The beginning of Goobie’s adoption story is unfortunately not unusual. But for Goobie’s sake, thankfully it has a happy ending.

In a story, “Donkeys on Duty! Albert and Yankee Get New Jobs and Second Chances” posted on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) website, when a horse or donkey is being rehomed, it is often due to a change in their owner’s life circumstances. In Goobie’s case, he and his equine companion found themselves alone in the world when their elderly owner passed away.

Further complicating matters, there were no family or friends to step in and take over their care, illustrating the importance of an often-ignored area of equine ownership: having an emergency plan in place.

It was not until well-meaning neighbors intervened that local law enforcement officials collected Goobie and the horse, delivering them to River Edge Farm Horse Rescue near Lyles, Tenn., for care and adoption.

Although safe, Goobie’s story took another sad turn. While his partner soon found a good home, Goobie’s adoption proved a bit more challenging. One reason, perhaps, is that his beauty is found more in his personality than his physical appearance.

Companion Donkeys

Meanwhile, some 150 miles away, my journey toward adopting Goobie was unfolding.

In September 2021, I purchased a young American Warmblood gelding named Bucky. My herd already consisted of a Half-Arabian mare, Sally, and her companion donkey, Harmony.

Sally, who has metabolic issues, lives on a dry lot year-round, making it an easy management choice for the donkey, who flourishes (despite not facing similar issues) within her living arrangement.

Although I made it possible for Bucky to both see and hear his companions, it was important that they not be able to touch. Sally, extremely mareish, made plain her intention to injure him.

It quickly became clear that he needed a companion of his own. Even a system I developed to share Harmony’s companionship ultimately failed, expediting my need to find Bucky a new friend.

A Link to Goobie

A few months later, I had still not found a suitable companion equine. But by February 2022, Bucky and I were ready for the next step in our story, one that would ultimately lead us to Goobie.

My schedule as a teacher, writer, and farmer can be extremely full. I decided that for Bucky to be better prepared for the fun I had mapped out for us that spring, I would need to send him to a trainer, Brittany Malinoski in Lebanon, Tenn.

It was an enjoyable time in both our lives as Bucky progressed and my friendship with Brittany grew. Through our talks, I learned that in addition to client horses, Brittany also trains rescue horses for River Edge, a kind act that often makes them more adoptable. It was through her relationship with the farm that she became acquainted with Goobie.

During updates and riding lessons, we talked about my need for a donkey companion for Bucky. It was during one of these conversations that Brittany told me about Goobie and his plight. Based solely on her description, by the time Bucky’s 90 days of training ended, I had agreed to adopt him, sight unseen.

Meet and Greet

Because Bucky’s vacant training spot was being filled by a horse from River Edge, they kindly agreed to deliver Goobie when they brought the new horse to the facility where Brittany trains. The first time I met him, when my husband and I brought the truck and trailer to bring Bucky home, the two of them had already had an opportunity to become familiar with one another.

Even though he was about to catch the best break he’d had since his owner’s passing, in Goobie’s eyes, our arrival was an unwelcome surprise.

Despite being well-informed, I was a little taken aback by his appearance. Then, nervous and mostly unskilled at trailer loading, he refused to be caught so that he could be loaded.

Still, once he was caught, he willingly followed Bucky as he was brought onto our spacious stock trailer. I decided to press forward, and the pair quietly traveled home.

Opposites Attract

Over the last year and a half, Goobie has proven that beauty is much more than in the eye of the beholder, and he is doing well with his new companion.

He is as knowing as his ancient appearance suggests he would be, and he is a perfect partner for his young pasture mate. Spinning, trotting, galloping, and bucking at a moment’s notice, Bucky can be playful and unpredictable in the pasture.

Goobie, his polar opposite, offsets Bucky’s antics with his calming presence. Sometimes Bucky also enjoys a good play fight—biting, rearing, striking, and more. While Goobie is not always willing to join in, he is accepting of Bucky’s antics rather than fighting back, and he has become a wonderful instructor of manners to his young friend!

Donkey Differences

Despite his quiet inner beauty and good relationship with Bucky, their relatively new partnership does have its imperfections. While I considered myself somewhat knowledgeable about donkeys, since I had already owned a donkey for several years, Goobie has presented me with his own unique set of learning opportunities that differ from those of Harmony.

Far from halter broke, Goobie still adamantly refuses to be haltered. On the few times I have been able to manage it and experiment with the various styles and padding options of breakaway pasture halters, each has rubbed his sensitive skin. So for now, he remains halter-free. Instead, I have discovered that he will quietly allow himself to be wedged between a panel and a wall for routine farrier and veterinary care, something I hope to improve on in the future.

Goobie and I have arranged an understanding. Because I frequently bring Bucky and Goobie in from the pasture together, he willingly trots ahead on the way to the barn. Much like my other donkey, he lets me know when he wants attention and when he doesn’t, further narrowing down his preferences from a pat or scratch to a more extensive grooming session.

Basic Training

In their website story, “6 Tips for Getting Donkeys Adopted,” the ASPCA advocates for training donkeys to be haltered, led, groomed, loaded onto a trailer, and have their feet picked up. I believe these basics are important for all equids to ensure a safe landing in the event the unexpected happens.

Though I never intend for Goobie to find himself in an uncertain situation again, he is still very much a work in progress. In spite of the work still to come, I plan to provide him with a home for the rest of his life where he knows nothing but love and good care.

Though the adoption story that Goobie and I share is somewhat unusual, I strongly encourage anyone considering adopting a donkey to do their research and, if it seems like a good fit, begin the process of searching for your perfect match. You, too, may find an unusual but happy pairing.

This article about adopting a companion donkey appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post An Unlikely Friend: Adopting a Companion Donkey appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

As donkeys grow in popularity as pasture companions, livestock guardians and pets, it’s essential that current and prospective owners understand their basic care. This is especially important when it comes to nutrition—an area where donkeys differ dramatically from horses.

To learn more about donkey care, we checked in with the nation’s largest donkey rescue and a long-time miniature donkey breeder.

Different Personalities than Horses

One of the greatest differences between horses and donkeys is their mindset regarding anything new. Horses react; donkeys think it through.

“If you want an animal who takes orders, a donkey is not a good choice; if you want a companion, a donkey is a good choice,” says Cindy Benson, who has been breeding miniature donkeys for the last 30 years.

“Miniature donkey is a breed; Mediterranean or Sicilian is descriptive of the same animal,” explains Benson, whose Benson Ranch is located in Gold Hill, Ore. “Mini donkeys are like a cross between a Labrador and a kindergartener; they’re more like dogs than horses. They never outgrow their ‘foal behaviors,’ so they act more like baby animals for life, which makes them good pets.”

Ask anyone what word they first associate with “donkey,” and it’s probably “stubborn.” However, this is a misleading stereotype.

“It’s a misnomer that donkeys are stubborn; that’s their self-preservation drive,” says Kim Elger, Chief Operating Officer for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (PVDR), the largest donkey rescue organization in the U.S. “Getting past that requires trust, which is a huge building block to a relationship with a donkey. Once you get to that point, they are loving, affectionate and easily trained. They love their people. They are man’s other best friend. Like dogs, they want to be a helper and supervisor.”

Headquartered in San Angelo, Texas, PVDR has satellite facilities in several states. Since its founding in 2000, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has rescued over 13,000 donkeys, both wild and domesticated.

“Donkeys are prey animals and have one of the highest self-preservation drives of any equine,” Elger explains. “They don’t spook like a horse. Their ‘fight or flight’ instinct tends to lean toward fight. They will size you up and won’t run from you, but they defend themselves if need be.”

Bring Home a Pair

Both Benson and Elger emphasize the importance of not having a solo donkey. For the animal’s sake, you want to have at least two.

“Just having one donkey creates a pushier, bossier animal because they’re socially deprived and needy,” notes Benson.

