Vocabulary Terms
Mule- A cross between a male donkey and a female horse.
Hinny- A cross between a male horse and a female donkey.
Burro- The Spanish word for donkey.
Jack- A Male Donkey
Jenny or Jennet- A Female Donkey
Foal- A Baby Donkey
Gelding- A Castrated Male
Information about Miniature Donkeys
Miniature donkeys are members of the equine family. They are native to the Mediterranean Islands of Sicily and Sardinia, but have been in this country for over 50 years. Today there are only an estimated 6000 miniature donkeys in North America. They can be ridden by small children, trained to drive and pull a cart, and make excellent pets. They are intelligent, affectionate, and extremely gentle. Because of their small size, they need less space, less feed, and are easier to handle than most other types of livestock. Due to these wonderful traits, miniature donkeys have become quite popular and in much demand.
Male donkeys are called jacks, female donkeys are jennets or jennies and baby donkeys are called foals. Miniature donkeys live about 25 to 30 years, weigh 200 to 350 pounds, and average 34" at the withers. Gestation is 11 1/2 to 13 months with a single baby being born that averages 20 to 30 pounds at birth. Foals are up and nursing within 30 minutes and are weaned between 4-6 months old.
Jennets should not be bred until they are physically mature, at approximately 2 1/2 years of age. They have heat cycles every 18 to 21 days throughout most of the year.
Most miniature donkeys are grey dun with the characteristic 'cross.' They also come in darker shades of grey, browns, black, spotted and white.
Miniature donkeys are remarkably hardy and healthy. They do require annual, preventative vaccinations, should be wormed regularly, and have their hooves trimmed every 2-3 months.
Prices vary from breeder to breeder and are based on confirmation, size, color, and personality.
Information about Mules and Hinny's
Mules and Hinny's are sterile animals, meaning that they cannot reproduce. They have an odd number of chromosomes. Horses (64 chromosomes) and donkeys (62 chromosomes) have different even numbers of chromosomes and when they mate they each transfer half to the egg, leaving an odd number (63 chromosomes) to the foal. All male mules and most female mules are infertile. The most common outcome you see today is a mule. Hinny's are harder to come by.
The size of a mule depends largely on the breeding of the offspring's dam (or mother). They are many classifications of mules; lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight, and draft weight. Most hard working mules you see today are crossed with Percheron or Belgian Draft Horse Mares.
They are stronger in weight than the typical horse and inherits a higher intelligence than the donkey. They seem to be a hardier animal and require less food and substance than its parents. The mules and hinny's posses patience, endurance, vigor, strength, courage, and sure footedness. A plus, they are more resistant to disease and insects.
Mules have a thick head, long ears, small hooves, short mane and a narrower body. More donkey looking.
Hinny have a thick short head, smaller ears, and a little thicker body. More horsey looking.
Information about Z-Donk's
Z-Donk's are a
cross between a zebra and a donkey. They have the same characteristics as
a mule or hinny. They carry an odd number of chromosomes, there for they
are also sterile. Z-Donk's tend to be a more alert and bull headed animal
than the typical mule. The zebra in them makes them unpredictable, at some
points. Since the animal is a hybrid they can be classified as a mule.
Depending on the judges, they can be shown in the mule classes.
Z-Donk's can be a variety of colors, however most have the gray base with stripes throughout their body. Bold striping on their legs and head are very common. Most show one or two stripes on their ears. They tend to look more like a mule and donkey. A long thick head, donkey mane and tail, large ears, and shorter coat. The most typical Z-Donk cross is between a Grant Zebra stallion and a Standard Donkey Jenny.
Pictured here is Zuri. She has won her mule and color class the past two years at the Indiana State Fair.