I have a Paint/Perch X gelding, he’s about 15 yrs. old. Last week we lost our 28 yr old gelding 
Hudson (the paint/perch) had been with this horse since he was 4 months old. Hudson was devastated. I didn’t want to get another animal so soon but he was so pitiful. I have sheep as well (He’s the best livestock guardian ever) so I wanted to get something that wouldn’t hurt my sheep. I found the perfect donkey, 18 yrs old, good sized and the sweetest thing ever. Hudson has always been low man on the totem pole, even though he’s huge, 17. 2 and almost 2K, so I thought he’d be ok with the donk. I brought the donk home and put him in a pen separated from Hudson. At first Hud was freaked out by the donk (Walter) then he became aggressive, coming over to the fence, ears laid back, teeth bared, he lunges at him, didn’t even want me to feed him (the donk) He’s been here since Monday, and I’ve seen no improvement in his behavior. I don’t dare let them loose together, as Huddy is so huge, he could really hurt or kill the donk Anybody have any experience with this? The one thing, is Huddy is very protective of his sheep, anything new on the place is considered a threat, I even have to keep new sheep away from him for a while, until he figures they’re ok…I’m hoping that’s just the case with this…I so want them to be buds, and I’ve already fallen in love with the little donk, no idea why I didn’t get one before, he is the best. Any advice or help greatly appreciated.
Some horses really really don’t like donkeys. My neighbor’s mare once crashed through a gate to get away from my donkey, who is only 36” tall, was being held by me dozens of feet away from the mare, and wasn’t even making any noise. Thankfully I’ve had 7 horses on my farm and none of them have ever had an issue with the donkeys, but it does happen.
I think you’re smart to be careful about putting them out together. Unfortunately I don’t have advice other than giving it more time and being 110% sure donkey won’t get attacked before you introduce them.
Only time will tell if it will work. Hard to watch and wait, but that tincture of time is all you’ve got .
ETA: where are the sheep in all of this? they aren’t in a pen between the two, are they? Or pastured on the far side of the donkey? Point: is the donkey perceived as closer to the sheep than Hudson is?
Thanks Libby. Yes, no worries, I’m not going to take a chance that he’ll hurt the little donk. I originally had 4 horses out here, and all were very tolerant of the sheep, all were very laid back…I had hoped this would work out. I read somewhere where it could take a couple of weeks for them to warm up to each other…I know Hudson is mourning, as we all are…guess I just need to give him some time…
Some horses never like donkeys. Sorry this is happening to you but it is what it is.
My only real suggestion is get a 2nd donkey :lol:
ok, but what is his NAME??
What a cute face!! :love-struck:
I have a ewe that just had a lamb. I have to keep Hudson away from the new lamb until he gets used to it. As I said, he thinks everything is a threat to his sheep, even new sheep that I bring in. I didn’t want him to hurt the lamb, so I had put them up in a trap by the house. I put the donkey in with them (he was totally fine with them) and I put another ewe in with them as well. Hudson had the majority of his sheep with him, and just the 3 with the donk.
His name is Walter <3
4 days is nothing, I would not expect Hudson to be comfortable so quickly. While not exactly analogous, it took my horses about a full week to stop being absolutely TERRIFIED of the goats we added to the farm. I had to bring them water in buckets because they were huddled in the far corner of the pasture and wouldn’t come in to drink. Even from like an acre away, they were literally trembling at the horned devil beasts. It took a couple weeks before they were comfortable around them.
Hudson, being low rank, probably feels extra insecure now that his herd leader is gone–OR, he’s finally got a chance to be herd leader-- but he doesn’t know yet that being the boss doesn’t require a DEFCON5 reaction to every tiny little provocation. Charging the fence will get tiring after awhile.
So just give him time. If Hudson is still freaked out by the donk over the fence after a few weeks, then I doubt he’ll change. But until then, just keep them separate and let reality set in
Yes I think you’re right. It really hasn’t been all that long. We lost our Border Collie 2 weeks ago ( devastating) and then exactly a week later we lost Paint. It’s been rough around here…I’m just so stressed (and yes, that’s what we call it, we’ve been on def. con 4 for about a year now (due to other health issues) I just need to chill and give it time…I’m hopeful Huddy will come around, he’s a pretty good natured goober…thanks all for all the kind words of encouragement, really appreciate it.
<BREATHE>
so sorry for all the loss and stress you’re dealing with. It’ll all be ok, but in the meantime, Hudson’s mane is probably conveniently positioned for a few good hug/cry sessions. We get it.
Thank you <3, you are very kind, appreciate your compassion.
Gotcha. I was thinking if the line up was hudson/sheep/donkey or worse hudson/donkey/sheep that could be a contributing factor.
Give it 2 weeks before you wonder about it.
OP, my advice from going through something like this recently is take your time introducing them.
I had a herd of three geldings, who have been together for the last 11-12 years, but two have them have been together for 17-18 years. I bought a new gelding in a November, and it took me well over a month to get to the point where they could all be together.
My alpha, ran the fence line for weeks, acting like he wanted to kill the new horse. I introduced the new horse to the other two geldings, kept them pastured next to the alpha horse, and watched the alpha horse’s behavior every day until he finally settled down and started acting like a gentleman once again. My vet was out doing this period and saw the alpha horse’s behavior and was surprised, especially because he is not a young horse.
I had been through this behavior with him before, and know he tends to be a jerk with new horses and it has only gotten worse as he has aged.
Don’t be in a rush, keep everyone safe with good fencing in between them, and sit back and give it time.
Give it some time. My horses took to my donkey with just some exclamation mark type looks. Your Walter is a handsome donkey!!!
Years ago I brought in a new mare and kept her in a run where she could do meet & greets with my Connemara mare and donkey. The Connemara mare acted liked a loon towards the new horse- rearing and striking at the fence, lunging, trying to bite, turning and kicking and herding the donkey away. After two weeks I decided it was now or never to put the new one out with the other two. There was exactly one charge by the Connemara and the new horse told her in no uncertain terms “I am Alpha, you are Beta” and then all was well from that moment forward. So sometimes a lot of early fireworks can end up being nothing in the end.
Good thinking to wait, donkeys are tough but not invincible. Walter is adorable (Hudson is GORGEOUS!). Do consider getting a second donk for Walter’s sake. They prefer donkeys, it’s the rare donkey that likes horses over donkeys. I have one. So when he’s smitten with a new horse, the other donkey who is shy around horses stands around forlorn and sad until his donkey buddy comes back.
Well it’s either get another donk, or spend all my time out there with him LOL He seems to be quite content with me for some reason…I’ve read that as well donkey’s really prefer their own kind…maybe I really am an ass 
That is a really big horse. I would be scared of him if I was a donkey. :lol:
He is HUGE. I’m 5’3 (shorty) his withers are so far above my head LOL Standing next to him, you just go :eek:.
Do you use a ladder, or will he lay down like a camel? I’m not much taller and I’m sure it would be like mountain climbing.