Donkey Nutritional Needs

Improper feeding is the most common mistakes donkey owners make. If you have a donkey as a companion for a horse, separate them at feeding time.

As descendants of the African wild ass from the arid deserts of Africa, donkeys have lower caloric needs than other equines.

“Obesity kills donkeys faster than anything,” says Benson. “Donkeys are bred to be thrifty and efficient with food.”

Elger agrees.

“They’re used to surviving on scarce resources, and their bodies are conditioned to utilize every bit of food,” she says.

“People tend to assume that donkeys can be fed like horses, so they overindulge with treats or allow too much access to grazing. Donkeys gain weight a lot faster than horses, and obesity will shorten their lifespan.”

Dry lots can be critically important for turnout if you live in an area with plentiful grazing.

“Having a dry lot is one of the best things you can do to prevent donkeys from getting obese,” says Elger. “This allows you to limit the amount of grazing.” She recommends only allowing a few hours of afternoon grazing, since grass sugar is highest in the morning.

Improper feeding can lead to obesity, founder and insulin resistance. Abrupt diet changes and stress can put donkeys at risk of hyperlipaemia, a life-threatening condition occurs when too much fat builds up in the blood, leading to organ failure.

“A protein level below 10 percent is ideal for donkeys,” says Elger. “Suitable hay would be a grass hay, such as Bermuda, coastal, orchard, timothy or brome. Don’t feed alfalfa—the protein can easily exceed 25 percent.”

Feed 2 percent of the donkey’s body weight in hay per day. For a standard donkey weighing 500 pounds, that amounts to 10 pounds of hay daily. For a mini donkey weighing 300 pounds, it’s about 6 pounds.

Because they don’t need a lot of hay, keep donkeys happily chewing by spacing out feedings during the day.

Fresh, cool water should always be available, along with a mineral block.

Although you’ve probably guessed it by now, be sure to skip the grain!

“Feeding grain is overkill; donkeys don’t need this supplementation,” says Elger.

Weight Concerns

The donkey’s crest is the first place you’ll notice weight gain.

“Put your hands on the neck,” says Benson. “A loose, ‘squishy’ crest is healthy. If it’s getting firm or flopping over, that’s [too much] weight gain. It’s not the size of the crest, but how solid it is. Mini donkeys are round by nature, so their bellies won’t tell you they’re overweight.”

Overfed donkeys can also develop fat “pones” (fatty deposits) on their bodies. These deposits won’t go away, even if the diet is corrected.

Watch the Treats

“Manners matter,” says Benson. “If a behavior is not acceptable with a 1,200-pound horse, don’t let your donkey do it either. It’s hard to get a farrier to work with them if they’re pushy and disrespectful.”

Many owners unintentionally encourage pushy behavior with treats.

“Food creates social stress for animals,” Benson continues. “Once you take food out to multiple donkeys, they become competitive, and it increases stress between them. If you come without food and just touch, talk and love on them, it won’t make them competitive with each other. Choose relationships over treats.”

If you must give treats, do so in moderation and one-on-one. Carrots can present a choking hazard because of their shape, so cut them into sticks, not round sections.

Elger uses treats in PVDR’s positive reinforcement training program, but only when working with a single donkey. She feeds low-sugar equine treats or carrots, either shredded or cut into 2-inch sticks.

Donkey Hoof Care

Donkey hoof growth varies between individuals and is affected by age, seasonal changes, living conditions and amount of exercise.

“In the wild, donkeys are walking 7 to 10 miles a day and naturally wearing down their hooves, but this is not the case with the donkey in your backyard,” says Elger.

Generally speaking, for ideal hoof care, donkeys should be trimmed every 8 to 12 weeks. Avoid going longer than 13 weeks between trims.

Vaccinations

Like horses, donkeys should be protected by annual vaccination.

“We recommend vaccinating for eastern and western encephalitis (EEE and WEE), tetanus, rabies, West Nile and rhino,” says Elger. “Talk to your veterinarian about what is recommended in your region.”

