horsedonkey

Horsedonkey is a nonstandard term used to describe the hybrid offspring resulting from mating a horse with a donkey. In traditional terminology, the two primary hybrids in this category are the mule and the hinny. A mule results from a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare); a hinny results from a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny). The term horsedonkey is not widely used in scientific literature, which generally distinguishes between these two crosses.

Genetics and fertility are central to the horsedonkey concept. Horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62, and their hybrids typically inherit 63 chromosomes. This chromosomal mismatch generally renders mules and hinnies infertile, though rare and poorly documented exceptions are reported in some sources.

Appearance and behavior can vary depending on the direction of the cross. Mules often combine the size and build of a horse with some donkey traits such as hardiness and endurance, and may display a mix of traits from both parents. Hinnies can resemble horses in body form while retaining certain donkey features; temperament varies and may be influenced by upbringing as well as parental genetics. In practice, individual hybrids can show a wide range of characteristics.

Use and context: Historically, horsedonkeys have been valued as working animals for transport, packing, and agricultural tasks in various regions. Today they are less common in commercial agriculture but may still be found in areas where traditional animal labor is maintained, as well as in some breeding and conservation programs.