Talk To Me About Donkeys

[LockeMeadows]

I have one of the greatest husbands one could ask for and this year has been rough on our family. I started a "real" job and DH has taken over many of the farm chores that were once mine. For several years, he's talked about wanting a donkey, but I let it go in one ear and out the other. Now that he is out with the horses every day, I think it is time to get him a donkey and Christmas is just a few days away.

Please tell me the pros and cons of having a donkey with horses. Are they terrible critters or are they pretty good natured in general? I've only met a few and all seemed to have great dispositions. Are they bad like goats (into everything, eating horses tails, etc)? We have a very quiet herd and I don't want to up-set the balance. I do want to keep the DH happy and I think he would love a donkey more than anything. He enjoys the horses, but doesn’t have one of his own. Each spring, he shows youngsters on the line, so he’s pretty adept at handling a less than cooperative critter.

[pricestory]

Donkeys are God's sweetest creatures and much smarter than horses. We got our first, a small standard jenny, for my mentally retarded son so he could have an animal in the pasture. I now raise minis.
It would be easier if you can find one that has been use to being handled. They have reputations of being bad with farriers but mine stand, untied, in the barn aisle to get their feet trimmed, each watching the others to be sure the farrier does it right.
They are air ferns and it is very easy to have them get too fat. They need access to shelter always since their coat is different than horses and they don't like to get wet. Care, shots, wormer, feet is like horses only I do ivermectin every other time since they can get lungworms and pass them to your horses.
Mine live with the horses except for the last 3 months of preg. while I am keeping them off fescue and for about 1 month after the babies are born. And there is nothing cuter than a mini donk baby, abouth 20" and 20 lbs.
Life is easier if you make them think whatever you want them to do is their idea. Instead of a flight instinct like horses, they plant, which is why folks say they are stubborn. They aren't stubborn, they just like to think about things.
They will definately add a positive demension to your life.

[TikiSoo]

My BO has a donkey as a companion for her two geldings. Not a mean bone in his body. Or, maybe he's just too plump or lazy to kick. I rode him once bareback and it was the smoothest trot surprisingly!
She did have a bit of a tough time with his hooves, apparently donkey hooves should be trimmed a little differently than horse's. Don't know the details, though.
Those ears! That bray! Our donkey, Burdock is the light of our lives-the barn mascot.

[Trakehner]

Does he want a donkey or a mule? You can ride some of the larger donkeys and just about all the mules.

Does he want a mini-donk or a nice smaller donkey? I was at New Holland auction several weeks ago and there was a 3 y.o. donkey little girl named Abbey I really wanted (couldn't get a break on her board, so had to pass her by)...she was very cute.

Just make sure, whatever long-ear you get has been handled, can touch their ears, work on their feet and isn't a total heathen to deal with. The donks do great with horses (can be bossy to them) and can really really be noisy...really noisy!

Good luck! I've only got one mule, and he's a ball.

[Sugarbrook]

I have a little donkey. Patty Cake came to us 22 years ago in the back of a pickup truck from a neighbors farm. She is just a delight and gets along well with everyone. Their feet can have problems. We treat her just like the ponies. They do take just a bit of food. And, what was already said, they dont like to be pushed into doing things. If its what they think of as "their idea" life is good. I can't imagine our farm without Patty. We love her.

[monstrpony]

THE most delightful creatures! Like have a large, animate stuffed animal in your barnyard. I got mine when my old mare passed away and my (then) riding horse was alone at my new-ish farm. I didn't want to go through buying another horse at that point, so I got one donkey and ended up with two (mine are minis; they do prefer their own company, but can do well in a group of horses--in my case, it was clear if I took the horse anywhere, the lone donkey would be unhappy). I now have the two donks and two mid-teens geldings, which means I have critical mass for a "herd" without having to keep four horses.

Pricestory covered the details about care. If you have good horse-sense and respect that they are different in some ways, you will be fine.

And, mine are not noisy; the occasional bray if I'm late at feeding time, and my girls get a little more so in the spring when they're checking for any stray boy-donkeys in the neighborhood. Oh, and I have one dog who starts to sing every time an emergency vehicle w/ siren goes by on the 4-lane, and once in a while the donkeys will join in ...