Deworming

Internal parasite management is an important part of donkey health care. Your veterinarian can help create an individualized deworming plan.

“Donkeys are more prone to lungworms than other equines, so we recommend using an ivermectin dewormer every six months,” says Elger, adding that fecal testing is helpful for an effective deworming program.

Donkey Dental Care

Schedule an annual dental exam for your donkeys. They may not require actual dental work every year, but should be examined just to be sure.

“Donkeys can run into issues with teeth as they age, so after age 20, they should have a dental exam every six months,” adds Elger, noting that it’s not unusual for domesticated donkeys to live into their 30s and 40s.

Shelter necessities

Unlike horses, who “fluff up” with an undercoat in winter, donkeys don’t have this ability. Perhaps due to their African origins, their coats don’t repel water like a horse’s, so a soaked donkey can get dangerously cold in rain, snow and windy conditions.

Blankets are rarely needed, but shelter is a necessity.

“Donkeys have to stay dry to adequately regulate their body temperature,” says Elger.

Likewise, shade is crucial in summer.

A Stoic Animal

Stoicism is a donkey trademark.

“Living in the wild, the weakest are the first to go, so a donkey will hide illness and injury and not show pain,” says Elger. “By the time a donkey’s body language is showing pain, you already have a very ill donkey and need to get a veterinarian out immediately.”

Benson agrees.

“A donkey will show you at day two what a horse shows you in the first hours,” she says. “By the time a donkey shows you something is wrong, it’s already an emergency.”

Signs a donkey is unwell include:
◆ Any lack of appetite
◆ Ears held out flat to the sides (“helicopter ears”)
◆ Head held straight out instead of upright
◆ Acting “off” from normal behavior

With a little extra thought toward their special health needs, you can have a long and fulfilling partnership with these long-eared equines.

This article about donkey care appeared in the November/December 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post An Overview of Donkey Care appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Without equines, we would not have the America we know today.

This is not at all exaggeration. Without the horses, mules, and donkeys that first came to North America, the early colonists would not have been able to survive the harsh climate, the West would not have been settled, farmers in the Midwest would not have been able to survive, and Native Americans would not have developed equestrian-based methods of hunting and warfare without the use of the mighty horse.

The equines of early America were hardy creatures that often had to fend for themselves. The rugged landscape and challenging climates, combined with scarce food and lack of veterinary care, shaped these horses and donkeys into tough, resilient breeds.

Hundreds of years later, the so-called “heritage” equine breeds are under threat. Competition from the tractor and automobile, along with two World Wars, helped wipe out equine populations around the world early in the 20th century. While a number of them survived the industrial age, some fared better than others. The heritage breeds that remain are some of the rarest and hardiest equines in the world.

Today, a handful remain in North America, representing what’s left of the original animals that worked alongside our ancestors, providing them with transportation, help on the farm, and even companionship.

Fight to Preserve

In 1978, an organization called The Conservancy was formed with the purpose of preserving these once common equines, along with other North American livestock. This nonprofit membership association works to protect endangered livestock breeds from extinction and is currently trying to save 150 breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry, horses, and donkeys. Of those 150 breeds of livestock, 37 are equines.

In 2006, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization estimated that an average of two domestic animal breeds are lost worldwide each week. In the U.S., The Livestock Conservancy is fighting to stem this tide. One of these efforts spawned the creation of the Endangered Equine Alliance, which held its first summit in 2018.

“The Endangered Equine Summit came about in response to a decades-long decline in horse breed registrations, not only for rare breeds, but also for more popular breeds, like Arabians and Saddlebreds,” says Charlene R. Couch, Ph.D., senior program manager for The Livestock Conservancy. “The economic challenges for all equine breeders are significant, but they are even more so for those who breed endangered horses and donkeys.”

According to Couch, ancient breeds such as the Akhal-Teke and Caspian, which have been human partners for thousands of years, are now gravely endangered.

