The topline of a donkey should ideally be level across, with less dip at the front and middle than that of a horse. One reason for this is that most donkeys lack the prominent wither structure of it’s horse cousin.

While a level back is preferred, there are two other back shapes: Swayback and Roach Back.

A swayback and dipped loins is a combination of faults which causes the mid & hip portion of the bone to “sag” downward. This is often associated with larger stock and is considered a fault, especially in saddle animals. The longer the back, the more pronounced the swayback, the weaker the overall structure.

Another fault, especially among breeding stock, is the roach back. A true roach back will have an upward curvature of the spine located generally between the shoulder & hips. Keep in mind donkeys frequently hunch up their backs when cold, nervous, or frightened. This can sometimes give the erroneous appearance of a roach back. To evaluate the back correctly, the animal should be observed in a relaxed situation. Feed the animal off the ground and observe. If the hump in the spine remains even when the animal is relaxed, then chances are the animal does indeed have a roach back.

In extreme cases, the actual backbone can be felt standing up in a ridge, without the fleshy coverings normally found over the back and ribs. These animals with true roach backs SHOULD NEVER be used as breeding stock. Never choose a jack with even a hint of roach back - there are already plenty of other good jacks out there to use - and a jack is half your herd. He should always be the BEST you can buy WITHOUT flaws.

We were surprised to discover that the Baudet de Poitou breeders in France actually viewed the roach back as a lessor fault than the swayback. Of course you must remember that they are in a unique situation. In order to preserve the original bloodline of this endangered species, they must utilize a jack with any faults which might otherwise never be used. Whenever possible, they do try and avoid it. Their feeling is that the upward curvature of the spine is stronger than a sagging spine, and henceforth should be a little more forgiving. During a recent visit there, at least 2 animals in France were observed to have true roach backs, but then again there was also a higher incidence of long backs. Here in the States however, with the abundance of jacks, as breeders we really should be able to avoid any jack with spinal faults, bite faults, or any other major conformational fault.

A roach back can also be associated with a ewe neck (although the two are not necessarily genetically connected - they are just often seen together) - the neck is set low into the shoulder and is longer on the bottom than on the top. Ewe necks can also cause odd head carriage in addition to being weaker and less appealing visually.

Roach backs can affect all sizes of donkeys from miniature to standard/mammoth. Additionally, it does not discriminate among gender nor equine breed type. Horses, mules, and zebras can also experience this phenonomen.

(This Page last updated: August 1, 2001)