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Black Bart has been a recognized name in mammoth & mule  breeding for the last quarter of a century.

The intact breeding jack is a stallion.   He is never a pet, and should always be considered a dangerous animal.  You are more likely to get into trouble with a jack because he's not going to horse around and act hot - in other words he's not going to constantly remind you that he is a stallion.  You become lax and lazy in your attitude and suddenly - boom - you are caught off guard. It's not a fact that all jacks will attack - but the potential is always there.  Any equine stallion is dangerous.  It's part of what holds a fascination for us.  The ever eternal power and drive, almost royalty and fire in their bearing.

But we must not forget the liability that goes hand in hand with keeping one of these big boys around (no matter the actual size of the jack, mini up to mammoth - in their minds they are the biggest and the best).

Proper management is a major key in keeping a jack happy, healthy  and sane.  From the time he is a baby planning and training should be going into preparing him for his future roll.  He should have been with is dam for at least 6 months, though no longer than 9 months (some youngsters can become quite promiscuous at a young age).  Running with his mother and other herd members will teach him more about manners and proper social behavior than any human can do.  He should be haltered, and taught to lead and tie and pick up his feet.

Upon weaning, he should be housed with peers so that he can play and interact - other male donkeys or young  gelding horses (if you want him to breed mares - reduce direct contact  from donkeys after weaning so he can bond with horses).  The worst thing you can do with a young jack is to isolate him.  They need to socialize and play at this important, tender age.   His ground manners with people should be near perfect.  He should respect body space, should not be allowed to place his mouth or lips on anyone, sniff or blow on people or other stock when haltered in hand. This is a safety factor, if he never gets in the habit of placing his mouth on or near people, he is less likely to bite during times of stress.

When he begins breeding (at least wait until he's two years of age - so you are not overworking young joints and he is mentally and sexually ready- smaller breeds can be ready earlier), he should be already housed in his own pen.  This should consist of solid fencing (depending on the size of the jack and any local ordinances) that is usually 5 feet or more (he is less likely to challenge his fencing if he cannot get his head over the top) with electric wire (never barb wire), with shelter, and a good sized paddock/ pasture that he can get plenty of exercise in. It should be centrally located so that he can see around him, so he feels that he is part of the farm activity.  An area should be set up for breeding with solid fencing and good footing in this area.  If he is consistently bred in the same spot, in his pen, then he won't be acting hot when he comes out to be worked.  He will know by the special halter and preparations that you make when it's breeding time and when it's not.   Keeping to a set schedule and routine will help him to get in the mood faster - as jacks like to really think about the entire breeding process before acting on it.

He should be in a training program, so that he has a life other than just breeding.  Exercise and keeping him interested and bonded with his handlers will help keep a jack from becoming bored or frustrated.  Riding and driving, taking him to shows or in parades, not only shows off his versatility, but also keeps him entertained and exercised.

Remember when handling a jack that he has two main interests, breeding and dominating.  Your jack will always watch you whether you realize it or not.  It's instinctive for him to always test for weakness in social standing to all around him.  Remember to never turn your back on your jack.  Calmly make eye contact, avoid walking into his area with strong, new smells on your person - mainly from other equines.  Learn to read his expressions and moods, and how to stop things before they get started.  Work at maintaining his little world in a manner that keeps him calm and happy in his environment.

Think about the responsibility of when you take your jack out into the public.  He is an ambassador for donkeys world wide.  He should be mannered and gentle.  Never allow children to handle a jack unsupervised and never let a child have control of a jack in public.  The liability if he got out of control would be great indeed.  Do not let the jack approach other stock, it would be terribly dangerous if he were to try and mount another animal, especially if that animal were being ridden.  Dissuade your jack from braying when he's out.  When a jack brays, he's advertising himself, defining his territory - he is doing his own thing!    Pay attention to your jack - so he can pay attention to you.  Don't wait until he's off in another hormonal ozone before trying to bring him back in line, it might be too late.  Remember, you don't control his body, but his mind - and if you let his mind  get away, his body will surely follow.  If he starts staring at another animal, his nose starts dripping,  circle him, rattle his halter chain - whatever system you use, but remind him that he is with you.   If someone crowds in with other stock, and you are not able to move your jack away, please ask politely that they keep their distance - they should appreciate your care and consideration. 

Above all think of a jack as a quiet volcano.  He has strong stallion drives that he mostly keeps hidden from the world.  He is very intelligent.  Deeply passionate and extremely territorial. All of which can be a dangerous mix. He is also very sensitive - your jack shouldn't fear you, but he should respect you in all areas.  He should always be handled with the respect that his status deserves - that he's a stallion.  If a jack does strike, he goes off with little warning and does not miss what he targets.  I don't think there are mean jacks out there in the world - only mishandled ones.  Remember he is a stallion and his liability to other stock, people and property should always be considered. 
 

Conformation Considerations for Jacks:

•  An even bite where front incisors and molars meet correctly. 
•  Straight sound legs all around, slight cow hocks could be forgiven if he moves out straight and stands with parallel cannon bones.
•  Short strong back with smooth tie in to the croup
•  Nice long neck attached to a well laid back shoulder, with adequate width and depth of chest 
•  Head should blend with body size, eyes large and expressive - ears long and upright
• Jack should appear masculine, without coarseness
•  Powerful deep hind end (length of pelvis when viewed from the side)  with fairly level or moderately sloped croup. Croup should be near level with withers. 
•  Laid back and gentle disposition.
•  Two descended testicles, cryptorchidism should never be used for breeding
• A jack of perfect conformation is always the perfect color!