[mftx4]

When they steal your heart, what can you do? I have an 18 year old mare that everyone thought I was crazy for taking in too. She had been a broody for a long time, but had been ridden previously. Skinny as a rail and no life to her. She's queen of the pasture. Not because she's pushy, because she is special. Rides like a dream now that her feet are in good shape, toed out and all. MFT and gaits as smooth as glass. She was headed for the 'big pasture' if I hadn't taken her. I don't know if you've ever heard of MFT's that purr, but she does. Hangs her head over my shoulder and purr's. I'm 5'5" and her withers are above my head. Best babysitter for our non horsey friends. She's not beautiful by some peoples standards, but she's gorgeous to me.

[oldhorsehome]

What a cutie!! I love donkeys!

My Abe loves to be scratched on his chest. He also loves hugs - he will stick his head under my arm so I'll hug his neck. But, he won't tolerate anyone messing with his ears. I do though, just to bug him.

I love the "puffing" sound he makes when he's not quite up to a full bray!

[OregonRain]

congrats on your new donkey! Your situation as to how you got him sounds just like how we got our donkey. But we got our Berry from someone who rescued him from a neglectful home. He had super bad rain rot in some areas when the woman before us got him and was super thin. By the time we got him (which was a couple months after she got him) he was on the mend. He fattened up pretty quick, haha! He had his feet done, was halter broke and came with a saddle he now takes our 4 year old daughter on pony rides almost everyday. he's such a trooper!
Donkeys are so incredibly fun!! Mine is like our herd protector. When there is something loud or scary, the sheep and alpacas freak out and form a tight little herd, but our donkey goes right up to the dog/riding mower/tractor/whatever scary thing and tries to investigate and if it seems scary, he'll chase it away. Not always the greatest when it's our dogs but i appreciate his sense of responsibility to his herd! Meanwhile, our mare is ignoring the scariness and is grazing out in the field somewhere
Anyways, yeah, donkeys are super easy keepers. our guy only needs his feet trimmed about once every 4 months or so. and believe me, i would do it more often if he needed it but he really doesn't!
And also, our guy was said to be a mini donkey but when we got there to meet him we were like "uh....this is a standard size donkey!" But we got him anyways because he was such a sweetie.
Enjoy your new friend!!

[SaddleTrail]

Thank you all so much!!!

He let me lead him around for a walk tonight then he got loose! He was doing so good, only stopping to pull back twice! Then my hand slipped from the lead and he took off herheh.

I just followed him until he got to the point of stopping on the lead and he stood still, so I just eased up to him, praised him real big in a gentle voice and wa la he let me take the lead!

A few minutes ago he was trying to bray so I went out there and was talking to him. Held my hand out with a peppermint in my palm.
OMG I melted, his sweet lips took that from my hand so gentle and soft like.

Looks dont mean a thing to me heheh. I bet that horse of yours MF is incrediably handsome!!!

[horse_mom]

I have a standard doneky mare we adopted from the BLM. She's the funniest little creature!
She LOVES getting fly sprayed, having her corona put on, stuff like that. She can see who ever is getting fly sprayed from her stall and starts whining(Not a full bray more like a ehhhhhhhhh eh eh ehhhhhhhh sound!) and pacing until you go over and spray her down.

She loves having her feet picked out too.

And she will do just about anything for an ear rub or butt scratch

She's sooo gentle with the little kids, and when they give her treats she very easily takes them using only her lips.

when she doesn't like a food or treat she sticks her tounge out and just lets it hang there for a good 5 minutes lol.

your boy's so cute, i'm sure you'll have him good as new in no time!

[Stormyheart6160]

Originally Posted by mftx4

Sorry, I was under the impression he was trained but poorly cared for. Yes, it will take some time. Those little guys are all about self preservation, though some think it's stubborness. Sounds like , calm, quiet, no fast moves, especially on his blind side. Just a suggestion, but working up his neck and inch at a time, as he'll tolerate. I've never known any to be real lovey, dovey, like a horse can be. When they trust you though, they'll work hard for you, as long as your, what they consider, fair.

My donkey, Preacher, is very trusting and very "lovey-dovey". He loves being petted, scratched, hugged and kissed. Whenever he see's me, he'll start braying at me until I come and pay some attention to him. It's pretty bad when I have to "sneak around" just to go outside real quick to get something. LMAO

[mftx4]

I've only met a few donkeys. Most were acctually used for farming when I was young. The man had drafts, mules and donkeys and each team had their particular 'job' depending on the work to be done. They lived down the road from us, and believe me, with 4 mules and 2 donkeys, you knew when meal time was, even from my house.

[SaddleTrail]

I got up early this morning and when I looked out the window here is Jasper standing there with his lead line around his back leg. Im thinking oh man how am I going to get it loose right.

I walk up to him unclip his lead while holding his halter, it slowly slid around his hocks and down around his foot. He didn't move a muscle!! Just stood there and let me do it!!

Then I started rubbing his shoulder and worked my way to his back, and back up to his shoulder again and he let me!!

I am so excited!! I fed him a peppermint I just happen to have in my pocket his sweet lips were so soft and he took it very gently!

Jasper Dee Donkey is his new name hehehhe

[Sterling]

Congratulations on your new friend, he is very cute. I have a mini donkey aswell and they can be very very affectionate once they trust you. Mine was very standoffish at first and now he doesnt leave me alone.

[SaddleTrail]

Thank you Sterling ~S~ I am so happy to have him with me!! I got him as a companion to my mini stud who has been moping around with out any one but me to play with. I am hoping they will get along. Im pretty sure they will since Jasper is a gelding.

Now I just have to get his shots and feet done. I can give the shots but think for the first time I want the vet to do it.