Miniature mule fluffies are created via artificial insemination of Miniature Donkey semen into a large, sturdy mare without BMS (Bitch Mare syndrome) or Smarty Syndrome. Due to breeder preference, aesthetic choices, and much needed availability of brooding stock, Brown fluffies or darker/muted fluffies with undesirable traits are selected for breeding. As it turns out, the donkey genes tend to be dominant when it comes to stocky build and coat/mane expression; while many fluffy mules have a slightly denser version of their typical fluffy coat. Mane and coat types vary from wavy, to shaggy, to curly, to coily/kinky. Despite retaining the typical size of a fluffy (varies between 12-24 inches), they are a lot more wide set and have a stronger disposition, with wildly improved athletic performance.
Up to 82% of all mares successfully give birth to a litter of 1-3 foals after 4 months without complications. Fluffy mares gestation times widen significantly as donkeys have extended gestation periods. 8% of breeding mares require surgical intervention in order to successfully deliver due to babies going into breech, and 4% pass due to complications during foaling. Breeders and Researchers are looking into these issues and working to find and locate solutions to the rare occurrences of breech. In spite of it, Breeders are developing new innovative variations of miniature mule fluffies each year.
Miniature Mule fluffies have more mule-shaped hooves than their fluffy counterparts, which make them able to walk farther distances. They are often used as miniature pack mules, pulling mini-grocery carts and wooden crates modified to be mule-drawn carriages. They also help with well-digging and digging out unwanted rats, voles, and moles. However, most miniature mule fluffies are typically used as field hands, whether it be for plowing hard-to-till areas; weeding out crops that are herbicide resistant, and even being raised to crush and eat particularly annoying pests, such as boll worm and tomato hornworms. They are adored and commonly seen in such occupations.
Despite all these advantages, they are still adverse to water. Early intervention and positive experiences with water can help mitigate this, in order to acclimate them to well-digging and digging irrigation tracts on small, local farm plots. However, their temperament varies between being extremely shy and extremely adverse to conflict. They can be sensitive to anger, and can often lash out by acting silky or goofing off in order to diffuse situations. As with all Fluffies: It’s extremely important to train early and train well if you want an even-tempered and mature miniature mule fluffy.
(Image Description: A miniature mule fluffy by the name of Amir whinnies a greeting to the cameraman in Arabic.)
[©️ Fluffy Researchers Georgia, 2024]