In the United States, donkeys are often seen as “stubborn” and difficult to work with. They are sometimes associated with life in developing countries or considered remnants of the Old West.

I personally adopted two completely wild BLM burros, intending them to be a stepping stone before owning horses. These burros were my first equine companions. It took several years of working with them, or what we refer to as “gentling” in the equine world, but now they are well-behaved and cherished pets. While my intention was not to make them work, I acknowledge that I could train them to perform tasks like pulling carts.

Once I began caring for horses, I discovered distinct differences. Firstly, their dietary needs vary. Many foods that horses consume, such as alfalfa, are too acidic for donkeys. Additionally, I found that my donkeys are hardier and better equipped to handle extreme weather conditions compared to my horses. While my burros can manage well without blankets in winter or frequent hosing in the summer, my horses require these measures.

The most significant impact of having donkeys first is the confidence I gained when working with other equines and other livestock. Though I am not an expert trainer or horsewoman, my horses, some of which were deemed unruly or difficult to handle, perceive me as their herd leader and comply with my requests. Even horses that were previously considered “impossible” to trailer were successfully loaded in less than five minutes. One horse refused to accept a halter from anyone, yet I approached her and easily placed it on her head. It’s not that I possess extraordinary skills, but my experience with wild burros provided me with the confidence to handle almost any horse.

Many individuals adopt or purchase donkeys, particularly jennies, for the protection of other livestock such as sheep or alpacas. Donkeys form strong bonds with their herds, whether they consist of equines, bovines, ovines, or camelids. In my pasture, I have spirited horses and three bulls, yet it is the donkeys that effectively keep coyotes and stray dogs at bay. Donkeys exhibit intelligence equal to that of horses; however, their intelligence and wonderful attributes manifest in unique ways.