Seaside donkeys providing rides to tourists face welfare challenges from weight overloading, heat, and continuous work without adequate rest.
Seaside ride donkeys face welfare challenges from overweight riders despite guidelines, heat stress during summer work, hard surfaces causing hoof problems, and insufficient rest periods. Continuous work carrying weights at the limit of guidelines across many hours causes cumulative musculoskeletal stress. Public pressure means operators may continue working animals showing early lameness signs. Well-regulated operations with shade, water, and rest periods can provide acceptable welfare, but enforcement is inconsistent.