| Abstract | Background
There are clear differences between donkeys and horses in their evolutionary history, physiology, behaviour and husbandry needs. Donkeys are often kept in climates they are not adapted to and as such may suffer impaired welfare unless protection from the elements is provided. Objectives
We provide the first direct comparison of the hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses living outside, throughout the year, in the temperate climate of the UK. Study Design
The weight, length and width of hair were measured, across the four seasons, as indicators of the hair coat insulation properties. Methods
Hair samples were taken from 42 animals: 18 donkeys (4 females, 14 males), 16 horses (6 females, 10 males), and eight mules (5 females, 3 males), in March, June, September and December. Results
Donkeys’ hair coats do not significantly differ across the seasons. All three measurements of the insulation properties of the hair samples indicate that donkeys do not grow a winter coat and that their hair coat was significantly lighter, shorter and thinner than that of horses and mules in winter. In contrast the hair coats of horses changed significantly between seasons, growing thicker in winter. Main Limitations
The measurements cover only a limited range of features that contribute to the thermo-regulation of an animal. Further research is needed to assess shelter preferences by behavioural measures, and absolute heat loss via thermoimaging. Conclusions
Donkeys, and to a lesser extent mules, appear not to be as adapted to colder, wet climates as horses, and may therefore require additional protection from the elements, such as access to a wind and waterproof shelter, in order for their welfare needs to be met. |
|---|
| References | [1] Cox, R., Burden, F., Proudman, C. J., Trawford, A. F. and Pinchbeck, G. L. (2010). Demographics, management and health of donkeys in the UK.Vet Rec 166(18), 552-556. DOI: 10.1136/vr.b4800
[2] World Horse Welfare and Eurogroup for Animals (2015). Removing the Blinkers - The Health and Welfare of European Equidae in 2015.
[3] George Jr, M., & Ryder, O. A. (1986). Mitochondrial DNA evolution in the genus Equus. Mol Biol Evol 3(6), 535-546.
[4] Beja-Pereira, A., England, P. R., Ferrand, N., Jordan, S., Bakhiet, A. O., Abdalla, M. A., ... & Luikart, G. (2004). African origins of the domestic donkey. Science 304(5678), 1781-1781. DOI: 10.1126/science.1096008
[5] Bignon, O. and Eisenmann, V. (2002). Western European Late Glacial horse diversity and its ecological implications. In: Equids in Time and Space. Ed: M. Mashkour, 9th ICAZ Conference, Durham. pp 161–171.
[6] Bendrey, R. (2012). From wild horses to domestic horses: a European perspective. World Archaeol 44(1), 135-157. DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2012.647571
[7] Stephen, J. O., Baptiste, K. E., & Townsend, H. G. (2000). Clinical and pathologic findings in donkeys with hypothermia: 10 cases (1988-1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc 216(5), 725-729. DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.216.725
[8] White, S. D. (2013). Donkey dermatology. Vet Clin N Am - Equine 29(3), 703-708. DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2013.08.002
[9] Morgan, K. (1997). Thermal insulance of peripheral tissue and coat in sport horses. J Therm Biol, 22(3), 169-175. DOI: 10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00009-0
[10] Hammel, H. T. (1955). Thermal properties of fur. Am J Physiol 182(2), 369-376.
[11] Tregear, R. T. (1965). Hair density, wind speed, and heat loss in mammals. J Appl Physiol 20(4), 796-801.
[12] McArthur, A. J., & Ousey, J. C. (1996). The effect of moisture on the thermal insulation provided by the coat of a Thoroughbred foal. J Therm Biol 21(1), 43-48. DOI: 10.1016/0306-4565(95)00019-4
[13] Mejdell, C. M. and Bøe, K. E. (2005). Responses to climatic variables of horses housed outdoors under Nordic winter conditions. Can J Anim Sci 85(3), 307-308. DOI: 10.4141/A04-066
[14] Autio, E., Neste, R., Airaksinen, S. and Heiskanen, M. L. (2006). Measuring the heat loss in horses in different seasons by infrared thermography. J App Anim Welf Sci 9(3), 211-221. DOI: 10.1207/s15327604jaws0903_3
[15] Travis, L. (1990). The mule. J.A.Allan, London.
[16] Proops, L., Burden, F., & Osthaus, B. (2009). Mule cognition: a case of hybrid vigour?. Anim Cog, 12(1), 75-84. DOI: 10.1007/s10071-008-0172-1
[17] Osthaus, B., Proops, L., Hocking, I., & Burden, F. (2013). Spatial cognition and perseveration by horses, donkeys and mules in a simple A-not-B detour task. Anim Cog, 16(2), 301-305. DOI: 10.1007/s10071-012-0589-4 |
|---|