Some Morphological Characteristics of Mules Raised in Van Province in Turkey

The aim of this research study is to define some morphological characteristics of mules raised in Van province. A total of 62 mules, 35 males and 27 females, in three age groups (3-6, 7-8 and 9-15 years) were examined. Descriptive statistics of morphologic traits were as follow: Withers height 129.9±0.87 cm; height at rump 128.3±1.64 cm; body length 134.2±0.83 cm; heart girth circumference 148.5±0.84 cm; chest depth 59.8±0.54 cm; cannon circumference 16.2±0.16 cm; and head length 54.9±0.53 cm. In this study the distributions of coat colour were 54.8% for bay colour, 24.3% for white, 4.8% for black, 4.8% for brown, 8.1% for mouse gray, and 3.2% for chestnut. It can be concluded that body development continues until 3 years of age and thereafter only slight increases can be seeen in this trait. The present data also showed that mules raised in province of Van were slightly larger in body sizes than UK and Ordu Province of Turkey mules but nearly similar in body sizes with Eastern Anatolian and Turkish mules.