Please tell me why I shouldn't foster donkeys
- Thread starter ycbm
- Start date
photo_jo
Well-Known Member
Your wish is granted - Melody with her heavyweight on all toasty
Didn't realise you were in Ireland :rolleyes3::rolleyes3:
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
I thought you were generalizing, I am not in Ireland no need to be sarky.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Copied and pasted from the Donkey Sanctuary's website.
Unfortunately we cannot provide donkeys as companions to horses or ponies. In circumstances where horses and/or ponies are being cared for at the same premises, it is important that these are separately managed and housed.
I wonder why? They will be missing out on a lot of possible homes if the donkeys and horses are forbidden to mix.
Unfortunately we cannot provide donkeys as companions to horses or ponies. In circumstances where horses and/or ponies are being cared for at the same premises, it is important that these are separately managed and housed.
I wonder why? They will be missing out on a lot of possible homes if the donkeys and horses are forbidden to mix.
Wagtail
Horse servant
I expect that some horses can take a violent dislike to donkeys and being so much bigger and often shod, then the potential for harm could be quite big. Horses have been known to kill other horses, sheep, and dogs, so I would think that donkeys may potentially be at risk. Obviously, most horses would be fine, but I can understand the donkey sanctuary being reluctant to risk it.
only_me
Well-Known Member
I'm in NI and I've never seen a donkey with a rug on!
My horse lives with 2 donkeys, both were rescued. They live out all year and have access to shelter & good tree shelter as well, in winter the donks eat from the big bale hayledge with my horse but otherwise that's about it for upkeep. They get their feet done when needed and wormed when needed as well
They cope fine being out in all weathers & they also love my horse (mutual!!) and are very happy to be out with him. It's lucky that my horse chases them about the field 2 or 3 times a day as this keeps the weight off them lol.
My horse lives with 2 donkeys, both were rescued. They live out all year and have access to shelter & good tree shelter as well, in winter the donks eat from the big bale hayledge with my horse but otherwise that's about it for upkeep. They get their feet done when needed and wormed when needed as well
They cope fine being out in all weathers & they also love my horse (mutual!!) and are very happy to be out with him. It's lucky that my horse chases them about the field 2 or 3 times a day as this keeps the weight off them lol.
photo_jo
Well-Known Member
Sorry I wasn't being sarky!!!!! I was meaning in Ireland they are in muddy fields and with no rugs!
photo_jo
Well-Known Member
Now I know why you're not allowed them as companions-they've killed yours :wink3::wink3::wink3:
Wagtail
Horse servant
LittleBlackMule
Well-Known Member
Some horses can have an issue with donkeys and bully them, in the same way that some horses won't tolerate other horses. Introductions have to be done with a degree of intelligence and common sense, that it seems the DS don't believe anyone other than themselves has.
ycbm
Overwhelmed
I've had a horse who tried to kill sheep. My current two are, I think, about as safe as any two are likely to be, I've got plenty of space, I'll build them a shelter that only they can get in, and I think we'll be ok. I going to see them tomorrow, I think. Names please, OH wants Cheese and Biscuit!
LCH611
Well-Known Member
Our neighbour in Ireland puts his 2 donkeys onto our land, and we derive great amusement from them when we are over there. They are known as the stealth donkeys as they are able to materialise from nowhere at the sound of a gate opening (who KNEW donkeys had such a lightning turn of pace when it came to being able to get down the side of a mountain?!) and either tiptoe up and ambush anyone that has gone to try and find a mobile signal, or do their best to get into the house. They have very fixed ideas about when they are expecting a little something for breakfast and don't hesitate to protest if it is running late. They seem happy to eat all sorts of odd things - for example I was spraying nettles and looked behind me to discover they had got into the garden and were playing grandma's footsteps and blissfully licking the graze-on off the plants I had sprayed...... with evidently no ill-effects
only_me
Well-Known Member
Oh my horse has never tried to kill them, he doesn't chase with malice! He chases them for fun - he never gets close, and just canters along with them and does it 3 times a day max lol. It's very funny to watch, the donks never try to kick him and nor does he, they just canter about for 5 mins and then go back to eating! If the donks didn't get their daily canter then they would be morbidly obese and probably have laminitis- the chasing helps keep weight off
I like cheese and biscuit! Or you could do lemon and lime, Timone and pumba?
D66
Well-Known Member
Triumph and Disaster.
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
So true😪
happyclappy
Well-Known Member
Never heard that one from them bore, and they do say some weird things. They do not need rugs, but must have shelter as their do not have waterproof coats. Diets do not have to be special for donkeys, but they should have less "calories" than even the best doer pony.They are not stubborn and not many are loud. VERY addictive. They are - oh, just get them!!!
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ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
In theory yes not in practical
New liveries are at first scared of Melody but they soon chill and get motherly with her, as for kicking rarely do they kick her as they don't want to get to close. In the 22 years I have had her she has NEVER sustained an injury from a horse.
She kicks back but her kicks do not damage as her legs don't get high enough. I think Donkey Sanctuary is being ridiculous with this statement
Crying out loud Melody has lived with horses since I have had her with no issue that is 22 years.
Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
Ninja stealth donkeys in that photo with the sleeping horse. Wonder what they are plotting? Brilliant photo!
Cobbytype
Well-Known Member
horsesforcourses
Well-Known Member
Have you got the Donks.....?
ycbm
Overwhelmed
I've tried twice to arrange to go and see them but he doesn't contact me back until after the day and time I'm suggesting. I don't think he really wants to sell them. The wife has probably told him to or something. Meanwhile one of my horses stamped on my foot on Tuesday and I'm now in plaster on crutches for six weeks, so everything is on hold. I'm just trying to decide whether to send him for beefburgers or kebabs. Which do you reckon
?horsefeed
Well-Known Member
I have 2 donkeys 10hh mini gelding and 14.2hh Poitou stallion, both are complete gents, they share a 24x24 shed/yard during winter months with my elderly TB, as there coats aren't waterproof they must have shelter, while I have LW TO's for them both they very rarely wear them. They eat a mix of dry hay and straw adlib and have access to mineral lick. During the summer they share a tiny paddock (1/4 acre) with adlib straw and mineral lick. Both are fat!! They occasionally go out in the big field with the whole herd of horses (muzzled) and they love haring round with them all! Regularly wormed to prevent lungworm, vaccinated for tetanus only and feet trimmed 2 or 3 times a year so very cheap to keep and get fun to have xx
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