A Visit with My Donkeys

January 7, 2019

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated you on my donkeys, and I am happy to report that the "three amigos" are all doing very well.

Donkeys love being outside, where they can roam free and roll on the ground. And, while rolling on the ground helps to scratch their backs, it's also a natural behavior for donkeys to cover themselves in dust, which provides great insulation and protection from extreme cold and heat. Here at my Bedford, New York farm, my Sicilian donkeys, Rufus, Clive and Billie, are outside during the day in a large paddock near my stable. In the afternoon, they are brought back in, where they are groomed and fed.

Here are some of the latest photos - enjoy. And keep visiting - soon, I will share lots of photos from my recent holiday trip to Australia.

: Donkeys are happiest when they are with their friends. These three are in their large paddock just down the hill from my home. On most days, they are there from morning until late afternoon.

: Donkeys are calm, intelligent, and have a natural inclination to like people. I think these three are also hoping for treats.

: Donkeys do best with plenty of space to roam around and graze. They love to play with each other and watch the activity around the farm.

: This is Rufus. He is often the first to greet visitors who enter the enclosure. Donkeys are very social animals, and have a very keen sense of curiosity.

: This is Billie. She is the only jenny, or jennet, of the three, and the only female equine in my stable.

: And this is Clive – a little taller than the others, but also very friendly and social – he loves lots of attention.

: All three of them are very bonded and follow each other around the paddock.

: Here they stopped for a brief moment to see whether they’re being followed – donkeys are very visual animals.

: On this day, the three were very playful and ran as soon as someone came near.

: Here they stood again – just long enough for this photo to be taken…

: … And then they were off.

: When the weather is wet or windy, donkeys need access to a warm and dry shelter. A run-in is essential for donkeys. Donkeys originated in a desert climate, but are very hardy, provided they are given adequate accommodations.

: During the winter, when the grass is dead, or at other times of year when there’s not enough, we supplement with good quality meadow hay. Donkeys require a diet low in protein, sugar and starch, but high in fiber.

: The thing to remember, however, is that donkeys cannot be overfed. Eating too much protein and other nutrient-rich foods can make them sick. They also tend to gain weight very easily. I am very glad these three are in excellent shape.

: Donkeys also like to play with toys. They have several Jolly balls in their enclosures – the donkeys love to bite, throw and run with these balls. They’re a fun way to expend energy and provide good mental stimulation.

: Here are Rufus and Clive watching intently – maybe an apple will get tossed their way?

: Donkeys should also have access to clean, fresh water at all times. I have automatic waterers in all the stalls and paddocks, so there is always water available.

: In the late afternoon, the donkeys are picked up and brought back indoors.

: My donkeys are very familiar with their routine. Here is Dolma putting their head halters on for the short walk to the stable.

: Donkeys are herd animals, so they don’t like being separated from other members of their pack. These donkeys are never apart.

: Donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness but this is because of their highly developed sense of self preservation. It’s difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something that’s contrary to its own best interest or safety. Here, we tried to coax them to look at the camera, but something else caught Clive’s attention.

: Once inside, Dolma carefully goes over their coats with a metal curry comb. This helps pull dirt and dead hairs out of the coat. The short teeth help to loosen dirt, and stimulate the skin to produce natural oils. Each donkey is given a good, thorough brushing while the others watch from nearby.

: Once Clive is brushed, Dolma moves on to Billie on the other side, and then Rufus in the center.

: Donkeys and horses are ungulates – hoofed animals. After an entire day outdoors, these hooves can get filled with muck and stones.

: Using a hoof pick, Dolma holds a hoof securely in one hand, while she carefully scrapes the dried mud and stones out of the hoof’s crevices with the other. While cleaning the hooves, it’s a good time to make sure they are all in good condition. Donkey hooves support the entire weight of their bodies, and need to be properly maintained. Hooves should be trimmed by a professional farrier every six to eight weeks.