Читать книгу Know Your Horses - Jack Byard - Страница 6

It is a common saying that mules can do anything a horse can do and they usually do it better and with a sense of humour.

A mule is a cross between a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare). Mules come in all shapes and sizes from a miniature 9 hands (92 cm) to a large 17 hands (173 cm), and are available from local dealers in most horse colours, except pinto.

Mules are neither stubborn nor stupid, but are highly intelligent, rugged, and sure-footed animals. It is because of these attributes that the mule is such a prized working animal. It has the ability to work in climatic extremes well beyond any that a horse can withstand. Treated well, a mule will work hard for its owner. And those foolish enough to abuse or ill-treat a mule beware: These animals have long memories. In a recreation environment, the mule is used as a pack animal for trail riding, for driving, and dressage.

Both mules and donkeys are highly intelligent animals with a great sense of self-preservation that may feel like stubbornness: if a donkey is unsure what it is being asked to do, it just won’t do it.