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[Chris]

Themule is a domestic equine hybrid between a donkey and a horse. It is the offspring of a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare).[1][2] The horse and the donkey are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes; of the two possible first-generation hybrids between them, the mule is easier to obtain and more common than the hinny, which is the offspring of a male horse (a stallion) and a female donkey (a jenny).

A female mule that has oestrus cycles, and so could, in theory, carry a foetus, is called a "molly" or "Molly mule", although the term is sometimes used to refer to female mules in general. A male mule is properly called a "horse mule", although it is often called a "john mule", which is the correct term for a gelded mule. A young male mule is called a "mule colt", and a young female is called a "mule filly".[4]

Mules were used by armies to transport supplies, occasionally as mobile firing platforms for smaller cannons, and to pull heavier field guns with wheels over mountainous trails such as in Afghanistan during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.[13]

The mule exhibits hybrid vigor.[19] Charles Darwin wrote: "The mule always appears to me a most surprising animal. That a hybrid should possess more reason, memory, obstinacy, social affection, powers of muscular endurance, and length of life, than either of its parents, seems to indicate that art has here outdone nature".[20]

A 1939 article in the Journal of Heredity describes two offspring of a fertile mare mule named "Old Bec," which was owned at the time by Texas A&M University in the late 1920s. One of the foals was a female, sired by a jack. Unlike her mother, she was sterile. The other, sired by a five-gaited Saddlebred stallion, exhibited no characteristics of any donkey. That horse, a stallion, was bred to several mares, which gave birth to live foals that showed no characteristics of the donkey.[30] In 1995, a group from the Federal University of Minas Gerais described a female mule that was pregnant for a seventh time, having previously produced two donkey sires, two foals with the typical 63 chromosomes of mules, and several horse stallions that had produced four foals. The three of the latter available for testing each bore 64 horse-like chromosomes. These foals phenotypically resembled horses, though they bore markings absent from the sire's known lineages, and one had ears noticeably longer than those typical of her sire's breed. The elder two horse-like foals had proved fertile at the time of publication, with their progeny being typical of horses.[31]

While a few mules can carry live weight up to 160 kg (353 lb), the superiority of the mule becomes apparent in their additional endurance.[32] In general, a mule can be packed with dead weight up to 20% of its body weight, or around 90 kg (198 lb).[32] Although it depends on the individual animal, mules trained by the Army of Pakistan are reported to be able to carry up to 72 kg (159 lb) and walk 26 km (16.2 mi) without resting.[33] The average equine in general can carry up to roughly 30% of its body weight in live weight, such as a rider.[34]

Mule trains have been part of working portions of transportation links as recently as 2005 by the World Food Programme,[36] and are still used extensively to transport cargo in rugged, roadless regions.[citation needed]

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that China was the top market for mules in 2003, closely followed by Mexico and many Central and South American nations.[citation needed]

One-hour and two-hour trail rides through the pines of the Kaibab National Forest and twilight campfire and wagon rides are available. Both horses and mules are utilized. Apache Stables is located just outside of the South Entrance to Grand Canyon National Park at the north end of the community of Tusayan. For information and reservations call (928) 638-2891.

The National Park Service also continues to move forward with major infrastructure rehabilitation projects, and these projects may impact some of our concessions operations. As a result, we have paused lottery entries / bookings for Phantom Ranch overnight mule rides between December 2, 2024 and March 14, 2025.

For the more adventuresome visitor looking to create the memory of a lifetime, take a mule ride down into the Grand Canyon or perhaps along the rim. We offer two guided rides using a time-honored method of canyon transportation: the sure-footed mule.

Canyon Vistas mule riders should plan to provide their own rain gear as necessitated by local weather forecasts. All mule riders are strongly encouraged to check in at the Bright Angel Transportation Desk the day prior to their ride. If unable to check-in the day prior, guests should check in at least 90 minutes prior to the tour departure time. You must reconfirm your reservation at least two (2) days prior to your tour date by calling 928-638-3283.

