Respecting electric fence

GottaRide · 05-05-2008, 12:11 PM

I go pick up my new donkey tonight! I'm very excited!! I don't know much about donkeys, but it will be fun to learn. We are getting this donkey from an Amish farmer - and you know how some Amish treat their animals....no spoiling them. The donkey had feet that curled up & they just trimmed her last week so her feet are really short now and she is too sore to walk on them.

I have a very good farrier who has worked on donkeys before and I know she will do a good job with this one. We'll keep her feet in good shape.

Anyway.....

It will be dark when we get her home tonight. I was planning to keep her in a stall with lots of hay & water and fluffy shavings. So tomorrow morning when I turn her out to the pasture, what should I expect as far as introducing her to the fenceline? I will have to turn her out and then leave to go to work for the rest of the day. I don't want her to test the fence while I'm gone and then have her get out of the pasture! Will a donkey respect a small jolt electric fence? The pasture is set up with three strand white rope and the electricity comes from a solar charger. It's not as strong as a regular fencer, but there is enough to tell the horses to stay away from the fence. She will be by herself in this pasture, but she will be able to see horses in the back yard and across the road....not real close, but close enough that they can see each other and talk to each other. Will that be enough interaction to keep the new donkey satisfied? Eventually we will turn her out with the rest of the herd, but we need to do a quarantine period of at least one week, probably two weeks.

I read through some other posts about getting set up for a new donkey, but any other information you can tell would be appreciated!!

Chic · 05-05-2008, 03:43 PM

It depends on how hairy he is... my little jack, when he's in his winter woolies can brush the fence with his side and not feel anything. His nose is a different story.

Personally, I would keep him in the stall tomorrow while you are at work and let him out when you get home so that you are there to watch how he reacts to the fence and the other horses.

bayrider · 05-05-2008, 05:59 PM

ditto That, Thats what I did when got my pmu this winter, worked well. And it will give you peace of mind while your at work.

Horse poor · 05-05-2008, 06:44 PM

Ditto also, you never know what their initial reaction will be. It would be horrible for it's reaction to be run through it instead of away. Put the donkey out when you can watch for a while. Maybe set up a trap to make sure it touches the fence so it knows what to expect.

**Range** · 05-05-2008, 07:20 PM

Depends on how she does in the stall tonight. My donk HATES to be stalled and will tear it down if he feels he ought to be out. In fact, he'd rather be out by himself then in the barn with his buds!

Okay, on the electric fence. My donk is good with it and respects it where he didn't respect any other fences. We brought a donk home from the auction once...in the summer, so no long coat. He proceeded to walk through the electric. We went ahead and electrified the ground line...he walked through that. He only stopped when we electrified all the strands. Since THAT'S not feasible...Auction Donk found a new home!

Be prepared for anything....

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05-05-2008, 12:11 PM
GottaRide Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WI Posts: 231	Respecting electric fence I go pick up my new donkey tonight! I'm very excited!! I don't know much about donkeys, but it will be fun to learn. We are getting this donkey from an Amish farmer - and you know how some Amish treat their animals....no spoiling them. The donkey had feet that curled up & they just trimmed her last week so her feet are really short now and she is too sore to walk on them. I have a very good farrier who has worked on donkeys before and I know she will do a good job with this one. We'll keep her feet in good shape. Anyway..... It will be dark when we get her home tonight. I was planning to keep her in a stall with lots of hay & water and fluffy shavings. So tomorrow morning when I turn her out to the pasture, what should I expect as far as introducing her to the fenceline? I will have to turn her out and then leave to go to work for the rest of the day. I don't want her to test the fence while I'm gone and then have her get out of the pasture! Will a donkey respect a small jolt electric fence? The pasture is set up with three strand white rope and the electricity comes from a solar charger. It's not as strong as a regular fencer, but there is enough to tell the horses to stay away from the fence. She will be by herself in this pasture, but she will be able to see horses in the back yard and across the road....not real close, but close enough that they can see each other and talk to each other. Will that be enough interaction to keep the new donkey satisfied? Eventually we will turn her out with the rest of the herd, but we need to do a quarantine period of at least one week, probably two weeks. I read through some other posts about getting set up for a new donkey, but any other information you can tell would be appreciated!! __________________ www.cedarviewpainthorses.blogspot.com Home of ~ Perfect Jin N Scotch - 2004 APHA Palomino Overo Gelding Hanks Rainy Sky - 1998 Black & White Tobiano Gelding

05-05-2008, 03:43 PM
Chic Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,237	It depends on how hairy he is... my little jack, when he's in his winter woolies can brush the fence with his side and not feel anything. His nose is a different story. Personally, I would keep him in the stall tomorrow while you are at work and let him out when you get home so that you are there to watch how he reacts to the fence and the other horses. __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

05-05-2008, 05:59 PM
bayrider Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ny Posts: 132	ditto That, Thats what I did when got my pmu this winter, worked well. And it will give you peace of mind while your at work.

05-05-2008, 06:44 PM
Horse poor Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,145	Ditto also, you never know what their initial reaction will be. It would be horrible for it's reaction to be run through it instead of away. Put the donkey out when you can watch for a while. Maybe set up a trap to make sure it touches the fence so it knows what to expect. __________________ 'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson

05-05-2008, 07:20 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,751	Depends on how she does in the stall tonight. My donk HATES to be stalled and will tear it down if he feels he ought to be out. In fact, he'd rather be out by himself then in the barn with his buds! Okay, on the electric fence. My donk is good with it and respects it where he didn't respect any other fences. We brought a donk home from the auction once...in the summer, so no long coat. He proceeded to walk through the electric. We went ahead and electrified the ground line...he walked through that. He only stopped when we electrified all the strands. Since THAT'S not feasible...Auction Donk found a new home! Be prepared for anything.... __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.