Female mule had a foal!!!

OSUJillyBean · 10-13-2007, 09:09 PM

Did anyone else get their December Horse Illustrated yet? Apparently a female mule has given birth to a healthy foal. Holy cow!

Way to go mule!!!

roberts617 · 10-13-2007, 09:19 PM

No I did not hear that! How cool!

AlbertaGirl · 10-13-2007, 09:30 PM

The December issue is out there already?! Wow - we won't be seeing that one for a while, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Was the foal sired by a donkey or a horse?

That is really neat, I wonder why a few mules are fertile while most aren't - anyone know?

CoppysGirl · 10-13-2007, 11:34 PM

Yeah, it has to do with chromosomes. I'm an anthropology major, so this is stuff I actually study!

Horses and donkeys have different numbers of chromosomes, so when they mate and produce a mule, their offspring inherits an extra unpaired chromosome. The different structure and number usually prevents the chromosomes from pairing up properly and creating successful embryos, but sometimes nature works in mysterious ways and the stars line up perfectly -- and then bingo, a baby is born.

AlbertaGirl · 10-13-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoppysGirl

Yeah, it has to do with chromosomes. I'm an anthropology major, so this is stuff I actually study!

Horses and donkeys have different numbers of chromosomes, so when they mate and produce a mule, their offspring inherits an extra unpaired chromosome. The different structure and number usually prevents the chromosomes from pairing up properly and creating successful embryos, but sometimes nature works in mysterious ways and the stars line up perfectly -- and then bingo, a baby is born.

Well, maybe the stars line up to make the odd female mule fertile, but after that, I'd have a different name for what all has to line up to make that mule have a baby

Just kidding!

Thanks for the actual explaination CoppysGirl, I was quite interested to learn the answer!

. I'm quite curious what this foal looks like, but I'd guess that what the sire is has a lot to do with that as well...

CoppysGirl · 10-14-2007, 09:01 AM

Yeah, it would be interesting to see the foal. The interesting thing is that mules have given birth in the past to both horse and donkey daddies... so it could look more donkey-like or more horse-like. All depends!

OSUJillyBean · 10-14-2007, 10:35 AM

Wish I could show you guys the article. The owners were flabbergasted to find a baby running with their herd of mules so I'm guessing they dunno who the daddy is. They did a DNA test though and discovered that the foal actually is out of a female mule.

The baby looks like a mule to me: long ears, black coat with lighter donkey-ish points.

snickers · 10-14-2007, 10:48 AM

If I can remember right there is about a dozen Mollies that have foaled.

Mule Fool · 10-14-2007, 04:40 PM

When I get as chance I'll look it up. there was an article a few months ago in one of my mule magazines about it. It was my understanding that the sire was a jack. It definitely looks more mule like than horse like. it happens every now and then, but sure not too common. I know my mollie is fascinated by young horses. I think she wants one of her own.

AlbertaGirl · 10-14-2007, 09:13 PM

Is there a way to tell which ones are fertile and which aren't? Do they all still come into heat?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Fool

I know my mollie is fascinated by young horses. I think she wants one of her own.

If your mollie is fertile, would you ever breed her?

cascy · 10-14-2007, 10:06 PM

Mules still come in heat, just don't usually "stick" and male mules that are not castrated sp? will still act like a "real" stud and still try to bred even though they usually don't reproduce either

Mule Fool · 10-15-2007, 08:19 AM

Hmmmm.......that's an interesting question. I'd just never thought of it. Probably not. Although someone once asked me it she was pregnant.

She really has to watch her figure or she gets a little belly.

VickiE · 10-17-2007, 02:17 PM

I read that article too! I thought it was pretty interesting.

This is from the couple's website:

http://winterhawk2.com/hunting/?p=20

Cappysmom · 10-17-2007, 03:15 PM

What an amazing story. I love that last picture with the little girl hugging the new baby.

DoBeSassy · 10-17-2007, 03:55 PM

That is such a cute baby, I want one now, just so I can play with those big fluffy ears

gottalovebarrels · 10-17-2007, 05:28 PM

Check out the back legs in all the pics they look weird is it just me?

CoppysGirl · 10-17-2007, 08:06 PM

The angles are all wonky. I'm hoping that was just a newborn thing because those pasterns look scary.

VickiE · 10-18-2007, 04:00 PM

I think it was just a newborn thing. The picture in the Horse Illustrated, he looked just fine. Next month, we might be able to see it online on their website.

ETA:

I may try and scan the article tonight later!

MustangKatie · 10-18-2007, 05:56 PM

ahh...

the amazing power of nature!

gotta love it

Saelym · 10-18-2007, 07:20 PM

December? Already?

