Horse vs Donkey differences: comparing small donkey to small or mini horse
- Donkeys’ backs are flatter than horses.
- Horses have bigger hooves than donkeys
- Donkeys have bigger ears than horses.
- Horses have a longer face than donkeys.
- Horses have a longer tail than donkeys.
A donkey is a hardworking animal that gets along well with humans and has been a beast of burden since ancient times. If packed correctly, it can carry up to twice its weight, and it can go for several days without water in hot weather. Donkeys are a usually smaller animal, a little bigger than half the size of a horse. They have a strong bite, forward-facing ears, a mane like a horse does, and the same overall body shape. Their mane is different from horses in that it’s bushier and shorter, more like a zebra’s.
You can ride a donkey, but they move slowly and it takes a lot longer to cover a distance than a horse. It also has a smaller arch in its back for carrying a person, and when you concentrate the weight in a single, it can only carry 20% of its weight. The withers will not hold a saddle in place, and they can be quite stubborn, so it they may not be as easy to ride. Donkeys are better used to carry the weight of other objects rather than people. They can pull small carts but can be stubborn, and you will often need to be coaxed into doing work. This stubbornness will usually result in a refusal to move, which is why you often see illustrations of them with a carrot hanging in front of their face so that they will move toward it.
The horse is much less stubborn than the donkey and can be trained to do many things, even though most experts believe they are not as intelligent as the donkey. Horses like to be in herds and look for a leader, unlike the donkey that can be independent. The horse is suitable for most people looking for an animal they can ride. A horse is capable of doing almost everything a donkey can do, including pulling carts and hauling supplies, and they are quite friendly. They may not live as long as a donkey, but they will be a great companion for up to 30 years if properly maintained. They will also require more food and a larger shelter area than a donkey and cannot go as long without water.
Donkeys evolved to live in an environment with sparse food and limited water, so carrying extra weight can predispose them to a host of physical problems. Because donkeys love to chew for 14-18 hours a day, they should be provided with high-fiber substances such as straw, hay, leaves and branches of non poisonous plants. You can also use slow feeders or small-holed hay nets to satisfy their need to chew without increasing their food intake. Without appropriate forage, donkeys will start chewing on stalls, barns, fences, etc. to satisfy this behavioral need. FARRIER Donkeys have different hoof conformation, so it’s important your farrier is aware of the unique needs of donkeys when trimming hooves. Lame donkeys often don’t respond to hoof testers, so interpret these findings with care. Because of differences in hoof structure, donkey feet look different on radiographs and care needs to be taken in interpreting them using donkey normal values. Additionally, frog support is not appropriate for donkeys with laminitis.
Never use ear twitches on a donkey because they can cause significant pain. A head hold or tight rope to a post is best which cannot be done on a horse or it will induce panic. Keeping their bonded companion near helps reduce stress. Head holds are often very effective for donkey restraint, as is having an additional calm donkey nearby. If additional restraint is needed, sedation may be advisable, if safe to do so. Picking up a front foot can help to limit movement but is not effective in keeping a donkey from kicking. They can balance on two legs and still accurately kick out with the back or front feet. Donkeys are very Stoic. They have an increased drug metabolism rate compared to horses. Most NSAIDs need to be administered twice daily with donkeys, rather than once daily, as is common for horses. Donkeys also require more frequent administration of sedatives and anesthetics than horses.
Gelding a mini donkey after 18 months usually will not change their behavior unlike horses who should be gelded young to prevent them from acting studdish or if gelded older acting “proud Cut’ and still acting like a stallion. Horses are considered by most to be easier to train than donkeys. Typically, they aren’t as feed-efficient as donkeys. Donkeys are typically very sweet and gentle, and can make great pets! They are quite smart, however, and hate being yelled at or forced into anything. Always be gentle with your donkey. Offer treats (hint: apples) and ear scritches, and let him—or her—get to know you. Smarter and more personable than a horse and just below the threshold of canine character, donkeys are emotional animals who bond for life, and if they earn your trust will do just about anything you ask of them, owners say. They come when you call them and between ear rubs, treats and nuzzles, newbies are smitten.
Donkeys can quickly kill a dog. … A young donkey might also be bullied by the stock or play too rough with young animals. You do need to choose a standard-sized or larger donkey. If you have cattle to guard, definitely look for a donkey taller than them. Donkeys naturally have deep-rooted self-preservation skills. If we think about it the dog resembles the wolves and coyote the donkey does not know the difference until they are trained and understand their life is not in jeopardy. They will keep coyotes away. They also will keep away snakes and other predators. They are an especially alert grazing animal with very good hearing and a wider field of vision than horses. They also tend to be less spooky or flighty and more likely to stand their ground than horses. If the donkey brays loudly at threats, this may discourage predators as well.
Both mini donkeys and mini horses are easy keepers and do very well on pasture or quality hay as long as they have been introduced to pasture in a gradual way so as not to founder. Both minis founder easily on too much lush pasture. Neither usually need grain supplements and don’t need much food. More pros and cons can be researched through a qualified veterinarian or doing your due diligence looking online. Both make great pets and will give a lifetime of love and affection, but be prepared, both can live well into their 40s and research has shown them to live into their 50s or longer if properly cared for so make sure you have place for them in your will along with some type of financial subsidy for their next life if they outlive you.