[Creaghgal]

I recently got a baby & the antics are a blast to watch. Yes, some tail chewing was started but a dash of Tabasco put an end to all of that. Yes, I have come out to find a horse in the nude & the blanket being used as the greatest toy ever, (Tabasco went on that too) My two play like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TToDPqk95WM) for hours.

Honestly, there is no comparison to the affection a donkey will give you.

[Frank B]

If you're looking for a smaller one, try some of the mini-breeders. Many times one that is a little too large for their breed requirements can be had at a good price. Whatever you do, make sure you get one that's well-trained.

For a comprehensive look at donkeys and mules, go to www.lovelongears.com (http://www.lovelongears.com) , explore the website and visit their bookstore. The Definitive Donkey contains loads of valuable information.

"The Mule Paddock" at www.ruralheritage.com (http://www.ruralheritage.com) is another good source.

Meridith Hodges' site, www.luckythreeranch.com (http://www.luckythreeranch.com) offers additional books and videos (donkey dressage, anyone?).

[Good Old Sledge]

We've had donkeys and mules through from time to time and yes, they are smart, pleasant and funny. They can even be useful. There's always a church that wants to borrow one for a live nativity scene about this time of year. And, a few years ago, we had a tough little warmblood weanling that wouldn't lead. We coupled his halter to the donkey's (Aviv, who couldn't have been 10 hands) and after a short day of being dragged around by a determined little donkey, that yearling would go anywhere we wanted him to!

[aspenlucas]

LockeMeadown. I wish you were closer.. I am in Central NE PA. I'm trying to place a VERY special donkey I have, if I can find him the perfect home. He is out with 14 other horses ages 1 to 39.

[Paddys Mom]

Donkeys are God's sweetest creatures and much smarter than horses. We got our first, a small standard jenny, for my mentally retarded son so he could have an animal in the pasture. I now raise minis.
It would be easier if you can find one that has been use to being handled. They have reputations of being bad with farriers but mine stand, untied, in the barn aisle to get their feet trimmed, each watching the others to be sure the farrier does it right.
They are air ferns and it is very easy to have them get too fat. They need access to shelter always since their coat is different than horses and they don't like to get wet. Care, shots, wormer, feet is like horses only I do ivermectin every other time since they can get lungworms and pass them to your horses.
Mine live with the horses except for the last 3 months of preg. while I am keeping them off fescue and for about 1 month after the babies are born. And there is nothing cuter than a mini donk baby, abouth 20" and 20 lbs.
Life is easier if you make them think whatever you want them to do is their idea. Instead of a flight instinct like horses, they plant, which is why folks say they are stubborn. They aren't stubborn, they just like to think about things.
They will definately add a positive demension to your life.

Excellent post and I ditto it!
I love my Hector.
He keeps my horse and pony company but does not mind being left home alone. Gets fat on air and charms the alpha mare into sharing her grain!

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/21004/2620511960056982365S600x600Q85.jpg

[Leather]

A friend of mine got a donkey named Norma this fall to help halter-break her foals.

I guess she was quite skittish and non-trusting when she first arrived, but within a few weeks of being handled kindly she warmed right up.

George (Norma's 5 month old son) is the cutest sweetest thing. I told my friend she could rent him out to people having a bad day and he'd cheer them right up.

This is George with my friend's 7 year old daughter:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/jovianrider/IMG_1838.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/jovianrider/IMG_1839.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/jovianrider/IMG_1840.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/jovianrider/IMG_1841.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/jovianrider/IMG_1842.jpg

[draftdriver]

My little Jodi (10 hh) fit right in with the horses right away. She can be opinionated, but is generally co-operative about feet, shots, etc.

You can not handle an unco-operative donkey the same way you do an unco-operative horse! It just won't work! The donkey will grow roots, and nothing short of a fork lift will move it. Not saying I've had to resort to this, mind you. When Jodi gets stubborn, I have to convince her that what I want her to do is something SHE wants to do, too. She is very cautious about new things. She loves to learn tricks -- I've taught her how to Bow and Curtsey. I'm working on Say Please (one of her rusty-nail vocalizations).