“Even the iconic Cleveland Bay, Clydesdale, and Lipizzan horses are rare,” she says. “In our lifetime, we may bear witness to equine breed extinction.”

If the history of these breeds isn’t enough to inspire their preservation, their ability to contribute to modern equine gene pools should be.

“Heritage-breed horses are not just useful and beautiful—they are an irreplaceable reservoir of equine genetic diversity,” Couch says. “These animals offer valuable traits that were developed over centuries, such as stamina, unique gaits, hardiness, sound feet, and good skeletal structure. Many were important in the formation of America’s more popular breeds, like the American Quarter Horse. In many cases, the ancestral sources of these heritage breeds no longer exist, and that breed cannot be recreated. They are a true genetic treasure, and every loss could be significant for the future of the horse industry.”

The Endangered Equine Alliance

Shortly after the 2018 Summit, more than 50 equine breed associations, plus scientists, sporting groups, and horse industry representatives united to form the Endangered Equine Alliance. The Livestock Conservancy facilitates the exchange of information among Alliance members and serves as a central outlet for educational resources that support equine breed conservation.

So far, the Alliance has accomplished some significant goals, according to Couch.

“We have created a germplasm bank for endangered horse breeds,” she says. “The collection is a sort of ‘doomsday’ vault of genetic materials for breed conservation emergencies. Through the Alliance’s network, we facilitated the banking of semen from Newfoundland Ponies, the Marsh Tacky, Akhal-Teke, and Caspian horses so far, with other breed collections on the horizon.”

The Alliance has also worked to provide breeders with discounts from companies for semen and tissue collection of endangered equine breeds; published the Manual of Methods for Preservation of Valuable Equine Genetics, designed to help owners learn more about new reproduction technologies and how to use them to save breeds and bloodlines; hosted webinars and question-and-answer sessions with equine experts on DNA testing, advanced reproduction techniques, and marketing; and developed an Endangered Equine Alliance website for sharing articles and links, and a Rare Equine Breeds Facebook group that now has more than 2,000 followers worldwide.

“July has been designated as National Horse Month by The Livestock Conservancy, and throughout the month, we provide social media content and interviews with key individuals in the rare horse breed community,” Couch says. “Since 2018, The Livestock Conservancy has given out seven microgrants for rare horse and donkey-related projects.”

Help from Grants

The first National Endangered Equine Summit was made possible in large part by a grant from the USA Equestrian Trust, which is affiliated with U.S. Equestrian, the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States.

“The grant enabled The Livestock Conservancy to bring together representatives of approximately 50 endangered horse breed groups for the first summit,” Couch says. “The delegates to the Summit represented thousands of horse owners, and included participants from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The group was tasked with identifying the leading causes of equine breed population declines, and deciding [upon] actions that could be taken to stabilize the loss of breeds.”

Through the support of the USA Equestrian Trust, experts from the greater horse community, including sporting groups, equine-assisted therapy providers, university scientists, and national associations participated in the Summit. Panelists included partners at the American Horse Council, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, Uppsala University, the American Endurance Ride Conference, Natural Lifemanship Equine-Assisted Therapy, Rare Breeds Survival Trust/Stallion AI Services (U.K.), the Arabian Horse Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and the National Driving Society.

“The vision and support of the USA Equestrian Trust was crucial in bringing together such a wide representation of members of the equine industry,” Couch says. “Together, the participants saw the potential to accomplish great things by uniting in their efforts to conserve endangered equine breeds.”

Ongoing Support

In addition to work by the Endangered Equine Alliance, The Livestock Conservancy conducts an annual census of horse and donkey breeds to monitor their population growth and declines.

“We encourage registration of horses so that their numbers can be counted,” Couch says. “We maintain a large list of breeders and breed associations to help owners and enthusiasts connect with each other, share herd genetics, or collaborate on projects.”

The Conservancy also offers a competitive microgrants program to all heritage livestock and poultry growers, including horse and donkey breeders, to help boost their capacity for breeding, raising, and selling animals. They also assist owners in saving germplasm of valuable, rare bloodlines and individuals from breeds on the Conservation Priority List through discounts, networking, and other resources.

