Hinny Vs Mule: Are They Same Or Different? Differences Revealed!

A mule or hinny can only be reproduced by breeding a horse and a donkey.

Both mules and hinnies are not the same animals, though, as they have a number of differences between them, with different traits for each crossbreed. Due to their varying genetics, mules and hinnies can also be sterile in some cases.

The difference between a mule and a hinny comes from the way they are bred. Mules and hinnies have the same parents as horses and donkeys, although the gender of either parent comes into play in defining a mule or a hinny. A hinny is the offspring of a female donkey and a male horse, whereas a mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey. 

If you pit a hinny against a mule, then the mule is said to be a better bet than the hinny. Mules are generally used as draft animals or cargo carriers as they tend to have more stamina than hinnies. Hinnies do not always show the hybrid vigor that mules possess. Horses and donkeys are the common parents of mules and hinnies. Mules are offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, whereas hinnies are offspring of a male horse and a female donkey. Mule animals are considered to be more popular than hinnies. Despite all these facts, hinnies are useful. Hinnies do not get tired as mules do quite quickly. They have some characteristics that make them attractive to people who love animals. The behavior of mules and hinnies is found to be different. Mules often act like horses, but hinnies tend to act more like their jenny mothers. Quite a few differences have been observed between a hinny and a mule and are discussed below.

Check out these captivating facts about mules and hinnies, and if you like them, do read our articles about mule facts and amphibians vs reptiles.

How does a hinny differ from a mule?

All over the world, equestrians and horse lovers have been carrying out trials by combining breeds of horses so as to get a completely reliable animal. People have been trying to create perfect animals of this breed, whether it is for their appearance, characteristics, or temperament. The world of equines is unceasing. After performing a number of experiments, one hybrid equine produced is referred to as the hinny. This hybrid breed is considered to be a puzzling one.

A Hinny (Latin name: Hinnus and from the Greek word Innos) is a sterile progeny of a male horse, also known as a stallion, and a female donkey, also known as a jack. They are homogenous in appearance with the mule, but they do have differences. They are usually smaller and have a more horse-like head than mules.

The hinny, also called a hinney, is a domestic equine hybrid. Hinnies belong to the kingdom of Animalia. Hinnies are animals that are found outside of the US in countries like Brazil, Columbia, and Portugal. Hinnies and mules have a number of differences. Both have a difference in physiology and temperament as a result of genomic imprinting as they are hybrids reproduced by a male horse (Stallion) and a female donkey (jenny or jennet).. Hinnies can live longer than most breeds of horses for well over 30 years. The hinnies were first recorded in 1680-1690 and can easily be sustained as they are not a high-maintenance hybrid. Hinnies tend to show wide-ranging variations in their heights. Being a crossbreed of donkeys, they come in a small size, 24 in (61 cm) at the withers.

Mules have hybrid vigor and belong to the kingdom of Animalia. The mule turns out to be a very special combination and inherits the perfect qualities of both parent breeds — a donkey father and a horse mother. They are extremely intuitive and rarely fall ill. Mules are found in most horse or donkey colors, or even in both horse and donkey combinations. One can find them around the world in areas where there are donkeys and horses living in the same environment. They are known to be bred by people for the purpose of riding and packing animals. Large-size mules can be produced by using draft horses, including Belgians and Mammoth jacks. The range of mules is extensive, varying from about 50-70 in (120-180 cm) in height and from 600-1,500 lb (275-700 kg) in weight. Interestingly, mules have better memories than horses. The amount of work and load to be put on a mule largely depends on the breed of the mule's mother, also known as a dam.

It has been known that, usually, mules do not need as much hay as a horse, and the hay does not need to be of top quality. It has been found that mules can tackle extreme climates, like rain or sun, more comfortably and need a smaller amount of water and food as compared to horses, considering the size of mules and horses to be the same. They do have firmer hooves than horses' hooves. Mule hooves show resistance to diseases and many insects.

Donkeys have 62 chromosomes, horses have 64, and mules have about 63 chromosomes. As these animals possess an odd number of chromosomes, it is not possible for them to reproduce and hence remain sterile. However, a male mule has to be neutered to make it safe and social.

Mules are considered to have smoother muscles than horses. Mules can be of different sizes. They can be lightweight and of average weight, if they come from a draft mare. Mules have long ears, and this makes them different in appearance from horses. Both donkeys and mules have been known to be stubborn for centuries. Both mules and donkeys have an inborn attraction toward humans if treated nicely with patience and kindness and understanding toward the mule and hinny.

Are hinnies as good as mules?

Both mules and hinnies can only be produced by breeding a horse and a donkey. Both these hybrids can work longer and have stronger hooves, with greater tolerance power than horses. Both mules and hinnies also have good immune systems and are quite resistant to diseases, living much longer lives than their parents, the donkey, and the horse. Mules have bodies that are more like horses. On the other hand, hinnies have bodies similar to donkeys.

There are countless differences between a mule and a hinny, although mules are quicker to respond but are stubborn about making efforts until treated nicely. After they gain your trust and become confident, mules become loyal and playful. They are described as more intelligent and less stubborn than donkeys. On the other hand, hinnies tend to be more restrained than mules. Hinnies are silent and are not prone to getting scared. They are not too adventurous and would rather keep themselves away from trouble than directly confront it.

Can a hinny reproduce?

A male horse and a female donkey mate to produce an offspring called a hinny. Hinnies have 63 chromosomes and are hybrids of horses and donkeys. It is a slightly difficult process that goes into producing hinnies. 

In most cases, it is seen that hinnies tend to be sterile because it is not possible for mules or hinnies to create sperm or eggs. The hybrid vigor is not difficult to get if the male donkey has a count of fewer chromosomes. This is why it has been known that breeding for hinnies is arbitrary and aimless as compared to mules.

Do mules have a gender?

Mules are the progeny of male donkeys called 'jacks' and female horses called 'mares'. A horse has about 64 chromosomes, a donkey has 62, and a mule has 63 chromosomes. Thus, mules are crossbred species that are said to be infertile. Mostly, fertility can only be seen in the female mule known as the 'molly' or 'mare mule'. Mules can be considered male or female (androgyne or bisexual). The male mule can be properly known as 'horse mules'. Chances of pregnancy are very low in mules, but it is possible if it happens naturally or through the transfer of the embryo. 

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for hinny vs mule: are they same or different, then why not take a look at how many ribs does a human have or muskrat vs beaver to learn the key differences between mammal rodent.