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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses in a tempe...
Equine veterinary journal2017; 50(3); 339-342; doi: 10.1111/evj.12775

Hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses in a temperate climate.

Abstract: There are clear differences between donkeys and horses in their evolutionary history, physiology, behaviour and husbandry needs. Donkeys are often kept in climates that they are not adapted to and as such may suffer impaired welfare unless protection from the elements is provided. Objective: To compare some of the hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses living outside, throughout the year, in the temperate climate of the UK. Methods: Longitudinal study. 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. The weight, length and width of hair were measured, across the four seasons, as indicators of the hair coat insulation properties. 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. Conclusions: The measurements cover only a limited range of features that contribute to the thermoregulation 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.
© 2017 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2017-11-08 PubMed ID: 29053900PubMed Central: PMC5900864DOI: 10.1111/evj.12775Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article examines the difference in hair coat properties of donkeys, mules, and horses living in a UK temperate climate, revealing that donkeys do not generate a winter coat like horses, and hence may require additional protection in colder climates.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to compare the hair coat properties of donkeys, mules, and horses living outdoors year-round in the temperate climate of the UK. This comparison could provide insight into how these animals adapt to seasonal changes and their potential welfare needs.
  • It involved a longitudinal study where hair samples were collected from the aforementioned animals, with the sample selection including 18 donkeys, 16 horses, and eight mules. The samples were taken four times a year – in March, June, September, and December.
  • The key hair parameters that were measured included weight, length, and width, as they can offer insights into the insulation properties of the hair coat. These measurements were taken across all four seasons.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the hair coats of donkeys do not significantly differ across the seasons. All the measured properties showed that donkeys don’t grow a winter coat. Furthermore, the donkeys’ hair coat was observed to be lighter, shorter, and thinner than that of horses and mules during winter.
  • On the contrary, the horses’ hair coats recorded significant changes between seasons, growing thicker during winter periods. This indicates that horses may be more adapted to colder and wetter climates compared to donkeys and mules.

Conclusion and Further Research

  • Whilst the measurements used in this study offered important insights, they only captured a limited range of features that contribute to an animal’s thermoregulation. Therefore, more research is required to better understand animals’ shelter preferences and overall heat loss mechanics.
  • Given their apparent lack of winter coat growth, donkeys and, to a lesser extent, mules may need additional protection in colder, wet climates. Such protection could include provision of wind and waterproof shelters to maintain their welfare during adverse weather conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Osthaus B, Proops L, Long S, Bell N, Hayday K, Burden F. (2017). Hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses in a temperate climate. Equine Vet J, 50(3), 339-342. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12775

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 3
Pages: 339-342

Researcher Affiliations

Osthaus, B
  • Department of Psychology, Politics and Sociology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Proops, L
  • Centre for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
  • Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
Long, S
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
Bell, N
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
Hayday, K
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
Burden, F
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Climate
  • Equidae / physiology
  • Female
  • Hair / physiology
  • Male
  • Seasons

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