When do you use a donkey, pony or mule? And for what?

[Peter Knutsen]

I'm re-reading LTC3, but I don't think it is explained there, or anywhere else in GURPS, what the practical differences between various equines are.

Obviously horses are used for riding and pulling carts and ploughs.

But sometimes people use ponies? Why? What's the difference? Why might one choose to use a pony instead of a horse?

Same for donkeys, mules and all the other "European" equine variations. What are they good for? How do they differfrom each other?

[Flyndaran]

Donkeys and mules don't need to be grain fed so are much cheaper to maintain. Also they can see where they place their back feet making them very sure footed in awkward terrain.

Ponies don't just mean small horses, as some breeds are bigger than many horses.

[Anaraxes]

Actually, "pony" really does largely mean "small horse", even according to a lot of people that are really into horse breeds. They're the same species. The main criteria for most groups is height -- and naturally not all groups use exactly the same height. There are some groups that classify the animal by its parentage and breed, regardless of size. But the pony breeds got to be thought of as pony breeds in the first place because they were small horses, even if some individual ponies happen to be larger than the usual height. Then, sometimes the word gets used just because of application. Anything a polo player rides is a "polo pony", regardless of its actual size or genes.

Ponies are stronger than horses for their size, and are easier to keep, less food and less varied diet. Historically pony breeds usually developed in cold climates, so they're more tolerant of harsh weather than horses.

Donkeys and mules are similarly easier and cheaper to feed than horses. Both are stronger for their size than a horse. Donkeys have that reputation of being stubborn; mules are supposedly more compliant and intelligent. Donkeys are originally adapted to marginal deserts, so you might want those in that sort of terrain. Mules are supposed to have good endurance as well as strength.

Mules are almost always sterile, so you can't raise a herd of mules. You need to keep a herd of horses and donkeys to breed them.

Horses are the fastest, also the largest, so they will top out in the absolute strength category for draft purposes. Being taller is probably that much more of an advantage for warfare. And then, most people seem to think they're the most stylish, which isn't a negligible consideration when people choose their animal to ride or to pull their carriage.

[shawnhcorey]

I know the Romans used to use mules because they as strong as a horse (in that time) and they can find forage where a horse would starve.

[Dalillama]

Donkeys and mules are slower than horses, but typically have more endurance. Donkeys are usually too small to ride, but mules, being slightly larger, can serve as mounts for smaller types (in a fantasy setting, smaller races could ride mules or donkeys without much difficulty, I think). Even mules that are large enough for riding make poor combat mounts, because they are much less willing to override their instinct to just get out of a dangerous situation than horses are. It's my understanding that they're less comfortable mounts than horses as well, due to their gait.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Anaraxes

...
Mules are almost always sterile, so you can't raise a herd of mules. You need to keep a herd of horses and donkeys to breed them.
....

Mules have donkey sires and horse dams. They often need step ladders to mate. Hinnies are the opposite.

[Lord Carnifex]

It's my understanding that mules are also less easily startled and less likely to bolt than horses. They're stubborn, but not as high strung.

Edit: The mules may be more stubborn, but are not as high strung as horses.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnifex

It's my understanding that mules are also less easily startled and less likely to bolt than horses. They're stubborn, but not as high strung.

I always take that stubborn reputation with a grain of salt. Many horses will work themselves to death if told too. I consider mules more sensible than stubborn. :)

[Sam Cade]

Originally Posted by DAlillama

Donkeys are usually too small to ride, but mules, being slightly larger, can serve as mounts for smaller types (in a fantasy setting, smaller races could ride mules or donkeys without much difficulty, I think).

Depending on parentage, mules can be 16-17 hands tall.

Originally Posted by DAlillama

It's my understanding that they're less comfortable mounts than horses as well, due to their gait.

It's lack of a gait that makes most mules ride like a box wagon. A well bred, gaited saddle mule is as smooth as glass.
http://www.americangaitedmule.com/

[jason taylor]

donkeys and mules are used in rougher terrain then horses. They are favored as pack animals when wagons are out of the question.