Calling all donkey owners!

StefanieLeann14 · 04-04-2008, 06:03 PM

Well since I am new to donkey ownership I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to care for my little guy. I dont really know much about him at all other than he has really good manners and he is still a jack although you would never know it. What do you use your donkeys for? Is there anything special you do to care for them? Are there any big no nos that I should know about? Thank you!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 04-04-2008, 06:32 PM

Geld him for sure!

They can get frustrated if not gelded. No rich food, if you have pasture, he shouldn't need feed, if not a good hay will work but no alfalfa. Obesitiy is a huge problem in donkeys. Also be sure to include a wormer in your rotation that gets rid of lung worms, they are prone to them and will pass them on to horses.

You'll find that they won't usually eat the same grass a horse will, they like weeds and roots, kind of simialar to a goat. I''ve heard rich pasture is bad. We have ours out on about 7 acres and never had a problem with overeating, they seem to leave the grass to grow for the most part. They like to paw around in the dusty places and eat whatever they find yummy there.

Watch his feet just like you would a horse and trim at the same time your horse gets it. Same vaccines too.

Um.... I can't think of anything else right off but if you have any questions I'll try to help. Me have mini long ears.

Congrats on your new boy!!

StefanieLeann14 · 04-04-2008, 06:42 PM

Can I ask what you mean by frustrated? He isnt gelded but you sure wouldnt be able to tell. He is such a sweet boy. I thought about leaving him alone since he doesnt seem to bother anything at all and a couple of people have talked to me about breeding to him but like I said I dont know much about them so I need help! We have fed him a little grain to kind of get him used to where he should come to if we call...where he should be able to find water...that sort of thing. The pasture he is in is shared with a bull and my gelding. They all seem to really get along and dont bother eachother at all. There is broom grass but also a lot of brush and things like that. I think you have seen the pictures...does he seem to be at a healthy weight or is he thin? Thank you for helping!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 04-04-2008, 07:28 PM

Personally, I would geld him and not breed. With our minis hardly any go on to be herd sires, only the best of the best. By frustrated I mean fence walking and aggresion. It is very common. Think of him just like a stallion horse. A donkeys call can travel a long ways and if he hears a jenny (or a horse) he could attempt to break out or begin walking the fence obsessivley. Aggression can be dangerous, although non of our jacks have ever been aggresive towards us, they can be aggresive to other animals.

It's your own personal choice though, if someone wants a mule out of him be prepared for him to possibly change afterward. How old is he? Young jacks may not be 'studdy' for a while. If he is older however and you feel his attitude is just fine, he doesn't fight with your gelding he may just be a laid back kind of jack. I have sold one before that was a retired herd sire. He was older and the owner wanted to keep him in her yard to protect chickens. He didn't get gelded because there were no girls, his attitude was fine and he was aged meaning the gelding process may have been hard on him, so yes, there are exceptions!

As far as feed, we do feed sweet feed as a nightly treat. Just a little bit (about a cup and a half) to each of our donks. It's just a good way to watch behaviour and notice any changes also so they don't feel left out. Just watch for wieght gain and act accordingly.

He sounds like such a sweet boy, I'll look over the pic and tell you what I think about his wieght. Congrats again!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 04-04-2008, 07:33 PM

He looks good!

It's kind of hard to tell with his winter coat but nothing glaring. I think just maintence food and a good place to roam around and exercise he'll look like a show jack this summer!

He could use some muscle and maybe a little wieght but good hay should take care of it.

StefanieLeann14 · 04-04-2008, 07:48 PM

Oh ok I understand now. Im not sure if he is young or old. Im horrible at aging anyways but im completely clueless when it comes to donkeys. I am goin to have the vet check and see what he thinks. If he is older like you said and still acts this way I will probably leave him because there is no other horses around that I know of. Well atleast not anywhere near our 300 acres. But at the sale barn last night he was penned right next to mares and even came nose to nose with a mare and didnt so much as blink an eye at her. I was worried about him and my gelding not getting along or even him not getting along with my bull but I have the gelding, bull, and the jack in the same pasture and none of them seem to pay any attention to eachother. The gelding has kind of buddied up with the jack actually! But if he is pretty young I will consider gelding him because I dont want him to change or for it to be harder on him later on. My gelding has been keeping him exercised today lol. Not really running him but more of pestering him to see what he is and how far he can push him. He is in a pretty good pasture so im not real sure if I should try grain right now or not...like you said its easier to put fat on one than take it off so you have me scared! lol

