From before the dawn
of recorded history, donkeys have been used in Europe and western
Asia to carry loads, pull carts, and carry riders. Though not
as fast as a horse, they are long-lived, cheaper to maintain than
horses, have great endurance, and are agile on poor tracks. They
remain of crucial economic importance in many developing countries.
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A donkey at Clovelly,
North Devon, EnglandDonkeys have a reputation for stubbornness,
but this is due to some handlers' misinterpretation of their highly-developed
sense of self preservation. It is difficult to force or frighten
a donkey into doing something it sees as contrary to its own best
interest, as opposed to horses who are much more willing to, for
example, go along a path with unsafe footing. Although formal
studies of their behaviour and cognition are rather limited, donkeys
appear to be quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and
eager to learn. Once you have earned their confidence they can
be willing and companionable partners in work and recreation.
For this reason, they are now commonly kept as pets in countries
where their use as beasts of burden has disappeared. They are
also popular for giving rides to children in holiday resorts or
other leisure contexts. In prosperous countries, the welfare of
donkeys both at home and abroad has recently become a concern,
and a number of sanctuaries for retired donkeys have been set
up.
Above Images Are From The Bureau of Land Management
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