Donkeys hate the British seaside weather and would rather take shelter

Donkeys hate the British seaside weather and would rather take shelter than walk up and down exposed beaches, study finds

  • Donkeys are three times more likely than horses to stay indoors when it rains
  • When it is cold outside, 14C or below, donkeys also opt to remain indoors
  • Their equine relatives, horses, prefer to be outside in all conditions 

Donkeys toiling away on British beaches are forced to carry children on short journeys, but the animal may be more miserable than the young human riding it. 

A study has found that donkeys resent the bleak conditions which often plague the seaside and loathe the rain and frigid temperatures. 

Their equine relatives, horses, prefer to be outside in all conditions but donkeys would rather make a dash for shelter as soon as the wind picks up.

  

Donkeys toiling away on British beaches are forced to carry children on short journeys, but the animal may be more miserable than the young human riding it (stock image)

Dr Leanne Proops told The Telegraph: ‘We found that donkeys were much more likely than horses to seek shelter when it’s windy, rainy or cold.

‘This makes a lot of sense when you consider the evolutionary history of each species – horses are thought to have been domesticated in the temperate regions of Eurasia, while domestic donkeys originated from the African wild ass in semi-arid regions of Northeast Africa.

‘This means that horses tend to be better adapted to the temperate climate of the UK, whereas donkeys are better suited to hotter, drier climates.

‘We hope these findings can be used by those who care for either species to better protect them from conditions they’re not suited to.’

The research involved tracking the behaviour of donkeys which are semi-free for 16 months. 

It included a host of weather conditions, inducing temperature lows of 1°C and highs of 33°C, throughout Somerset and Devon. 

The research found donkeys were three times more likely than horses (pictured) to stay indoors when it was raining (stock image)

The research found donkeys were three times more likely than horses (pictured) to stay indoors when it was raining (stock image)

DO DONKEYS PREFER COLD OR WARM WEATHER?  

Donkeys regularly take trips up and down exposed beaches but research has found they may resent their working conditions. 

When it was cold (14C or below) they opted to remain indoors.

A brisk breeze also forced the majority (61 per cent) of donkeys inside while horses were far hardier – with only 1 in 20 deciding to head to cover.         

Scientists from the University of Portsmouth recorded daily measurements of  temperature, wind speed, rainfall, light and harassment from flies. 

The research, published in the Journal of Veterinary Science, found donkeys were three times more likely than horses to stay indoors when it was raining.

When it was cold (14C or below) they also opted to remain indoors.

A brisk breeze also forced the majority (61 per cent) of donkeys inside while horses were far hardier – with only 1 in 20 deciding to head to cover.         



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk