Equus
Asinus: The Donkey
Expand
your knowledge about these long-eared equines.
By
Jennifer Cofield
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| Some
six thousand years ago in the deserts of northern Africa, the
native people began a partnership with some amazing creatures.
They noticed these unique animals were well-adapted for the
desert lands they roamed and even seemed to thrive there. While
large or concentrated herds were not found, these sure-footed,
agile beasts had powerful, far-reaching voices and extra-large
ears for long-range communication. Their hooves were narrow
and tough, their bodies compact and efficient, and their coats
thick and wiry to protect them from the desert heat and blowing
sands. They had perfectly adapted for survival in their environment.
Observing natives soon learned that these hardy animals could
carry or pull heavy loads, work long hours, and subsist well
on the sparse forage offered in the desert lands. |
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| Popularity
of the tamed African Wild Ass spread and, by 1800 BC, working
and riding asses could be found throughout the Middle East.
Spanish explorers of the “New World” brought with
them descendants of the African Wild Ass for pack animals when
they came to the Americas in the 1600s. By the mid 1800s, donkeys
could be found throughout America working with miners and gold
prospectors. For the last century, however, donkeys (as they
became known in the United States) have been used less and less
for real work and kept more as pets, companion animals and partners
in recreational activities such as trail riding and wagon pulling.
Here
is a closer look at current and proper long-ear terminology,
some distinguishing characteristics of the modern ass and,
finally, an overview of some of their very unique capabilities.
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Long-ear
Lingo
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Equine:
Mammal; member of the family Equus. These are single-toed,
hooved grazing animals. Equines are horses and ponies,
donkeys, wild asses, zebras, and the equine hybrids
resulting from the crossing of two different species
(such as mule, hinny, zebrass). All are members of the
family Equus.
Ass:
Correct term for any animal commonly known as the donkey,
burro, or jackstock. This word is derived from the original
Latin term asinus.
The
scientific name for these animals is Equus asinus.
The term “ass” fell into disrepute through
confusion with the indelicate term "arse"
meaning the human backside. One is never at fault when
referring to one of these animals as an ass, and the
term is not improper unless deliberately misused.
Asses
and horses differ by species, as indicated by their
respective scientific names – Equus asinus and
Equus caballus. You might compare it to the differences
between zebras (Equus burchelli) and horses - different
species but closely related and able to interbreed to
a degree.
Donkey:
Taken from England, the derivation is uncertain, but
most authorities think that the name comes from “dun”
(the usual color) and the suffix "ky" meaning
small. Thus, the term donkey infers "a little dun
animal.” Donkey is the correct term for any of
the domesticated asses.
Burro:
A word taken directly from Spain. It means the common,
everyday working donkey found in Spain and Mexico. It
came into usage in the Western United States. As a general
rule, the term burro is heard west of the Mississippi
and the term donkey is used east of the Mississippi.
Burro is not appropriate for use in referring to Miniature
or Mammoth donkeys.
Wild
Burro: These are the feral (descended from
domestic stock that has gone wild over generations)
asses which run wild in the Western part of the United
States. The American Donkey and Mule Society and Bureau
of Land Management, who manage the Wild Burro population,
prefer to reserve the term “burro” for these
animals.
Jack:
The male of the ass species. Hence the often used term
Jackass, which is correct yet redundant.
Jennet:
The female of the ass species. A more commonly used
term is Jenny, which is considered correct in non-technical
use.
Jack
Stock: The term for plural of the American
Mammoth Jack and Jennet. These animals are properly
termed asses and not donkeys, and never called burros.
They are one of the largest of the types of the ass
species.
Gelding:
The proper term for a gelded (castrated) male of the
ass species. An informal term is John.
Mule:
A mule is the offspring resulting from the breeding
of a jack (donkey) to a horse mare. If a stallion (horse)
breeds to a donkey jennet, the resulting offspring is
called a hinny.
These
terms are defined according to the official terminology
of the American Donkey and Mule Society, Est. 1967. |
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Physical Characteristics
Donkeys of every size differ somewhat from horses in conformation.
The most noticeable difference is, of course, the ears. Donkeys'
ears are much longer in proportion to their body size than a
horse's. Their necks and backs are characteristically straighter
and most donkeys lack a true wither. The croup and rump are
also a different shape in the donkey and its hybrids, lacking
the double-curve muscled haunch. Hoof
shape varies as well. Donkey hooves are smaller, with more
upright pasterns, and their hooves tend to be a little more
durable than horses. They generally do not require shoes unless
they are working on surfaces which might cause injury or significant
wear on the hooves.
Not
only are donkeys physically set apart from their equine cousins,
but their coats and colors differ, too. A donkey’s coat
is typically much tougher and wirier than that of a horse.
