Donkey as a Companion

[RA12]

I know this discussion has been brought up before, but I thought I’d take a go at it again.

I have two horses on a two acre property. One horse is mine (gelding) and the other horse is my sister’s (mare), whom she let me borrow as a companion horse. My sister misses her mare (completely understandable because she has the biggest heart) and wants to start riding her again. I know she wants her back but doesn’t want to take her away from my gelding since he adores her so much too.

I am going to let my sister have her mare back sooner than later, and getting a gelded donkey for a companion. There is a Jack next door so I don’t want a Jenny. I know my gelding will miss his mare (I will too), but I figure this will help when I take him off the property as well.

What are your thoughts on a companion donkey for a horse who has always had a horse buddy?

…also and most importantly what do you all feed your donkey(s). I can separate the gelding and donkey at feeding time but putting out hay is a different story. I have little to no grass, so grass won’t be an issue.

Thank you so much!

[lilitiger2]

Well, my experience is based on one donkey (jenny) and now a little mule (hinny actually, gelded).

The donkey was a WONDERFUL companion for the horse! She was old, so although initially she got hay eventually she did not and got an applesauce/hay cube/salt/bran mash. She was ADORABLE, brayed, could be loved on by EVERYONE and the horse just loved her. But was still quite willing to be ridden without her. Sadly, lost her last summer!

The hinny is a 9yo rescue guy. he came because he was chasing goats where he lived and was very pushy with little people (kids). He has also been great company for the horse although he will throw a little tantrum when horse goes out without him. He gets MVP and hay.

The farrier has been very, very good with both. One of the two vets we use is very experienced with donkeys, so she was awesome when Indy punctured her knee on a nettle, nursed her through. You do need to find a vet that knows long ears - they are NOT like “little horses” or just like ponies!

The hinny is opinionated about a lot of things but has been good company for the horse. They are now best buds.

So, I give a big thumbs up to it! both have taught me a ton!

[lilitiger2]

I will add that the hinny is NOT great with dogs (aggressive!)

[rockymouse]

We inherited two standard size donkeys when a friend died and they are lovely, funny, easy to care for creatures. Donkeys will get fat quickly - or at least ours will - so they get only coastal hay. They will not tolerate dogs, so heads up. Our son’s gelding and one of the donkeys play with each other quite a bit. They are very cool animals!

[RA12]

Thank you Rockymouse and lilitiger2 for your comments.
I know I will want a standard donkey. I think I will have to end up getting a young one, because I do have three older dogs who often come in the pasture with me. So, I will need a donkey who has not been exposed to coyotes yet and can be friendly around dogs. I wonder if it’s in donkeys nature to chase away dogs since they can be seen as predators, I just don’t know.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

[QUOTE=RA12;7805591]
Thank you Rockymouse and lilitiger2 for your comments.
I know I will want a standard donkey. I think I will have to end up getting a young one, because I do have three older dogs who often come in the pasture with me. So, I will need a donkey who has not been exposed to coyotes yet and can be friendly around dogs. I wonder if it’s in donkeys nature to chase away dogs since they can be seen as predators, I just don’t know.[/QUOTE]

I think it depends on the donkey.

I have a mini donkey and a standard (both gelded) and a mare. The hardest thing is the different feed requirements. Of course my mare isn’t an easy keeper either. I use small hole feed nets when on dry lot. Only my mare gets grain right now (the donkeys still get a bit of grass).