Non-Horses

 

1. Donkey
The donky, Equus Africanus Asinus, is a domesticated burro, essentially. It is the descendant of the African Wild Ass. A male donkey is called a jack and a female a jenny, male foals are called colts and females filly's. They were first domesticated around 3000 BC and are known for being stubborn, though this is perhaps attributed to their naturally cautious behaviors and unwillingness to simply take off without being certain of where they are going. They range in height from just under three feet to barely over five and weigh betwen 180 and 1060 pounds, with a lifespan between 30 and 50 years. They are a bit hardier than horses and require less food due to the difference in size.

2. Mule
A mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse. Because they are different species, all F1 (first generation) male mules are sterile and most of the females. They can range in size, much like their parents, but tend to be larger than donkeys with the weight of a mule falling between 820 and 1000 pounds. They are sought after because they have the size of a small horse but the strength and endurance of a full sized one. This gives you the same level of work with less cost in food and other upkeep. The mule looks like its donkey father with the gangliness of an awkward teen due to their horse mother. They come in a variety of colors and even an appaloosa style coat.

3. Burro
A wild donkey, this equine was first introduced to the America's by the Spaniards who prized the animals as pack animals. They can be found all throughout the deserts of the United States as long as they are within ten miles of water. Standing at about  five feet, they very in color from black to brown to grey and are surefooted beasts of burden. Interestingly, they can tolerate as much as 30% of their body weight in water being lost and can replenish it with only five minutes of drinking. Females give birth to one colt a year and as they have no natural predator, these colts often live to maturity and have a life span of about 25 years in the wild.

4. Zebra
Who doesn't know this striped equine from Africa? The Zebra is probably one of the most easily recognized animals out there with its coat of stripes. The stripes are unique to the individual and no set of zebra will have the same set of stripes. Generally social, they live in small groups called harems to large groups called herds. Unlike horses, donkeys and mules, the zebra has never been fully domesticated. They live in a variety of habitats including grasslands, savannas, woodlands, mountains and hills. Their coats, however, have made them highly prized and two of the three types of zebra are currently endangered.

 

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