The mane is stiff and upright, rarely lying over and the tail
is more like a cow's, covered with short body hair for most
of the length and ending in a tasseled switch. |
The
long ears of the donkey provide them with better and longer
range hearing than that of the horse. The large ears are also
thought to help dissipate heat. |
Colors & Markings
Although many donkeys are the familiar gray-dun color, there
are many other coat shades. Colors in the donkey range from
the gray shades of gray-dun to brown, a rare bay, black, light-faced
roan (both red and gray), variants of sorrel, the blue-eyed
ivory (also called cream or white-phase), frosted/spotted
white, and a unique spotted pattern.
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Most
donkeys, regardless of coat color, will have a marking known
as “the cross”. It is the presence of the both
the dorsal line and the shoulder stripe which creates this
iconic marking. The dorsal line refers to a stripe of darker
hair starting at the top of the head and running to the end
of the tail and the shoulder stripe is a line of darker hair
that crosses over the withers. The shoulder stripe may be
long, very short, thin, wide, fading or dashed, but nearly
all donkeys have some form of this marking. The exceptions
are the Mammoth asses which have been bred away from this
marking, and true black animals where the cross is not visible.
Even spotted animals or white-appearing donkeys may have partial
or faint crosses. |
Donkeys
make great family pets and children’s mounts.
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In addition to the cross, many donkeys have dark markings
on the ears, around the legs, or down the inside of the forelegs.
Leg barring or "zebra stripes" may be present as
well. Donkeys are also known for characteristically "light
points" – which means that they often have short,
fine, light colored hair on the muzzle, ringing the eyes,
on the belly and inside of the legs.
What’s
that sound?
Another of the most notable characteristics of donkeys is
their one-of-a-kind voice! Donkeys communicate with their
human owners and with other donkeys by “braying”,
also more commonly known as a “hee-HAW”. Every
donkey has their own style of braying with some sounding
quite comical. They range from barely audible to a loud
thunderous bray. Donkeys develop schedules and if you are
late in feeding, not only will you hear about it, but all
your neighbors will, too!
Mini
to Mammoth
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All
donkeys, regardless of size or color, are Equus asinus just
like all modern horses and ponies are Equus caballus. While
horses and ponies are then further classified by breed, there
are few true breeds of donkeys left, especially in the United
States. Donkeys in the USA are not grouped by breed but rather
by type according to size. Donkeys come in a variety of sizes
from the Miniature Mediterranean to the elegant Mammoth Jackstock.
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey
Native to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, and other Mediterranean
areas. The word “miniature” usually connotes animals
that have been bred down in size, but miniature donkeys are
simply diminutive and not bred-down, as is the case of many
other miniature animals.
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While
many donkeys are used to protect herds from coyotes, many
can be trained to know & love the family dog. |
The 25-30 Miniature Donkeys originally imported into the U.S.
were between the sizes of 32” and 38.” Today,
these donkeys must be under 36"at the withers at maturity
(after age 3) to be registered with the American Donkey and
Mule Society (ADMS) as a Miniature.
Standard
Donkey
This category includes the majority of the world’s donkeys
- ranging in size from 36.01" to 56" at the withers.
Small standard donkeys stand above 36" and up through
48". Large standard donkeys range from 48.01" up
to 54" for females and 56" for males.
Mammoth
Jackstock
Mammoth Jackstock or Mammoth Ass - This is one of the largest
donkey types in the world. Males must stand 56" and above.
Females must be 54" and up. These animals have their
own registry, the American Mammoth Jackstock Registry and
are also registered in the ADMS American Donkey Registry.
What can donkeys do?
Donkeys can be used just like horses under saddle and in harness.
They are typically more “laid back” and have a
very strong sense of self-preservation – meaning they
usually prefer to stick with what seems good and safe to them.
This does not always coincide with what the human thinks is
best - especially when it comes to getting their feet wet.
Donkeys can perform all gaits horses or mules do, but galloping
is usually not on the program unless dinner is being served.
While
donkeys do excel on the trail, in the traces and show ring,
they can also do many more things which are less likely of
a horse.
Guard
Animals
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For
instance, donkeys can make very effective guard animals -
the right donkey gelding or jennet will take care of an entire
herd of cattle, sheep or goats. A single donkey, usually a
jennet, but sometimes a gelding, is introduced to the herd.
After it has bonded with them, it will protect them against
canine predators (fox, coyote, dogs) as it would one of its
own. The advantages of the donkey over the guard dog are that
they can eat the same food, and will also bed down with the
herd at night. Given a strange sound it will voice a warning,
alerting them to danger. Then the donkey will chase and often
trample the predator. |
A
donkey serves a protector of this herd of sheep. |
Remember,
not all donkeys make good guard animals. A jack that has not
been gelded should never be used for this job as they may
be too aggressive and even dangerous to the young stock in
the herd. Individual guardian capabilities depend on the donkey’s
personality and temperament. Most people want guard donkeys
as protection against coyotes or dogs, but not all donkeys
have that strong natural aversion to canines. Dogs and donkeys
usually don't mix; however, many people who have donkeys also
have dogs. These smart animals can be trained to leave the
house or farm dog alone yet still defend their territory against
other intruders!
