donkey driving in Sudan

[Sugar Baby]

I'm watching a show called Long Way Down with Ewan MacGregor. They are in Sudan at the moment and they showed footage of cart donkeys, no bits, only a makeshift halter with "reins". They also showed young boys riding donkeys with no bridle or reins what so ever. I have no idea how they were steering the donkey. Amazing what people do when they don't have all our "stuff".

 

[Minimor]

I rather imagine the condition and care of those donkeys makes a big difference too! Donkeys in third world countries are often overworked, underfed, and badly abused. If the donkey has no energy, he will be very easy to control. Actually, a friend sent me this link just the other day--I hadn't read it before.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/do-donkeys-commit-suicide--in-sudan-they-do-and-the-indian-army-has-a-problem/273910/

Pretty sad.

 

[Sugar Baby]

I would never accuse any individual of abuse without proof. On the other hand, I see first hand so many over fed and barely worked or unworked horses here.

 

[disneyhorse]

Donkeys are not like horses... They do things on their own terms and are far less likely to spook or bolt.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Donkeys are not like horses... They do things on their own terms and are far less likely to spook or bolt.

Probably the donkeys practically live with their owners. This makes a bond. I think it would be very possible to "steer" without reins.

Usually when a culture is hard on its animals, the culture is hard on the people too. Think of pre-WW I soldiers, pre-tractor agriculture, nomadic peoples.

If American animals are overfed and underworked, the same might be said of the people. But what's the answer??