Football fever has taken hold at a Devon donkey charity, with residents practising their football skills ahead of Englands World Cup opening match this evening (Wednesday 17 June).Donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary have been showing off their agility, balance and fancy hoofwork through football-themed enrichment activities at the charitys site in Sidmouth.The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off last week and is being hosted by three countries: Mexico, Canada and USA. England mens team will play Croatia in their first group match at 9pm this evening in Dallas, Texas.Residents at The Donkey Charity have been enjoying football-based enrichment activities.Natural talentDonkeys are naturally alert, sure-footed and great communicators, they thrive as part of a team and stay calm under pressure all qualities any footballer would be proud of.Enrichment activities are a vital part of the donkeys lives. They prevents boredom, ensure physical and mental stimulation and encourage them to play and interact with different objects as well as their environment.The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen who was appalled by the state of the donkeys she saw at a market in Exeter. She started buying the donkeys who were in the worst condition and The Donkey Sanctuary was registered as a charity in 1973. Since then the charity has transformed the lives of millions of donkeys around the world.Images The Donkey Sanctuary.Related content from Your HorseArsenal socks a game changer for horses and donkeys at RedwingsCharity asks Senegal totake a stand against the donkey skin tradeOur donkeys are suffering: Concerns raised for the UKs working equines as summer approachesEquine charity launches petition to urge Amazon UK to ban sale of donkey skin products6 fascinating facts about donkeys as we celebrate World Donkey DayThe post Match of the Bray: residents at donkey charity hone their football skills appeared first on Your Horse.