Mules more intelligent than dogs
Recent research has observed the ability of mules, donkeys and horses to obtain a small food reward by problem solving. The findings were then compared with previous research on dogs.
The study was carried out by Dr Britta Osthaus of Canterbury Christ Church University and the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon.
The animals had to find the shortest route through a gap and past a barrier to get to a food reward. After a set number of repetitions, the position of the gap was changed, forcing the animals to take a new route.
Dr Osthaus has previously studied dogs and found them to have difficulties when facing a novel physical problem. She says: "We wanted to know whether other animals have the same problem."
According to researchers, mules were able to find the fastest route without difficulty in the first task, whereas donkeys took slightly longer, and horses longer still to solve the problem.
After the position of the gap was changed, mules and donkeys reportedly found it far easier to re-evaluate their route, while horses and dogs got stuck behind the barrier.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Osthaus said: "Interestingly, and rather surprisingly, donkeys and mules are more flexible in their learning than horses and even dogs.
"Experiments like this are important for animal welfare: the more we know what is going on in their heads, the better we can adjust our expectations and training methods."
Dr Faith Burden of the Donkey Sanctuary added: "All in all the study really backs up what we have all known but not been able to prove until now: donkeys and mules are thoughtful when presented with a problem and are accurate and fast learners."
Image credit: Canterbury Christ Church University
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
