Donkey rides are popular entertainment for children at parties, carnivals, and resorts, particularly in the UK. Donkeys are also used for fundraising events, corporate functions, and special needs institutions. The tradition is slowly dying out, but efforts are being made to keep it alive. Donkeys are calm animals, and stables ensure their safety and well-being. Children weighing over 100 pounds cannot ride donkeys. Donkeys are also used for island tours, treks, and traditional weddings.
Donkey riding for a fee is something that many enjoy at parties, carnivals and resorts. Donkey rides are quite popular in many countries, but are particularly prevalent in the UK. Children of many ages see a donkey ride as a key part of a UK seaside holiday. Trained to behave well, donkeys are given regular breaks when ridden.
In addition to being a very popular form of entertainment for children, these rides are popular at parties and fundraising events. Some stables train donkeys for appearances at store openings, promotions and even film or theater performances. Event planners can use donkeys at corporate events, functions or for school visits. Some donkeys also visit special needs institutions and special care homes.
Donkey rides can easily be found in stables or at major leisure events. They were much more common in the past. Some believe the tradition originated in the Victorian era. While it is slowly dying out, there are some efforts in the UK dedicated to keeping the tradition alive.
Children can ride donkeys individually or in groups accompanied by a trainer. The trainer usually leads the donkey at walking pace. Generally, donkeys are very calm animals whose names can be found on their tack. This allows children and parents to collect their names at a glance.
Stables primarily carry insurance for these rides and ensure the safety of those riding the animals. They evaluate the risks and make sure the donkey doesn’t suffer. In 2008, new rules were implemented in Britain specifying one day off in a week and one hour of rest during the day for donkeys. The British Equine Vet’s Association and the Donkey Sanctuary have developed the code to standardize donkey care across the country.
Under this code, children weighing more than 100 pounds (about 50 kilograms) cannot enjoy donkey rides to ensure the animals’ safety. Donkey rides are also popular with tourists in some countries as a way to travel to a place and experience it authentically. Some island tours and treks are organized on the basis of donkey rides.
In some places, people use donkeys at weddings. Brides take donkeys to church and back in some traditional weddings. In case the distance is too great for the donkey to cover, the donkey stays in the church or in the house. People use the opportunity to pose with it for wedding photos.
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