Dear Shaboom and Clyde,

My dad just bought a pack mule but he says it is a hinny. He looks like a mule, what is the difference?

Shane, Helena, MT.

Dear Shane,

Both mules and hinnies have a donkey parent and a horse parent, The difference is this: A mule has a mare (horse) for a mother and a jack (donkey) for a father. A hinny has a jenny (donkey) for a mother and a stallion (horse) for a father. Hinnies are relatively rare. Only 14% of jennies can carry a hinny foal full term if they even conceive, but most mares can easily carry a mule foal full term. 99.9% of both hinnies and mules are infertile and cannot reproduce.

Why Can't Santa Fit A Pony Under the Christmas Tree?

Many children ask for ponies or horses for Christmas, writing letters to Santa and begging their parents for months on end. Yet ponies rarely appear under the Christmas tree. Why is this? For starters there is an initial out lay of thousands of dollars for a pony and the necessary equipment, not to mention the monthly costs of board, feed, veterinary and farrier care.

Many parents are also concerned that after they purchase a pony, their child will lose interest after a few months just like the drum set they bought last year. But rather than being put into a closet to collect dust a pony will continue to require care on a daily basis. Parents usually end up being the ones to care for the pony after the child has lost interest, at least until a new home can be found.

So, if you’re one of those horse crazy kids that "will do anything for a horse"…Here’s some advice:

1. Prove that you can handle the responsibility.

            If you are serious about having a horse, start small. Ask for riding lessons first. Many areas have stables that offer lessons for riding and horse care. Join a 4-H or Pony club, many do not require that you have a horse to        join. This way you can learn how to properly care for a horse and to ride correctly to prevent mistakes or injury   to both you and a pony due to lack of knowledge. This will also prove to your parents that you can handle the       responsibility of a pony.

2. After taking lessons, you may want to lease a horse for a few months to a year.

            In many cases this is simply paying for the board and care of the horse while you use it. This offers many of the benefits of having your own horse with out the initial expense.

3. Keep your chores at home done.

            If you can't keep your room clean or do the dishes when asked how can you expect your parents to believe that          you would clean up after and care for a horse? Being responsible has to extend beyond the barn. Offer to use        all or part of your allowance to help care for the horse, or, if you are old enough, get a part time job to help      cover costs.

Once you prove that wanting a horse is not just a phase and that you are capable and responsible enough to care for one, then it is possible that your parents might consider allowing you to have a horse of your very own.

Merry Christmas to All!