You can learn a lot from animals, but very little has to do with animals

Jennies and Jacks- A female donkey is called a Jenny or Jennett and a male donkey is called a Jack. Just like horses, when a male donkey is castrated, he is called a gelding. Jennies can have a foal once a year. The foals are the most adorable things you've ever seen!

Colors, and Sizes- Donkeys come in three sizes: mini, standard and mammoth. A mini is one that stands at 34" or under. They are measured from the ground to the base of their mane. While larger donkeys make great pasture guards for cattle, minis are not large enough to fend off predators. They come in a variety of colors. The most common is gray dunn, but they also come in more exotic colors like brown, black, black and white, white and spotted.

Two is NOT a crowd- Mini donkeys are very different from standard donkeys in that they must be kept in pairs to be happy. It is said that a mini donkey without another mini donkey companion, can die of a broken heart. Never purchase a donkey unless you buy two!

The Perfect Pet- We are often asked, "Why would you want a mini donkey?" I think the pictures say it all. They are extremely affectionate, loving, and willing to please. They have wonderful memories and will remember people or other donkeys for up to 25 years. Each morning when we step out onto the porch, we are greeted by their sweet braying to say, "Good Morning!" They can live for up to 25-30 years. They are much like dogs, with an unexpected twist- It's a DONKEY! While standard sized donkeys are often used to guard cattle in a pasture from coyotes, mini donkeys are NOT good guard animals. They love our dogs and would never hurt them. 

The Legend behind the Donkey- It has been said that God knew that a donkey would be taking Mary to Bethlehem as well as walking next to Jesus on his way to the cross. Because of this, he made donkeys with crosses on their backs to show gratitude to this sacred animal. Some also believe that donkeys noses are magical (we totally believe this!). Also, if the first thing you hear in the morning is a donkeys bray, your day has been blessed. (We are VERY blessed.)

Donkey Care- They are very easy to care for. They need about a half flake of hay each day, or a green pasture to eat in, as well as about a handful of feed each day. We also give them a mineral block to chew on and a powder supplement in their food to ensure that they are getting the proper vitamins and nutrients. You should also have their hooves clipped by a knowledgeable farrier every 6-8 weeks. A good brushing a few times a week keeps their coats clean and their skin healthy. 

Donkey Training- A very different approach must be taken with these sweet critters from say, horses. They won't do anything that they think is unsafe, and they take time to think about it. If they don't want to do it, they WON'T do it. Therefore, they have to trust you, and you have to be patient. They love treats, but be careful to over feed treats as they have a tendency to get fat. We train a little bit every week and have seen amazing progress since we got our scared little hurricane survivors. They want to work, and love to learn. When they see their halters, they walk right up to us and stick out their noses ready and willing to have some fun.