Comment on Sanctuary for distressed donkeys

The donkey is actually quite a hardy animal if kept in a state that suits his natural origins ,as essentially a desert animal. One who needs sparse roughage for food, that he has to walk miles to browse upon.
Take him out of suitable surrounds without allowing for his needs,and he will be prone to ail from /no exercise /unsuitable food/too much of it/no natural wear on teeth from browsing etc and you will have potential for an ill aniaiml .They are also a very intelligent loya and hard working animal and those who do not find them so..probably do not understand donkeys and the donkey will respond acordingly. Studies on social structure feral herds of donkeys show they do not for instance,pair up ,Nor form herds like horses and be held by a jack-rather they move in and out of territory ,sometimes in small groups sometimes alone,as they need eg availabilty of feed/to be bred.The loud call and large ears is part of the desert adaptation of aniamls living distances apart.The fact is-most 'pet' donkeys get no training to be indepenadant and so become unnaturally dependant on each other just as horse would who have never been seperated..its a man made problem .Donkeys are great -in the right hands.