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Why a mule? No one ever asks, why a dog?
I don't know how or why I became interested in mules. Suffice it to say, to know a mule is to love a mule. Mules are highly intelligent, personable and have a great sense of humor. They are said not to mature for nine or ten years, which may explain their playful and lovable nature. Properly handled and trained, mules make loyal, willing and affectionate companions; and mules don't kick--without reason!
The second question everyone asks is, what is a mule?
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). A hinny is the offspring of a female donkey (jenny) and a male horse (stallion). Both the mule and hinny are sterile. One reason that they can't reproduce is that they have an odd number of chromosomes compared to the even number of horses and donkeys. Even the chromosomes that they do have don't match up. These are hybrid animals that share the characteristics of both parents. It is said that mules inherit the best traits of their parents and hinnies the worst, but that is probably not true.
Horses are flight animals while donkeys are more territorial and will fight a predator. A mule will confront danger to a greater extent than will a horse, but the mule may still determine that it is in his best interest to flee. Mules have a great sense of self-preservation and will act in what they perceive to be their best interests. They are not stubborn as is commonly thought. They think through a situation before acting and will only act if they decide that it is safe and beneficial to them.
Mixed breeds and species often possess a 'hybrid vigor' not found in the parents. Mules tend to thrive on less or poorer quality feed and less frequent watering than do horses and resist illness and tolerate injuries far better. They are strong, sure-footed and can live and remain sound into their forties. Their role in the rigorous and often horrendous hardships of military service, industry, commerce and winning the American West has been well documented. However, this is not to say that mules don't require and deserve the same responsible care given horses and donkeys.
Oh, why a mule?
As good a story as any is that my first horse, Ramaje - an older arthritic, often injured, recently gelded, former Champion of Champions pleasure stallion - taught me to ride. He did so with an understanding, personality and all the style of the noble Spanish Horse that the Peruvian [Paso] is. Since I would never have another horse comparable to Ramaje, I chose "The Mule Alternative". However, I have to admit that only a fine gaited mule would do after having a smooth gaited Peruvian Horse.
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