Please tell me why I shouldn't foster donkeys

There is a pair of miniatures next to my work and if their owner doesn't supply breakfast at exactly 10am they make the loudest noise known to man, they are however adorable.
 
rara007 said:
If you have horses they can give them lungworm?
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If they are wormed along with the horses and worm tested there is no problem, I have had my donkey since 1993 and she has never caused any problems to the horses.

She is also a good alarm clock when you lie in lol

Having owned on since 1993 there are plenty of us donkey owners to give you advice and help. My girl at her best for working things out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsz8yL_nC94

Also Dinky rugs make loads of fly hoods and rugs for donkeys and even cashel do a donkey hood now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cashel-Cr...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item3cc7e0bafe

http://www.tackandturnout.co.uk/epa...ps/jr29kctxxscu/Categories/18_Donkey_Products

and special feed for them


http://www.horsehageforage.co.uk/WP/?page_id=56

So no reason to get donkey's
 
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HGA-12 said:
If they are wormed along with the horses and worm tested there is no problem, I have had my donkey since 1993 and she has never caused any problems to the horses.

She is also a good alarm clock when you lie in lol

Having owned on since 1993 there are plenty of us donkey owners to give you advice and help. My girl at her best for working things out
[youtube]vsz8yL_nC94[/[youtube]
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How do I get the Youtube link to work please? I want to see your donkey! :)
 
No don't get donkeys, you will spend all your time hugging them and rubbing the bases of those amazing ears (oh, and picking up extraordinary quantities of donkey poop). They are great companions for horses even if the horse is scared sideways at first, they become obsessed with 'their' donkeys. And did I mention the escaping?.
 
TTK said:
No don't get donkeys, you will spend all your time hugging them and rubbing the bases of those amazing ears (oh, and picking up extraordinary quantities of donkey poop). They are great companions for horses even if the horse is scared sideways at first, they become obsessed with 'their' donkeys. And did I mention the escaping?.
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You so right my welsh A loves Melody and when Melody slips behind the house (her bit of paddock goes round the side) My pony screams and screams for her even though her b/f is in her field she hates when melody goes out of sight.

Melody's field is including my patio ( as in video) and goes round the side to a 12/12 bit of long grass hence pony can't see her
 
The Donkey Sanctuary are currently saying I can't have a pair if I am going to keep them with my horses. I don't understand that, I see donkeys with horses in lots of places. Anyone know a rescue without that rule?
 
ycbm said:
The Donkey Sanctuary are currently saying I can't have a pair if I am going to keep them with my horses. I don't understand that, I see donkeys with horses in lots of places. Anyone know a rescue without that rule?
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Try any rescue place.

What reason did the DS give?

In a way I can understand, they are only looking out for the donkeys best interests.
 
The Donkey Sanctuary say a lot of silly things TBH. Yes, donkeys must always have company as they become very bonded (hence the rule of only rehoming in pairs), but having them with horses really isn't an issue as long as they are introduced sensibly and the horses don't have a violent dislike of them.

I have just the one donkey, he has spent most of his life with horses and doesn't even know he isn't one. I also have two mules who have mixed with horses and they too can't tell the difference ;)
 
Oh and about the rug issue, yes it can be difficult to find rugs that fit around the neck properly as donkeys are very narrow and pigeon chested, but I've found Horseware rugs fit perfectly.
 
You really do need a donkey in your life...

Rupertsittingdown.jpg
 
Enfys said:
Try any rescue place.

What reason did the DS give?

In a way I can understand, they are only looking out for the donkeys best interests.
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No reason was given, but they appear to have agreed to a site inspection and if the welfare officer approves it will be ok. I suspect they are concerned about there not being enough space or shelter, but I've got lots, so no problem there.
 
Ok,will do my best to put you off.!Donkeys can get pneumonia or bronchitis if subjected to rain or very cold weather.Rain seeps into their coat making it very unpleasant for them.They originate from hot countries and will need to come in during freezing gales snow and ice.Their hooves are porous and can become diseased if standing in wet areas for too long.Worming-drugs are less effective and resistence is developed more quickly in donkeys.They can harbour lungworm without showing signs of infection and transfer the infection to horses who are much more sensitive to the effects of lungworm.It is easier to detect lungworm larve in donkeys than in horses by fecal count and many sancturies use the "intelligent worming "method to control it.
I cant imagine it being less work than looking after a pony which can be expensive and time consuming.There is a donkey near where I live in a field in with a group of ponies.It does look cute with its rug on and lets out a huge he haw now and then.Awww.Oops.Bet its stubborn.!
 
I have an elderly friend who's donkey is her family and best friend. The DS would not rehome to her when her last one died, she either had to have a pair and they said she was too old, but were quite happy to take the money from her estate when she dies.
She managed to find a very sad little girl who loves the one to one attention and lives almost outside her back door. The DS says they will not take her donkey in when she dies has she hasn't got a pair, so by default I will eventually end up with a donkey.
 
honetpot said:
I have an elderly friend who's donkey is her family and best friend. The DS would not rehome to her when her last one died, she either had to have a pair and they said she was too old, but were quite happy to take the money from her estate when she dies.
She managed to find a very sad little girl who loves the one to one attention and lives almost outside her back door. The DS says they will not take her donkey in when she dies has she hasn't got a pair, so by default I will eventually end up with a donkey.
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Yes, there is an old saying 'you always leave a donkey in your will'. This is because they are very long lived (donkeys years!) I think between 30 and 60 years is the normal span!
 
Mister Ted said:
Ok,will do my best to put you off.!Donkeys can get pneumonia or bronchitis if subjected to rain or very cold weather.Rain seeps into their coat making it very unpleasant for them.They originate from hot countries and will need to come in during freezing gales snow and ice.Their hooves are porous and can become diseased if standing in wet areas for too long.Worming-drugs are less effective and resistence is developed more quickly in donkeys.They can harbour lungworm without showing signs of infection and transfer the infection to horses who are much more sensitive to the effects of lungworm.It is easier to detect lungworm larve in donkeys than in horses by fecal count and many sancturies use the "intelligent worming "method to control it.
I cant imagine it being less work than looking after a pony which can be expensive and time consuming.There is a donkey near where I live in a field in with a group of ponies.It does look cute with its rug on and lets out a huge he haw now and then.Awww.Oops.Bet its stubborn.!
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They need access to a shelter at all times in our temperamental British weather. But, my donks love the snow! Nothing like an ice bath for them😀
 
The noise, that is the one downside! I mentioned earlier in the thread that my old YO had 10+ donkeys but forgot to mention the racket they make when they all start braying! I've lived down the hill from her yard since I was six (we are separated by 5 or 5 acres and a very steep hill) and the sound of donkeys braying was a memorable part of my childhood years! Normally we didn't mind it, but in the summer when it was warm and dry and the donkeys were allowed to sleep outside we would often get woken up at 4am when the sun came up and they all started shouting! So maybe if you have very close neighbours that's something you might want to think about :p
 
Looks like you will be trotting off with a pair of donkeys soon enough ycbm.Seem to be outnumbered by owners/lovers of them. Keep us updated.!
 
I was looking for a companion for my horse and rang the Donkey Sanctuary. They wanted me to go on a day course on how to look after them, they didn't want them near the horse etc, etc, etc. I gave up and bought myself two miniature shetlands instead. If you go to Ireland there are loads of donkeys-the countryside used to rely on them, they're mostly up to their knees in mud and I've yet to see one with a rug on but they do seem to thrive!! If you do want some, buy rather than rehome as then you are in charge.
 
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