Donkey's as horse companions

[Braeburn]

Hi guys!

I wanted to get your opinions on donkey’s as companions for horses. I have a few questions!

Is it better to get one donkey or two?

What do you feed a donkey?

Do you find that the horses pick on the donkeys at all? I have found a lovely mini, but am a bit worried that because he is so small he will be picked on.

We are thinking about getting a donkey as a turn out buddy for the yearlings/ weanlings.

Thanks

[crosscreeksh]

I currently have 7 and have had donks for 25 years. Here’s my take on it…they make GREAT companions for horses!! For a calm, steady horse, one will do. They don’t mind being left behind if you take the horse for a ride or trip. For rude, frisky (young) horses, I like two donks…that way they can tag team and have back up if the horses get too rowdy. Years ago we had a flakey TB race horse colt - a two year old who was so obnoxious he couldn’t be with another horse. We put a standard donkey with him, but he worked the donkey to death with his antics. We added a second donkey and it worked fine…one would play while the other rested. The horses may bugger them a bit, but donkey back feet are quick and agile. The young horses will learn respect, quickly, but with no great harm done. I LUV my donkeys!! Have fun!!!

[Wayside]

When my youngest mare was less than a year old, her pasture buddy (my 26 year old gelding) had to be euthanized very unexpectedly due to colic. He was the only other equine I had on the property, but thankfully my neighbor was willing to loan me her miniature donkey. And he was a fantastic companion - not at all dangerous to my filly, but he didn’t tolerate any shenanigans either.

The worst thing about him, as far as I can tell, is that he was a very easy keeper. I was super careful not to overfeed him while he was staying with us, but he has foundered several times under his owner’s care. And it takes a lot of self restraint not to stuff his fat little face with treats, because he is absolutely adorable.

Here’s a picture of him watching over my filly: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2510322230100789832jZuLiO

Last summer that same mare, who was 4 at the time, had to be on stall rest for a month, and I got to borrow the little guy again. I kept my older mare in with her at night, and then brought the donkey over during the day. He was a really good sport about the whole thing. Very easy to catch, easy to lead down the side of the road, calm and quiet in the stall. Just outstanding.

Clearly, I don’t have a ton of experience with donkeys but what little I have had has been good.

[Braeburn]

Cool, thanks guys!

I went to a farm to check out Mini’s the other day, and I am actually surprised at how much I loved them! They were all super friendly, which I was not really expecting.

I think that I will get the one, and then see how that goes. If I feel that he is being picked on etc. I might have to get another!

Thanks for the feed back

[katarine]

We have had our small standard, Chico, since he was a weanling. He’s 13 now.

I would not be comfortable with a mini donkey out with the horses- they are teensy. Our small standard can - and does- hold his own with my boisterous gelding. I’m 5’5", he comes to about my waist, however many hands that is LOL…he is not intimidated and in fact, when our newest gelding was settling in, he foolishly tried to push Chico around rudely. Chico, reared up, grabbed Scout by the crest and bore down hard. Scout, all 15.2 hands of grown, 9 YO horse, squealed like a terrified girl and his knees buckled- Chico let go when Scout was about to hit the ground. Yeah, no, the horses will not get away with beating up on a small standard. Those critters are tough.

The jacks should be gelded- they can and will get quite nasty tempered as they age.

Ours foundered lightly a few years back- like ponies, they are such easy keepers it can be hard to keep founder at bay. Chico wears a grazing muzzle as needed and just keeps a wee bit of oats or some such to keep him busy while the big boys eat their feed. I have to watch him, he can and does share their meals- they just let him eat with him. Toppy won’t but just about every other horse that’s been through here, he’s worked his donkey magic on them and he gets to eat their food.

He gets the same vaccs and deworming protocols as the horses, his feet get done every other time.

[JoZ]

I rescued two standard donkeys two years ago and enjoyed them very much. But I kept them together, and the horses separate, just worked out that way.

I lost the jenny this spring… But the silver lining is the new life it gave the gelding donkey*. It turns out his sedentary behavior was driven by the jenny. He is now companion/friend/babysitter/clown for two colts aged 1 and 3. He takes no guff (though all three will engage in plenty of mutually-agreed-upon guff!). He is in great weight, great muscle tone and keeps the left-behind colt happy when one is taken from the pasture or barn.

The colts are thoroughbreds. The donk is only left out when they get to some real running. But he will gallop along behind them, cutting corners, braying all the way “wait for meeeeeeeeeeee-haw”!

*terminology question – is he a gelded jack or is that an oxymoron? a john is a mule, not a gelded donkey, right?

[meupatdoes]

I freaking LOVE them.

I don’t have any, but when I ride at (or across the street) from a barn that has one, that bray cracks me up every time.

[TheJenners]

OMG, are kidding? Donkeys are the BEST! And MINI DONKEYS are even better!!! I have one out with my WB and that donk kicks his buttski all over the paddock.

Rory and Odie chillin’
Size difference…and no, Odie doesn’t eat the tail, he holds it and also hides under it.

Some videos of the boys playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUSqhDIXxk&list=UU6CE8CPc8gK8NVE86oAwlxQ&index=9&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fXO3HKT_ps&list=UU6CE8CPc8gK8NVE86oAwlxQ&index=8&feature=plcp

[shiningwizard255]

^ Your photo of your horse and donkey laying down together might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

My spent a year keeping an elderly donkey company at a friend of a friend’s place - they were best buddies. The only reason we left was because the the donkey was quite old and the only equine there and when she passed, the barn had no plans on getting another and I didn’t want my horse to be lonely.