| Donkey Home Page
Photo Page (Mainly Donkeys)
Donkey Links
|
|
 |
Genral Donkey Info
'If you ask most people what they know about donkeys they would probably say “Oh I remember when I was a child, riding a donkey on the beach†or perhaps they might say “Didn’t Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey?†But in fact very little has been known about the donkey even by the veterinary profession for many, many years and it is only our work with donkeys here and abroad that has allowed us to know so much. Now, if you are thinking of getting a donkey there are a lot of things that you will want to know, and need to know, in order to look after them properly.' |
Choosing Your Donkey
'Now you have your field, your fencing and a good shelter. Your next job is to find a pair of donkeys to take up residence there!'
It is at this point that you should weigh up very carefully what you want your donkeys for and be fully aware of the commitment you are taking on. Donkeys can live to be over 40 years old so you must consider what will happen to them in, say ten years’ time when your children no longer want to ride them or you can no longer look after them. Donkeys form lifelong friendships and really love the company of their own kind. They will spend the majority of their time in the field without human company and for this reason it is much kinder for them to have a companion. Some donkeys bond closely with their friend and may become distressed when they are separated, please remember that when they arrive with you they will tend to cling to each other even more until they settle in (for the first week or two) so be very careful not to split them up during this period, as stress can trigger Hyperlipaemia.
Having taken these points into consideration you must decide what you want your donkeys for. Perhaps you want them just as pets or maybe for your children to ride or you could even want them to do light work around your property. All these factors will determine the size and the character of donkeys suitable for your needs.
Unless you intend to breed donkeys, you should not have a stallion. They can be extremely unpredictable especially if there is a mare in season nearby. Stallions need experienced handlers and are not suitable for children to handle or ride. Geldings and mares both have their own behavioural traits: playful geldings may romp around and fight like school boys, mares do come into season during the spring and summer and will “show†their interest in any male donkeys by making chewing movements with their mouths and by presenting their rear end for service. A gelding and mare combination usually works just as well as a pair of the same sex.
If you intend using your donkeys for light work or riding they should be between the ages of 4 and 25 years old and you should make sure, through a veterinary examination, that they are fit for the task in hand. You should also be aware that the average donkey of about 160 kilograms should not carry on his back more than 50 kilograms (8 stone).
If on the other hand you just want a pair of loving pets then quite often a pair of older donkeys, who could use a little bit of extra love and attention, could fit the bill.
Your donkeys have finally arrived, after having obtained them either through markets, private sale or perhaps through The Donkey Sanctuary’s fostering scheme. Now you must make sure that their introduction to their new surroundings is as carefully controlled as possible. If you have other donkeys or horses it is best to let your new animals get to know them over a fence or stable door for a while before letting them go together. Donkeys have a hierarchy system and decisions about leadership will have to be sorted out by them before they will settle down. During this first meeting period a careful watch should be kept to ensure that they are getting on with each other. When your donkeys are let into the field for the first time, they will want to explore every inch of it. When they settle down to graze then you can happily leave them to their own devices. You should be very careful if you have small pets such as dogs, cats poultry or lambs, etc., as some donkeys will chase them and try to trample them, thinking that they pose a threat.
For safety, young children should always be accompanied into the donkeys' field by an adult.
|
DONKEY TAXI AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Growing concerns for the welfare of donkeys and mules promoted as "Donkey Taxis" in European countries (mostly in Spain and Greece) has prompted The Donkey Sanctuary to set up an awareness campaign to prevent their exploitation.
|
Abro Loves Donkeys
Abro Has been a Donkey lover ever since he seen one at blackpool as a child, hes been hooked ever since and he swears by the donkey code.
|
A Couple Of Friends (Abros)
This Site Is dedicated To Michael Abrahams A Donkey Lover!
|
|
|
