A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny, which is the product of a female donkey (jenny) and a male horse (stallion).The size of a mule and work to which it is put depends largely on the breeding of the mule's dam. Mules can be lightweight, medium weight, or even, when produced from draft horse mares, of moderately heavy weight.
The coats of mules come in the same varieties as those of horses.
Trail riding certainly is a special time spent with friends both equine and human. It can be great fun. It can be memorable.
Mule shows include classes as diverse as:
- commonplace pleasure and
- speed events Or as esoteric
- Coon jumping (mules jump a tall hurdle from a dead standstill)
- Snigging (ground-driven mules weave through pylons while dragging a log)
- Mule pulling contests (teams of brawny draft mules drag a heavily loaded sledge a prescribed number of feet)
Surefooted, steady mules also excel at trail riding, be it for pleasure or in sanctioned competitive and endurance events.