The Pitou Donkeys of France Donkeys come in all shapes, sizes, colours & textures. The most common coat colour is grey, followed by brown, black, roan and broken coloured donkeys (a combination of brown-and-white or black-and-white markings) - the rarest colour is pure white. There are many different colours, sizes & shapes of donkeys & one of the most distinctive is probably the Poitou donkeys. They originate from France and stand at 14 to 15 hands. They have a thick coat which traditionally is matted, tangled and brown bay in colour.

History of the Donkey
The donkey's ancestors were wild asses from Africa and Asia. The African branch of the breed were found between the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert to the south of the Red Sea. There were two separate species: the Nubian wild ass and the Somali wild ass. The Asiatic branch of the breed came from a much larger area stretching from the Red Sea to Northern India and Tibet where the ass had to adapt to different climate, terrain and altitude. Consequently there is more than one type of Asiatic wild ass. The further east the ass was found, the larger, heavier and stronger the animal became. Sadly many of these original breeds are now extinct, due to cross breeding and the decline of the use of the donkey, particularly in the Western World.

Donkeys were among the draught animals used to carry silk from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean along the 'Silk Road' in return for trade goods. The overland route was approximately 6,400km and lasted several years. No single animal completed the entire journey and mixing of breeds occurred as unplanned matings happened en-route. The journey ended in the Mediterranean ports of Greece, Italy, the Middle East and Alexandria in Egypt.

In Greece donkeys were found to be ideal animals for working on the narrow paths between the vines. Their use for cultivation in vineyards spread through the Mediterranean countries to Spain, whose coast at the southern tip is separated from North Africa by only a few miles - possibly another entry route for the African wild ass.

The Roman Army was responsible for the movement of donkeys into Northern Europe. Donkeys were used in agriculture and as pack animals. The Romans used donkeys in their new vineyards, some planted as far north as France and Germany. Donkeys came to England with the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43.

Working Worldwide for Donkeys
The Donkey Sanctuary works throughout the world helping to improve conditions for working donkeys and mules.The Donkey Sanctuary currently has projects in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Egypt, Mexico, Spain and other European countries. The projects vary from research into tropical diseases of both national and international importance, to mobile clinics and sanctuaries providing free clinical treatment and advice on management, husbandry and nutrition in donkeys and mules. The Donkey Sanctuary is also engaged in investigations of transportation methods of donkeys and mules throughout Europe.

There are an estimated 59 million donkeys and mules in the world today and the majority are to be found in developing countries. Incessant droughts resulting in increased cattle mortality have contributed to an increase in donkey usage as draught and pack animals in both rural and urban areas.
Donkeys are used for work and in many circumstances are a lifeline to families in their everyday tasks, such as water, and wood fuel collection, land cultivation and transportation of produce to market.

About The Donkey Sanctuary
Just outside the town of Sidmouth, in Devon, The Donkey Sanctuary is home to around 500 donkeys. Set in unspoilt farmland and countryside, visitors return time and again to meander among the donkeys and absorb the serene and relaxed surroundings.

The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by Dr Elisabeth D Svendsen, MBE in 1969 and was registered as a charity in 1973. The aims of The Donkey Sanctuary are to prevent the suffering of donkeys worldwide through the provision of high quality, professional advice, training and support on donkey welfare. In the UK and Ireland permanent sanctuary is provided to any donkey in need of refuge and the Donkey Sanctuary has taken over 12,000 donkeys into its care.

Sourced with kind permission of The Donkey Sanctuary

Telephone 01395 578222 Fax 01395 579266

email [email protected]
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU


For more information on the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust please visit:

www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk