donkey’s influence, as its mother of course tends to set its mannerisms….

[Demented Donkey Dame]

I was thinking about that Robert and you are probably correct in your assumption. I have never been around a hinny so have no experience to draw from. I do there are those who prefer them to mules with mare moms.

[Donn Hewes]

My limited experience is different, Kristi. I have always felt that the mules size came mostly from his mother and his temperament came mostly from his father. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but what if the mules from your past had been shown the patience I am sure the donkeys have seen? Mules like people, but just like donkeys they are independent and protect what they see as their best interest very strongly. Because they like people we have the makings of a good partner if we will go slowly enough to present things they can accept. In the end I think they are all equids and all benefit from our taking the time to recognize when they are ready for something and when they are not. Patience and controlling our emotions allows them to think about and accept what is being asked of them.

[Demented Donkey Dame]

@Donn Hewes 30083 wrote:

My limited experience is different, Kristi. I have always felt that the mules size came mostly from his mother and his temperament came mostly from his father. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but what if the mules from your past had been shown the patience I am sure the donkeys have seen? Mules like people, but just like donkeys they are independent and protect what they see as their best interest very strongly. Because they like people we have the makings of a good partner if we will go slowly enough to present things they can accept. In the end I think they are all equids and all benefit from our taking the time to recognize when they are ready for something and when they are not. Patience and controlling our emotions allows them to think about and accept what is being asked of them.

Donn, not taking this the wrong way at all. I just disagree that the mule’s temperament comes from the Jack. They get both size and temperament from the mare. I do have to agree with you that they were not started as slowly, carefully and in a way to build their trust as what we do now. The mules that were good, could have been great and a few of the real bad ones could have been saved. We are seeing better mules today because of the training methods and because they are being bred better. That’s just the way I see it.

[Nat(wasIxy)]

Thanks for the feedback, seems the jury’s still out!

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