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?

What a lovely thread you've started @johnworf.

I have nothing to add as I know little about donkeys except they always look so sad. I love them.

Oh I love this @johnworf - Sid and Stuart!💕💕

Gorgeous. So glad they have found a good home.

Well this is maybe the best MN thread ever.

Sid and Stuart the donkey buddies 🥰

Was just coming on to write the same. Stuart and Sid 🤗🤗

I love this thread! I’m so glad the donkeys have found each other 🥰

I am no expert on donkeys but I believe they do need company and also access to shelter as they are similar to goats in that they hate the rain. The other thing I heard years ago is that donkeys can carry lungworm which is dangerous to horses so please do check with your vet. I love donkeys but their needs are different to those of my ponies so I have never had one.

This is my favourite thread ever ❤️

They also need specialist farrier work. Their hooves are not the same as horses/ponies.

I love that you think it's something along the lines of stabilisers 😂
It's a food supplement with lots of essential vitamins and minerals.

I agree that donkeys have a sad expression (thinking of Eeyore) but they're actually very mischievious and give amazing cuddles.

They absolutely do need special care and Sid does not like his back feet being handled so the vet will be sedating him.

Donkeys and horses are quite different in lots of ways and have very different needs. I admit I didn't know this in the beginning but have read up loads since.

Absolutely. They are not as waterproof as horses - which makes sense as they originally come from hot climate countries. They also have a very different diet to horses. The Donkey Sanctuary advises to not keep donkeys and horses together - the horses in the next field are terrified of Sid and Stuart 😂

Dad, who was literally the world expert on donkey’s hooves, said to make sure they have a bit of hard standing as they need a rest from the soft ground and it’ll help wear away their hooves.

Oh my, aren't Sid and Stuart just lovely. I agree that this is a really lovely thread. I hope they bring you and your family many years of joy.

Off to talk myself out of rehoming some donkeys.

What a brilliant, heart warming thread OP, thanks so much for starting and even more so for updating ❤️

I love this, as I love Sid and Stuart!

If you're ever passing through Lancashire you'd be very welcome to visit them (along with the dogs, rabbits, chickens and bees) 😊

This is the perfect Friday thread. They are gorgeous boys.
Our local shelter has a few donkeys. When we got our cats, I soooo wanted a donkey.

Gorgeous

Oh I love Sid and Stuart! I'd love to have donkeys. Whenever I see donkeys in a field I shout 'ooh look at the lovely donkeys" to my teenage DC who have the good grace to minimally entertain me by looking up from the phones and saying 'oh, yes'.

I didn't realise until this thread how different they are to horses in terms of coat/needs etc.

I love donkeys! Sid is a beaut!!! Does he know how handsome he is?

Stuart also gorgeous.

What are their temperaments?

Will requite regular updates, please.

ooooo more pictures! ❤

It does make me very sad to hear donkeys aren't waterproof like horses. As a child my local park did donkey rides and they were frequently standing out in the cold and wet weather waiting for children. It was my Saturday morning treat. Heartbreaking 😥

Yes they do need hardstanding .we built a donkey patio!

What a lovely thread! I now feel I need a donkey or 2 in my life, if only I had a field!

They are both gorgeous ❤

We visited our donkey family in Ireland Charlie and Rosie last weekend