Here are just a few interesting things that you may not know about donkeys...

​

1. The name 'donkey' apparently comes from an old English word dunkey, meaning an animal that is greyish-brown in colour.

2. A male donkey is called a Jack, the female is a Jenny or jennet. Female donkeys are said to be more vocal than mares when they come into season, and even more protective of their foals than horses. There are also a range of behavioural differences between Jacks and stallions, along with a few physical differences.

3. Donkeys fall into three basic size ranges - Mammoth, Standard and Mini.

4. Donkeys have incredible memories, just like horses. They will remember the good...and the bad, with equal clarity.

5. Donkeys love rolling in the zeolites (volcanic ash which contains minerals) placed in sand pits. Donkeys love a good dust bath.

6. Donkeys have a definite play drive.

7. Donkeys are incredibly intelligent and sensitive.

8. Donkeys can need more time than a horse to assess situations. (Which may have something to do with the fact that they feel more vulnerable, being smaller.) Patience and understanding is essential when connecting with or training a donkey.

9. Donkeys coats are different. They do not have the 'waterproof' grease that horse hair does. Donkeys can get really wet and therefore need shelter or protection if possible during wet/cold/stormy weather.

10. Donkeys hooves need regular trimming and they need well drained soils/pasture to live on.

11. Donkeys feed needs are different to horses. They need minerals, etc. but do not do well on a rich diet. Rich hay is likewise not healthy for them. Due to their ability to internally recycle nitrogen through the reabsorption of their urea and the reuse of the nitrogen there, particularly when dietary protein levels are low in their native environment, a donkey’s crude protein requirements are said to be approx. 3.8% to 7.4% of their diet, as compared to 8 to 12% for mature horses.

12. Donkeys really do need donkey companions and lifetime homes. They are very vocal and very social and need pair bonds and the safety and comfort of a herd. When you see donkeys on their own, used as 'herd guards', yes they have other animals but they prefer their own kind.

13. Donkeys are super alert and protective of their space. This can extend to chasing smaller animals (and in some cases people!), out of 'their' territory. Donkey Jacks - particularly in the wild - require as much respect and space as wild stallions. They have been known to suddenly and aggressively protect their territory and herd.

14. Donkeys display much of the same body language and herd behaviour as horses, although it can be far more subtle at times and may seem far more 'full-on' at times. Donkeys like to play rough.

15. Donkeys need a serious (and donkey-sensible) reason to do any thing they wouldn't normally do, or don't want to do. Positive reinforcement works far better than force with donkeys, who will kick, bite, or (worse) completely shut-down if stressed or pushed too far. They are not being nasty or stubborn! They are frightened, anxious and misunderstood. One of the worst things we see in donkeys is that 'shut off' look, where the donkey has 'gone away' because it has stopped dealing with it's world. A bit like going into a state of learned helplessness. It's up to humans to be patient and kind and understanding if they want to seriously connect with a donkey.

16. Donkeys are extremely loyal. Once you have their trust and friendship, you have it for life.

17. Donkeys LOVE affection and also give affection far more than some horses, if they like you.

18. Donkeys are, on the whole, faster, stronger, smarter and more agile than most humans think they are.
19. Donkeys are very curious and love to explore the world when they feel safe and supported. 
20. If allowed, donkeys will always express an opinion.