hinny

A hinny is a hybrid animal produced by crossing a stallion, a male horse, with a jenny, a female donkey. This is the reciprocal cross of a mule, which results from a jack (male donkey) crossed with a mare (female horse). Both hinnies and mules are typically sterile hybrids, due to the difference in chromosome counts between horses and donkeys.

Horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62, so hybrids generally possess 63 chromosomes. This odd chromosome number disrupts the pairing of chromosomes during reproduction, making fertility rare and unreliable. While there have been occasional reports of fertility in hinnies, such instances are extremely uncommon and not considered typical.

Physical appearance and size vary, reflecting the mixed heritage. Hinnies often resemble horses in body shape but may retain some donkey traits such as a stockier build, a broader muzzle, and ears that are longer than a typical horse’s but shorter than a donkey’s. Their height and weight can range widely, depending on the traits contributed by each parent.

Temperament and use are also variable. Like other equine hybrids, hinnies are known for intelligence and strength, and they can be trained for riding, driving, or pack work. Handling and care require experience with both horses and donkeys, including appropriate nutrition, hoof care, and social management.

Hinnies occur wherever horses and donkeys are kept, though they are less common than mules. They are primarily found in regions with mixed breeding among equids or in zoos and farms that maintain hybrid stock.