The same feed ration may not suit both a horse and a mule. Why can feeding them alike cause a problem?
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A mule, born from a donkey and a mare, generally needs less energy than a horse of comparable size. Feeding it like a horse can therefore encourage weight gain: mules gain weight easily and can become obese.
A mule’s diet can be simple, but it still needs attention. For most mules, especially those doing little work, medium-quality forage is generally sufficient. Concentrate feeds are often unnecessary, though a very active animal may sometimes need a small amount.
Like horses, mules need a continuous supply of fibre. Their body condition should also be monitored, and access to pasture sometimes limited. Precise data on mule nutritional needs remain scarce, however, and many recommendations are extrapolated from those for horses or donkeys.
