| Mule:: A domesticated, hybrid animal that results from crossing a mare (female horse) and a jack (male donkey). Donkey:: A domesticated ass. Which, of course, begs the question "What is an ass?" Thankfully, Mule Barn also provides a definition of this particular animal. Ass:: A four-footed, hoofed mammal related to the horse, but smaller, with longer ears and a shorter mane, shorter hair on the tail, and a dark stripe along the back. So, it seems the aforementioned jackass is simply a male ass. The main difference between the jackass and the donkey is their domestication -- the ass is wild; the donkey is domesticated. But what about the burro? Turns out that the burro is a small donkey that is often used as a pack animal because it is particularly sure-footed. Source:: Mule Barn, the World Wide Gathering of Mules and Donkeys. |
