11 Photos of Donkeys Carrying Heavy Loads

Their small stature makes them cheaper to feed than a draft horse, and their ability to hold large quantities of heavy materials on their backs makes them a great help for farmers or for others living remotely. Donkeys across the globe are indispensable for helping us to carry and transport our belongings — whether hiking into the mountains or carrying ballot boxes to polling stations. So, we’ve rounded up 11 of the mightiest-looking donkeys around.

Courtesy Shutterstock.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A loaded mule on high Atlas mountain.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Reuters.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]An elderly man in the capital of Tunisia leads a loaded donkey.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Flickr/Hannah Pethen.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A donkey carries newly fired pots up to a main road.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Shutterstock.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A donkey carries a heavy load of straw.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Flickr/European Commission DG ECHO.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]Darfurian refugees from Sudan, along with donkeys carrying straw for buildings and feed.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Flickr/goatchurchprime.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A man stands with a loaded donkey.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Shutterstock.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A donkey caravan in Nepal.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Flickr/Tim & Annette Gulick.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A donkey carries bails of hay down the street in Addis Ababa.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Shutterstock.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A small white donkey in Cape Verde carries a bundle of cut plants.[/mf_h5]

Courtesy Shutterstock.

[mf_h5 align=”left” transform=”uppercase”]A shepherd with a caravan of donkeys carry supplies, food and equipment into the Himalaya mountains.[/mf_h5]