Jack -- an uncastrated male donkey (also known as a stallion)
Jennet -- a female donkey (pronounced as "jenny")
Gelding -- a castrated male donkey or horse
Mule -- a hybrid cross between a donkey jack and a horse mare.
Foal -- a baby donkey or horse. Either male or female gender.
Sire -- the father of a baby horse, donkey or mule.
Dam -- the mother of a baby horse, donkey or mule.
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Different breeds of donkeys are determined by measuring them at the withers. The withers
are located where the donkey's cross and dorsal stripe meet. (or where the top side of the neck attaches to the
donkey's back)
Miniature Donkey -- an adult donkey 36" tall or less when measured at the withers
Small Standard Donkey -- 36.01" up to 40"
Standard Donkey -- 40.01" up to 48"
Large Standard Donkey -- Jennets: 48" up to 54"/Jacks: 48" up to 56"
Mammoth Donkey -- Jennets: 54" and over / Jacks: 56" and over
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- Donkeys LOVE people! We think the best reason of all to have donkeys is for pets.
They love attention and they want to be part of the family.
- Companion Animals. A donkey gelding or jenny makes a good companion animal for nervous
animals or young horses or cattle who are being weaned. The donkey's kind and calm disposition seems to settle
down the nervous animal and take their mind off an unpleasant situation.
- Donkeys can assist with halter training other animals. You can use a donkey to teach
cattle, horses, other donkeys, etc., to be lead with a halter and rope. Attach a rope between the animal to be
taught and the donkey by using a special collar for the donkey. The donkey is so strong he can lead the other animal
easily. It is not recommended to leave the animals tied together for very long periods of time, and NEVER leave
them unsupervised.
- Donkeys can be ridden or pull carts. Many donkeys can be ridden under saddle or trained
to pull a cart in harness. (Note: No donkey under 3-years of age should be asked to carry weight. Their bones need
to be fully developed and grown before they can carry a weight load.)
- Cross Breeding. Donkey jacks can be bred to horse mares and the resulting offspring
is a mule. Donkeys can also be crossed with zebras.
- Therapeutic Riding Programs. The gentle disposition of a well-trained donkey makes
them excellent for use in therapeutic or handicapped riding programs. Donkeys seem to make friends with people
easily, and therapeutic riding programs can really aid in the treatment of muscular diseases or disorders, back
injuries, or riding programs for physically or mentally handicapped persons.
- Pack Animals. Even though they are smaller than horses, adult donkeys can carry a
large amount of cargo for their size due to their build and bone structure. (Note: never subject a donkey under
3 years old to carrying any weight. Their bones and muscles need to be fully developed before any strain is put
on them.)
- Show Animals. Donkeys can be entered in shows. There are donkey shows with classes
similar to that of horse shows. Classes may include halter, riding, jumping, or driving in harness.
- Donkeys will protect other livestock. Once a donkey has bonded with a herd of sheep,
goats, cattle, etc., the donkey will chase and possibly kill predators (coyotes, dogs, etc.) that may bother the
herd. In fact, donkeys are such good protectors of stock that they are used in Africa to protect stock from leopards
and cheetahs. Just one bray from a guard donkey is usually enough to send would-be predators or intruders heading
for the hills! (Note: Jacks do not make very good guard animals because they tend to be a little rough. Geldings
or Jennets usually make the best guards.)
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Last Revised: January 28, 2002
Donkey Terminology