Miniature Mules
A mule is a mule, as long as his mother is a mare and his father is a jackass. Many hobbyists, pleasure drivers, and pet owners have found that the small mule has everything his larger cousin has, but costs less to own, buy, breed, and use. The investment in stock to breed miniature mules can be small indeed, and pony mares that have been producing pony foals that are not worth much can be put to work earning their keep raising fancy little mules that sell well and boost the breeder’s reputation.
Most mini-mules are used for driving. Matched teams up to six are much in demand, and in most cases the smaller they are the better. All colors sell well, especially with two or more matched animals. Mini-mules are also used in single harness, for children’s riding animals, as pets, as small pack animals, and the larger ones are often used as mounts for coon hunters. Their uses are only limited by the imagination of the owner.
Many people find a great satisfaction in breeding these little mules. The first thing the breeder must decide is what he is breeding these mules for. If he decides ahead of time, he can obtain stock that will produce his desire. Mares to suit the size of the mule wanted may be obtained. For very small mules, the smallest Shetland mares must be used. Keep in mind that the mule may well be at least as big as his dam. If matched pairs are desired, mares should be matched in color as well as conformation and size.
A word of warning. Be sure that the mares used have good dispositions. Ponies have minds of their own and so does the jack. It would be best not to combine two very strong characters in your mule! A friendly, well-behaved, naturally quiet and cooperative mule is much to be desired, especially since many mini-mules are trained by non-professionals.
Pancha, a 35-inch-tall yearling, shows a good mini-mule head.
This desired good disposition starts with the sire and dam of the mule. Looks are the next most important thing to the mini-mule since he is a luxury animal. Mares selected should be of good conformation, and have a “breedy” elegant look about them. Of course, the type of mare will determine your mule type to a great extent. A stocky, strong, “drafty” type of Shetland mare, for instance, should be bred to a jack with good bone to produce a “drafty” type mini-mule suitable for pulling contests.
An elegant, show ring Shetland mare will produce a fine harness-type mule, and a POA pony mare may well produce a fine, larger, Appaloosa-marked mule. Remember that the mule is a “made to order” animal and sire and dam selection for size, conformation, and temperament may make all the difference that bloodlines make in other animals.
The selection of the jack should be made with your purpose and the mares in mind. The first thing to ask when looking at a jack is “is he guaranteed to breed mares?” Many jacks will not, and the best-looking jack does no good if he won’t sire mules for the breeder! The jack should be in proportion both in size and bone to the mares picked.
For very small mules, one of the miniature Sicilian or Sardinian donkey jacks is the best sire. These are often hard to find and expensive, however, and the breeder may have to settle for the smallest “burro” jack he can find. This type of animal is usually inexpensive, and can be found with good conformation in many places in the country. Almost always they will have good dispositions, but this point must be checked. For larger gradations of mares, a suitable “burro” jack will do quite well. This American “native” ass comes in all sizes and all colors and conformation types, and there is a type to suit almost every breeder. People living in the west have more animals to choose from, but they are obtainable in every state.
Breeding mini-mules has become a profitable and rewarding hobby for many people and the demand is growing. If you are thinking of working with small equines, consider the mule.
This article was originally published in the May 1971 issue of Western Horseman.
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