| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Nov 13 2008 : 1:18:06 PM
Hi all, it is has been such a long time since I have been on the forum. (Sometimes life just gets a bit too hectic for the luxury of sitting at the computer.)
I am in the planning phase for next Spring and am interested in adding a couple of Mini Donkeys or Mini-jacks to our farm. Have any of you had any experience with these adorable critters? I am interested in what your experience has been like. Should I do this??
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Nov 17 2008 : 4:51:36 PM
Thanks Kim....I really appreciate your input!
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| TabithaLenox |
Posted - Nov 17 2008 : 09:14:57 AM
Beverly, the answer to your question "perfect pet and/or stubborn" is YES! LOL, they are both. They are very sweet and gentle if raised and handled properly but the youngsters especially can be very willful and stubborn. The older they get the easier they are to handle IF they've had proper handling and training. Did you go to the website I mentioned in an earlier post? The psychology and behavior of longears is much different from a horse. There are some similarities of course but the differences are important to know when you consider a longear. They are generally easy keeps and healthy. But there are cautions....they are very good at getting thru fencing, gates,into cabinets, etc. Some horses do not like donkeys and will attack them. They smell different from horses (they do not have the horse smell and their manure has more of a livestock smell) and some horses absolutely do not like them. Also, many donkeys will not tolerate dogs...it seems to be an individual thing and they can be trained to get used to your dogs but caution is the rule with that one. Their first instinct is to kick, not flee. Again, good training is key there and a new donkey, old or young, will test you. They form very strong bonds with other members of the herd, horse or donkey, and can be very hard to separate from their buddy unless you start working on that early on. I'm not trying to deter you, I'm just trying to give you an idea of what is involved because they are very different from horses in some ways. We had a mini Sicilian donkey named Bubba when my son was young and he was a great little guy but there wasn't a fence that could keep him in and he used to visiting our neighbors barn whenever he liked! LOLLLL Our current longear, Becky the mule, is a sweet girl but she does have her quirks....
Hope that helps?
Kim
Farmgirl #184
All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream....
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| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 4:08:09 PM
Our horses will be housed in one area....I was planning to add a mini donkey or two to our pony family. As far as upkeep....maybe what she meant is that mini donkeys, like ponies are what we call "easy keepers" They do not eat the amount of grain, or need supplements like most horses. They need a smaller amount of grazing area, because they tend to get a bit pudgy easier than the horses. We have tons of pasture land and lots of room to run, with shelter in each pasture. We are a kind and gentle farm...and love our animals like they are our kids.
My only worry is that I have heard two different stories when it comes to the mini jacks. I have heard some say that they can be quite stubborn, and I have heard others say they are a perfect "pet" for a farm family and easy to handle.....so I guess what I am hoping to hear is that the second is true. I have found a few websites of breeders within a few states from here...as I am willing to travel to find the "right" animal.
Thanks all for your input....I always like to hear what my farmgal friends think when trying to make an important "farm" decision. I will keep you posted with my decision....when, where,what,how.....
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| Jami |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 3:55:40 PM
Good suggestions TM. I agree that Bev is going about this in a great way by doing some research first and seeing if they will "fit" on her farm.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
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| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 2:29:07 PM
Bev,
I'd suggest looking for a few mini donkey farms online and contacting and perhaps even calling the owners to chat with them and hear from them about their experiences. If there is a mini donkey farm in your area by all means see if they can schedule a meet up time with you so that you can see things for yourself..up close and personal.And be able to chat with the breeders. This way you'll get a feel for the personality and care /housing and everything in between that these little gals/guys require.
And I for one know that if you decide to head into raising these darling creatures... that on your farm the animals will be part of the family and more than spoiled.How you have raised the Fainting goats and adore them is evidence of that!
I know you'll make the right choice to suit your needs. Best of Luck to you!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
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| Jami |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 1:12:18 PM
I don't mean to be a nervous Nellie but I have seen a mini-horse on the way into town. It's tied up to a tree in the front yard and I believe the owners are gone all day working. I've never seen it untied. I am not saying any of you are treating your animals that way...just that people think they somehow have different needs of a larger variety of horse or donkey and I disagree with this.
I am curious as to why they require any less care than a large horse or donkey--don't they need regular hoof care, worming, teeth care and such? I only have regular sized horses and my experience is they take the same amount of care whether they are working hard or standing in the corral.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
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| TabithaLenox |
Posted - Nov 15 2008 : 03:48:43 AM
I totally agree Cristine. I had a Mini Jack at one time and he was very aggressive with our other guys. Almost killed one of our mini horses.
Kim
Farmgirl #184
All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream....
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com |
| MsCwick |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 2:17:56 PM
i think you want to avoid the males as they can get protective of the others and downright agressive. but this may only be on ungelded ones. gelded equines are always calmer and nicer IMHO |
| TabithaLenox |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 2:01:07 PM
Great, didn't know if you were new to all this....you'll love Meredith Hodges site. BTW, we have two Haflinger geldings!
Kim
Farmgirl #184
All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream....
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 1:55:49 PM
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the great info. We already have 3 horses, a halflinger, and a sweet pony....but I just love the mini-jacks. I will check out the website!
Visit my blog at: www.sewonandsewfourth.blogspot.com
Visit our farm at: www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com
Aprons for sale at: www.apronmaven.blogspot.com |
| TabithaLenox |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 1:43:34 PM
Are you planning on breeding Mini-Jacks? If not, make sure you get them already gelded! Mini Donkeys are wonderful critters but long ears as a rule, are very different creatures than horses. They are much more emotional in nature and become very emotionally attached to their companions and their people. They also have very long memories so if you mis-treat one, they will remember. Make sure you buy from a reputable seller and if you are opting for buying from an auction use your intuition.
Here's an excellent website with great info www.luckythreeranch.com Meredith Hodges is an amazing trainer and loves her mules and donkeys.
If you decide you prefer horses (some people do...) then think about miniature horses or Falabella ponies. They're wonderful too!
Hope that helps,
Kim
Farmgirl #184
All that we see or seem, Is but a dream within a dream....
http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com |
| frolicnfibers |
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 06:40:23 AM
Hi Beverly! I have not personally, but my good friend has some and just loves them. She says they are as friendly and affectionate as dogs and a lot less upkeep than her horses and various other animals. Good luck with them!
Diana
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