Out of Africa

It appears the miniature donkey descended from two different African Wild Asses, the Nubian from which it inherited its cross and the Somali from which it inherited leg garters/stripes.  (Note: Today the latter is found only on a few of our miniature donkeys, but was standard for all the original Sardinian ones.)  The Nubian lived in the nw part of the continent north of the present day Sahara Dessert and the Somali were east to the Red Sea area.

In 4000 BC donkeys were used for meat, but by 3000 BC the Egyptians realized their value as beasts of burden.  Donkeys were exported from Egypt by the Greeks and Romans and were used to pull wagons for such things as war supplies and wine production.  Somehow, at least by 500 BC, a small version of the Nubian/Somali cross ended up on the island of Sardinia, according to evidence found in archeological digs.  These donkeys ranged approximately between 32" and 37" at the withers.  Here they were used by peasants to grind grain in their huts or to turn water wheels.  They also continued to pull wagons of supplies for their owners.  In later years, some of these miniatures were exported to Sicily where they were fitted to elaborate Sicilian carts.

The sure footed calm little donkey served its people well, but it wasn't until early in the 20th century that it became valued as a pet and therapy animal when exported once again...this time to America.