Mules, Donkeys, Burros, and Horses

Horses, Donkeys, and Mules have so many things the same, but are actually very different when you get right down to it. 

Most people only think of the ears, donkeys have big ears, horses have relatively small ears, and mules have ears that are in between.  There are many other differences between horses, donkeys, and mules... which you can read about by following the link at the bottom of the page.

Oh wait, did we forget to mention Burros?  Not Really!  Burro is just another name for a donkey.  In some places "Burro" is the term  used for the smaller donkeys.  Just as horses come in different sizes, including miniatures and ponies, so too do donkeys, from the large, mammoth donkeys, to the smaller, miniature donkeys.

A mule is a cross between a male donkey, a jack, and a female horse, a mare.  Mules are hybrid animals and they have an odd number of chromosomes (63) and as such they are typically sterile, although a few female mules (jennys) have been known to have foals, it is very rare.

Horses on the left, a standard donkey on the right.

One of the reasons why people breed horses and donkeys together to make mules is because while horses are strong, they do not have the endurance of a donkey and require more food.  Donkeys are smarter than horses and will be safer when travelling on dangerous ground.  Mules make excellent work animals as a result of this combination.

Read More (and see more pictures) about the Differences between Horses, Donkeys, and Mules.

Read More about Pet Donkeys.

The Shaggy Donkey of France

One of the rarest donkeys is the shaggy Poitou Donkey of France.

Here at the cabin we enjoy sharing information about such unusual animals, ones that many people will never see in their lifetime, but hopefully whose species can be saved.

In France these shaggy donkeys are called Baudet du Poitou. These donkeys are so rare there are less than 300 purebreds even today.

photo source

The Baudet de Poitou is a fairly large donkey, standing 13 to 15 hands high (a hand is 4 inches or 10 cm). The most recognizable feature is their long hair, known as “cadenette” which hangs down like dreadlocks. In color they are always dark brown or black, but with a white tummy and nose.  The Baudet de Poitou donkey has lighter hairs around the eyes. They lack the dark dorsal stripe seen in most other breeds. Their long hair is a dominant trait and crossbred animals will have this feature as well.  

Because the long hair is dominant it means that part bred animals will have the long hair so unscrupulous sellers might try to suggest their part-bred Poitou is in fact a purebred, always get proof of parentage with registration papers.  Like most animals these hairy donkeys cannot legally be called purebreds unless they have registration papers proving the same.   





Read more about these shaggy donkeys - click here.
To read about the differences between horses, mules, and donkeys - click here.
To read a true story about my standard donkey - click here.