Halocho #562 - May one ride a mule?

The Torah forbids mating animals or birds of different species - this is part of Kil'ay Beheima which we started learning about yesterday.

However, there is no obligation to prevent them from mating naturally.

A mule is the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. A hinny is the hybrid offspring of a male horse and a female donkey. The way to tell them apart is by their ears, tails and bray. (Yes. All this is from the Kitzur.)

One may not use a mule and a hinny together as they are considered as 2 distinct species.

If their ears, tails and bray are similar then one can assume they are both the same animal.

There is an opinion that one may not use a mule at all - not even for riding on - as one would be using 2 species simultaneously.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 175:1, 6

- Danny
Wednesday, 21 Iyar 5770 - 36th day of the Omer