Animal behaviour and welfare: Donkey Part 1

DONKEY BEHAVIOUR BASICS: PART 1

Terminology

By Dr Clive Dalton

• Donkey – common name for the ass family.
• Jack, jackass, jack ass – intact male of the ass family.
• Jenny, jennet – female of the ass family.
• Burro – the smaller members of the ass family usually of Mexican or Spanish stock.
• Gelding or gelded jack – castrated male of the ass family.
• Mule – hybrid cross from breeding a jack to a mare.
• Hinny – hybrid cross from breeding a stallion to a jenny.
• Mare mule or Molly – female mule.
• Horse mule or John mule – male mule.
• Mare hinny – female hinny.
• Horse hinny – male hinny.
• Mule mare – mare used to raise mules.
• Miniature donkey – at maturity stands 36 inches or less at the withers.
• Standard donkey – at maturity stands more than 36 inches but less than 56 inches at he withers.
• Mammoth donkey – at maturity stands more than 56 inches at the withers.