iris_surreal_euphoria · 04-04-2008, 07:57 PM

Sounds like your gelding will have a friend for life! The lady I bought my gelding Rudrah from had a mini donkey and a horse that were insepreable (sp) She was trailering them to Lexington and the mare WOULD NOT go without her donkey friend. She said it didn't matter where they went, that donkey had to be there. They were best buds. It was so cute. When she went to shows that donkey would keep that mare calm, take the donkey away and the mare would be terrified!

Donkeys and horses can get really close!

Mule360 · 04-04-2008, 09:47 PM

I agree with everything Iris has said, including gelding. Dad's breeding jack would be very aggressive toward other animals. Poor guy has to lead the solitary life except for brief visits with the mares.

StefanieLeann14 · 04-05-2008, 08:41 AM

Well it turns out im not the brightest crayon in the box sometimes. I told you I didnt know about an age. Hes a 3 yr old. I forgot that he had to have a coggins pulled at the sale barn. DUH!

So I am considering gelding. I dont want to lose my sweet little guy

Hes really good about leading, picking his feet up, things like that but hes pretty jittery. It may be because of his new surroundings but I was just wondering can you do groundwork with a donkey like you can a horse? Or does it not work the same way for them?

StefanieLeann14 · 04-05-2008, 01:17 PM

Also ive been told a yearling size halter usually works for a standard donkey. Is that usually about right? At 3 he probably wont be growing much more will he? Sorry im so full of questions!

iris_surreal_euphoria · 04-05-2008, 02:51 PM

He won't get much bigger, he'll just fill out. I would get a pony halter or small horse, donkeys have big heads.

Mine where a yearling but thier minis.

Yes, ground work just like a horse. You are very lucky he knows how to lead! Leading is probably the hardest thing to teach them but I try to make it easy. I pull and put tension in the rope, they pull back and when they do take a forward step (even a tiny one) I release. It makes it all about just taking one step and they learn quick.

Just mess with his feet daily, groom and get him used to being touched all over. My donkeys love to go on walks. You can also teach him to pony by your horse. (I haven't done this, mine are too litte and I'm scared my horse wouldn't see them and they would get stomped.)

Gelding a 3 year old is great idea, especailly since your gelding is going to bond to him. He will probably want his donkey freind with him and a gelding donk is easier to take places not to mention he will be much more content without all those hormones flowing through him. He will just want to stay home, relax and be with his buddies, not find a girlfriend.

lunacyacres · 04-05-2008, 06:44 PM

Enjoy your new donkey! Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice.

I've always heard to geld'em, but there are always exceptions. I've had my jack for three years, since he was five, and he's never been the least bit aggressive towards anything. He did like to move the chickens around a little, but is always careful never to step on anything (even when the puppy wrapped her leash around his leg). Before I got him, he was used to breed jennies, but has never shown any interest in mares. He shows no stud like behavior at all, although he was a successful breeder. I thought about gelding him, just because I know it's the right thing to do, but decided against it.

Anyway, if you do decide to geld, find out what the post-op needs are, and make sure your donk can handle it. For instance, my vet said I'd need to cold hose the area every day to help with swelling........my donk hates the hose. Also, they need exercise to help with the swelling.......my donk wasn't even halter trained when I got him, and I'm not sure even now how successful I'd be at moving him if it hurt. He also tends to pout for a while. They can be worked with like a horse, but need more time to think things through. They're careful.

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04-04-2008, 06:03 PM
StefanieLeann14 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 705	Calling all donkey owners! Well since I am new to donkey ownership I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to care for my little guy. I dont really know much about him at all other than he has really good manners and he is still a jack although you would never know it. What do you use your donkeys for? Is there anything special you do to care for them? Are there any big no nos that I should know about? Thank you! __________________ God created few perfect horses...then he colored them golden. Live to ride, Learn to fall.