She's cute and very interesting. I wouldn't hesitate to get another. In fact, I'm thinking of breeding her next summer, provided I can find a nice Jack.

[theoldgreymare]

We have a donkey as a companion for some of the retirees.....he is very laid back and easy going with all. He is smart as a whip though and is quick to figure out how to open gates, dump troughs, etc. He is VERY mischevious! As draftdriver said, handling an unwilling donkey is not like handling a horse. Our guy has terrible issues with the farrier and just getting him in from the field for the farrier can be a challenge. Donkey's are incredibly strong for their small stature and can either plant themselves or take off if they don't want to do something (at least that is the case with ours). We absolutely love our guy's personality but he is sometimes a huge lesson in patience and perseverance. I'm not sure if this is the case with all donkeys or just ours who is a BLM who had little handling in his life.

[Personal Champ]

Join the club - I bought hard-working, non-horsey hubby a donkey 2 years ago for his birthday. He wanted one, and he's so good about helping me with the horses, I did.

They are so cool. Ditto to everything said so far, and good luck finding one.

ETA: Aspen, I'm in NE PA and am looking for another - is yours a mini??

[pricestory]

I will add this for anyone who is having problems with donkey toe trims. I used a multi step process which works for me.
When the girls come in to eat in the morning, I lock them in the barn, which is the center aisle and their stall with hay. Then I come back a few hours later and put their face jewelry (halters) on and they get a treat. No one gets a treat until their halter is on. They stay locked in the barn with hay until the farrier comes that afternoon.
They have been 100% better about the whole thing since I divided the task, catch, halter, tie and trim into many steps with sometimes hours in between.
I also have a great farrier who gets on his knees to trim them and usually has one with her head on his shoulder the whole time.

[monstrpony]

One of mine stands like a rock for foot trims, the other can be a bit fussy. I just wait her out and we usually get it done w/o trouble.

Now, worming can be interesting. They see me coming with one of those fat, white syringes, and I have donkeys who can *move*! Again, I'm just persistent and they give up pretty quickly, and then I stick it in their mouth and squirt, and then they wonder what all of the fuss was about.

I once tried loading one of my girls in the horse trailer by myself. Not possible. She simply saw no good reason to get on That Thing, especially w/o her sister, and politely said "No." If I'd had another person, we could have gotten her on just by outnumbering her, but by myself, it was just not going to happen. While you can almost always get a horse's feet moving, not so with a donkey, esp a small one. At least not in any productive direction. I'll admit, I haven't gotten my donkey feel working very well; they are different than horses in that way.

[Paddys Mom]

One of mine stands like a rock for foot trims, the other can be a bit fussy. I just wait her out and we usually get it done w/o trouble.

Now, worming can be interesting. They see me coming with one of those fat, white syringes, and I have donkeys who can *move*! Again, I'm just persistent and they give up pretty quickly, and then I stick it in their mouth and squirt, and then they wonder what all of the fuss was about.

I once tried loading one of my girls in the horse trailer by myself. Not possible. She simply saw no good reason to get on That Thing, especially w/o her sister, and politely said "No." If I'd had another person, we could have gotten her on just by outnumbering her, but by myself, it was just not going to happen. While you can almost always get a horse's feet moving, not so with a donkey, esp a small one. At least not in any productive direction. I'll admit, I haven't gotten my donkey feel working very well; they are different than horses in that way.

That's funny - my Hector is the easiest of my equine residents to deworm. He loves it and grabs the syringe and doesn't want to let go. He will follow me around begging for more!

Also, he hops right in the trailer.

For the farrier - well, we joke that we have a different donkey every time out. Some days he stands like a pro. Some days he is good for the fronts and half-heartedly kicks out with the hinds while I try to distract him with nose wiggles, ears rubs, or treats. And some days he doesn't care what distraction I have, he is NOT PARTICIPATING! Those days he gets tied up short and done anyway.

