Holyland Donkey Haven, Inc.
Helpful Vocabulary
Ass: It is a separate equine species known to scientists as "Equus asinus". It is an equal member within the species as is the horse, zebra and wild ass breeds. The ass is considered a different species separate from the horse due to several physical characteristics.
The most notable differences include: tufted tail, braying voice, short upright mane, steeper more angular pelvis shape, variation in hoof characteristics, long ears, coarser hair and skin texture and only 22 chromosomes.
Donkey: Common English term for asses. It's derivation is related to the older English words dun referring to its color, and ky a diminutive meaning small. Since most donkeys are pony-sized, the animal became known as the dunky, the small dun colored animal. Even today, the largest number of English donkeys will be the typical "grey-dun" (slate) color with dorsal stripe and cross. British nicknames for donkeys are " Moke" and " Neddy".
Burro: This is a common name for the small donkey located in the Southwestern portion of the United States. It is the Spanish equivalent to the term "donkey". It is the name of the everyday working animal. The Spanish have a large vocabulary for asses, with several terms for a breeding herd, breeding jack, breeding jennet, mule breeding stock, etc. However, when talking about the animal carrying water jars down the street, he is a burro. This term has come into common use in the Western part of the United States. Burro, however is not considered a proper term to use when referring to large Jackstock or to the Miniature Mediterranean donkey.
Standard: The American Donkey and Mule Society refers to these medium sized animals as "Standard Donkeys". They may be further divided for show and breeding purposes into SMALL STANDARD DONKEY, standing from 36.01 inches at the withers to 40". STANDARD, 40.01" -48" tall, and LARGE STANDARD DONKEY, 48.01 inches to 54 inches.
Mammoth: (or "Jackstock") To be considered a mammoth donkey, certain height standards must be met. The criteria are: 54 inches for females and 56 inches for males. Mammoths are big and generally favored as riding mounts.
Miniature Donkey: These small donkeys, which should be no more then 36 inches at the withers, were originally imported from the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. They have their own registry and that can be found by contacting the AMDS. They make excellent pets.
Jack: The proper name for an intact male, as stallion is the proper name for the male horse. JACKASS is also proper but the added "ass" is not necessary.
Jennet: The proper name for a female donkey, the equivalent of a mare. There existed a breed of horse in Spain, during the Middle ages, spelled Jineta, which is sometimes translated as Jennet. Additionally, the British sometimes call a hinny a jennet, but it is not common in the United States to use the terms interchangeably.
Jack Colt: An intact male ass under 3 years of age.
Jennet Filly: Young Female ass under 3 years of age.
Mule: A hybrid breed resulting from the breeding of a mare and a jack. Mules can be male or female! It is not true that all mules are males and hinnies are female!
Hinny: A hybrid produced with the donkey jennet as the mother and the stallion horse as the father. Some hinnies are indistinguishable from mules, others look quite a bit more horse. The voices of both the mule and hinny vary considerably from animal to animal and are quite different from the bray of an ass and the whinny of the horse. They are usually an interesting combination of the two and each animal has its own vocal style.
Bray: The "hee-haw" sound made by the ass. It is made by a sort of bellow action of the chest and belly.
The most notable differences include: tufted tail, braying voice, short upright mane, steeper more angular pelvis shape, variation in hoof characteristics, long ears, coarser hair and skin texture and only 22 chromosomes.
Donkey: Common English term for asses. It's derivation is related to the older English words dun referring to its color, and ky a diminutive meaning small. Since most donkeys are pony-sized, the animal became known as the dunky, the small dun colored animal. Even today, the largest number of English donkeys will be the typical "grey-dun" (slate) color with dorsal stripe and cross. British nicknames for donkeys are " Moke" and " Neddy".
Burro: This is a common name for the small donkey located in the Southwestern portion of the United States. It is the Spanish equivalent to the term "donkey". It is the name of the everyday working animal. The Spanish have a large vocabulary for asses, with several terms for a breeding herd, breeding jack, breeding jennet, mule breeding stock, etc. However, when talking about the animal carrying water jars down the street, he is a burro. This term has come into common use in the Western part of the United States. Burro, however is not considered a proper term to use when referring to large Jackstock or to the Miniature Mediterranean donkey.
Standard: The American Donkey and Mule Society refers to these medium sized animals as "Standard Donkeys". They may be further divided for show and breeding purposes into SMALL STANDARD DONKEY, standing from 36.01 inches at the withers to 40". STANDARD, 40.01" -48" tall, and LARGE STANDARD DONKEY, 48.01 inches to 54 inches.
Mammoth: (or "Jackstock") To be considered a mammoth donkey, certain height standards must be met. The criteria are: 54 inches for females and 56 inches for males. Mammoths are big and generally favored as riding mounts.
Miniature Donkey: These small donkeys, which should be no more then 36 inches at the withers, were originally imported from the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. They have their own registry and that can be found by contacting the AMDS. They make excellent pets.
Jack: The proper name for an intact male, as stallion is the proper name for the male horse. JACKASS is also proper but the added "ass" is not necessary.
Jennet: The proper name for a female donkey, the equivalent of a mare. There existed a breed of horse in Spain, during the Middle ages, spelled Jineta, which is sometimes translated as Jennet. Additionally, the British sometimes call a hinny a jennet, but it is not common in the United States to use the terms interchangeably.
Jack Colt: An intact male ass under 3 years of age.
Jennet Filly: Young Female ass under 3 years of age.
Mule: A hybrid breed resulting from the breeding of a mare and a jack. Mules can be male or female! It is not true that all mules are males and hinnies are female!
Hinny: A hybrid produced with the donkey jennet as the mother and the stallion horse as the father. Some hinnies are indistinguishable from mules, others look quite a bit more horse. The voices of both the mule and hinny vary considerably from animal to animal and are quite different from the bray of an ass and the whinny of the horse. They are usually an interesting combination of the two and each animal has its own vocal style.
Bray: The "hee-haw" sound made by the ass. It is made by a sort of bellow action of the chest and belly.