These were the draught animals used for transportation. Many agricultural tasks depended on the force of these animals, such as the working of wells to obtain water, the operation of animal driven mills for grinding, and the performance of many tasks in the fields. With the onset of mechanisation, the use of these animals fell into decline; in fact this happened to such an extent that there is now a recovery plan for the Mallorcan donkey, which finds itself in danger of extinction.
The situation for horses is somewhat different, this being due to the success enjoyed by equestrian activities, especially chariot racing in Palma and Manacor.