Donkeys in Britain Donkeys were among the first animals after cats and dogs to associate with man, and were certainly one of the first draught animals used by man when he took up agriculture. They form the subject of many cave paintings in Europe and Africa. In the Past Donkeys originally arrived in Britain many centuries ago with the Roman legions. The Romans used them both as pack animals and harnessed four abreast to draw wagons full of supplies. Later we can find working donkeys, harnessed and drawing a carriage in Anglo-Saxon paintings, shown pulling a plough in Sussex on the Bayeux Tapestry and more recently there are many pictures of Queen Victoria driving her donkey.
Today There are very few working donkeys in England today.
A few farms are run with their help, they are companions to nervous horses and newly weaned foals, water is raised by them at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight, and there are also donkeys fetching and carrying in Clovelly. But of course in many developing countries a donkey is a person's most prized possession, being its owner's tractor, family car, shopping trolley and companion, all rolled into one. The Society was formed over 25 years ago and helps to oversee the well-being of donkeys in Britain today. Nowadays it is much more likely that the donkeys you will see will be family pets, often being shown , driven , taken for walks, teaching youngsters to ride or just being a well-loved companion. All rights reserved.