Protection from the elements: a comparative study of hair density, shelter use and heat loss in donkeys, horses and mules

It is widely believed that donkeys are less adapted to wet, temperate climates than horses, often requiring shelter in addition to natural protection and rugs. However, to date there has been no scientific study assessing the shelter needs of donkeys and current guidelines often consider all horses and donkeys as a homogenous group. Our project provides a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of donkeys for protection from the elements across the four seasons in the British Isles and directly compares these findings to those from horses and mules. Some preliminary results are presented below.