The design and structure of donkey and mule feet is dramatically different from that of a horse. Donkeys have a much more upright foot, with deeper sulci around the frog, and outward flares of the point of heel. Due to the thickness of the hoof structure, and the upright conformation, they do not possess the same shock absorbing capabilities that a horse’s foot needs. Mules, being a hybrid of the donkey and horse, have a hoof structure that may be more similar to a donkey or a horse. Mules and donkeys may prove to be challenging to work with and require additional restraints such as blind folds and nose twitches along with patience. Special attention to your positioning relative to the animal, and how you hold their legs and feet is important for your safety and the animal’s comfort. Unfortunately, most farrier schools do not spend much time focusing on this group of equids and there is not much literature available. I will share my personal experience trimming and shoeing both mules and donkeys here in my own practice in Oregon and in Latin America with the Equitarian Initiative.