Help - need to convince hubby!- PICS

Bandit · 11-06-2007, 07:42 PM

I've always wanted a donkey, I think they are absolutely adorable. We have coyotes around and I always worry about our critters - horses, dogs, ducks and kitties. I think one would make a wonderful protector for our 5 acres. Hubby is not convinced and thinks they are worthless. I just found two standard Jacks for sale for $50 each that a farmer is trying to sell. Any ideas how I can convince hubby we need one and that it would not be worthless?

Also, any tips on what to look for when getting a donkey?

country-mare · 11-06-2007, 08:24 PM

If you find a way to convince your hubby,
let me know I've been wanting one to.
Good luck on getting yours.
Hubby did say, the day I see a coyote in the pasture I could
get one. Had a friend say he could make that happen

Bandit · 11-06-2007, 08:46 PM

Well I just talked to hubby and he absolutely shocked me. He went from absolutely not previously to if I can find someone willing to trade a donkey for Roxy, then I can have one. Now here is the thing, how do I find someone willing to trade? I'm having a hard enough time in the current market to just sell her.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 11-11-2007, 04:49 PM

Here, I'll seel the deal for ya!

Just look at this! Who could resist a donkey?
[IMG]

[/IMG]

BTW- I would not get a jack. They can be very aggresive. 50 bucks sounds good but if they are intact you're going to spend alot more than that on fencing! They will try to fight too. Depending upon how old they are you could geld them I guess.

If I were you I would look for a jenny or gelding. What size are you looking for? What will the donkeys "job" be?

good luck and keep us posted!

Bandit · 11-11-2007, 06:42 PM

Thanks, I'll share that with him.

These boys were only yearlings, so should still be young enough to geld, right?

I'm thinking a standard or mammoth. I heard that they are good at protecting stock if coyotes are around and stray dogs. We have both around here. It would be a general pet and if its a mammoth I would train it for riding, and if its a standard I would train it to pack. Not that we do rough trail riding yet that would require a pack animal, but its been a dream of mine.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 11-11-2007, 08:47 PM

A yearling is a great choice if you are going to geld. Just be sure you have a secure place to put the boy before he gets his snip snip. Even before they drop they can still be aggresive towards other males and can breed.

If I were you I would look one that is good and imprinted so you can mess with him and lead him around and what not. With donkeys, the earlier you start with the human contact the better. I'm in a situation now that I am having to handle previously feral donks b/c our neighbor did nothing with them, we moved in and kind of took over since they weren't being cared for. We have a healthy, happy herd but some are still shy about being haltered, not fun in emergency situations.

Another thing to watch out for is making sure it isn't spoiled on treats. Too many treats can cause such a horrible problem. Donkeys are so smart, they seem to be treat physic! Treats are ok but in moderation.

good luck!

ladygirl · 11-12-2007, 07:36 AM

If it were me,Id wait till hubby went to work

Then Id race down,pick them up, put something ultra cute on them,and when hubby gets home......hide,lol. And when he comes a-lookin for ya,come out of hiding but dont forget the BAMBI eyes. Put your botttom lip out,and say "Im sorry honey,they followed me home!'.....

Works everythime

Bandit · 11-12-2007, 09:18 PM

LOL - problem is me and hubby work at the same place with the same hours.

TxHorseMom · 11-12-2007, 09:38 PM

Well, if you need a testamonial I can give you one. A few years back, we lost a 10 day old foal to a wild dog pack.

A few days later, we got a donkey (Festus) he was a gelding (not sure what you call them) and he was great! He kept all animals out of the pasture that didn't belong there. He was very quiet and only "brayed" at feeding time, and/or if there was a problem. A couple of weeks later at about 1:00am we heard him braying like crazy. My hubby got his gun and spotlight and shined it on the pasture. There was Festus fighting off 6 wild dogs at one time!!

He literally had one dog on his back and the others were surrounding him. He was spinning and kicking and stomping and biting like crazy! He killed one of the dogs, and my husband shot two more before they ran off. I will never be without a "guard donkey" again. We've had 3 total and recently gave one away (Elvis) to a friend who needed a guard donkey at her place. Since we've stopped breeding we don't need as many to keep the foals safe.

I've never had anything other than "geldings". Our latest donkey "Fred" was actually a bit older (about 5 years) breeding donkey that we had gelded. He transitioned just fine and is great with the foals.

We've always bought our Donkeys at the auction and have only spent at most $75 for one and that's when the horse prices were higher a few years ago. Fred only cost us $40. They are worth their weight in gold!

Bandit · 11-13-2007, 07:56 PM

Well thank you everyone for your testimonials, tips and everything. I have some wonderful exciting news! I'm going to look at a donkey later this week (probably thursday). I will let you know how it goes.

