Difference Between Horse and Donkey: Behavior, Biology, and Use

The main differences between a horse and a donkey are size, build, and behavior. Horses are larger, faster, and more muscular, while donkeys are smaller, with longer ears and stronger hooves. Donkeys are more cautious and hardy, while horses are more agile and social.

Comparison Table Between Horses & Donkeys

Feature	Horse	Donkey
Size	840–1,200 lbs, height 56 inches or more at the withers	400–570 lbs, height 36 – 48 inches at the withers, mini donkeys are a maximum of 36 inches
Ears	Short, upright	Long, often flop downward
Tail	Long, flowing hair throughout	Short at the top, tufted like a cow’s
Hooves	Large, round, angled	Narrow, upright, oval, strong
Coat	Short, thin, with an undercoat in cold weather	Short or long, no undercoat
Sound	Neigh	Bray
Social Structure	Herds, non-territorial	Small groups or pairs, territorial, strong bonds
Behavior	Skittish, flight response to danger	Cautious, analyzes, may stand ground
Diet	Grazers preferring grass,	Browsers that eat rough vegetation
Use by Humans	Riding & driving for sport and pleasure, racing, farm work, transport	Pack animal, cart pulling, manual labor, companion animal
Chromosomes	64	62
Vertebrae	Six lumbar vertebrae (except for Arabian horses, which have five)	Five lumbar vertebrae
Lifespan	25–30+ years	15–30 years

Despite being in the same family, horses and donkeys are very different animals. Both are equines, but they evolved for different purposes.

Horses are built for speed and agility, while donkeys are built for strength and endurance. Most donkeys are used as working animals in rural, less developed areas, while horses are more common in sport and recreation.

Horses and donkeys have been domesticated for thousands of years. They have adapted to help humans with transport, farming, and food gathering.

When compared, the differences in anatomy, temperament, hooves, diet, and behavior explain why these animals are used for different tasks.

Image source: https://horserookie.com/companion-animals-for-horses/

Taxonomy and Origins

Donkeys and horses belong to the equine family but are different species.

The domestic horse is Equus ferus caballus, and the domestic donkey is Equus africanus asinus. Horses originally came from Eurasia. Donkeys evolved from the African wild ass in northeast Africa.

Stallions (intact mature male horses) are crucial in forming and maintaining their herds in their social structures. Stallions gather mares to breed and may form bachelor bands if they do not have a herd. This contrasts with the territorial behavior of wild-ass stallions, which is different from the more communal nature of horse societies.

Key Evolution Facts:

• Donkeys adapted to semi-arid bushland with sparse vegetation and hot weather.
• Horses evolved on temperate grasslands where running from predators was essential.

Because they’re different species, their chromosome counts differ. Horses have 64, and donkeys have 62. When a female horse (mare) mates with a male donkey (jack), the result is a mule, a sterile hybrid with 63 chromosomes. Hinnies, the reverse cross (female donkey and male horse), are rare and usually smaller.

Both donkeys and horses are domestic animals, but their wild ancestors still exist. For example, some populations of wild donkeys, like Spanish donkeys, still roam areas today.

Physical Differences

Donkeys are shorter and stockier than horses, with larger ears and tougher hooves.

At first glance, these physical contrasts are easy to see:

• Donkeys have big ears that help them cool down in hot climates.
• Horses have shorter ears, but their long necks and deep chests give them more running power.
• A donkey’s tail resembles a cow’s tail—short with a tuft. A horse has a long, flowing tail.
• Donkeys have a shorter, upright mane, while horses have a longer, flowing mane.

Hoof Structure and Feet

• Horses have round, angled hooves that support speed on grasslands.
• Donkeys have narrow, upright, oval hooves built for rocky terrain.
• Donkeys’ feet are harder and less likely to crack or wear.
• The neck region of donkeys and horses shows significant anatomical differences. Donkeys have a more robust neck structure with different muscle anatomy and lymphatic structures compared to horses, which affects the visibility of the jugular vein and overall neck function.

Coat and Teeth

• Horses grow an undercoat in winter, helping them in colder climates.
• Donkeys do not grow an undercoat. They need more shelter in cold weather.
• Donkeys often lack wolf teeth. Some horses have them, and their presence can alter how a bit fits in the horse’s mouth.

Regarding vertebrae, horses have six lumbar vertebrae, except for Arabian horses, which have five. Donkeys have five vertebrae, which affects how saddles fit and how weight is carried.

Behavioral Traits

One of the biggest differences between horses and donkeys is that donkeys are more wary and independent, while horses are social and skittish.

• Horses are prey animals that use a flight response to escape danger. Even a slight sound can make a horse run.
• Donkeys stay calm and assess threats before moving. This makes them seem stubborn.

Donkeys live in small groups and build strong bonds. If a donkey is injured, the group may stay to protect it. Horses, on the other hand, travel in large herds and may leave a sick member behind.

Herd Behavior

Horse herds have a stallion and a clear hierarchy.

Stallions protect the herd and establish breeding rights. Lead mares (older, experienced female horses) direct herd movement, protect and nurture foals, and enforce herd rules and discipline.

Donkeys do not form hierarchies. They share responsibility for group safety.

Habitat and Diet

Natural Living Conditions

Donkeys and horses are two distinct species that have evolved to thrive in different environments. At first glance, it may seem that they can coexist in the same habitat, but they have unique requirements.

Donkeys, for instance, are more adapted to semi-arid regions with limited vegetation, whereas horses prefer temperate regions with abundant grass.

In their natural living conditions, donkeys tend to form small groups, usually consisting of females and their young, while males often live separately or wander on their own.

