Two Donkeys Join My Herd
My Bedford, New York farm is now home to two more equids - two sweet, young and beautiful donkeys.
The donkeys arrived at my farm two weeks ago - one male and one female. Within days, my farrier and my equine veterinarian came by to give them both thorough check-ups and so far, they’re doing just great. I affectionately named them “Jude Junior” and “Truman Junior” after my grandchildren - I can't wait until they meet them the next time they visit the farm.
Enjoy these photos of the newest members of my family.
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- Here they are the day they arrived at the stable – still unsure about their new surroundings, but very calm and gentle from the start.
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- This is the “jenny” I named Jude Junior – she’s about two years old. She is the second jenny to join the herd – Billie is also a female donkey.
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- The male, Truman Junior, is about four years old and a little taller. The two are very bonded and will share this stall right next to my resident “three amigos” – Clive, Rufus, and Billie.
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- Clive has been very interested in his new friends since they “moved in” – always looking over as if to make sure they are alright.
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- Here are the two outside just after visiting their new paddock. Donkeys are happiest when they are with their friends – these two will never be far apart.
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- These two look very healthy, but it was important to have them both checked out by my farrier and my veterinarian right away.
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- My farrier, Linda Friedman, has been tending to my horses’ shoe needs for many years. She is an expert in shoeing and trimming equine hooves, and she is very passionate about her work and the horses under her care. Here she is filing Jude Junior’s rear hooves while my stable manager, Sarah Levins, holds her head and keeps her calm. Donkey hooves support the entire weight of their bodies and need to be properly maintained. Hooves should be trimmed every six to eight weeks.
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- Next, my equine veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Kilgallon, gives them both check-ups and any necessary vaccinations.
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- Both donkeys are healthy and happy – I know they will love it here at the farm.
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- It was time for a clipping. “Jude Junior” has quite a thick coat, so just like the others, these donkeys will get fresh haircuts.
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- Helen starts with the small clippers on the back of the neck as Dolma sits nearby to offer support.
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- Jude Junior is extremely well behaved and still – she is accustomed to being groomed and clipped.
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- Helen moves on to the rear – always taking the clippers against the direction of the natural lie of the hair and adjusting the direction of the clippers whenever the lie of the hair changes.
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- After Jude Junior was done, Helen moves on to Truman Junior.
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- He is also very well-behaved during the process.
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- It did not take long at all to get them both clipped – they look great.
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- Their tails, legs, and heads are left as is to protect them from biting insects.
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- Look at all the hair that was removed.
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- The two look more comfortable already.
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- All my equines love Dolma – here she is petting Truman Junior for being such a good boy during the clipping.
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- We took them outside for a brief walk around the stable courtyard. Donkeys are calm, intelligent, and have a natural inclination to like people – they already love greeting all the visitors.
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- Donkeys are also very curious – Truman Junior seems to enjoy watching the activity around the farm.
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- Under all that fur, I think Jude Junior may even be grinning at the camera.
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- It will take them a little while to fully acclimate to their new home, but I know they will thrive here at Cantitoe Corners. Welcome to the farm, my dear little donkeys.
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