Asinine research

EquInE behaviour expert Dr Leanne Proops of Portsmouth university studied 208 donkeys for 16 months and found out they don’t like bad weather. She could have saved herself a lot of trouble by asking any donkey owner.

They could have told her that, unlike horses, donkeys don’t have oil in their coats to protect them from the rain; though furry, they don’t have much protection from the wind; and despite enjoying the sunshine, they like a shady place when it is hot.

She could have found out all this information for free because owners do like to talk about their donkeys.

no wonder universities are struggling financially if they carry out research like this. HELEN GEDDES,

Ewhurst, Surrey.