[WaningMoon]

I got my mini donkey in 1993 at one yr of age. He is very good with the farrier and has his feet done every four weeks. He did spend a bit of time being overweight so he has the floppy neck now which will never go away the vet said. He has "worked" the manger scene on several occasions. He just loves to ride and will get right in the back seat of the car when I had the station wagon and he could. Loves my grandkids. Hee Haws every time he sees me which can get to be a bit too much at times but thats okay. He is very loving and will shake hands. He lives with my mare who was born in the pasture with him.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/Born2Bloom/horses/summer08069.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/Born2Bloom/horses/echo006.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/Born2Bloom/horses/jakeonwayhome-1.jpg

The last one is of him sitting on a couch on his way home the day I bought him. These ppl has a nice couch in the van I borrowed and I tried my best to keep it covered and him off of it but no doing, he was sitting on the couch.

[monstrpony]

The people I got my girls from said they often had folks pick up their baby donks in a car, or the back of a van, or in a SUV. Maybe mine were offended that I hauled them in a (*shudder*) horse trailer. Next time, I'll try the back seat of the Corolla ;).

With the worming, they get a bit of heads up--I have one horse who's had some rough history, and I have to do him first, and its a bit of a production. He is getting better every time, but it's enough to give the girls warning that it's time to par-tay when I get those white syringes out.

[Tutt]

Mine has started a blog--she's opinionated
http://angel-ears.livejournal.com

Other donkey owners, join in...please!

Seriously, Angel is the best, and she's been that way since she arrived nearly seven years ago. In that time, she's "taken care" of five TB geldings. She would always stick with whichever was turned out. They all adored her.

At my old place, she knew when my horse went to a horse show, she had to go to another field and babysit an older TB. She had to go through three gates to get there. But whenever my horse loaded on the van, she would go to the gate, ready to go help the old guy for the day.

Like another poster said, she does not like trailers. And she won't budge if she doesn't want to move!!

When I wanted to buy a donkey, though, I had a hard time finding them, especially standard size ones. She came from a farm in Amissville, but I'm pretty sure her herd was sold a few years ago. Minis seem easier to find.

[Sugarbrook]

Paddys Mom: Our Patty LOVES, did I say LOVES?? worming. She, like yours, will grab the syringe and not let go.
We found, a number of years ago, that the farrier was a problem. So, we brought her into the barn aisle way and dropped some alfalfa hay down for her ( a real rare treat) and she never moved. Success!!

Patty is such a suck up. She eats with our lead pony mare. A mare no one else would dare go near. I cant figure out how she does it. She is only loud if we forget to do something. Keeps us on our toes. We love her to death.

[GoForAGallop]

Patty is such a suck up. She eats with our lead pony mare. A mare no one else would dare go near. I cant figure out how she does it.

Oh jeeze, I thought my little mule was the only one with that talent! My gelding is an Alpha, and that's alpha with a capital "A". He NEVER lets anyone even get CLOSE to his hay pile, or the water buckets when he's drinking, or even ME when he wants some attention. He will take a break from eating and beat any horse who dares to slink too close to him.

However, Henry the mule is able to walk right up to his hay pile, and nibble. He can drink from the water bucket at the same time. He can even NIBBLE on him! I don't know how he does it. He also gets along fabulously with the other gelding that I board...he'll go and roughhouse with him for hours, and then when he gets sick of that and wants to be left alone, he'll go chill near the Alpha. (Cause the other gelding doesn't dare set foot near him! :lol: He's like the "safe place" in games of tag!)


Now, like I said, my guy is only half donkey, but I'll agree with what everyone else has been saying, just from my own experience. If they don't want to do something, they won't. There is no way you are going to be able to bully a donkey into doing anything. I tried that a few times, and all Mr. Mule did was just plant his feet more firmly. He's only 13.2 but he's a strong little bugger.

He LOVES people. LOVES THEM. He will willing give up his horse friends and even food to run up to the gate to greet new people.

It took him a while to settle in and like me, and for the first few months I was so sure that I wasn't a mule person. I tried bribing him with treats, just interacting with him, etc....nothing worked even though the same stuff would have had any gelding glued to my side within days. (Not speaking for mares...they're a whole 'other breed! :lol:) However one day, and it was literally overnight, I went out to the barn and had a new shadow. A complete change has come over him, and he is now my bestest friend in the world. I still can't get him to do everything I want, the first time, but he was more willing to entertain my ideas than he was before, and always ends up doing whatever I want done. He's just a whole nother animal, and I'm now a certified mule person!

