Donkey and mule behaviour essentials

Donkeys, mules and hinnies have different behavioural needs compared to horses so while there are some similarities, the behavioural needs of horses shouldn’t be applied as a rule to other equid species. Donkeys have evolved to live in a different environment than horses and this influences their behavioural biology. Mules and hinnies are hybrids between horses and donkeys, and every individual mule will have traits of both species, although the extent of the mix can vary and is not very well researched to date.  

Social behaviour 

It is important for donkeys to live with other donkeys in small, compatible groups. While donkeys tend to form pair bonds, they can live in larger herds and form friendships with multiple donkeys, which can make herd dynamics complex.  It is important to observe how the donkeys interact with each other to assess which individuals have bonded. Bonded individuals should not be split up. It is also important to consider the compatibility of the group, such as age, sex, management needs and personalities and provide them with enough space and resources (e.g., straw/hay, shelter and companionship), to facilitate a stable and safe herd dynamic. 

Mules and hinnies have individual social preferences and can struggle to integrate into herds of only donkeys or only horses, because they may not speak the same social ‘language’. There is some evidence that they prefer to be with individuals of the same species as their mother: for example, mules may integrate better into horse herds, and hinnies into donkey herds. It’s important to monitor their social interactions and ensure that they have at least one close friend and are not being excluded from the rest of the herd. 

Both horses, donkeys, mules, and hinnies form close social bonds and any changes to existing social structures need to be made slowly and carefully. It is important to take your time when introducing new equids to a group, regardless of species. We have an advice page on introducing new horses to a herd, which is also relevant to donkeys, mules and hinnies. 

Training 

When faced with conflict or something that is perceived as a threat, donkeys are more likely to stand their ground rather than escape. This is because donkeys, unlike horses, are territorial and have evolved to defend limited resources such as watering holes in an arid environment.   During training and handling, this strategy of standing their ground to assess a threat is often interpreted as stubbornness, for example when a donkey refuses to move. However, this is how donkeys respond to something they perceive as a potential source of danger. When training donkeys, it’s important to give them time to process what you’re asking them to do. Donkeys can be trained using positive and negative reinforcement, although their propensity to stay put rather than move away from a source of discomfort means they may be less responsive to negative reinforcement training. 

Mules and hinnies will have a mix of traits from both horses and donkeys, and it is important to assess every individual to learn their specific coping style and personality. Some mules and hinnies can be fearful of unfamiliar handlers and will respond best to a familiar person. Mules and hinnies can also exhibit something called ‘hybrid vigour’, which means that they outperform their parents in physical stamina and cognitive tasks. For example, research has shown that mules are better at solving spatial problems than either horses or donkeys. While this has not been researched yet, this hybrid vigour may extend to other abilities as well.  

Foraging 

Donkeys evolved to eat high fibre, low sugar grasses and shrubs in arid environments. Mules and hinnies combine the traits of both horses and donkeys but are more likely to be ‘good-doers’. They will generally require fewer calories than a horse of similar size and age. The grass in the UK can therefore cause numerous health issues if their intake is not controlled. Behaviourally, access to high fibre forage is important for satisfying their need to chew (which releases saliva, which in turn acts as a buffer to their stomach acid) and to fulfil their need to move and forage for their food with their friends. When providing forage such as straw and high fibre hay, consider how it is presented and whether it could be provided in a way that also provides enrichment. This can include the use of slow feeders to provide variation in how the food is presented. Donkeys, mules and hinnies are also browsers, which means they will strip leaves and bark from trees and shrubs. Further enrichment opportunities can include placing branches of willow, hazel or beech in their living areas. You can find more information on our pages on donkey and mule nutrition essentials and environment essentials.