ALTHOUGH donkeys share ancestral origins with horses, they have evolved differently over millions of years. They are different, and in ways with real relevance to owners and to vets.

A key area of difference is in behaviour. Donkeys are often labelled ‘stubborn’ and ‘stupid’. But donkeys are only doing what nature has programmed them to do - they have evolved with good reason to react less quickly but instead pause before responding. It is much harder to make a donkey, as compared to a horse, do something that you want done but that may not be obviously to their benefit e.g. load into a dark trailer up a noisy, wobbly ramp.