Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994 TAG: 9405060086
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Karen Davis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
S.M., Riner
A: According to Christine Emeigh of Eagle Rock, donkeys make pleasurable pets. Emeigh has two miniature donkeys, Bart and Abby. At maturity, miniature donkeys, also called Sicilian donkeys, stand 36 inches or less as measured from the withers.
``They nuzzle up to me and bray at me a lot. The more time I spend with them, the more vocal they get,'' Emeigh said. The donkeys get along well with her cats, but not as well with her five dogs.
Before you acquire a donkey as a pet, contact the American Donkey and Mule Society. The address is 2901 North Elm Street, Denton, Texas 76201. The phone number is (817) 382-6845. The society does not return phone calls, but if you leave your name and address on the answering service, your information request will be handled by mail. The society maintains several registries, publishes a magazine and offers books, novelties, lists of breeders and some free literature. Membership dues are $15 a year.
Some people keep donkeys as stable companions for their horses or as protection for herds of sheep. A donkey will bond with sheep, bed down with them at night, and upon hearing any strange sounds, will warn the flock of danger.
A donkey is cared for much like a horse and requires the same feed and the same shots. Choose a good quality horse or mule feed with about 10 percent protein. Good quality hay is important if pasture is limited. About one acre of good pasture is needed to grass-feed one donkey and provide exercise space.
Although donkeys are not as prone to founder as horses are, said Dr. Kathryn Trimpi of Roanoke Valley Equine Clinic in Daleville, overfeeding and obesity still lead to inevitable health complications. So ask a breeder or veterinarian for feeding quidelines for the various stages of your donkey's life.
Like horses, donkeys' hooves need to be trimmed regularly by a farrier, however, donkeys don't need to have their teeth floated (filed) as often as horses do. Donkeys also need to be dewormed every two months, especially in spring and summer, Trimpi said.
For your first donkey, consider purchasing either a female donkey, called a jennet or jenny, or a castrated male donkey, called a gelding. Jennets can be a bit moody when in season, so a gelding is probably the best bet for a pet. A novice should never purchase an intact male donkey, called a jack or jackass. The more aggressive jacks are best left to experienced handlers for the purpose of breeding more donkeys and mules.
A mule, by the way, is a hybrid cross between a jack and a mare (female horse). A hinny is a hybrid cross between a stallion (male horse) and a jennet. Mules and hinnies are sexually normal but sterile, except in freak instances.
To the inexperienced eye, some mules and donkeys look alike. Depending on type, the telltale difference is not always apparent in size, color or ear length. Rather, it's the other end that tells all. A donkey has a tufted or ``broom'' tail like a cow; a mule has a full tail like a horse.
Donkeys come in several breeds, including the miniature (up to 36 inches), the standard donkey (36 to 48 inches tall), the large standard donkey (48 to 56 inches tall), and the Mammoth Jack Stock, the world's largest ass standing 54 inches tall and up. George Washington founded this large American breed with imported stock from Spain.
Before you buy a donkey, it's a good idea to have a veterinarian check the animal first. Remember, too, that a healthy donkey can live 30 or 35 years, so consider your purchase a lifetime commitment.
Karen L. Davis is a Roanoke free-lance writer and pet owner. Her column runs twice a month. Send general-interest questions to The Pet Podium, in care of the Features Department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.
by CNB