Jess6092 · 11-14-2007, 12:36 PM

yay! Good luck! let us know how it goes!

Bandit · 11-14-2007, 07:00 PM

Well tonight I went out to look at a possible donkey. The owner was willing to trade for Roxy and the donkey sounded to be an absolute sweetheart.

Of course, just like the weather likes to do - it grants our wishes (for rain that we begged for over the summer) at the most in opprotune time - when we are heading out there.

Despite the wet and the mud, I walked up to the gate to see the cutest thing! He was a tad bigger than I was expecting and should be plenty big enough for me to ride. I look forward to training him. I heard it has to be done a bit differently due to how they think, but I think I am up to the challenge.

After a good ear scratch he was led out of the pasture and into the barn where the LOUDEST and SCARRIEST braying I have ever heard met my ears! There were two mammoth jacks in stalls in the barn and they just went off. They were huge but gorgeous critters. I knew donkeys could get big, but those boys were much bigger than I ever thought a donkey could get, and the guy said that you could even find bigger ones. Yikes! I like my little guy.

Once we got past those stalls everyone settled down and JJ (the donkey) got to enjoy some ear scratching. He just loved that! He seemed to crave attention.

After we were heading back out to the car (spent an hour and a half there!) my husband goes "well I admit he's not as silly looking in person as he did in the photo." LOL - and so it starts. Soon that donkey will have him wrapped around his hoof.

BTW - JJ is coming home Saturday!

I attached a photo of him that I originally got. Once he gets here I will post more photos.

TanyaV28 · 11-14-2007, 07:18 PM

awwww he is so cute. I want one too. Let us know if you buy him

Bandit · 11-14-2007, 07:25 PM

Oh yeah, its already decided. He will be here Saturday in exchange for my filly.

AlbertaGirl · 11-14-2007, 07:25 PM

Awww he looks so sweet!

Is he one of the yearlings you mentioned?

Bandit · 11-14-2007, 07:45 PM

Nope, this is a different one. He is 6.

iris_surreal_euphoria · 11-14-2007, 08:17 PM

We sold a donkey early this year named JJ, I thought for a second... JJ?! Then you said he was bigger than you imagined.... not JJ!

He's a total cutie!! I love his big silly face!

Minis look so different than standards and mammoths....

I admit I've only met one "real" donkey in person, being used to the minis, the mammoth kind of scared me.

Congrats! Can't wait to see donkey come home.

Welcome to the HT herd JJ!

Bandit · 11-14-2007, 08:32 PM

Thanks, I can't wait till he comes home either.

Looking up sizes on the web, I don't think he is quite "mammoth" but rather towards the top of "large standard". He was most definately smaller than the other mammoths - which is why he was placing him in a new home - but bigger than some of the standards I have seen.

AlbertaGirl · 11-14-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandit

Nope, this is a different one. He is 6.

Oh okay, I was thinking he looked a lot older than a yearling - lol! Donkeys live longer than horses, so I wish you a very long and happy life with JJ

! You'll have to measure him when you get him home!

Bandit · 11-14-2007, 10:04 PM

Yup - I will have both my measuring stick and camera out on saturday, along with my grooming tools as he seemed to REALLY enjoy that type of thing.

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11-06-2007, 07:42 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Help - need to convince hubby!- PICS I've always wanted a donkey, I think they are absolutely adorable. We have coyotes around and I always worry about our critters - horses, dogs, ducks and kitties. I think one would make a wonderful protector for our 5 acres. Hubby is not convinced and thinks they are worthless. I just found two standard Jacks for sale for $50 each that a farmer is trying to sell. Any ideas how I can convince hubby we need one and that it would not be worthless? Also, any tips on what to look for when getting a donkey? __________________ Last edited by Bandit : 11-17-2007 at 01:08 PM.

11-06-2007, 08:24 PM
country-mare Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fred, Texas Posts: 1,391	If you find a way to convince your hubby, let me know I've been wanting one to. Good luck on getting yours. Hubby did say, the day I see a coyote in the pasture I could get one. Had a friend say he could make that happen

11-06-2007, 08:46 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Well I just talked to hubby and he absolutely shocked me. He went from absolutely not previously to if I can find someone willing to trade a donkey for Roxy, then I can have one. Now here is the thing, how do I find someone willing to trade? I'm having a hard enough time in the current market to just sell her. __________________

11-11-2007, 04:49 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Here, I'll seel the deal for ya! Just look at this! Who could resist a donkey? [IMG][/IMG] BTW- I would not get a jack. They can be very aggresive. 50 bucks sounds good but if they are intact you're going to spend alot more than that on fencing! They will try to fight too. Depending upon how old they are you could geld them I guess. If I were you I would look for a jenny or gelding. What size are you looking for? What will the donkeys "job" be? good luck and keep us posted! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

