Info on minature donkeys, are they good companions, what is there upkeep like?
Donkeys can make very good field companions for horses, as they are often a calming influence, generally being more placid than horses. However, their care is not the same as for horses. For a start, their coats are not waterproof, so they cannot be left out in bad weather. Their origins are in deserts! They are small and their feed requirements are less than horses, but this combined with their thriftiness, can make them prone to weight gain and they are candidates for laminitis. Worming is similar to horses, but they can become infected with lungworm. This seems to cause the donkey very few problems, but if the horse picks up lungworm, it will be very badly affected. It is important to include suitable dosing in your worming programme. Their hooves do not need shoes, but do require regular attention from a sympathetic farrier or trimmer. A donkey is not an easy option. They require special care. If you remove the horse to ride for instance, the donkey can become upset at being left a
Some horses can be scared of donkeys so it may be an idea to introduce your horses to the donkey and see how they get on. Donkeys need slightly different care to horses, They are affected by the cold and rain more so need good shelter and rugs in winter to keep the rain off them. Diet wise I am not to sure although good quality hay must be on the menu somewhere lol Donkeys do have good temperaments generally but the phrase stubborn as a mule springs to mind! I believe donkeys need their feet trimming regularly like horses do. I hope that has helped, good luck with your donkey!
My mother-in-law had one and it was a pain in the @ss (pun intended). It was given to her in trade for some decorating advice (not a good trade). It was the noisiest animal anyone in the family ever had. No horse or pony they ever had could compare. It would see the lights come on in the morning in the house and start hee-hawing it’s head off for breakfast. They would sneak into the kitchen in the dark on their hands and knees to start the coffee without setting off the donkey. Temperament was otherwise good. I would imagine it would be a fine companion for a horse and upkeep is similar. Just keep it out of eye-shot of the house.