Beasts
of Burden
The donkey is used all over the world for an infinite variety
of jobs. Here in the U.S., some common uses are recreational
riding; recreational driving, both single and in teams; packing,
many backpackers use a donkey to carry the heavy load since
the animals walk at about a human's foot pace and are such
enjoyable companions on the trail; skidding or pulling things
on the homestead such as firewood; pulling a sledge or wheeled
cart to carry things for the small farm such as fencing, brush,
or anything that needs to be moved.
Companion Donkeys |
Lucky
for donkeys, they don’t always have to “work”
to earn their keep. They perform many other “jobs”
that we humans consider easy and fun. One such enjoyable task
is just being a buddy!
The
donkey is a wonderful companion to foals at weaning time.
The donkey is allowed to run with the mare and foal prior
to weaning, and then kept with the foal when weaning takes
place. The foal has a calming and steady influence from the
donkey and looks to it for support, so the trauma of separation
from the dam is reduced. Furthermore, as most donkeys readily
come up to people, this behavior is duplicated by the foal.
Not only is the foal less stressed, but is also developing
a friendly attitude toward people.
Nervous
horses have been known to calm down with a donkey companion
as a stall or pasture mate. For horses recovering from surgery
or injury or nervous horses such as race or show horses, the
donkey seems to have a calming effect. The miniature is often
used for this purpose since it does not take up much room
in the stall of a race horse or injured horse.
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In
the US donkeys are more commonly used for show, recreational
riding & driving and companionship, rather than a working
animal. |
My
donkey, my friend…
Donkeys are not just great buddies with other equines - the
donkey has shown time and time again how wonderful it is with
children, elderly and handicapped people. In many areas, especially
England, the donkey is used extensively in riding and animal
companion programs for the physically and mentally handicapped.
Their small stature, slow and thoughtful nature and affectionate
disposition make them ideal for this purpose when properly
selected and trained.
In
fact, the first and foremost attraction to donkeys is their
unique and loving personalities. First, they are herd animals
who love being with other donkeys and equines. A lone donkey
is a lonely donkey who desperately needs a buddy – preferably
another donkey, but another equine will do. Donkeys, especially
the boys, love to “horse-play” and pick on each
other and play tug of war with tree limbs and feed troughs
and such.
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As
for their human friends, they are particularly inquisitive
– ok, downright nosey most of the time. If you are building
fence or making repairs around the barn, keep an eye on your
tools. A curious donkey is likely to try out your hammer or
shovel – even if it’s just to start a game of
tag! And if you ignore your pokey little friend, he or she
will likely demand your attention one way or another.
What began long ago as a simple working partnership has evolved
into the many-faceted relationships between humans and long-eared
equines of today. From mini to mammoth, they have stolen the
hearts of millions. When you acquire a donkey, you have gained
more than just another equine. You also have a new partner
and protector, a barn buddy, trail mount, buggy engine, alarm
clock, family member, and much, much more! To know them is
to love them and the only way to truly appreciate them.
Reference: Information for this article was provided courtesy
of the American Donkey and Mule Society, Est. 1967. To learn
more about long-eared equines, please visit the ADMS web-site
at www.lovelongears.com.
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Donkey
Trivia |
In
some developing countries a donkey is a person’s
most prized possession. The donkey fulfils the functions
of its owner's tractor, family car, shopping trolley,
guard dog and companion.
George Washington owned the first donkeys born in the
United States.
Donkey’s milk was once valued as a medicine and
was given to premature babies and sick children and to
people suffering from tuberculosis. Lactating jennies
even supply fresh donkey milk to many families in poor
countries. Donkey’s milk contains more sugar and
protein than cow’s milk and less fat.
China has the largest donkey population in the world estimated
at 11 million.
Donkey gestation is usually one year, but can vary between
eleven and fourteen months.
Donkeys can easily carry 30% of their body weight in live
load and 20% in dead weight.
Donkeys live well into their forties if they are properly
cared for. |
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Jennifer
Cofield is an Equine Nutrition Consultant for Seminole
Feed, serving Alabama, Northwest Florida and Southwest
Georgia. She graduated from Auburn University with degrees
in both Animal Science and Nutrition. Growing up on
a small farm in Blount County, Alabama, Jennifer learned
early the uncanny nature and unconditional love of long
ears and still enjoys keeping and riding donkeys today. |
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