Studies on physiological responses of Donkeys (Equus asinus) on different set of workloads

Three pairs of adult large white donkeys based on similar age, height & weight were selected for this study. The experiment was conducted on different set of workloads such as light, moderate and heavy type of work for duration of 2 hr. The physiological responses such as Respiration rate (RR/min), Pulse rate (PR/min) and body temperature (BT°C) at the end of 2nd hr of work were 38.20 ± 0.95, 51.96 ± 0.75 & 37.50 ± 0.09 during light work, 48.54 ± 0.84, 62.68 ± 1.67 & 37.53 ± 0.22 during moderate work and 55.28 ± 0.67, 76.52 ± 1.35 & 38.47 ± 0.07 during heavy work. The values of physiological responses from 0 to 2nd hr of work were increased significantly at (P<0.05). This may be due to the increased duration of work. Similarly the values of RR & PR were significantly higher from light to moderate, light to heavy and moderate to heavy work which may be due to effect of work load. The behavioural symptoms particularly sweating and panting were more pronounced and animals were completely reluctant to work during 2nd hr of heavy work. It may be concluded that the large white donkeys are suitable for light & moderate type of work for a maximum duration of 2 hr of work.