But that is pretty amazing.. I thought that all mules were infertile. Certainly neat.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Did my female crab....	sswtness75	Other Animals	11	06-12-2007 12:34 PM
Kismet Farm's first foal of the year is a Mule baby!	neon	Breeding & Genetics	48	05-11-2007 08:11 PM
Mule Question! Attention mule lovers!	Nynx	General Horse Advice	12	03-17-2007 12:16 PM
Help! Female cat smell.	Shotgun	Cats	4	01-21-2006 11:57 PM
Female Puppy help	Cowgirl4life	Dogs	4	04-07-2005 10:14 AM

10-13-2007, 09:09 PM
OSUJillyBean Started Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,972	Female mule had a foal!!! Did anyone else get their December Horse Illustrated yet? Apparently a female mule has given birth to a healthy foal. Holy cow! Way to go mule!!! __________________ "And speaking of Italy and sports cars that I stole there, you still owe me a yellow Porsche." — Alice Cullen

10-13-2007, 09:19 PM
roberts617 Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 4,767	No I did not hear that! How cool! __________________ Never be too quick to criticize yourself. It's not fair to all the people who are dying to do it for you!!

10-13-2007, 09:30 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,259	The December issue is out there already?! Wow - we won't be seeing that one for a while, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Was the foal sired by a donkey or a horse? That is really neat, I wonder why a few mules are fertile while most aren't - anyone know? __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

10-13-2007, 11:34 PM
CoppysGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 901	Yeah, it has to do with chromosomes. I'm an anthropology major, so this is stuff I actually study! Horses and donkeys have different numbers of chromosomes, so when they mate and produce a mule, their offspring inherits an extra unpaired chromosome. The different structure and number usually prevents the chromosomes from pairing up properly and creating successful embryos, but sometimes nature works in mysterious ways and the stars line up perfectly -- and then bingo, a baby is born. __________________ When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine... you know you are loved. -John Lyons

10-14-2007, 09:01 AM
CoppysGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 901	Yeah, it would be interesting to see the foal. The interesting thing is that mules have given birth in the past to both horse and donkey daddies... so it could look more donkey-like or more horse-like. All depends! __________________ When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine... you know you are loved. -John Lyons

10-14-2007, 10:35 AM
OSUJillyBean Started Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,972	Wish I could show you guys the article. The owners were flabbergasted to find a baby running with their herd of mules so I'm guessing they dunno who the daddy is. They did a DNA test though and discovered that the foal actually is out of a female mule. The baby looks like a mule to me: long ears, black coat with lighter donkey-ish points. __________________ "And speaking of Italy and sports cars that I stole there, you still owe me a yellow Porsche." — Alice Cullen

10-14-2007, 10:48 AM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,846	If I can remember right there is about a dozen Mollies that have foaled. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.

10-14-2007, 04:40 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	When I get as chance I'll look it up. there was an article a few months ago in one of my mule magazines about it. It was my understanding that the sire was a jack. It definitely looks more mule like than horse like. it happens every now and then, but sure not too common. I know my mollie is fascinated by young horses. I think she wants one of her own.

10-14-2007, 10:06 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,006	Mules still come in heat, just don't usually "stick" and male mules that are not castrated sp? will still act like a "real" stud and still try to bred even though they usually don't reproduce either __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

10-15-2007, 08:19 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	Hmmmm.......that's an interesting question. I'd just never thought of it. Probably not. Although someone once asked me it she was pregnant. She really has to watch her figure or she gets a little belly.

10-17-2007, 02:17 PM
VickiE Conformation Clinic / Product Reviews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,076	I read that article too! I thought it was pretty interesting. This is from the couple's website: http://winterhawk2.com/hunting/?p=20 __________________ It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it. George W. Bush

10-17-2007, 03:15 PM
Cappysmom Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgian Bay Ontario Posts: 1,297	What an amazing story. I love that last picture with the little girl hugging the new baby.

10-17-2007, 03:55 PM
DoBeSassy Seasoned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 4,898	That is such a cute baby, I want one now, just so I can play with those big fluffy ears __________________ There is none so blind as she who will not see

10-17-2007, 05:28 PM
gottalovebarrels Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ashton,Illinois Posts: 181	Check out the back legs in all the pics they look weird is it just me? __________________ A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle-- Ian Flemming So true...

10-17-2007, 08:06 PM
CoppysGirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 901	The angles are all wonky. I'm hoping that was just a newborn thing because those pasterns look scary. __________________ When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine... you know you are loved. -John Lyons

10-18-2007, 04:00 PM
VickiE Conformation Clinic / Product Reviews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,076	I think it was just a newborn thing. The picture in the Horse Illustrated, he looked just fine. Next month, we might be able to see it online on their website. ETA: I may try and scan the article tonight later! __________________ It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it. George W. Bush

10-18-2007, 05:56 PM
MustangKatie Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern WI Posts: 406	ahh... the amazing power of nature! gotta love it __________________ - My horse is my hero, because she has saved me from many evils in the world. - "Those who do can't explain, those who don't will never understand" ~from my FFA shirt

10-18-2007, 07:20 PM
Saelym Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: Courtenay, B.C. Posts: 2,187	December? Already? But that is pretty amazing.. I thought that all mules were infertile. Certainly neat. __________________ Forever in my heart. Miss Achievement-- May 10th, 1993 - November 7th, 2008.