eating thistles

donkeys have such soft velvety muzzles, but their desert lifestyle means that they are well adapted to eating spikey and thorny foods. I dug an enormous thistle up in the chicken run and gave it to them. The spikes went straight through the builder's gloves I was wearing but the donks don't seem to mind.

They also love blackthorn and brambles

[Kirsty Alexandra]

Oh I love this! What a great photo. I just love donkeys and i can almost hear them munching on these thistles!

[Meagan]

Such a great photo!! Amazing job Jan!

[Judith Greenwood]

Ouch - I could get them to sort out my weeds ;0)

[Jan Hall]

@judithg you ycould Judith - trouble is they would sort out any trees, hedges and wooden fencing too

[carol white]

Love this,a super shot!!

[Sheri]

What a great shot!

[sandra]

Tough cookies!

[Vickie]

Really nice shot :)

[Boxplayer]

Ha - that's fun - donkeys and thistles.

[BeckyS]

cute!

[☠northy]

this is really wonderful... love the pov and crop... and the interesting donkey facts!

[Ellen Young]

Oh how this looks like it would hurt ! Ouch!! Great Capture and again a wonderful pov! :)

[Helene]

fun! and great pic!

[Maggiemae]

Good old tough donkeys! Goats will eat this too but horses seem to leave them!

[Juliette Packham]

goodness, the thought of it sets my teeth on edge!! A great shot though -you've captured the contrast of the thorns and the softness of their muzzles really well

[Jane]

OMG Jan this is amazing.... never seen anything like it and how they can do that is incredible... only got to brush past a thistle myself and I am squeaking from the spikes .... and the donks are just gorgeous... got to be a fav for sure ♥

[jerry plume]

Ouch! This is a great capture, Jan! I love the composition! Cute!

[Margo E. Dearbhail]

wow.. incredible that they can eat that without problems!! your pics are awesome!!

[Julie Ryan]

ha ha cute shot