11-11-2007, 06:42 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Thanks, I'll share that with him. These boys were only yearlings, so should still be young enough to geld, right? I'm thinking a standard or mammoth. I heard that they are good at protecting stock if coyotes are around and stray dogs. We have both around here. It would be a general pet and if its a mammoth I would train it for riding, and if its a standard I would train it to pack. Not that we do rough trail riding yet that would require a pack animal, but its been a dream of mine. __________________

11-11-2007, 08:47 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	A yearling is a great choice if you are going to geld. Just be sure you have a secure place to put the boy before he gets his snip snip. Even before they drop they can still be aggresive towards other males and can breed. If I were you I would look one that is good and imprinted so you can mess with him and lead him around and what not. With donkeys, the earlier you start with the human contact the better. I'm in a situation now that I am having to handle previously feral donks b/c our neighbor did nothing with them, we moved in and kind of took over since they weren't being cared for. We have a healthy, happy herd but some are still shy about being haltered, not fun in emergency situations. Another thing to watch out for is making sure it isn't spoiled on treats. Too many treats can cause such a horrible problem. Donkeys are so smart, they seem to be treat physic! Treats are ok but in moderation. good luck! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

11-12-2007, 07:36 AM
ladygirl Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West of Edmonton,AB Posts: 514	If it were me,Id wait till hubby went to work Then Id race down,pick them up, put something ultra cute on them,and when hubby gets home......hide,lol. And when he comes a-lookin for ya,come out of hiding but dont forget the BAMBI eyes. Put your botttom lip out,and say "Im sorry honey,they followed me home!'..... Works everythime __________________ You can't teach a horse with shouting,and expect him to listen with a whisper.

11-12-2007, 09:18 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	LOL - problem is me and hubby work at the same place with the same hours. __________________

11-12-2007, 09:38 PM
TxHorseMom Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,034	Well, if you need a testamonial I can give you one. A few years back, we lost a 10 day old foal to a wild dog pack. A few days later, we got a donkey (Festus) he was a gelding (not sure what you call them) and he was great! He kept all animals out of the pasture that didn't belong there. He was very quiet and only "brayed" at feeding time, and/or if there was a problem. A couple of weeks later at about 1:00am we heard him braying like crazy. My hubby got his gun and spotlight and shined it on the pasture. There was Festus fighting off 6 wild dogs at one time!! He literally had one dog on his back and the others were surrounding him. He was spinning and kicking and stomping and biting like crazy! He killed one of the dogs, and my husband shot two more before they ran off. I will never be without a "guard donkey" again. We've had 3 total and recently gave one away (Elvis) to a friend who needed a guard donkey at her place. Since we've stopped breeding we don't need as many to keep the foals safe. I've never had anything other than "geldings". Our latest donkey "Fred" was actually a bit older (about 5 years) breeding donkey that we had gelded. He transitioned just fine and is great with the foals. We've always bought our Donkeys at the auction and have only spent at most $75 for one and that's when the horse prices were higher a few years ago. Fred only cost us $40. They are worth their weight in gold!

11-13-2007, 07:56 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Well thank you everyone for your testimonials, tips and everything. I have some wonderful exciting news! I'm going to look at a donkey later this week (probably thursday). I will let you know how it goes. __________________

11-14-2007, 12:36 PM
Jess6092 Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 976	yay! Good luck! let us know how it goes!

11-14-2007, 07:18 PM
TanyaV28 Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 2,035	awwww he is so cute. I want one too. Let us know if you buy him __________________ Im movin on like a sinners prayer

11-14-2007, 07:25 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Oh yeah, its already decided. He will be here Saturday in exchange for my filly. __________________

11-14-2007, 07:25 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,259	Awww he looks so sweet! Is he one of the yearlings you mentioned? __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

11-14-2007, 07:45 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Nope, this is a different one. He is 6. __________________

11-14-2007, 08:17 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	We sold a donkey early this year named JJ, I thought for a second... JJ?! Then you said he was bigger than you imagined.... not JJ! He's a total cutie!! I love his big silly face! Minis look so different than standards and mammoths.... I admit I've only met one "real" donkey in person, being used to the minis, the mammoth kind of scared me. Congrats! Can't wait to see donkey come home. Welcome to the HT herd JJ! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

11-14-2007, 08:32 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Thanks, I can't wait till he comes home either. Looking up sizes on the web, I don't think he is quite "mammoth" but rather towards the top of "large standard". He was most definately smaller than the other mammoths - which is why he was placing him in a new home - but bigger than some of the standards I have seen. __________________

11-14-2007, 10:04 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Yup - I will have both my measuring stick and camera out on saturday, along with my grooming tools as he seemed to REALLY enjoy that type of thing. __________________