Did you know that a donkey's coat is not waterproof, like a horse's or cow's, making them ill-equipped to handle cold and wet weather? Sarah Worth from The Donkey Sanctuary explains why.
Why donkeys are better suited to deserts
Domesticated donkeys are descendants of the African Wild Ass, whose natural environments are the hot, dry semi-desert and mountainous climates of Africa and the Middle East - not the damp British weather.
Clues hinting towards their desert ancestry may be seen from their coats and hair density, which has different properties to that of the UK’s native horse and pony breeds who are better adapted to colder, grassy, open landscapes.
Domesticated donkeys come in various shapes, sizes, coat colours, and hair lengths; their coat can feel quite dry and coarse to the touch, and it is for this reason that it is believed that donkeys have less oil in their coat compared to horses and ponies.
Whilst the coats of horses repel rain, donkey coats are not thought to share this evolutionary advantage.
Studies do show, however that coat density changes are not as distinct in donkeys compared to ponies and they do not grow a significantly thicker coat during the winter in the UK.
Hair growth is controlled by daylight and temperature, which results in seasonal shedding, in horses this typically happens during the early spring, whereas donkeys moult much later in the year and for a shorter period.
Why donkeys need shelter
Donkey manes and tails are also visibly different to that of a native pony, and mule tails typically are between the two extremities of their parents.
A donkey tail is much thinner and is an effective fly swatter, whereas our native ponies have tails that are much thicker and fuller at the tail head, providing protection from the driving wind and rain. In bad weather, horses will tend to turn their hindquarters into the wind and clamp their tails to retain heat.
Donkeys will however, head for shelter, a behavioural strategy for dealing with inclement weather. They do not necessarily need to be rugged to provide protection from the elements unless they are elderly or sick.
Instead, a well-constructed waterproof shelter and hardstanding so that they can get out of the elements effectively at free will allows them to seek shelter as needed, without restricting their choices which often leads to boredom.
Hard standing is also an important consideration for donkeys specifically, since another desert adaption is for their hooves to draw in environmental moisture, another reason why wet conditions can be so problematic for donkeys.
Although, donkeys are adapted to thrive in warm climates, domesticated donkeys are not immune to the risks of heat in the UK. The fluctuating temperatures between mild to extremely hot weather can be difficult for donkeys to cope with, which further illustrates the importance of free access to shelter for shade.
Learn more fascinating donkey facts
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world’s largest equine welfare charity. Our vision is a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We run 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to more than 7,000 donkeys and mules. Our hospital treats sick donkeys and trains vets both nationwide and worldwide. Our donkey-assisted activities programme supports the development of people's life skills and wellbeing by connecting with our donkeys on an emotional and physical level.
Images by The Donkey Sanctuary