The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-09

CONCERNING THE DONKEY.
He Has Some characteristics That
Are Not Wholly Unintere.ttnx.


In the care OF donkeys in our climate It IS
common mistake 10 suppose hat they
are not sensitive to cold. A donkey, ON
the contrary. cannot begin to stand the
degree of cold which is comfortably sup
ported by the horse. In other respects.
he is far easier animal TO care for than
the horse. AS beast of burden his en-
durance Is greater he may be fed coarse
heritage and viii thrive upon H. His coat
needs regular brushing, but not that par
ticular grooming without which the hc~se
cannot be kept in health. In England
the costermongcrs donkey is so invalu-
able to his master that he is known as
'the poor mans horse" while In France
the baudet and in Spain the barrico--a
larger. heavier type OF ass which IS used
for mule breeding-is Of equal Importance.
The term donkey refers TO the ordinary
dun color of the ass coat and has come
10 be the popular name by which he IS
known TO Englishspeaking people. In the
treatment OF the donkey the essential
thing 10 remember is to house him warm
y In winter, being careful never 20 ex-
pose him 10 snow or 10 extreme cold
The staple food for the ass in summer is
grass, but II hard work and long daily
journeys are required OF him he must
have cats and beans in moderate ananti-
ties His staple winter feed is good hay.
with roots. Turnips and carrots are cx-
cellent roots, OF which the animal never
tires. Still another mistaken idea is that
donkeys like thistles AS a matter os
fact, the donkey will eat thistes II moth
ing more appetitizing be offered him. he
is not dainty In his tastes, but win eat
almost anything, very like the goat The
thistle as delicacy. however. is really
enjoyed only by the camel
As a pet. the donkey IS a most inoffer-
sive animal. which may be cared for by
any fairly Intelligent man or boy. instead
OF an experienced groom. His only vice
Is that OF obstlnacy. which Is the natural
outcome OF generations of harsh and in
considerable treatment. His mouth In so
calous TO the BIT that II is n temptation
10 ignorant boyhood to consider the poor
creature incapable OF feeling pain. His
thick hide and rough coat fortunately pro-
tect the body from the torturng sung Of
flies.
The donkey is not excitabie. but his
emotions are strong enough TO make him
devatedly fond of a master who win pet
him and care for him. When he is train
cd by kindness he VIII learn To follow
like dog. Because Of the ass even tenn
per the Egyptians much prefer the ass
to the horse, except, We are told. on "oc-
casions of parade" The horse is chiefly
valued in the East as "A charger for war
purposes the ass is the back for daily
use where the much-enduring camel is not
employed A wealthy Copt Will give as
q
stature and easy PAGES. Even ut
the present day the native Egyptian likes
to ride the quiet ass, which neither rears,
plunges nor SHES and keeps a steady
pace, fast enough under a tropical sun.
But Mr. s sidney. an English writer 81
authority on the equine species. does NOT
fancy the donkey as a mount for a boy
to study horsemanship. The donkey. he
declares has not riding shoulders and
does not afford a proper seat for saddle.
The riders OF donkey races sit on the hind
quarters Anatomically considered. the
ass Is essentially a beast for the pack sad
die" Its callous mouth will lead the
equestrian into bad habits. II he has later
to deal with the exQuisitely tender
mouths Of horses. All donkey riders act
hacked in Oriental saddles must hold on
by ihe bride. habit fatal 10 coed horse
manship"
on the other hand Mr.. sidney speaks
enthusiastically OF what may he done Win
donkeys In harness. A good i0nkey Ia
invaluable for family use when he Is har-
messed 20 a cart Of appropriate siae. As
"a humble servant of an work he IL not
expensive to purchase or 20 feed" villa
r. well trained donkey cart load ~ chill
dren Is safe from the danger of those
sudden chullnous 90 excitement whlCh
sometimes brings the soberest PONIES 20
grief" Mr.. sidney goes on 90 say ihat
the London costermaugeF haShgfs OK
ffuit nsh and vegetables are hy no means
unkind ia the treatment Of their donkeys
The pace az which the cnstefs asses
travel. the distance they c0mFieie in a
Lay with a weIi,oSlAuccd load on their
clever gu-carts. and the sleek appearance
af the animals pFcve that IN che main
they are well treateH-often better treated
,han the eosters' wives-and they mast be
well fed The owner q g very fast don
key ca the Brighton road In anFwcr 20
ar inquiry az 20 how be FED hlFn, replied
Like q raceboss Our Animal Friends.