Donkey Experience Please

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Pen

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I'm looking at getting a companion for my cob as have just lost her previous pony companion. I'm trying to decide what would be best all round option and am considering a donkey. But my cob is on permanently restricted grazing - could this be suitable regime for a donkey bearing in mind that extra bucket feeds could be given? Also would a donkey in general, be amenable to usual horsey routines and would one be 'good company'? I'm not keen a Shetland type pony as would have to redo fencing to keep it in although grazing-wise their needs would probably be similar. Any other ideas? Tia
 
they don't like the wet. can carry lung worm. can be stubbon as mules and drag you everywhere. Can be affectionate and lovely.
 
Donkeys are not horses, that's the first thing to remember, and can be stubborn little beggers when they want. A restricted paddock would be good as they can live on fresh air and most kept with horses tend to get really fat. Lung worm is easily eradicated if you worm regularly, and the all the usual routines (farrier, vaccinations, worming) need to be carried out. I have a mule, who is amusing if a bit grumpy, and he's a good companion to all my three horses, including the stallion.
 
I just LOVE donkeys, but I think it's kinder to them to keep them in pairs? All the ones I've known have had very close friendships with another donk that isn't really the same as the acceptance they've had from a horse. IF the horse accepts them that is, i know Millie just thinks of them as sport and won't let them rest if she's in the same field as donkeys.

They are fabulous characters though, clever, really bright sparks underneath the slightly dopey faces ;)
Agree they aren't good in the wet, they take forever to dry out and really aren't waterproof. And like Cortez says they can live on nothing.
 
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Donkeys have no waterproof oils in their coat so will always require shelter, they just get soaked to skin in rain. They also need hardstanding as their hooves are more permeable than horses so can't stand in wet.

Restricted grazing sounds good as ours gets fat on very little.

Some horses will be terrified when they first meet a donkey, but they get used to it very quickly. Our donkey finds it amusing when we have a new horse to terrify said new horse by braying to scare the s#*t out of them and then waiting till they calm down then braying again.

We have had our miniature donkey for 20 years this year, he is a character. From experience ours is extremely stubborn if you try and load him in to a trailer it's like trying to force an elephant to do something not a miniature donkey, however, if you leave trailer open he will go in of his own accord, he once jumped in through the grooms door.
 
You could consider a mule- you get a lot of donkey benefits in a slightly more British-weather friendly package.
I've got a mule yearling and she is the sweetest little thing
 
TheMule said:
You could consider a mule- you get a lot of donkey benefits in a slightly more British-weather friendly package.
I've got a mule yearling and she is the sweetest little thing
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Yup, definitely a mule! They need competent handling but as such funny little characters. The ones I've known all live on fresh air as well!

Plus who could resist this little face!

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Thanks everyone for all advice. I'm not sure it would be fair to keep a donkey here in west of Scotland where rain is the norm. I take the point about keeping them in pair bonds and their different temperaments. Maybe a mule would be a better fit although probably harder to find - I do so love those gorgeous ears. Lots to think about.
 
Get fencing OP, you're in Shetland country :D Alternatively what about a retired Highland? Our horsey neighbours have several and they seem a nice easy horse to handle and not prone to flightiness or escaping (unless some idiot rambler leaves the gate open...). They also appear permanently plump so the diet regime would suit.
 
Pen said:
Thanks everyone for all advice. I'm not sure it would be fair to keep a donkey here in west of Scotland where rain is the norm. I take the point about keeping them in pair bonds and their different temperaments. Maybe a mule would be a better fit although probably harder to find - I do so love those gorgeous ears. Lots to think about.
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I have one you can have.....:-)
 
Pen said:
I'm looking at getting a companion for my cob as have just lost her previous pony companion. I'm trying to decide what would be best all round option and am considering a donkey. But my cob is on permanently restricted grazing - could this be suitable regime for a donkey bearing in mind that extra bucket feeds could be given? Also would a donkey in general, be amenable to usual horsey routines and would one be 'good company'? I'm not keen a Shetland type pony as would have to redo fencing to keep it in although grazing-wise their needs would probably be similar. Any other ideas? Tia
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Yes they can be stubborn and carry lungworm - but we worm our donkey the same time and product as the horses so no problem there. She has a stable at night and rugs as they are not water proof like horses and ponies- we watch her diet, and they best on a donkey feed like this as it has everything they need https://www.burnhills.com/equestria...LrXBbX6fR-4xKcGC1954NgdwdqbPc2wRoCW4MQAvD_BwE.

Donkeys can jump too as ours tried to jump the 4 ft fence to be with the ponies in the summer, they can be noisy too around dinner time I def recommend having one in your life :D She is also trimmed when horses done
 
If there are near neighbours, please consider them. A donkey in full braying mode at 3am can cause upset. I'd love a donkey but my field is too close housing :(
 
I haven't had one but one thing I remember reading is that they are incredibly stoic and are the last to show any pain. They also have an incredible memory and hate rain as their coat is different to a horses and is not as waterproof so need rugging in the rain.
 
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