A picture of a donkey in black and white showing the head isolated against a natural landscape - HQ Magazine
A: Horses and donkeys can live very happily together, but it is essential to research donkeys’ specific needs before making your final decision, as the needs of horses and donkeys do vary somewhat.
It is always best to rehome two donkeys rather than one as donkeys form powerful pair bonds, and these relationships contribute significantly to their health and wellbeing.
If you decide to get a donkey and home him with your horses, you need to ensure that you introduce them slowly, just as you would any new equine. We would advise turning them out in adjacent paddocks initially. When the time comes to add the donkey in with your horses, you will need to monitor herd dynamics very closely. Donkeys do not have the same flight instincts as horses and may not respond when a horse’s body language asks them to move away. This can increase the risk of conflict and injury in the group.
It is also worth noting that a donkey’s bray can be very unnerving to horses. New donkeys tend not to bray when settling in, but when they do start to vocalise horses can be a little upset!
Olympic champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl brings her masterclass to Cape Town For most riders in…
What the FEI's 2027 rule means for riders From 1 January 2027, according to Horse…
The stretch circle comes to the Grand Prix: what the new FEI tests change From…
A legacy that reaches South Africa One of the most influential sporthorse sires of the…
Chilli Morning III, one of three clones of top eventer Chilli Morning, has won the…