This social structure differs from that of horses, which often form larger herds with a dominant stallion. Donkeys are also known to be more territorial and will fiercely protect their territory from other donkeys and predators.

When it comes to diet, donkeys are browsers and can survive on poor-quality food, whereas horses are grazers and require more nutritious food to maintain their health.

Donkeys have a unique digestive system that allows them to extract nutrients from plants that are toxic to horses. This adaptation enables them to thrive in areas with limited vegetation.

In contrast, horses require more food and water to sustain themselves, making them less suitable for arid environments. Donkeys, on the other hand, can go without water for extended periods, making them ideal for areas with limited water resources.

It’s essential to note that donkeys and horses have different nutritional needs, and feeding them the same diet can be detrimental to their health. Donkeys require less protein and more fiber in their diet, whereas horses need more protein and less fiber.

In terms of habitat, donkeys can be found in various parts of the world, including deserts, mountains, and grasslands. They are highly adaptable and can thrive in challenging environments, making them ideal working animals in many countries.

Overall, understanding the natural living conditions and dietary needs of donkeys and horses is crucial for their care and management. By providing them with the right environment and nutrition, we can ensure their health and well-being and appreciate their unique characteristics and strengths.

Key differences in habitat and diet between donkeys and horses include:

• Donkeys are more adapted to semi-arid regions, while horses prefer temperate regions.
• Donkeys form small groups, while horses form larger herds.
• Donkeys are browsers, while horses are grazers.
• Donkeys require less protein and more fiber in their diet, whereas horses need more protein and less fiber.
• Donkeys are more territorial and can thrive in challenging environments, making them ideal working animals in many countries.

By recognizing these differences, we can better appreciate the unique characteristics of donkeys and horses and provide them with the care and management they need to thrive.

Donkey Dietary Problems

Although donkeys and horses are different species, they share common ailments that can be attributed to diet.

One example is laminitis, commonly known as founder.

Laminitis is a serious condition that affects the hooves. Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae in the hoof. These delicate tissue structures help anchor the coffin bone within the hoof.

When the laminae become inflamed, they lose the ability to support the coffin bone, allowing it to sink or rotate within the hoof, which causes extreme pain and possibly irreversible damage.

Laminitis in donkeys can be caused by diet, specifically insulin production linked to the high sugar content in some feeds and lush grass, carrots, and fruits.

For this reason, donkeys need to avoid overeating these types of food. If your donkey looks like he’s heading towards obesity, it’s wise to take steps to ward off excessive weight gain.

Limiting pasture time and careful management of commercial feed are helpful. A grazing muzzle is another option that allows your donkey to continue to enjoy grass turnout yet restricts its consumption of sugary grass.

ThinLine’s Flexible Filly Slow Feed Grazing Muzzle can definitely help with this endeavor.

The Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle differs from other grazing muzzles in a few ways.

It’s constructed with a lightweight, pliable yet sturdy material that enables ample airflow while successfully restricting grazing ability with the customizable grazing holes at the bottom of the muzzle. The material is also soft against a donkey’s lips and teeth.

Additionally, the muzzle’s flexible material doesn’t interfere with everyday social donkey interaction. So donkeys can enjoy grooming their donkey buddies. And the muzzle comes in various sizes, too, so fitting a donkey’s small muzzle won’t be a challenge.

Strength, Work, and Human Use

Donkeys are stronger than horses of equal size and require less food and care. Horses are more useful for speed, long rides, and carrying humans quickly.

Common Uses

• Horses are used for riding, racing, pulling wagons, and performing in shows.
• Donkeys are often used to carry loads, pull carts, or move goods in rough terrain. Mini donkeys are popular companion animals, sometimes used to protect smaller livestock.
• In developing areas, donkey pulling is essential for water transport, hay delivery, and farming.

Horses need richer food, regular pasture rotation, and more frequent hoof care. Donkeys can survive on dry, low-quality vegetation and rarely overeat.

Donkeys are also better at conserving water, making them ideal for desert survival and use in arid regions. 

Hybrids: Mule and Hinny

A mule is a cross between a donkey father (jack) and a horse mother (mare). This hybrid is strong, smart, and sterile due to its chromosome count. Mules are also taller and bigger than donkeys, inheriting their size from their horse ancestry.

Key Hybrid Traits

Mules are common in farming, the military, and mountain transport. They can carry more than horses and walk longer distances than donkeys. They are sure-footed and alert, perfect for uneven terrain.

Unlike horses, mules are known for their calm nature and steadiness. This makes them less likely to spook, making them ideal for activities such as riding in the Grand Canyon.

A hinny is the reverse: a cross between a female donkey and a male horse. Hinnies are rarer, less muscular, and often harder to breed.

Mules combine the cautious behavior of donkeys with the physical power of horses. They need less food, handle heat better, and resist injury.

Summary and Practical Comparison

Donkeys and horses are not interchangeable. It is crucial to be aware of their significant differences. They each have strengths that fit specific tasks.

Choose a Horse If:

• You want to ride for pleasure or sport.
• You need speed, agility, or a mount suitable for a heavy or tall rider.
• You have proper land and pasture space.

Choose a Donkey If:

• You need an animal that can carry loads in rough terrain.
• You live in a dry or hot region.
• You want a low-maintenance animal that lives long and eats less.
• You are interested in donkeys’ social behavior and reproductive dynamics, including how male donkeys establish territories to attract female donkeys, also known as ‘Jenny’.
• You want a cute, friendly companion animal to add to your other small livestock.

Most donkeys are cheaper to maintain, easier to feed, and live well in small groups. Horses require more training, more food, and consistent handling. But they also bring speed, elegance, and flexibility for multiple human needs.

Typical Questions

Below are common questions we get asked a about this topic.