04-04-2008, 06:32 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Geld him for sure! They can get frustrated if not gelded. No rich food, if you have pasture, he shouldn't need feed, if not a good hay will work but no alfalfa. Obesitiy is a huge problem in donkeys. Also be sure to include a wormer in your rotation that gets rid of lung worms, they are prone to them and will pass them on to horses. You'll find that they won't usually eat the same grass a horse will, they like weeds and roots, kind of simialar to a goat. I''ve heard rich pasture is bad. We have ours out on about 7 acres and never had a problem with overeating, they seem to leave the grass to grow for the most part. They like to paw around in the dusty places and eat whatever they find yummy there. Watch his feet just like you would a horse and trim at the same time your horse gets it. Same vaccines too. Um.... I can't think of anything else right off but if you have any questions I'll try to help. Me have mini long ears. Congrats on your new boy!! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

04-04-2008, 06:42 PM
StefanieLeann14 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 705	Can I ask what you mean by frustrated? He isnt gelded but you sure wouldnt be able to tell. He is such a sweet boy. I thought about leaving him alone since he doesnt seem to bother anything at all and a couple of people have talked to me about breeding to him but like I said I dont know much about them so I need help! We have fed him a little grain to kind of get him used to where he should come to if we call...where he should be able to find water...that sort of thing. The pasture he is in is shared with a bull and my gelding. They all seem to really get along and dont bother eachother at all. There is broom grass but also a lot of brush and things like that. I think you have seen the pictures...does he seem to be at a healthy weight or is he thin? Thank you for helping! __________________ God created few perfect horses...then he colored them golden. Live to ride, Learn to fall.

04-04-2008, 07:28 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Personally, I would geld him and not breed. With our minis hardly any go on to be herd sires, only the best of the best. By frustrated I mean fence walking and aggresion. It is very common. Think of him just like a stallion horse. A donkeys call can travel a long ways and if he hears a jenny (or a horse) he could attempt to break out or begin walking the fence obsessivley. Aggression can be dangerous, although non of our jacks have ever been aggresive towards us, they can be aggresive to other animals. It's your own personal choice though, if someone wants a mule out of him be prepared for him to possibly change afterward. How old is he? Young jacks may not be 'studdy' for a while. If he is older however and you feel his attitude is just fine, he doesn't fight with your gelding he may just be a laid back kind of jack. I have sold one before that was a retired herd sire. He was older and the owner wanted to keep him in her yard to protect chickens. He didn't get gelded because there were no girls, his attitude was fine and he was aged meaning the gelding process may have been hard on him, so yes, there are exceptions! As far as feed, we do feed sweet feed as a nightly treat. Just a little bit (about a cup and a half) to each of our donks. It's just a good way to watch behaviour and notice any changes also so they don't feel left out. Just watch for wieght gain and act accordingly. He sounds like such a sweet boy, I'll look over the pic and tell you what I think about his wieght. Congrats again! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

04-04-2008, 07:33 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	He looks good! It's kind of hard to tell with his winter coat but nothing glaring. I think just maintence food and a good place to roam around and exercise he'll look like a show jack this summer! He could use some muscle and maybe a little wieght but good hay should take care of it. __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

04-04-2008, 07:48 PM
StefanieLeann14 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 705	Oh ok I understand now. Im not sure if he is young or old. Im horrible at aging anyways but im completely clueless when it comes to donkeys. I am goin to have the vet check and see what he thinks. If he is older like you said and still acts this way I will probably leave him because there is no other horses around that I know of. Well atleast not anywhere near our 300 acres. But at the sale barn last night he was penned right next to mares and even came nose to nose with a mare and didnt so much as blink an eye at her. I was worried about him and my gelding not getting along or even him not getting along with my bull but I have the gelding, bull, and the jack in the same pasture and none of them seem to pay any attention to eachother. The gelding has kind of buddied up with the jack actually! But if he is pretty young I will consider gelding him because I dont want him to change or for it to be harder on him later on. My gelding has been keeping him exercised today lol. Not really running him but more of pestering him to see what he is and how far he can push him. He is in a pretty good pasture so im not real sure if I should try grain right now or not...like you said its easier to put fat on one than take it off so you have me scared! lol __________________ God created few perfect horses...then he colored them golden. Live to ride, Learn to fall.

