Management Recommendations for Donkeys and Mules

From OMAFRA Livestock Fact Sheet  [back to article list]

Mule Terminology, Characteristics and Differences
There are estimated to be 50 million donkeys (Equus asinus) and as many mules
worldwide. They can be used for such applications as riding, driving, flock
protection, companion, breeding, and training calves. Donkeys and mules are not
small horses. They have anatomical and physiological differences compared to
horses and their care requires special consideration. Structural differences
compared to horses mean that they require specialized tack and harness for
riding and driving (1).

Terminology
  Jack: Male donkey
  Jennet or Jenny (both pronounced the same): Female donkey
  Donkey gelding: Castrated male donkey
  Mule: The offspring of the mating of a jack with a mare (female horse)
  Hinny: The offspring of the mating of a stallion (male horse) with a jennet

Mature animals can be further designated into the following classifications
based on height measured at the withers:
  Miniature: under 36 inches
  Small Standard: from 36.01 to 48 inches
  Large Standard: over 48 inches and under 54 inches for females; over 48 inches
  and under 56 inches for jacks and geldings
  Mammoth: 54 inches or over for females and 56 inches or over for male

For more information on registration guidelines, contact the Canadian Donkey and
Mule Association (http://www.donkeyandmule.com/). 

Anatomical Differences Between Horses and Donkeys
A number of anatomical differences can challenge the first-time donkey owner and
their veterinarian. 

Two of these include: 

•   An obscured jugular furrow (the place where blood samples are taken or
    tranquilizers are given). The cutaneous coli muscle is much thicker than in
    the horse and hides the middle third of the jugular vein. It is easier to find
    the upper third of the jugular. 

•   The nasolacrimal duct of the donkey is located on the flare of the nostril
    rather than the floor of the nostril as it is in the horse (2). 

Behavior
Donkeys and mules are known to be very stoic animals that are slow to show pain
and discomfort. While these characteristics may be desirable in many cases, it
can lead to problems identifying a sick animal. The attributes we assign to a donkey

 being stubborn and having a lack of intelligence are actually from their
natural responses to new experiences and logical interpretation of a situation.
Being tough animals, they will kick easily and swiftly (2). Donkeys and mules
are very social animals and will benefit tremendously from the companionship of
other animals, such as horses, cattle, sheep or goats.

Nutrition and Pasture Management
Donkeys and mules can survive on coarser pastures than a horse. Lush pastures
suitable for horses may be too rich in protein and energy and, therefore,
unsuitable for donkeys. Dry matter intake of feed as a percentage of body weight
should be 1.75%-2.25% to meet the metabolic demands for maintenance for most
donkeys and mules. Animals that are pregnant, nursing, growing, or used for
heavy work, will have additional feed requirements (rolled oats, grain, hay or
pasture) above their maintenance requirements (1).
Donkeys allowed to graze freely on rich pastures may be prone to obesity,
laminitis (founder) and hyperlipidemia (excess of fat in the blood). When
calculating the energy demands of your donkey, it is important to know that
their body weight cannot be estimated using a girth weight tape intended for
horses. Body condition scoring of donkeys will also require a different mind set
from that used with horses since donkeys deposit fat somewhat differently than
horses.
Donkeys can be alternated with cattle and sheep on pasture. This management
helps maximize pasture usage and reduces the occurrence of parasites, since the
parasites are not generally shared between species (1,3). Sheep and/or cattle
grazing pastures after donkeys consume the remaining grass along with hatched
larvae that have migrated from stool clumps up to the grass blades. Donkeys
commonly create an area where they can take dust and/or sand baths during warm
weather (4).
Donkeys and mules should always have access to clean water and a salt. Loose
salt is preferred over a salt block since they will consume a greater volume of
loose salt than from a block, especially in below zero degree temperatures. Most
animals will consume anywhere from 10 to 25 litres of water per day. Snow will
not provide these animals with enough water to meet their needs. Care must be
taken to ensure an unfrozen water supply in ambient temperatures below 0°C.
Shelter
Donkeys and mules originated as desert animals and are well adapted to warmer
climates. They can do well in cooler climates, but they do require shelters or
barns in the colder and wet weather. Indoor housing or run-in sheds are needed
during periods of weather extremes, especially for donkey mares and their foals.
The coat of a donkey does not provide the protection needed and the foals can
become chilled easily. Donkeys tend to grow longer, coarser coats that lack the
protective undercoat that horses have in the winter (4). 

