Donkeys are part of the equine family, but are a different species from horses. They were originally bred in Egypt or Mesopotamia about 5,000 years ago. They were domesticated and used for labor, pulling carts and plowing fields. They are usually considered to be stubborn, willful and difficult to train. The donkeys were kept as pets in the Middle East, and were also used for riding. Today they are found throughout the world and are used for work, recreation, and as pets.  Mules are actually a cross between a female horse and a male donkey or “jack”. Mules are very similar to donkeys, but tend to have more muscle.