Racing Mule genes?

madelyn · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject:

I think one of the great examples of dominance of mitochondrial DNA is in the breeding of hinnies and mules. They are generally the size and build of their dam. I don't know this, but I imagine there might be more foaling complications with hinnies since the sire is so much larger than the dam...
_________________
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....

oleos93 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:15 pm Post subject:

It seems Mammoth Donkey's have grown in popularity. With their size you would think breeding to a stallion horse would not be an issue.

I just read an article of a sterile molly mule and a sterile female hinny in China that they are going to bred to a Donkey.

Changing topic a little, but I wonder with why with all the playing God one has yet to focus on finding the Mules and Hinnys that are sterile and bred them until they get results of always having sterile offspring.

Sailor Kenshin · Starters Handicap Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 606

I dont understand---if they're sterile how can they be bred?

I also totally have to watch mule racing now. Is the tack similar to TB racing tack? Jock size, etc?
_________________
Somebody bet on the gray!

Bast · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2180

The horse x donkey cross works best with the dam having the higher chromosome count. And in general this is the rule with hybrids. By the way true hybrids, not the way some folks on this board use the term.

Male mules are usually gelded early--no market for mule stallions, Don't know if there has been a study on sperm counts and types from mules.

Every once in a while a female mule will produce a egg that is mostly either horse or donkey, and if she's out with stallions or jacks, she can produce a foal. Which of course depending on the egg and the sperm source is either another mule, or a mostly horse or mostly donkey.

Mule racing is a hoot. The mules, unlike horses don't seem to love running for the sake of running. They can run, don't seem to see the point in all that effort unless something is chasing them. So mule races tend to be somewhat short. Racing mules tend to be produced by using either TB, or QH mares.

The Idaho mule clones were not clones. But identical triplet siblings. They bred the same mare and jack, got a embryo, then divided the embryo and implanted the results into several different mares.

Bast · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:04 am Post subject:

Sailor Kenshin · Starters Handicap Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 606

Now y'all really got me.

I looked at the mule racing association link---but is there any link to actual race videos?

What colors are recognized? Is there a JC-type association with similar rules?
_________________
Somebody bet on the gray!

oleos93 · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject:

I believe you should be able to go any any track web site in CA and look up and old racing videos. Some of the fair meets at the end of the summer run Mule races.

They are actually very nice looking and very fit. If they didn't have them ears they would look just like your typical racing TB.

I will see if I can find a video one can watch for free.

xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2180

Mule colors can get wild.

Appy and Pinto mules tend to be very wildly marked.

There are spotted asses.

The best looking mules I've ever seen in person were in New Orleans pulling the street carriages. Had to look twice to see if they were great looking mules or kind of homely horses.

http://www.americanmuleassociation.com/

pfrsue · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:17 pm Post subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVN1JsIDtmc&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLAD8CDC257E92013B

There are some races from Black Ruby, apparently the Zenyatta of mule racing. Smile

oleos93 · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

Here is a video from Fairplex I found on youtub. I'm sure if you surfted around you will find better ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRL0yRWyhps

oleos93 · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject:

I just noticed the purse on one of them racses...not to shabby for a Mule race.

Alot must be put on the dame as far as throwing the speed. Anyone know if when breeding to QH if they are full QH or can be Appendix?

Sailor Kenshin · Starters Handicap Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 606

xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2180

Heard a rumor that there was a mule doing very well on the dressage circuit. It had a little cosmetic surgery and "passed" as a horse. Gave the game away when it got excited and brayed instead of whinnied.

Also if you get a chance to look on Youtube for the mule "cowboy camp race" , what a hoot. There are several versions including one with a full pack mule string. But the idea is to start with a basic camp, and loose mules, and or horses. When the race starts, everything has to get packed up. mules have to be caught and tacked up, loaded, and lead around a track. Usually around a 1/4 mile. First one over the finish line with gear and mules is the winner. Hanging and dragging are ok.

There's also flat footed jumping. I think it is called coon jumping. The mule walks up to the jump, and pops over it from a standing start.

The one that haunts me is "bat jumping" never figured out what that event was all about, but the name sure paints interesting pictures.