What Are Donkeys Used for?

Donkeys are famous for being stubborn and hardheaded, a reputation that has been well-earned. This particular personality trait seems to be connected to a well-defined instinct for danger and a fairly delicate bond with mankind, making them less malleable to our will than their more compliant cousins, horses. However, with a reasonable investment of time and patience, donkeys will overcome their initial reservations. Once you have gained their confidence, they are dependable and willing partners in any number of ventures.

Working

Donkeys have long been part of the worldwide work force. You can find them in every corner of the globe, helping out on the family farm, hauling firewood or moving rubbish. They are also popular for recreational riding and can easily be trained to pull a sled or cart. Additionally, they can be found accompanying hikers and cross-country backpackers, as their stride is approximately equal to that of an adult human and they can carry up to 100 pounds of gear without complaining.

Guard Animals

If you introduce a single, female donkey into a flock of sheep or a herd of goats, it will bond with the community and actively protect it from predators. Using a donkey as a guard animal can be easier than training a dog to watch over your animals. Donkeys don't require any real training once the bond has been formed. They will treat the other animals as if they were part of the herd and will trample snakes, chase off coyotes and foxes and sound the alarm to get the herd moving when approached by a pack of wolves. As an added benefit, they have essentially the same diet as other grazing animals and they can sleep in the same quarters.

Companions

Donkeys make friends easily. If you place a nervous, uptight horse into the same barn as a donkey, the horse will calm down almost instantly. The companionship and comforting presence of the donkey soothes the horse and helps it to relax, which promotes an overall sense of well being and can even improve recovery rates after medical procedures.

Pets

Donkeys, particularly miniature donkeys, are becoming increasingly popular as pets. They are naturally charismatic and laid-back, making them the perfect choice for children. With their patient nature, gentle disposition and relatively slow, plodding pace, they can easily be trained to be ridden and are not nearly as intimidating as a full-sized horse. Also, donkeys have an average life span of approximately 25 to 30 years but can live to be 50 with good care. When you bond with a donkey, they can truly become a longtime companion and friend.

Mules

Donkeys are also used to breed mules. Draft mules are the largest and are bred from the largest donkeys, the mammoths that stand at approximately 16 hands high. Pack mules are bred from smaller mammoth donkeys or from standard-sized donkeys, while miniature donkeys are crossed with Shetland horses to bring out the tiniest of mules, which are popular as pets.