Donkeys

[niemeyjt]

Switzerland has strict laws about horses and donkeys (they should be adopted everywhere ...), including not keeping them alone, or even with a non-equine friend.

That's a pain - my window box is only large enough for one

[Bayleaf]

Perhaps you could have some of these instead?

window box donkeys.jpg

[Bayleaf]

Anyone else on here got donkeys? We've had two for nearly 20 years.

Any particular reason you asked?

[Polarengineer]

Regarding roaming the land. See "Allemansrätten" in wiki. There are differences even among the Nordic lands.

[Coldonat]

Anyone else on here got donkeys? We've had two for nearly 20 years.

Any particular reason you asked?

Just curious and interested, and these replies, and yours, have been interesting. Do you do their feet yourself? We use a marechal, and although I could do it, it's reassuring to have a professional looking at them.
They certainly shouldn't be left on their own. There's a horse in a field near us and it has a goat as its friend. The Swiss law is a bit over the top.

[Bayleaf]

[/quote]
Do you do their feet yourself? We use a marechal, and although I could do it, it's reassuring to have a professional looking at them.
[/quote]

No, a neighbour currently does them, who was trained as a bare-hoof trimmer in NZ and does his own horses. I did have a marechal do them years ago, who gave it up after her Dad (also a marechal) got kicked in the head by an horse and died. Her apprentice replacement did a terrible job the first time she was here solo, and the pony could barely walk for weeks. That's when the neighbour stepped in.

Before I had them, they both suffered an Italian farrier - who apparently hated horses anyway, and he was brutal to the donkey (even hit him with the file once so I'm told). So, when I adopted them, it was a long process to regain Donk's trust to have anyone near his hooves and make him realise humans aren't evil.

So, "professionals" aren't always what they claim to be!

[Blaze]

So, "professionals" aren't always what they claim to be!

I wouldn't touch a farrier who doesn't have patience and understanding. I'm always surprised that equines aren't manipulated more when they're young - groomed, feet picked out, ears fiddled with, teeth looked at etc etc. This should be part of breaking-in, as should going in and out of a trailer and being showered (@Veem This is what all Ecole Blondeau horses are taught

[manonthemoon2]

Now around 4 ish years on Eeeore is still alone. I feel so sad for him. Am I right in thinking donkeys like to be with other donkeys?

Donkeys are in general not solitary creatures. They're happy with any friend - be it another donkey, pony, horse, cow or even goat. There's nothing sadder than any animal in a field on it's own, especially donkeys. Are there animals in a neighbouring field?

No, none

[Bayleaf]

Now around 4 ish years on Eeeore is still alone. I feel so sad for him. Am I right in thinking donkeys like to be with other donkeys?

Donkeys are in general not solitary creatures. They're happy with any friend - be it another donkey, pony, horse, cow or even goat. There's nothing sadder than any animal in a field on it's own, especially donkeys. Are there animals in a neighbouring field?

No, none

That's sad then. Often farmers will keep a donkey with their cows - when it's calving time, the donkeys (moreso if it's a jenny) will alert all and sundry if a cow is struggling with a birth. The mum and daughter that step-dad had, saved several cows and calves over the years.

[suein56]

Often farmers will keep a donkey with their cows - when it's calving time, the donkeys (moreso if it's a jenny) will alert all and sundry if a cow is struggling with a birth. The mum and daughter that step-dad had, saved several cows and calves over the years

I've always had a soft spot for Donkeys .. now I know why Such a heart-warming post.