Easter is a time traditionally associated with baby chicks and rabbits. But here we share baby animals just as adorable. Images of donkey foals sent to us by the members of the Donkey Breed Society who are celebrating a bumper crop of new-borns. Maisie is the newest addition who arrived last week. Owner Wendy Ross, pictured here with her new friend, says she was a complete surprise.

“We had bought her mum in late 2022 but didn't know she was in foal,” says Wendy.  “My husband went out that morning to feed our two donkeys and hey presto there were three faces peering at him through the fence.  Mum had given birth in the night with absolutely no fuss and we couldn't even tell where it had taken place. She has given us so much joy since, the whole village where we live in Shropshire is smitten”

The foals we feature here come from all over the country and the Society has over 800 members across the UK and as far afield as New Zealand and France. Chair, Rosemary Clarke says; “In the UK we have only one breed or type of donkey which traces its origins back to the Romans, but there are many breeds and types who have made their way to the UK from other European countries and from America. Miniatures and Mammoths from America, imports from France where every region has its distinct donkey breed. In Spain and Italy they tend to be the bigger types.”

Grateful thanks are due to the Donkey Breed Society, established friends of The War Horse Memorial, who have raised £577 from the sale of purple poppies during the Your Horse Live event at Stoneleigh Park, in Warwickshire, and from fundraising events within the organisation.

The charity’s motto is a busy donkey is a happy donkey and aims to provide and encourage many activities including training days, Active Donkey Awards, social events, driving, showing, trekking, ploughing and picnics. The Society supports of a variety of community/religious events across the regions.

For more information contact Society Secretary, Carol Morse, by clicking the following link societysecretary@donkeybreedsociety.co.uk