The Donkey's
Morphology

An Animal Built for Walking

Distinct Proportions
The donkey has a morphology similar to that of a horse. However, there are a few distinctions that make a difference! It is smaller due to its short legs and has a shorter spine compared to the horse.

Height and Weight: A Wide Range
The donkey’s body, measuring between 0.9 m and 1.60 m, features a fairly compressed chest that is thicker and roughly cylindrical toward the rear. The back slopes slightly from the withers—more or less prominent—to the loins, which are straight and slightly sunken.

A Spine Built for Strength
The donkey’s spine, shorter than that of the horse, has very developed dorsal vertebrae, which explains why donkeys have strong, prominent backs.

The Morphology of the Donkey

• The tail: Set high, it hangs down, is fairly long, and has a tuft of hair at the end.
• The head: Elongated, with a white muzzle, black nose tip, and almond-shaped eyes.
• The ears: Pointed, set high, wide at the base with the inner ear facing forward. Extremely mobile, they usually measure about half the length of the head.

A Unique Voice and Well-Adapted Limbs
The donkey brays, whereas the horse neighs. Their limbs, like all equids, are long, well separated from the trunk, and built for walking. The donkey's hoof is more upright than the horse’s.