Research projects

Our major research projects are funded by The Donkey Sanctuary and utilise some of the best scientists and researchers working within other institutions. We can use their knowledge, skills and technical expertise to further increase our understanding of donkeys and mules.

Multipurpose donkey and hybrid cart prototype.
J. B. Rodrigues
Duration: 1 January 2024 - 30 September 2026.

The valuing donkeys project.
Laura M. Kubasiewicz, Tamlin Watson, Natasha Chamberlain, Caroline Nye, Cara Clancy
Duration: 1 January 2018 - 31 December 2023.

The role of working donkeys and mules in disaster recovery and community resilience.
Cara Clancy, Laura M. Kubasiewicz, Tamlin Watson
Duration: 15 December 2020 - 15 December 2021.

Protection from the elements - part two.
Britta Osthaus Faith A. Burden Leanne Proops, Emily Haddy
Duration: 1 May 2018 - 31 March 2021.

Human-animal relations in the Brazilian Northeast: a socio-anthropological case study of donkey trade.
Mariana Bombo Perozzi Gameiro Cara Clancy, Faith A. Burden
Duration: 15 January 2019 - 29 June 2020.

Equidae hindgut anaerobic fungi: a key unexplored taxa of central importance to dietary fibre degradation.
Joan E. Edwards Jan Dijkstra, David A. van Doorn, Henk Everts, Faith A. Burden Sarah Worth, Hauke Smidt, Wilbert F. Pellikaan
Duration: 31 July 2016 - 30 November 2019.

Harness pressure mapping and the development of technology for animal traction: a contribution for the welfare and performance of working donkeys.
J. B. Rodrigues Chris Garrett, Luís Aguilar, Eduardo Santurtun, Andrew Judge, Fiona Cooke, Aitor Garcia-Tomillo, Francisco Albuquerque, Tomás de Figueiredo, Luís Queijo, João Paulo Coelho, Eduardo Pousa J. B. Rodrigues
Duration: 30 September 2018 - 29 September 2019.

Evaluating scientific methods and production practices for assessing the nutritional and hygienic quality in haylage for equids.
Kate le Cocq, David R. Davies Michael R. F. Lee, Paul Harris, Nikki Bell, Faith A. Burden
Duration: 1 November 2018 - 31 May 2019.

Reframing benefits of equid assisted activities: An analysis of engagement between autistic children and donkeys.
Michelle Whitham Jones Samantha Hurn, Tim Fawcett
Duration: 1 January 2016 - 31 December 2018.

Control of biting flies of donkeys using fly traps.
Richard Wall Charlotte Chivers, Abby Parravani
Duration: 1 January 2016 - 31 December 2018.

Molecular characterisation of cerebral trypanosomiasis in working equidae in The Gambia.
David Sutton Jean Rogers, Liam Morrison Demelza Kingston
Duration: 1 January 2015 - 31 December 2017.

Can citizen science help assess donkey welfare using qualitative behaviour assessment? How do visitors perceive donkey emotions?.
Francoise Wemelsfelder, Wendy Watson Natalie Cook
Duration: 31 May 2016 - 30 May 2017.

Understanding the socio-economic impact of donkeys.
Helen (Becky) Whay Henry Buller Martha Geiger
Duration: 24 March 2015 - 22 April 2017.

Protection from the elements - part one: a comparative study of shelter use, hair density and heat loss in donkeys, horses and mules.
Britta Osthaus Faith A. Burden Leanne Proops, Emily Haddy, Sarah Worth, Nikki Bell, Kristin Hayday
Duration: 31 May 2016 - 30 November 2016.

Donkey welfare standards on milk/meat farms in Italy.
Giulia Segati, Emanueala Dalla Costa, Faith A. Burden, Andrew Judge Michela Minero
Duration: 31 March 2015 - 31 March 2016.

Investigation of asinine pulmonary fibrosis.
Bruce McGorum Nicole du Toit, Harriet Brooks Brownlie, Faith A. Burden Amy Miele
Duration: 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2015.

Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (equus asinus) in the UK.
Harriet Brooks Brownlie Faith A. Burden, Mulugeta Getachew, Elizabeth Hazell-Smith, Valerie Patrick, Ryan Trawford
Duration: 2 May 2011 - 29 August 2015.

Essential oils in the management of the donkey louse, bovicola ocellatus.
Richard Wall Faith A. Burden, Bryony Sands Lauren Ellse
Duration: 4 October 2010 - 31 December 2014.

Epidemiologic and molecular analysis of sarcoid cases in a herd of donkeys in Northern Italy.
Sabine Brandt Faith A. Burden, Lubna Nasir
Duration: 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013.

Efficacy of trypanocidal agents in field conditions in working equidae in The Gambia: a prospective clinical study.
David Sutton Jean Rogers, Liam Morrison Alexandra Rafferty
Duration: 1 January 2013 - 31 December 2013.

Insecticide resistance in lice at The Donkey Sanctuary: strategies to mitigate its effects.
Richard Wall Eric Morgan, Faith A. Burden Lauren Ellse
Duration: 1 October 2010 - 30 September 2013.

Out of Africa - evaluation of bioactive plant extracts for endoparasite control.
Jane E. Hodgkinson, Jacqui. B. Matthews Claire Scantlebury, Gina L. Pinchbeck, Faith A. Burden Laura Peachey
Duration: 30 September 2010 - 30 November 2012.

Effectiveness of pyrantel treatment in donkeys: evidence for resistance.
Hany Elsheikha Faith A. Burden Edwina Lawson
Duration: 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2011.

Quantifying the comparative efficacy of sustainable parasite control programmes.
Matthew Denwood Sandy Love, Jacqui. B. Matthews, Faith A. Burden Anna Moore
Duration: 1 April 2010 - 30 October 2011.

A seroepidemiological study of African horse sickness in Limuru and Lari districts, Kenya.
David Kihurani Mulugeta Getachew, Soloman Onyango Mary Gichure Nyambura
Duration: 1 April 2010 - 31 July 2011.

Risk factors for the development of hyperlipaemia in a population of donkeys.
Andrew F. Trawford, Nicole du Toit, Elizabeth Hazell-Smith Faith A. Burden
Duration: 31 May 2009 - 29 April 2011.

Pain recognition in donkeys.
Neville G. Gregory Faith A. Burden, Lisa Morrow, Karin Klinglmair, Kristien Verheyen, Ken C. Smith, Richard J. Piercy, Ayin Q. Alvarado-Arellano, Florence Elphick, Gemma McDonald Gabriela Olmos
Duration: 1 October 2008 - 8 April 2011.

Epidemiology and control of donkey trypanosomiasis and their vectors in the Lamu Islands.
Faith A. Burden, Mulugeta Getachew, Andrew F. Trawford Phoebe Mukiria, Raymond Mdachi, James Mutuku, Kennedy Wanjala, Johnson Ouma, Grace Murilla
Duration: 1 December 2008 - 29 May 2010.

Dental disease in donkeys: frequency and association with colic and body condition.
Gina L. Pinchbeck Christopher Proudman, Barrie Edwards, Faith A. Burden, Andrew F. Trawford, Lee Gosden Ruth Cox
Duration: 14 March 2005 - 31 March 2007.

Gastric ulcers in donkeys: prevalence and effect of diet.
Alexandra K. Thiemann, Andrew F. Trawford, John Gallagher Faith A. Burden
Duration: 1 January 2005 - 31 December 2006.