Why mules aren't really so stubborn: New research shows they learn quicker than horses

By Daily Mail Reporter Published: 20:22 EST, 3 July 2013 | Updated: 03:57 EST, 4 July 2013 10 View comments Its been accepted as fact for donkeys years but it seems mules arent stubborn after all.

  • Animal behaviour expert decided to test the stubbornness of mules by setting up a problem-solving task
  • Mules were faster in their initial learning than both donkeys and horses

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 20:22 EST, 3 July 2013 | Updated: 03:57 EST, 4 July 2013

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It’s been accepted as fact for donkey’s years – but it seems mules aren’t stubborn after all.

But in fact, experts say the animals are more adaptable and intelligent than horses and dogs.

An animal behaviour expert decided to test the stubbornness of mules by setting up a problem-solving task involving a fence being placed in a pen with food on the other side.

Mules were faster in their initial learning than both donkeys and horses

Mules were faster in their initial learning than both donkeys and horses

There was a large gap on one side of the fence so that the animals could easily walk around it.

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However, it was discovered that most horses and donkeys simply stopped in front of the obstacle and pause for some time.

Mules were also more flexible in their unlearning than dogs

Mules were also more flexible in their unlearning than dogs

The results showed that mules - the offspring of a female horse and male donkey - consistently spotted the gap almost immediately and bypassed the barrier.

The fence was moved several times but the test found that mules as a group would always solve the problem faster than donkeys, horses, and dogs.

Dr Britta Osthaus carried out out the test on 12 of each group to get a clear indication of which species is better at problem solving.

Britta, 46, a senior lecturer in Applied Social Sciences at Canterbury University, Kent, said: 'First I tested dogs on this task and was surprised how badly they performed.

'Then I thought that horses, mules and donkeys are prey animals, unlike dogs, and whether their thinking might be more efficient in this situation.

'We don't know much about the actual thinking abilities of horses, mules and donkeys and I was curious.

'I tested it on 12 of each.

'Mules were faster in their initial learning than both donkeys and horses and they were also more flexible in their unlearning than dogs and horses.

'Donkeys also outshone both dogs and horses in their flexibility, completely the opposite to what we expect from stubborn donkeys.'


 

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