Incentive for a donkey? (6)

I believe the answer is:

carrot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'incentive' is the definition.
(as in a carrot and stick)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for carrot that I've seen before include "Enticement; vegetable" , "veg" , "Red vegetable used as inducement" , "Incentive (but not the stick)" , "Orange edible root" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app