"Smart, composed, prudent, and contemplative": The Fascination of Donkeys Persists
In the heart of the British countryside, two remarkable stories unfold, centred around the humble donkey. For Jo Meehan, a professor at the University of Liverpool Management School, and Esme Higgs, an equestrienne with a global following, these animals have become more than just pets – they are family.
Fifteen years ago, Jo Meehan fell in love with three donkeys: Ferguson, Edric, and Spud. Today, they reside on her smallholding, providing mental enrichment for the donkeys and visual beauty for the Meehans. Jo, along with her husband Vinny, has taken great care to rewild their smallholding with the donkeys' needs in mind, planting native grasses, wildflowers, and wild herbs, and working with the Woodland Trust to reinstate hedgerows and plant a new woodland.
Esme Higgs, with her 970,000 YouTube subscribers and over two million social media followers, has built up her own fanbase due to her cheerful and informative videos about her countryside lifestyle. Two of her donkeys, Willow and Bruno, sadly passed away within months of each other, prompting an outpouring of sympathy and support from her global audience.
Donkeys, often misunderstood, are often considered grumpy, stubborn, or stupid. However, this is a deeply unfair reputation. Donkeys are, in fact, prey animals with a keen awareness of their surroundings and the emotions of their companions, including humans. They have been shown to boost mental health, according to farmer and BBC's Countryfile presenter Adam Henson.
Adam Henson currently has several donkeys at his Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power, Gloucestershire. He spoke about the unique bond between humans and donkeys, highlighting their role in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Donkeys in Clovelly, a picturesque fishing village in north Devon, have been integral to the village's way of life for centuries, carrying goods up steep, narrow streets before being replaced by wooden sleds. Today, they are primarily used for photographic purposes and parading around the village.
John Rous, custodian of the Clovelly estate, currently oversees four young male donkeys, each with their own character. One of them, Ferguson, the largest and most confident of the Meehans' donkeys, had previously participated in donkey-assisted therapy sessions. Edric, the oldest donkey, is the smallest and takes time to earn trust. He is the leader of the pack. Spud, known for his playful and mischievous nature, is often found taking items.
In Clovelly, the donkeys' evolution from African wild asses is evident. They have a propensity to freeze and engage a "fight" response when threatened due to their evolution in mountainous environments with sparse vegetation and widely distributed water sources.
Katy Birchall, a journalist and author who has written several young adult and teen novels, romantic comedies for adults, and romantic sports fiction for adults under various pen names, is another individual who has found a special connection with donkeys. Her admiration for these animals is evident in her work, adding another layer to the fascinating world of these often-overlooked creatures.
