I just got an email from a dear friend (and awesome equine transport person) passing along a request from a vet up in Waimea. Apparently, someone has trapped and caught a lot of the Kona Nightingales which are wild donkeys. He dumped them on the vet, and now there are 39 donkeys needing homes.
I need another animal like a hole in the head, but there is some weird feature in my life that wants to say "yes" to animals that need homes. (The real reason I can't EVER go to the Humane Society....)
I would love any feedback on donkeys that anyone has to share...
13 comments:
You could stop by at Neverwinter and ask her opinion.
http://neverwinterfarm.wordpress.com/
I will check her out...thanks!
Hi there. Chai Chai asked me to stop by. Let me tell you, Donkey's can be the most wonderful creatures to own. However, a wild donkey is not something for a novice. Any farrier will tell you that the difference between donkey and horse is that the donkey aims for the head. To handle a wild one would be more than intimidating even to those of us who consider themselves "real" horsepeople. If you must have a donkey, try to rescue one that is small and mild mannered that is looking for a new home. Do you have Craigslist there? There are usually some adorable minis that always seem in pathetic situations here. A wild donkey is not something that I would consider myself. Even with years of experience in management of equines. They are determined, stubborn at times, and VERY strong. Super smart and I can't imagine adding all of that to the element of them being SCARED. Let me know if I can help in any way. You can see a photo of my mini-donkey on my blog. She is exactly what I'd recommend to the first timer. Very docile and helpful with the other animals. Keeps everyone safe and is quick to sound the alarm. She is wonderful with kids and very accepting of them (safe in other words.) *Remember the most important thing. They instinctively AIM for the head and even my little donkey has killed a dog with a single strike of the forward hoof to the head!!! Crazy, huh? The neighbor's dog was relentlessly harrassing a little goat that was in her care. Big mistake. And sad too. Have a wonderful night.
Thanks Neverwinter. The equine part is the only part of this place that isn't Hapless - I am a "real" horse person, too, but haven't had much experience with donkeys - the trapped donkeys are a range of ages, and I was thinking about a weanling that I could halter break and train to stand for the farrier, etc. I knew they were different than horses, and the protective instinct sounds good to me with my sheep - but I really think we might be too wet for a donkey (I did a little research after I posted). We get 200 inches of rain a year, and if they tend to founder, it would be a constant battle. I have been battling that with my Paint horse for years. I am lucky my warmblood is so very sound!
Oh, my. 39 donkeys.
I can't imagine finding homes for all of them in such a small popu.... there I go assuming again. LOL Seems like an island would be tough finding enough takers.
I wonder what will happen to them.
I agree with you, I'd only take a very young one. I've never had donkeys but a neighbor down the road did. All his next door neighbors were incredibly irritated at the noise, but we were a few properties down and I enjoyed hearing them bray every so often. They were cute.
~Faith
The Big island has about 148,000 people - still pretty small to find homes for 39+ donkeys - I reread the email and there were 39 at the vet's and about 20 more at another place -and they'd already placed 12! I had no idea the wild donkeys were so numerous.
Someone across the highway (which is a little ways from me) had two, and I enjoyed hearing them, too, but that was a ways off.
Sounds like another rescue mission/project Nancy!!
Nancy...Just say NO...
http://www.kitv.com/r/25833134/detail.html
A local vet sent out an email plea to all the "horse"people in the area - so I felt a "maybe", but you are right - I have enough on my plate.
Regarding founder, your research is accurate there. My mini had a mild founder a few years ago. They can live on air, and of course we have a hard time keeping weight off of her! A baby would be fun, but not in a REAL donkey size. A baby mini would be "it." Funny about the braying comments. We live pretty far out and I've never had complaints, but it is a concern. They are quite loud! It's that braying that scares the predators away and it is hilarious, but annoying in the middle of the night (although I've learned I do not need to go "check" as she has it under control.) I do LOVE and adore my donkey. But, I will only recommend a mini and even then . . find one that is perfect!
We have a lot of rain, a lot of green grass, a sea of mud - a recipe for founder for the animal predisposed for it. I would love a donkey (and a mini sounds like so much fun - not sure there are many here, however), but I don't know that I could in conscience bring a founder prone animal to this environment. It has been a constant, heart-wrenching struggle to care for my laminitic paint....
I appreciate your comments neverwinter - they helped me get over my urge to nurture and realize I don't have the time for another equine!
You hit the nail on the head! A donkey is most certainly an EQUINE. We both know that NO equine is truly low maintenance. (At least not when cared for correctly.)
Glad I could help. Sounds like you are doing plenty as it is! Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks, you have a good weekend, too.
Post a Comment