Dr. Faith Burden

And they have very close front feet and back feet.

And that means that they can pick their way very carefully along really steep, treacherous mountain tracks with their tiny upright feet.

that's as good as i've got for you and they're not going to endanger themselves by going over the side that does mean that they're not as fast as their horse cousins because they're different but they're perfectly adapted for the place that they are when you think about the grand canyon why do we think most of the equids working in the grand canyon are mules

it's because they're sure-footed.

So that ability to adapt and cope with really quite dangerous environments is innate to donkeys and by virtue mules.

So those little boxy feet are just designed for where they are supposed to live.

I think we have to be really clear that there are some operators and particularly small operators that do a great job.

We have to think that a donkey...

or a horse actually is adapted to travel maybe 20 kilometers a day in their natural environment, they would be exercising.

They would be seeing novel situations and they would be experiencing lots of changes of environment.

When we domesticate them, we take that away from them most of the time.

And good work where the animal's welfare is absolutely critical can be

at least neutral, not bad for the animal.

It can imitate some of what they would have in their natural environment.

But again, when profit becomes the primary focus, sometimes animal welfare is forgotten.

But if you are thinking about going on these tours or these rides, have a look at the animal yourself.

Are there

signs of infection are there sores or rubs how does the person running those rides interact with their animals are they kind are they gentle how do they talk about them do they have a name is it an it or is it jerry or romeo or whoever ask those simple questions and

And if you're not sure, don't do it.

Okay, most important thing is do not have a donkey on its own.