Does Anyone Own A Donkey?

[johnworf]

I've just bought a donkey for my grandchildren to ride. He's 12 and is from a petting farm. He is still settling in but seems a little sad. He's in with horses and ponies currently but I am looking to get another donkey friend for him.

Any hints or tips for keeping donkies?

Donkeys, more so than horses form very strong pair bonds. I’d be checking with the petting zoo that he didn’t have a special buddy, and if so asking how much they want for them. If he was a lone donkey there or his pair died then I’d contact the donkey sanctuary (they have sites around the UK) asap to sort out a suitable new buddy and get their expert advice.

Although also equids, donkeys do have distinct needs to horses (eg their coats do not produce the same waterproofing oils so in a UK climate they need far more fastidious rugging and access to shelter).

@Astronutter I never realsied that about their coats not being waterproof until I saw country file. I remember thinking thank god I don't have donkeys as I would have thought they would manage fine in mild wet weather!

It makes sense when you think that their origins were middle Eastern/ Northern Africa desert type regions, but I only know as a local pony sanctuary have a load of donkeys and post on their care!

I'm looking for a buddy for him. I'm told a gelding would probably be best?

His last (brief) owner left him out in the rain as she didn't realise donkeys feel the cold and rain and now he has a sniffly nose. I stabled him last night as the weather was awful.

Donkeys often have a goat or even a chicken as a friend. My dad worked for the donkey sanctuary for many years and they’d often get donkeys that would come in with their goat or chicken friend.

My mam's donkey is absolute best pals with a goose called Henrietta, since his donkey buddy passed away a few years ago. They're joined at the hip and never to be parted. They definitely need a friend, they really do pair bond so closely (not always with another donkey!)

I hope you've quarantined him before mixing with other horses, especially with the sniffly nose 😬. As said donkeys pair bond and often not with horses who can be a bit wary of them. Another donkey is the best place to start or you could end up with a zoo while trying what else he likes 😆

I think we need a pic… please!

I already have chickens but they're in my garden and not kept with the horses 😊
I did mention to the girl who has the stables about his cold and she told me to put him straight in with the horses (2/5 of them are hers).

I would love goats but the field isn't secure enough, sadly. I know goats are escape artists and need robust fencing!

I've asked about rehoming via the Donkey Sanctuary and hopefully they will come back to me next week.

Oh he's very lovely. I have donkey envy. A strangles test would be a good idea before going in with the other horses. I'd love a pair here but I have neighbours and know they would be driven mad with the braying.

😍 thanks for the pic.
i have just added ‘give a home to a donkey’ to my life goal list. I love donkeys. They are apparently under huge threat in southern africa for the chinese medicine trade :(

Oh my, look at your wee donk 😍. Please update us when you get him a friend. We have goats and agree they are massive escape artists

For your pleasure https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-19/donkeys-to-protect-stock-in-nsw/102741256

That's amazing! Such clever creatures 😍

I have 3. As well as not waterproof watch food they need very little compared to ponies but do need roughage. They are also not stubborn. The donkey sanctuary rn lots of free donkey courses.

I have 2 donkeys now! We bought Stuart about 3 weeks ago as a friend for Sid. They get on so well and will bray for each other when one is out of sight. I have put them in a very large stable together when the weather is bad and I'm looking for ideas to keep them occupied during the winter months when they're indoors. They are not fond of coming inside.

I've checked out the Donkey sanctuary pages and there's some good ideas on there and they have licks and a trickle ball.

We need a picture of them both now OP, it’s the rule !

@johnworf don't forget a good worming programme. Speak to your vet about this especially if sharing fields with horses.
Why will they have to be inside over winter? They will need to spend time outdoors with rugs on.
As someone else has said, make sure they have access to roughage ie hay when inside.

Here's my boys ❤️

Ah well done! They look ee - awesome.!!

The vet is coming on Monday to do their teeth and check them over so I'll be mentioning worming then.
They will be inside during the bad weather over autumn/winter but have access to the arena for exercise. The grass area won't be used as it gets really boggy which isn't great for their feet.
Inside the stable they have a hay net each and I feed them a small 'breakfast' of chaff/no sugar beet and donkey balancer. 😊

No advice but I read your post last time and I've been hoping he had found a buddy. They look very contented.

They get on so well and will bray for each other when one is out of sight.
😳

Best donkey buddies 🐴

What is Donkey Balancer? Wonkey Donkey prevention?
I love a donkey.. As a very young dc all I wanted for Christmas one year was a donkey sanctuary adoption membership where you 'picked' your own donkey . Bransbury place of rest for donkeys or something like that. if I recall. Cripes it was over 40 years ago!

Donkeys just have sad faces