Donkeys are donkeys

I disagree with the letter “Donkey Versus Burro” (EQUUS 475), which contends that donkeys and burros are different animals. It is one animal only, of the family Equidae.

Donkeys may have various backgrounds, meaning bloodlines, which means that their bodies may be larger or smaller, some may have a black cross over the withers while others do not, one’s hair may be longer or curlier, while another may have short, straight hair. But they’re all still donkeys. It’s just the same as with horses or dogs, which come in all sorts and sizes. But regardless of color, markings or other differences, a horse is still a horse, and a dog is still a dog.

For about 35 years, I was involved with, bred, trained and farmed with horses and mules, and I have some experience with donkeys. Rodger Baker London, Ohio