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Deep Fork Farms specializes in Gaited
Mules. We selectively breed mules for gait, color, gentleness, disposition
and
personality. Years of experience have taught us that for a
quality mule you must start with a quality mare. That's why we
have many breeds of gaited horses. Each one is naturally gaited
with unique character traits, strong - healthy - beautiful.
You may wonder what is the advantage of
a gaited mule ... A mule's intelligence surpasses that of a
horse or a donkey making them eager to please and easier to
train in many respects. The mules endurance and strength exceeds
that of a horse or a donkey making mules strong work animals and
lots of fun for trail riders. The gaited mules of Deep Fork
Farms inherit their gait from their gaited parent. The ambling
motion of their feet is faster than a walk but slower than a
canter or gallop. It's a smooth, swift pace the mule can sustain
for a long time even while carrying a load. A gaited mule is a
real pleasure for the trail rider. A good gaited mule will generally
out value
their sire and dam. Having a gaited mule is like treasure in
hand.
You may find the mule of your dreams here at the farm or you may
choose to select the sire and dam from our fine stock of
animals. Selective Breeding is an exciting way to produce the
exact mule you want. Call to discuss your needs or schedule a
visit at our farm at 918-267-3477 or 918-605-4761.
For those of you interested in selective breeding, we've
organized information about the characteristics of all the
breeds of gaited horses at Deep Fork Farms. Use the links at the
left side of this page.
American Paint
Missouri Fox Trotting Horse
Paso Fino
Quarter Horses
Spotted Saddle
Standard Bred
Tennessee Walking Horse |
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Mules are amazing animals, the offspring of a male donkey and a
female horse. The much rarer offspring of a male horse and a
female donkey is called a hinny. As a side note, hybrid animals
such as mules are almost always sterile.
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Sire
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X
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Dam
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=
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Foal
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Stallion (Horse)
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X
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Jennet (Donkey)
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=
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Hinny
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Jack (Donkey)
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X
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Mare (Horse)
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=
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Mule
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* A male mule is called a John and a
female mule a Molly. |
Breeding mules requires a great deal of time and patience. Just
think about it, the mere sound of a donkey scares most horses.
It takes experience handling donkeys, experience handling horses
and lots of experience breeding. It's wise to use
great caution when choosing the breeder. Ernie and Sharon Busby,
owners of Deep Fork Farms, take pride in their experience
handling donkeys, horses, mules and successful breeding. One of
the most important things you'll notice when visiting
Deep Fork Farms is how easy-going and friendly all the
animals are. The donkeys, the stallions, and the mares
all have good personality. They're gentle, friendly,
eager to learn, and enjoy the good company of people.
Most of the mules believe they are horses and herd
together.
Here's a good introduction to 'The Mule' ...
A mule resembles
a donkey's height and body yet appears horse-like. Because of
the variety of horses and donkeys that can be used for breeding,
mules come in all sizes and shapes. Some resemble quarter
horses. There are huge draft mules, even fine-boned racing
mules, pony mules and other sorts.
Mules really do put forth the best
attributes of their sire and dam. Mules possesses the
sobriety, patience, endurance and sure-footedness of the
donkey, and the vigor, strength and courage of the
horse. Mules have harder skin that's less sensitive to
heavy loads, sun and rain. Their hooves are harder than
horses', and they show a natural resistance to disease
and insects.
Mules exhibit a higher cognitive intelligence
than their parent species - horses and donkeys. This is believed
to be the result of hybrid vigor, similar to how mules acquire
greater height and endurance than either parents.
As a valuable side-note, to put it lightly, mules dislike dogs.
Keep your dog away from your mule or the dog will very
likely end up hurt or dead. A mule can strike out with their
hooves in any direction, even sideways.
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