[Cindyg]

I only know one, and mine's a mini, so these comments will only apply to my guy.

He is very low maintenance. He stays fat and furry year 'round on very little feed. He does like shelter. While my horse stands out in the winter rain and wind and the summer sun, my little donkey prefers to be sheltered. He also likes a lot more salt than the horse.

Mine does not bray night and day. In fact, for the most part, he's silent. He will occasionally bray at me, begging me to come out and feed them. And the bray is loud. But it's so adorable!

In temperament, mine is very gentle. I suspect he's been mistreated because he doesn't entirely trust me; but he is gentle and friendly, and frequently slips his body under my hand when I'm working with the horse. Also, frequently he is between me and the horse, often demonstrating the exact thing that I'm trying hard to get the horse to figure out! (This has happened SO MANY TIMES that it could not be a coincidence!)

The 10-hand, maybe 400 lb. donkey is definitely dominant over the 15.2, 1400 lb. horse. When I got the donkey, he was so small, I thought my horse -- who *I* thought was so dominant! -- would beat him up. Ha! The donkey took one look at the horse, and said, "Move over, buster! This is my territory!" Fortunately, with the horse's size advantage, things balance out. :)

The farrier has no trouble with my donkey. Eeyore had apparently never had his feet done when we bought him. They were awful! But after 4-6 good trims, they've been perfect. The vet -- well, the little fellow has knocked the OLD vet flat several times. I warned my NEW vet about this, and he started out with a gentler approach, and they have gotten along well.

The donkey is very gentle around children. In general, he moves slowly and is not inclined to panic or spook like a horse would.

He's all over any canine that ventures into his pasture. If you have barn dogs that have free run of the place, you'll want to think about this. I'm sure they can be acclimated to each other. But the donkey's instict is to efficiently rid the place of canines.

He does not chew on things he's not supposed to chew on. He does not go through, over, or under fences like a goat would. He is a bit more playful than the horse (who is a senior citizen), and he does instigate some horsey games; but these are not disruptive. Just good clean equine fun. We all enjoy it. He has occasionally carried off a halter that I dropped on the ground, but not to chew it up. It seems to be a playful gesture.

The donkey is much less cooperative than the horse. But he doesn't have any fight in him. It's more of a passive resistance. He'll come when you pull, but you do have to pull. He has no light feel to him. I canNOT imagine poor pregnant Mary having to ride one all the way to Bethlehem! And poor Joseph having to pull him along! LOL!

When you think about it that way, a donkey is a perfect Christmas present.

We really do like ours and wish we had gotten him sooner. :)

[bf1]

Love my donks! Can't imagine life without them now. They play more like dogs - tug of war, king of the mountain etc. Bray when they see me - just to remind me they are out there. But I can't imagine having only one - they are such buddies. And they walk single file - funny to see their paths in the snow.

And no, they don't spook like horses - a donkey's reaction is to stand still and watch before running. I have to restrain myself from collecting more! I would love a bigger one! And maybe a spotted one.......

I am sure your husband would love a couple for Christmas. And if he doesn't, well, you know where you can rehome them!!!

[chai]

I agree with everyone here...donkeys are so much fun. They are smart, affectionate and full of mischief. My only caution with them would be to make sure you have the right fencing. They are master escape artists. My standard donkey could take a rail from my post and rail fencing in his teeth and work it back and forth until it came out. Only the lowest one, though, so he could eat grass on the the other side of the fence to torment my horses, who couldn't get out with him. We lost him to Lymphoma after 18 years and I really miss him:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/eastmeadowfarm/barnaby.png

We now have Lovey and Thurston, two mini donkeys who were given to us last year. They are hilarious, but Lovey is a total Houdini. She can get out of anything! They are so cute. Every time I drive in the driveway or walk by the barn or their paddock, they bray to me.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/eastmeadowfarm/2008_02242608feb0006.jpg

I also agree with the others: deworm with ivermectin to kill lungworm, make sure your farrier knows that donkey hooves have a different, more tubular shape than horse hooves, and don't overfeed them. Be careful if you have a dog, because donkeys will protect their herd. Their hold and strike can be lethal. Even my mini donks can be like little Rambos if a strange dog comes into their paddock.