Some current research projects include genetic studies for Suffolk Punch, American Cream Draft horses, and Poitou donkeys, with the goal of uncovering genetic information that will help guide efforts to reduce the risks of inbreeding and support effective conservation.

“The Livestock Conservancy is all about education, research, and networking of owners and breeders so that we can safeguard the future of important breeds,” Couch says. “Together with owners, breeders, and the equine community, we want to move the needle for each breed, and make a meaningful contribution to its long-term survival.”

For more, visit www.livestockconservancy.org/aboutus/endangered-equine-alliance.

Breeds Needing Conservation

The Livestock Conservancy has placed the following horses on its list of critical and threatened endangered breeds:

◆ Akhal-Teke
◆ American Cream Draft
◆ Baca-Chica
◆ Banker
◆ Canadian Horse
◆ Caspian
◆ Choctaw
◆ Cleveland Bay
◆ Clydesdale
◆ Colonial Spanish Mustang
◆ Dales Pony
◆ Dartmoor
◆ Fell Pony
◆ Florida Cracker
◆ Galiceño
◆ Hackney Horse
◆ Highland Pony
◆ Irish Draught
◆ Lipizzan
◆ Marsh Tacky
◆ Newfoundland Pony
◆ Puerto Rican Paso Fino
◆ Rocky Mountain
◆ Santa Cruz
◆ Shire
◆ Suffolk Punch
◆ Sulphur
◆ Wilbur-Cruce

This article about endangered equine breeds appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Efforts to Save Endangered Equine Breeds appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I sighed as I watched Gander growing smaller in the distance, tail flying and dust clouds rising behind him as he galloped toward the open gate in the back field. Watching your patient run away is a familiar sight to most equine vets. And when horse and owner have to leave the state with updated health paperwork in three days, coming back at a more convenient time to draw blood and vaccinate is not an option.

I exhaled in frustration and tried not to glare at Ronald, the ruddy little man standing silently next to me. My day was already double-booked, but if I didn’t get the blood shipped to Denver today, Gander’s results would not come back in time.

No Way Out

Ronald lifted his hat and rubbed his forehead.

“Well dang that gelding anyway, Doc. Guess I should have shut that back gate.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Or set this appointment up two weeks ago, Ronald.”

“Well, I didn’t have the trip planned two weeks ago!”

Ronald and Gander were joining some old friends on a round-up ride in Oklahoma.

I began a lecture on the importance of planning ahead and being prepared, then shook my head wearily. Ronald would never change, and we had to figure out a way to catch Gander—one that didn’t involve me trudging through an enormous field.

Ronald had an idea and disappeared quickly into a nearby garage. A chugging sound came from the building and clouds of blue smoke emerged from the doorway. After about five minutes, the chugging stopped and Ronald reappeared, looking defeated.

“Plugs are bad. Knew I should have changed them this spring!”

He wiped his face with a grubby handkerchief and shook his fist in the direction of the building. “And my other truck won’t make it over them culverts out in that field.”

He scratched his forehead again, then looked hopefully at my vet truck.

“Well, Doc, maybe we could …”

I cut him off. “No way, Ronald. You got me stuck in that field last year, remember?”

I’d also broken three bottles of expensive medications when I’d lurched over a big log and sent them flying.

Ruthie’s Rules

I was muttering to myself and pacing around the outbuildings, trying not to look at my watch as Ronald puzzled over the situation. I wandered in frustration around the corner of an old barn as a small fuzzy creature with very long ears suddenly appeared and honked loudly at me. I scrambled backward, clutching my chest, squarely into Ronald.

“What on earth, Ronald!”

The little man grinned at me. “That’s my mini donkey, Ruthie. Watch her now, Doc. She gets a little pushy with folks.”