04-04-2008, 07:57 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	Sounds like your gelding will have a friend for life! The lady I bought my gelding Rudrah from had a mini donkey and a horse that were insepreable (sp) She was trailering them to Lexington and the mare WOULD NOT go without her donkey friend. She said it didn't matter where they went, that donkey had to be there. They were best buds. It was so cute. When she went to shows that donkey would keep that mare calm, take the donkey away and the mare would be terrified! Donkeys and horses can get really close! __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

04-04-2008, 09:47 PM
Mule360 Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northeast Arkansas Posts: 200	I agree with everything Iris has said, including gelding. Dad's breeding jack would be very aggressive toward other animals. Poor guy has to lead the solitary life except for brief visits with the mares.

04-05-2008, 08:41 AM
StefanieLeann14 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 705	Well it turns out im not the brightest crayon in the box sometimes. I told you I didnt know about an age. Hes a 3 yr old. I forgot that he had to have a coggins pulled at the sale barn. DUH! So I am considering gelding. I dont want to lose my sweet little guy Hes really good about leading, picking his feet up, things like that but hes pretty jittery. It may be because of his new surroundings but I was just wondering can you do groundwork with a donkey like you can a horse? Or does it not work the same way for them? __________________ God created few perfect horses...then he colored them golden. Live to ride, Learn to fall.

04-05-2008, 01:17 PM
StefanieLeann14 Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 705	Also ive been told a yearling size halter usually works for a standard donkey. Is that usually about right? At 3 he probably wont be growing much more will he? Sorry im so full of questions! __________________ God created few perfect horses...then he colored them golden. Live to ride, Learn to fall.

04-05-2008, 02:51 PM
iris_surreal_euphoria Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Somerset, Kentucky Posts: 1,051	He won't get much bigger, he'll just fill out. I would get a pony halter or small horse, donkeys have big heads. Mine where a yearling but thier minis. Yes, ground work just like a horse. You are very lucky he knows how to lead! Leading is probably the hardest thing to teach them but I try to make it easy. I pull and put tension in the rope, they pull back and when they do take a forward step (even a tiny one) I release. It makes it all about just taking one step and they learn quick. Just mess with his feet daily, groom and get him used to being touched all over. My donkeys love to go on walks. You can also teach him to pony by your horse. (I haven't done this, mine are too litte and I'm scared my horse wouldn't see them and they would get stomped.) Gelding a 3 year old is great idea, especailly since your gelding is going to bond to him. He will probably want his donkey freind with him and a gelding donk is easier to take places not to mention he will be much more content without all those hormones flowing through him. He will just want to stay home, relax and be with his buddies, not find a girlfriend. __________________ If wishes were horses this room would need a good mucking! Visit our website: http://www.freewebs.com/lazziassacres/

04-05-2008, 06:44 PM
lunacyacres Newborn Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 36	Enjoy your new donkey! Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice. I've always heard to geld'em, but there are always exceptions. I've had my jack for three years, since he was five, and he's never been the least bit aggressive towards anything. He did like to move the chickens around a little, but is always careful never to step on anything (even when the puppy wrapped her leash around his leg). Before I got him, he was used to breed jennies, but has never shown any interest in mares. He shows no stud like behavior at all, although he was a successful breeder. I thought about gelding him, just because I know it's the right thing to do, but decided against it. Anyway, if you do decide to geld, find out what the post-op needs are, and make sure your donk can handle it. For instance, my vet said I'd need to cold hose the area every day to help with swelling........my donk hates the hose. Also, they need exercise to help with the swelling.......my donk wasn't even halter trained when I got him, and I'm not sure even now how successful I'd be at moving him if it hurt. He also tends to pout for a while. They can be worked with like a horse, but need more time to think things through. They're careful.