I guarantee you will have a laugh or a smile every day if you get a donkey...even better if you get two!

[CanterQueen]

Talk to me about a mini's feet and how they should be done by the farrier. My farrier seems a bit clueless and this is my first mini-donkey. Any pictures or links to websites would be very much appreciated.

And yes, my little mini-donkey is the life of the pasture, and the boss. 16.1 TWH gets pushed around by this little guy. He's wonderfully playful and keeps the neighbors dogs (and sometimes the neighbors) off the property in quick time. Love the longears!!

[Waterwitch]

love Love LOVE my mini-donk Francesca. We call her the stealth donkey because she will appear out of nowhere, standing behind your knees waiting for you to back into her and give her a scritch. She gets along very well with our horse herd. Not noisy, though she does a cute little sort of pre-bray that sounds like a squeak when she wants to "whisper" to get your attention. She loves strongid and panacur and will beg for it (not a big fan of ivermectin though). Loves my farrier, who uses her back as a table for his tools while he trims her feet. Tolerates the kids climbing all over her with good humor, but bites naughty foals in the knees. Loves peppermint horse treats and is the gentlest, softest treat taker ever, safe for even the smallest and most careless of fingers, but after 10 years on the same farm with the same water tank, still favors the "approach and retreat" method for drinking just in case there's a gator in there ;) Oh, and she HATES rain - will high tail it for the run in if it starts sprinkling. She is not a critter chaser, more of the mosey in the general direction of the offending/novel creature type. Not sure what she would do if a genuinely threatening predator entered her field.

Funniest thing on earth is a happy donkey trotting and galloping around doing donkey spins.

Here is a pic of our girl:

http://www.flyingharp.com/images/Francesca.jpg

I am jealous of you going donkey shopping for Christmas! What fun.

[Rancher]

I got a baby mini jack donkey for Christmas last year. His name is Burrito. He is the greatest animal ever. He was scared at first. Halter broke, but terrified of everything. I kept him in a small pen with a shelter and just went out everyday and hung out with him. He became just the tamest thing. I have NEVER seen him bite, kick or act silly around people (unless you are trying to trim his hooves...but even then it's just empty threats). All sumer he was loose in they yard during the day and he would wander up to the house. I have a daycare and I can have as many as 8 kids playing in the yard. He will wander up and let them play 'house' with him and dress him up and brush him, etc. He just stands there and takes it. He is free to go back in the pasture at any time....but he prefers to be around people. Right now he is housed with two med pony mares age 18 and 23 and a 10 year old sheltand X gelding. Him and the gelding really get playing. The worse he has done with the other horses is grab them by the tails..but a quick kick cures that problem. He is my mans favorite animal out here. He likes to walk around the property with Burrito following him like a dog. Burrito doesn't like getting his hooves trimmed. Once he was so frustrated with it that he threw himself down on the ground and just lay there while I finished. Works for me! I would rather have him lay there in a temper than be wiggling around.

[LockeMeadows]

Thank you all for helping me out on this one. DH has no idea, but I'm sure he'll be thrilled. He enjoys all critters great and I've been ignoring his pleas for a donkey for several years.

[pricestory]

Funny short story
The first time I needed to load my little jack to take him for a driving lesson, I was going to have to do it by myself so I gave myself 1 1/2hr. I stepped into the trailer held out an alfalfa cube and said, come here, Buster. He just jumped in. Then the problem was how to kill 1 1/2 hr.
I've sold 10 babies and none of them have left in a horse trailer but 1 and 2 I delivered.

[bf1]

That reminds me of my donkey loading story. I was taking them to a friends summer camp - to let the kids play with my donks etc. I have a Featherlite - with a big ramp. They would not go up for anything, anytreat. I tried one, I tried both, I tried putting jumps along side etc. Wouldn't go. That took over 30 min. Then, out of desperation, I decided to see if they would jump in the side door. Up they went, easy as pie. I felt rather foolish for not trying it sooner......They were no doubt wondering what took me so long!

[Creaghgal]

chai - Your donk in the first pic is positively smiling. What a ham. Sorry he's gone.