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Another popular activity was riding donkeys/burros which were commonly available on English beaches. Donkey rides were a popular feature at seaside resorts in Britain. This was not an exclsively British seasise activity, but seems to have been more popular in Britain than any other country. This may have developed because so many donkeys were being draught animals in the cockle industries when the tourist trade began to develop during the 19th century. The children were allowed to ride donkeys on sandy beaches. This devloped in to a commercial activity. The children are often led in groups at a safe walking pace as very young children are involved. Sometimes the donkeys had their names on their harnesses so they could be identified by children who like using names for the donkeys they are riding. This was a favorite with the children and no accident that we see Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. The children were often photographed on the donkeys by the photographers who worked on the beaches. We also see family snapshots, but many of the photographs seem more the work of photgraphers. Here we see a 19th century image. Donkey rides continued to be a beach mainstay until after World War II. This activity declined after the War especially after the 1960s. We are not precisely sure why, but suspect that sanitation and environmental issues are at play. We also notice concern over the donkeys, such as protection from overweight children. There are also demands that the donkeys be given at least one day off a week. A British reader tells sketches out the current situation, "Recently in Blackpool there was a big RSPCA investigation into a family who were ill treating their donkeys and not looking after them in the Winter months. It led to prosecutions. I was reading recently about the rules and regulations about keeping donkeys and their working hours for the donkeys working the Blackpool beaches. There is a concern with animal rights groups about exploitation and the activity is less popular today with the children. None-the-less lots of church Garden Parties and local functions will have donkey or horse rides for children. I have seen donkey rides all over the world at local attractions. They were doing good business but it was young children which were attracted to the rides. For me it was camel and horse riding."
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