Hoof Care
Hoof care for donkeys and mules is required every 6-8 weeks. There are
differences in the conformation of the donkey hoof compared to the horse. In
general, the hooves are more upright, tougher, and more elastic than those of a
horse. The bulbs of the donkey hoof are less developed and the fusion of the
bulbs of the heel is less complete. The heels are naturally long. The pastern
angles are greater than the horse. The frog of the donkey hoof is not meant to
be weight-bearing (5). Overall, mules will have varying degrees of resemblance
to either donkeys or horses

Genetics and Breeding
Horses have 64 chromosomes, while donkeys have 62. When horses and donkeys are
mated, the mule offspring have 63 chromosomes. The gestation period in donkeys
is 12 months on average, but it may vary from 11 to 14 months. Despite being
considered sterile, mare mules and mare hinnies will have estrus cycles. These
cycles can be regular, or erratic and variable. Female hinnies and mules can be
used as embryo transfer recipients but care must be given to compatibility of
donor and recipient. There have been documented cases of fertility in the female
mule but not the female hinny (7). A report from Morocco indicates that a mule
mare produced a foal with 62 chromosomes. The cells of the mule mare were a
mosaic, some carrying 63 chromosomes while others carried 62. The foal has 62
and is believed to be fathered by a donkey. This is the fourth female mule to be
confirmed to be fertile (8).
Intact male donkeys and mules can be quite "stallion-like" or aggressive in
behavior. If they are not being used for breeding purposes or as a teaser, it
is highly recommended that they be castrated. Castration must be performed by a
veterinarian. 

Parasites
Donkeys and mules can also be infested by ectoparasites (skin parasites) such as
flies, lice, ticks, mites and warbles.
The internal parasites that affect donkeys and mules are typical for other equid
species and, therefore, the recommendations for control and treatment are those
that we use for horses. However, lungworms are reported to be more common in
donkeys than horses. A comprehensive parasite control program should include
pasture management and environmental sanitation, and regular anthelmintic wormer
administration. Performing routine fecal egg counts will help to determine the
efficacy of treatment and control programs. Anthelmintics should be chosen
conscientiously and their use should be rotated slowly to decrease the
occurrence of resistance. A slow rotation of wormers is recommended (the same
wormer over the course of a year or more). Your veterinarian can help to
determine the correct parasite control program for you. 

Vaccination
The use of horse vaccines for donkeys and mules is necessary because there are
no vaccines specifically developed for them. Protocols for a vaccination program
are usually adapted from those recommended for horses. The chance of adverse
reactions to vaccines are assumed to be the same as in horses. It is important
that donkeys and mules are vaccinated to aid in controlling the spread of
disease. 

Summary
The above recommendations are intended to introduce basic concepts of management
for your donkey or mule. For more information on donkey, mule and horse care and
management, refer to www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/index.html.
References
  Svendsen ED. The Professional Handbook of the Donkey. England: Sovereign
  Printing Group, 1989.

  Burnham SL. Anatomical differences of the donkey and mule. Proceedings of the
  48th Annual AAEP Convention 2002: 102-109.

  Peregrine A. (2003) Personal communication.

  The Donkey. Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
  http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex598

  Fowler J. Trimming donkey feet. Equine Veterinary Education 1995; 7: 18-21.

  Jackson J. Naturally shaped hooves. Mules and More 1998; 8 (12): 68-69.

  Taylor TS, Matthews NS, Blanchard TL. Introduction to Donkeys in the US,
  Elementary Assology. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine

  http://www.donkeyandmule.com

  Kay G. A foal from a mule in Morocco. Vet Record 2003;152 (3): 92.

Authors: Heather McClinchey MSx; Jeffrey Sankey , BSc, Ontario Veterinary
College, Unversity of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada and Dr. Bob Wright,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Fergus, Ontario, Canada

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/index.html

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