Five Breeds of Mules

Since I’m on the mule kick, I decided to write an article on the different types of mules I’ve been learning about in my research. Because it’s so hard to get averages on heights and colors with all the different breeds used for mules, I don’t list heights and colors here like I normally do for breed profiles.

And, for a brief overview for everyone– a mule is a cross between a male donkey and a female horse. Its not fertile and it has 63 chromosomes.

Anyway, on with the show!

#1 Missouri Mule

The Missouri Mule is actually the state animal of Missouri. The donkeys who contribute to this breed were introduced into the state from the Santa Fe trail, and bred with strong draft horses to create a mule with excellent stamina and a calm temperment. Harry Truman, one of the USA’s presidents, used to breed mules and was very active in the mule community even after he left office. You can pretty much find a Missouri mule from any of the dozens of mule breeders stationed in Missouri.

Note: Be VERY careful when you google about Missouri mules! There’s also a cocktail drink by the same name so try to include keywords so your search engine understands you’re talking about animals, not alchohol.

#2 Miniature Mule

Miniature mules are a cross between a mini horse and a mini donkey, and have to measure under 50” to be considered “miniature”, which is about 12.2 hands tall. Some of them are so small, they can sit in the back of a car. Mini mules aren’t as common as mini donkeys or mini horses, but there is a very active community behind them. Mini mules have been trained to pull carts, complete obstacle courses, be used as pack animals, and some of them can even carry small children.

#3 Saddle Mule

This basically describes your basic mule. Unlike the Missouri Mule, Saddle Mules are usually crossed with fine-boned, tall donkeys (like Andalusian donkeys) and stock horse breeds. Paint horses are used the most often, so most of the mules end up with four white legs and a white rump– however there are plenty of other breeds and colors used. Using stock horses creates a hardy, strong, long-legged mule with excellent back conformation (as far as mules go) so they can carry a heavy saddle.

#4 Belgian Draft Mule

Belgian Draft Mules are specifically donkey/Belgian Draft crosses, and are most common in the West (especially Arizona, where they are the prized breed for trail rides and mail delivery to the bottom of the Grand Canyon) and sometimes in Amish communities. Breeding with Belgian Draft creates a heavy-set mule with a thick body, strong legs and hooves, and a usuallly mealy chestnut coat. They’re used for riding, packing, plowing, and driving.

#5 Spotted Mule

This isn’t technically a breed, but I decided to include it anyway, because a lot of people breed donkeys with Appaloosas to create Appy mules. Stocky, intelligent, flashy, and hardy– what more could you ask for in a mule? The Appaloosa genetics get really wacky on mules, creating the most fantastic color patterns. Since Appys show more of the sclera (white part of the eye) than other horses, this trait also gets passed down to mules, which can give them a big of a piggish look. They also have thinner manes and tails than other mule hybrids.

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I know that was brief and didn’t have as much information as my normal breed profiles (you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find anything on mules). I still hope this was informative! And if you do want more information, you can check out the American Mule Association, here: American Mule Association

Which was your favorite mule breed?