Meet Cowslip and Barnaby

Cowslip, the gorgeous grey, arrived at HorseWorld in 2005, with the handsome brown Barnaby joining her in 2011. The two now live happily together in our donkey herd and, although they get along beautifully, there is no doubt that Cowslip is very much in charge of the partnership!

On warm, sunny days this much-loved duo can often be found relaxing outside and soaking up the sunshine. When the weather turns wet, however, Barnaby and Cowslip are quick to seek shelter. Unlike horses, donkeys do not have waterproof oils in their hair, meaning that although their coats are warm, they are not waterproof. For this reason, donkeys need constant access to shelter and waterproof rugs during the winter months to keep them dry, comfortable and healthy.

Barnaby and Cowslip share an incredibly close bond and are rarely seen apart, choosing to go everywhere together. They work as a pair on HorseWorld’s Discovery programme, where they help vulnerable young people build confidence, develop trust and learn new skills through equine-assisted learning. With their loving, gentle natures and calm presence, these two special donkeys leave a lasting impression on every student they meet.

Cowslip and Barnaby love human attention and will be more than happy to enjoy a cuddle or a lovely ear scratch from their wonderful sponsors when they visit.