Do you know what a mule is?

Here at The Donkey Sanctuary we are celebrating ‘mules’ and everything about them! A mule is the offspring of a donkey and a horse (strictly, a male donkey and a female horse).

A horse has 64 chromosomes, and a donkey has 62. The mule ends up with 63. Mules can be either male or female, but, because of the odd number of chromosomes, they cannot reproduce (99% of the time).

A mule is said to have the body of a horse and the extremities of a donkey. A mule’s ears are smaller than those of its donkey father, but larger than, although the same shape as its horse mother. Its mane and tail are not as thick as those of a horse. Its bray usually starts out with a horse’s whinny and ends with a donkey’s
distinctive bray.

Over the years we have cared for many mules at the sanctuary. Presently, five of our mules live on the Open Farm at Knockardbane. If you pay us a visit and you are interested in seeing our mules, please ask at the Visitor Information Centre. Our staff will be delighted to tell you where they are situated on the farm.