Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gorgias]

Why is a horse larger than a donkey?


HORSE


DONKEY

[Rteacher]

...Maybe somebody told the horse: "Don't be an ass!"

Maybe donkeys smoke too many cigarettes when they're young, and it stunts their growth?...

(I better go now... )

[Gorgias]

A typical horse is way up there at about 500 kilos, large breeds reach 900 kilos; a big, big donkey might just get to 500 kilos, but about 200 is the norm.

This question came to me in a vision around 1999 and has disturbed me for many years. What sort of answer is being asked for? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[Lemonade]

As a horse person who's been riding and in this business for almost all my life, I honestly never thought about it. Why on earth are you asking such a question on here? Are your students asking you why? To answer your question though, it's very simple, it's called selective breeding. Have you ever heard of miniature horses? They are horses and NOT ponies. There are many many breeds of horses and breeds of donkeys, not to mention mules. So your question really isn't a very good one, sorry.

[Xerxes]

Dang! and I thought this post was about a horse's stiff one eye and some kewel beastie stuff about it all.

[Gorgias]

@Loemonade, gee, I never even thought that biology might provide an answer, thanks for your insightful remarks!

But I wonder if this is really a question of evolutionary biology (remember God's guestions to Job)? Here was a reply from another forum where I posted this question:

[Lemonade]

"Andalucian Giant Donkeys

The Andalucian Giant Donkey is one of the ancient breeds of European donkeys. The Jacks can reach 16hh (1.60m) to the wither - the same size as a large horse!

These are pure breed donkeys, not mules.

However, according to a survey prepared by the Dept. of Veterinary Science of the University of Cordoba, there may be as few as 150 of these amazing giants left.
They are a seriously endangered species.

Traditionally the donkeys have always been found in Southern Spain, where formerly they were employed in the cork forests, olive and citrus groves, and carrying out almost any heavy work, but they have been almost totally replaced by mechanisation.

Sadly, because of this, these donkeys become a liability and together with many other donkeys of pure and cross breeds, are often collected together by dealers and shipped under often quite horrendous conditions, with few stops and little water and food, to such countries as Italy, where they are slaughtered and may be used as a prized ingredient in some salamis."
http://www.giantdonkey.co.uk/thedonkey.htm


pictures of minature horses below:






It's all about selective breeding my friend:


[img]http://www.wileyhorses.com/_derived/Miniature%20Horses.htm_txt_virg&murph.gif[/img]

It's all about getting those pretty ribbons:


Showing minis is BIG HUGE BUSINESS - serious stuff:


Don't foget about it, Champions like this bring HUGE profits to breeders and sellers:

[Lemonade]