Category Archives: Colorado Donkeys

What Does “Equine” Mean?

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Photo by Jonathan Diemel on Unsplash.

The word “equine” has its origins in Latin. It is derived from Latin meaning “pertaining to a horse”. The Latin word “equus” means “horse”. It is often used in English and other languages to describe things related to horses and horse-like creatures. Continue reading for more information on how we use this word in English. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Answering The Question: What Does “Equine” Mean?

Equines include a relatively small number of species compared to some other animal families. There are three extant (currently living) equine species commonly recognized—horses, donkeys, and zebras. Horses are the most domesticated equine species. They come in various breeds. We use them for various purposes, including riding, racing, work, and companionship. Donkeys, also known as asses, are closely related to horses. Horses are hardy animals and we use them in agriculture and transportation, especially in regions with challenging terrain. Most people recognize zebras for their distinctive black and white striped coat patterns. There are several species of zebras, including the plains zebra, mountain zebra, and more. Unlike horses and donkeys, we typically find zebras in the wild. In other words, humans have not domesticated them to the same extent as other equines.

The term “equine” is also an adjective that pertains to or relates to horses, donkeys, and other animals of the horse family. It describes characteristics, attributes, or things associated with these animals. Equine anatomy refers to the study of the physical structure and body parts of horses and related animals. There is also equine behavior is the field of study that explores the behavior patterns, social interactions, and psychology of horses and equids. Equine industry is a term that describes the collective businesses and activities related to horses, including horse breeding, racing, riding, and more. Another big term is equine medicine. This is a branch of veterinary medicine, specifically for the health and medical care of horses and related species.

Colorado Donkey Facts

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Many people associate donkeys with horses, but they are very different. For example, donkeys have long ears and can hear the call of another donkey up to sixty miles away. They can also use them as a fan, cooling them down and keeping bugs away from their face. Continue reading for more donkey facts. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Interesting Donkey Facts

Did you know that the digestive tract of the donkey is also different than a horse? Though they are anatomically similar, a donkey’s digestive tract can do a lot more. Donkeys evolved in the desert. Since food is more scarce in the desert, donkeys evolved to utilize ninety-five percent of the nutrients in what they eat. Their digestive system can break down vegetation that a horse’s tract can’t. They can also extract moisture from food much more efficiently than a horse. However, this doesn’t mean that donkeys can eat whatever a horse eats.

Horses eat a lot of grains. It is very common to find things like alfalfa and other grains mixed into store bought horse feed. Donkeys should never eat alfalfa that is found in carbohydrate, protein, or sugar feeds. Unless your donkey is experiencing weight problems, they don’t need any grains. Like some horses, most donkeys can become overweight very easily. They can even develop fat pads along their crest, back, and croup, which is very bad for their mobility.