What makes them stronger?

Bandit · 07-26-2008, 12:40 PM

I've always heard donkeys are stronger than horses, but yesterday I was looking at my donkey and my horses and thinking - what the heck makes him stronger? My horses have large bulky muscles, giving them the appearance of strength, where the donkey does not. Is it something in the way they are built?

So what is it that makes donkeys stronger?

**Promise Ranch** · 07-30-2008, 07:38 AM

I'm no donkey expert, but I believe it's how they're put together. Their legs are more under them, and when they walk, their feet are in a line, keeping all the support in the center...

I thought more donkey saavy folks would chime in here...

breburtch · 07-30-2008, 09:26 AM

I think its how there put together and have like draft horses thicker bones and there like draft horses thicker in the front rather then the back for more pulling power. There a pack animal and have for years carried large heavy loads.
Maybe there strnger in the way that there more stubborn and when they want something they'll use there power and stubborness to get it. Unlike a horse thats being stubborn and doesn't want to move you can usually get them to by giving them a tap with a lead rope but a stubborn donkey that barely ever works lol

Although I wouldn't really say there stronger tougher maybe.

**Range** · 07-30-2008, 10:22 AM

I was going to say that it's all in their minds.... They THINK they're stronger, so they are!

ChasnCans · 07-31-2008, 03:00 PM

^

nice one .. lol

tllykr · 08-19-2008, 10:19 PM

I've hear dthat it's because the muscles are denser then horses. I can't remember where, but that's all that I know. And I believe that because our mule will not do anything strenuous unless it's necessary. Or that could just be part of a mule.

AlbertaGirl · 08-20-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tllykr

I've hear dthat it's because the muscles are denser then horses. I can't remember where, but that's all that I know. And I believe that because our mule will not do anything strenuous unless it's necessary. Or that could just be part of a mule.

I'd believe this! When trying to needle my donkey in a muscle, I broke a needle, then bent a couple more

! Could very well make sense.

I agree 100% though, they are definetly stronger than a horse! When we got my donkey, he was completely mature and NOT halter broke. I've never measured him, but I'd guess he's about 13hh, and STRONG. My farrier at the time taught me a very neat trick, which ultimately led to Gus getting halterbroke. When Gus would try to take off (and could drag several people easily), he showed me to keep pulling his head and neck around, and also push his bum with my hand, forcing him to circle, so that he could NOT go straight and gain any momentum. We made many miles in spirals

, but in the end, I have a fairly halterbroke donkey

.

Sunlei · 08-20-2008, 05:56 PM

I don't know what makes them stronger but I think they are tougher than horses mentally and they know it too!

At the horse rescues and I saw it my self when helping rescue a herd of about 20 mixed horses and mules. If there is limited food to guard...it's the mules and long ears that usually rule the feed. The horses are in the worse condition and the long-ears, a bit better.

They are harder on dogs too..and even better at guarding the pastures than horses.

aBreeze · 09-07-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaGirl

I'd believe this! When trying to needle my donkey in a muscle, I broke a needle, then bent a couple more

! Could very well make sense.

Iv also had this problem! We dont even bother trying to pull a coggins on our Sicilian anymore. He rarely goes anywhere anyways.

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07-26-2008, 12:40 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	What makes them stronger? I've always heard donkeys are stronger than horses, but yesterday I was looking at my donkey and my horses and thinking - what the heck makes him stronger? My horses have large bulky muscles, giving them the appearance of strength, where the donkey does not. Is it something in the way they are built? So what is it that makes donkeys stronger? __________________

07-30-2008, 07:38 AM
Promise Ranch Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,466	I'm no donkey expert, but I believe it's how they're put together. Their legs are more under them, and when they walk, their feet are in a line, keeping all the support in the center... I thought more donkey saavy folks would chime in here... __________________ "Met a girl in a chair with wheels, but no one else would see her... Met a girl in a chair with wheels... Everyone was so afraid to even look down on her, And she just spread her little wings and flew away..." - Big & Rich

07-30-2008, 09:26 AM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,838	I think its how there put together and have like draft horses thicker bones and there like draft horses thicker in the front rather then the back for more pulling power. There a pack animal and have for years carried large heavy loads. Maybe there strnger in the way that there more stubborn and when they want something they'll use there power and stubborness to get it. Unlike a horse thats being stubborn and doesn't want to move you can usually get them to by giving them a tap with a lead rope but a stubborn donkey that barely ever works lol Although I wouldn't really say there stronger tougher maybe. Last edited by breburtch : 07-30-2008 at 09:29 AM.

07-30-2008, 10:22 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,683	I was going to say that it's all in their minds.... They THINK they're stronger, so they are! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

07-31-2008, 03:00 PM
ChasnCans Coming two Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 1,560	^ nice one .. lol __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. I love and miss you! (Aug 13th-Oct 29th)While he may knock over a barrel he will never break my heart

08-19-2008, 10:19 PM
tllykr Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: United States Posts: 1	I've hear dthat it's because the muscles are denser then horses. I can't remember where, but that's all that I know. And I believe that because our mule will not do anything strenuous unless it's necessary. Or that could just be part of a mule.

08-20-2008, 05:56 PM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	I don't know what makes them stronger but I think they are tougher than horses mentally and they know it too! At the horse rescues and I saw it my self when helping rescue a herd of about 20 mixed horses and mules. If there is limited food to guard...it's the mules and long ears that usually rule the feed. The horses are in the worse condition and the long-ears, a bit better. They are harder on dogs too..and even better at guarding the pastures than horses.