Temperature means the nature or character of the animal. Part of the temperament of an animal is inherited and part is learned from the treatment by other animals or by the people who raise and handle the animal. Temperament is reflected in animals' reactions and responsiveness to things around it. Docility is the most preferred temperament in all draught animals.
- Cattle, some of the cattle may have vices, for example, tendency to kick or butt. However, the temperature should not be judged on short acquaintance. An exhibition of nervousness or fierceness, for instance, may actually be a symptom of the spirit that all good working cattle require. Experience has shown that it is often those cattle that are initially the most difficult to handle which eventually prove to be the best workers.
- Buffaloes, Buffaloes exhibits docility and mild manners that make them so easy to train and manage at work that in many instances no restrictive controls are necessary.
- Horses, The temperament of a horse is often a breed characteristic( there are hundreds of breeds of horses), however, it will vary within individuals of the breed. Generally, horses have a quiet and great temperament and stamina. They have an intelligent yet humorous disposition. However, some horses have a tendency to kick. A well-trained horse is calm, amiable, easy-going, willing, ready to please and trustworthy.
- Donkeys, Donkeys have a very calm temperament and certain behavioural patterns. Donkeys are very intelligent. Properly trained donkeys do many things without direct supervision. Donkeys brought up in close contact with humans are mild and placid and can be controlled by children. Male donkeys are territorial and when they fight each other or defend themselves from attack, they use their teeth, their hinds legs and sometimes their forelegs; they kick and bite. When a donkey is tired, it may refuse to work and is unlikely to be beaten into doing something it doesn't want to do.
- Mules, Mules have a reputation for being obstinate and bad-tempered. They can not be forced to do anything but they must be persuaded. The mule's legendary stubbornness is, in fact, a manifestation of the talent for self -preservation. Mules are only bad-tempered if they are handled incorrectly and with a lack of understanding. They kick but only do so in self-defence when they are offended or think something is going to hurt them. By intelligent handling, it is quite possible to foresee occasions on which a mule is likely to be stubborn and avoid them. However, mules should be castrated to avoid them being aggressive.
- Camels, The camel is an amenable, patient animal and is easily trained for work. However, when the male camel is in a rut, its usefulness as a working animal greatly diminishes. He loses appetite, often suffers from diarrhoea and lacks body vigour, is exhibitionist, irritable, intolerant of rivals and lacks discipline. Strength of the animal does not permit assessment of whether the draught animal can carry out specific agricultural work. It is the tractive effort available, whatever its speed, which gives information on the capabilities of the draught animal for the work to be carried out. The idea of power is involved in the calculation of output but the agriculturist usually relates work achieved to the area worked.
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