Question

We just acquired our first mule, an 18-year-old draft-type that weighs about 1,200 lb (545 kg). He is kept primarily outside, and I’ve been feeding him 20-25 lb (9-11.5 kg) of coastal hay, 3 lb (1.4 kg) of timothy pellets, and a vitamin/mineral supplement. I understand that mules do not need the same diet as horses, so I want to be sure he is getting a correct diet. Should I add horse feed, too?

Answer

Mules differ from horses from a metabolic standpoint and oftentimes maintain their weight with fewer calories than horses in the same situation. I have checked your mule’s diet with our ration evaluation software program, and it appears to meet all of his nutrient needs for the amount of exercise he is getting.

The vitamin/mineral supplement you are using nicely complements your mule’s nutrient requirements at two ounces a day, and the hay and hay pellets are meeting his protein and calorie requirements.

The only thing that is lacking in the diet is salt, so if you do not already have salt available, I would recommend that you at least have a white salt block for your mule to use when he chooses.

If your mule has trouble maintaining his weight on this diet, you can try feeding more of the hay pellets, and if that does not do it you can either add some oil to the pellets or add a little horse feed.