Grand Canyon mule riders are able to take in the breathtaking vistas of Grand Canyon National Park while traveling along the rim of the canyon. Grand Canyon National Park Lodges offer a four-mile, three-hour mule activity (two-hours in the saddle) that departs five miles east of the Historic Grand Canyon Village at the Yaki Barn. Bus transportation is included to and from Yaki Barn. The mule ride travels along the East Rim Trail built by the National Park Service. Wranglers will stop at least six times along the trail to provide interpretive information about the geologic formations, human history, fire ecology, and more. There are up to 20 riders per departure.

Phantom Ranch mule riders should plan to provide their own rain gear as necessitated by local weather forecasts. All mule riders are strongly encouraged to check in at the Bright Angel Transportation Desk the day prior to their ride. If unable to check-in the day prior, guests should check in at least 90 minutes prior to the ride departure time. You must reconfirm your reservation at least two (2) days prior to your tour date by calling 928-638-3283.

On the evening you arrive you will enjoy a hearty meal served family-style in the Phantom Ranch Canteen. After breakfast the morning of your departure, you return via the Bright Angel Trail. The ride back up is about 10.5 miles (5.5 hours)

If you have special dietary needs, such as glucose intolerance or food allergies, please advise the reservation agent at the time of booking. Phantom Ranch will do their best to accommodate all special requests.

We provide a small plastic bag (approximately the size of a 10-pound bag of ice) for essential toiletries, extra clothing, swimsuit, etc. Duffel service is available for additional personal items at an additional charge. Duffel service must be reserved and purchased in advance. In order to avoid late fees or charges for extra duffels, duffels must be dropped off on time and must meet weight and dimension requirements. Guest is responsible for providing their own duffel. C-pap machines may be carried in by duffel service, or in the mule saddlebag, depending on the size. Please advise the booking agent if you will have a C-pap machine.

We strongly urge you to check in at the Bright Angel transportation desk the day before your trip. By doing so, we can prepare you in advance so you can be ready to go the following day. If you are unable to check in the day before, you must check in by 5:45 am the day of the ride for the Phantom Ranch overnight ride and no less than an hour and a half prior to departure for the Canyon Vistas ride. Failure to check in on time may result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your deposit.

Persons arriving at the Grand Canyon without mule reservations can place their names on a waitlist for the three hour Canyon Vistas ride or overnight trip. Every day, Bright Angel Transportation Desk starts a wait list for the following day. Names are taken IN PERSON only starting at 6:00 a.m., and over the phone at 7:30 a.m.

During the winter it is reasonably easy to obtain the mule ride; however, summer visitors may encounter long waitlists. Please inquire at the Bright Angel Transportation and Activities desk to get information regarding the current waitlist.

Phantom Ranch is a comfortable oasis nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The friendly staff at Phantom Ranch stands ready to ensure your comfort and share with you the wonders of this unique wilderness location. Learn more about Phantom Ranch.

Guests spending the night at Phantom Ranch often wish to purchase a variety of items for sale at the bottom of the canyon, including beer and wine, snacks, stamps, post cards, T-shirts, first aid supplies, and toiletries. Major credit cards and cash are accepted, but personal checks are not. Cash is best.

The gift shop at Bright Angel Lodge has an assortment of essential hiker and mule rider items, such as first aid kits, blister treatment, hand and foot warmers, Chill Skins, phone lassos and electrolyte replacement items. Be sure to stock up so you are well prepared for your Grand Canyon adventure!

This beast is built to pack like a mule with the suspension and gearing to get you there fast. On a quick trail ride or a week in the backcountry, the Mule fat tire electric bike can handle anything you throw at it.

We wanted to show our appreciation to you with our exclusive rewards program. By creating an Yvana Hahn account, you'll earn points for activities on our site, like referrals and purchases. You can use them to earn discounts off purchases, so the more you collect the more you save.

I have been here for 13 years now, and every year is the same. The young ones are hyped about the all the parties for the weekend. The older crew is getting in gear to make some money for the weekend, fish fries and barbecues. Others are dipping out of town for the weekend. And some will stay in the house and pretend nothing is going on at all.

So, I went to my first Mule Day in April of 2000 with much apprehension. What I found was quite different from what I had heard. When I drove to our community on the east side of town, there was a huge block party in full swing. There were people everywhere. They were cooking and playing loud music. It was the absolute best block party ever. People were happy. Cars were booming. Rims were spinning. Kids were dancing. Fish was frying. Grills were smoking. It was a party, and everyone was invited.

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