Difference Between Horses & Donkeys

While horses and donkeys both are part of the equine family, they should not be assumed to be the same type of animal. They have different behaviors, lifespans and physical features, such as their ears and fur. They even have different names for the males and females, but they are close enough genetically to be able to breed together.

  1. Appearance

    • The ears and eyes of a donkey are larger than those on a horse. A horse usually has a softer, smoother coat than a donkey, whose coat tends to be longer and more coarse. Donkeys also lack the undercoat that a horse has, which protects it from the elements; this makes donkeys more susceptible to conditions such as wind, rain and wet snow. A donkey's hooves are smaller, stronger and more upright than a horse's hooves. Horses need to be shod more frequently than donkeys.

    Anatomy

    • A donkey has thicker neck muscles than a horse does, and these muscles cover the jugular vein; this means injections or blood samples must be administered higher or lower on a donkey's neck than on a horse's neck. According to Dr. Susan Burnham, a veterinarian in Graham, Texas, a donkey's body temperature varies more than a horse's (and changes throughout the course of the day), and donkeys tend to have a lower rectal temperature than does a horse. Donkeys do not have the fifth lumbar vertebra in their spines the way horses do, with the exception being the Arabian breed of horse.

    Reproduction

    • Donkeys remain pregnant for approximately one month longer than do horses. Horses have a gestational period of about 11 months while donkeys average 12 months, but can give birth anywhere between 11 and 14 months. Horses tend to be slightly more fertile than donkeys. Horses and donkeys can be bred together. If the mother is a horse, the baby is called a mule; if the mother is a donkey, the baby is called a hinny.

    Gender

    • Gender terminology is different for donkeys and horses. A male intact donkey is called a jack, while the horse equivalent is called a stallion. Male donkeys and horses that have been castrated are both called geldings. A female donkey is called a jenny (or jennet) while the horse equivalent is called a mare. Baby donkeys and horses are both called foals. However, donkeys are called jack or jenny foals, based on sex, while horses are considered colts or fillies.

    Lifespan

    • Donkeys tend to live longer than horses. The average lifespan of a horse is 25 to 30 years, while donkeys live an average of 30 to 50 years.

    Behavior

    • Donkeys and horses tend to behave differently when frightened or put in a stressful situation. A horse is more likely to spook and run away, while a donkey is more likely to assess the situation before reacting. Donkeys are generally more intelligent than horses, but are often considered to be more stubborn.