Ruthie marched briskly up to me and inspected my pant leg in annoyance. Her back was level with the middle of my thigh, and I marveled at the little donkey, her long ears standing at attention. She had a barrel-shaped body and tiny, perfect hooves. I moved to stroke her neck, but she stomped her feet, whipped her head in the air and trotted off, tail swinging haughtily from side to side.

Ronald watched her adoringly.

“Ruthie’s pretty sure she runs the place. And she’s mad because her buddy just ran away.”

He stopped short and held up a finger.

“And that gives me an idea, Doc! Don’t move!” Ronald grabbed a halter from a peg on the side of the barn and hurried after Ruthie. “If anyone can bring Gander in, it’s Ruthie!”

Soon Ronald was leading Ruthie toward the open gate, or rather pulling hard on her when she refused to move, then running frantically after her when she got mad and raced past him. I’d been given a bucket of grain and a metal spoon and instructed to bang it loudly when Ronald gave the signal.

When Ruthie spied Gander in the distance, Ronald unclipped her lead rope and she ran toward her big equine companion, her mane bobbing briskly. Gander’s head came up, and when he started trotting toward Ruthie, Ronald cried, “Now, Doc!”

I banged on the grain bucket, and Ruthie turned so fast, her little feet went out from under her, and she went down in a tangle of limbs and ears before scrambling up, unhurt. She tucked her tail and sprinted furiously back to the barn, her little head and long ears bobbing through the tall grass. I laughed until I cried.

Gander was in hot pursuit, and as the two galloped into the yard, Ronald swung the gate shut. Soon after, I was happily drawing blood for the Coggins and vaccinating Gander.

Cheers for Years

Ruthie had been relegated to a small pen, and she paced furiously and honked some more as Gander munched the grain.

Ronald shook a finger at Ruthie.

“You don’t get grain, you chubby! However …” He entered the pen and pulled some peppermints from his pocket. Ruthie tugged impatiently at his shirt as he unwrapped a mint for her.

I was starting to pack up, but Ronald called to me,“We still have to do Ruthie, Doc! Did you bring enough shots?”

“Ruthie’s going too?” I said, puzzled.

“Well of course she’s going!” said Ronald. “I can’t leave her here all alone!”

Of course Gander’s special equine companion would be making the trip.

Drawing blood and getting shots into the opinionated donkey was a challenge, but Ronald and I eventually succeeded. We leaned against the wall of the barn panting while Ruthie sulked in the corner of her pen.

When he’d caught his breath, Ronald pointed at her.

“You’re more trouble than you’re worth, you little devil!” Then he snickered. “But how about that wipeout in the field, Doc? That’ll cheer me up for a month!”

I chuckled to myself for quite a while after that visit, so I guess Ruthie cheered me up for a month, too.

This edition of Dr. Diehl’s Vet Adventures about a unique equine companion appeared in the March 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Vet Adventures: A Unique Equine Companion appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

He did have teeth, although they were extremely worn down. After studying his incisors—yellowed lumps of polished enamel with no recognizable features—I gave up trying to age him.

His ears drooped at disreputable angles, and his eyes were almost completely hidden by a shock of fuzz. The crest of Roger’s neck hung perilously to one side, and he tended to blunder into objects, as his eyesight was very poor.

Roger had no problem snapping up treats, and this remained the best way to assess his wellbeing and cognitive function. The day that he stopped eating was probably going to be the day he finally gave up and died.

Barriers and Blockades

Roger had the run of his farm, and while the owners had done their best to donkey-proof the environment, he still managed to find ways to get himself into trouble.

There was a slightly raised platform in the barn, maybe 12 inches high, where utensils and a wheelbarrow were stored, and Roger blundered behind it one day and managed to get himself stuck for several hours. The owners were able to free him after some creative moves with ropes, and they blocked off access to the spot in case Roger got any more ideas.

Everywhere you looked on the farm was another barricaded zone where Roger had caused or thought about causing some degree of mayhem, and it seemed to be fairly safe for the old man.

But one day Roger had not gotten the memo and completely outdid himself, sneaking to the top of a steep grassy hill behind the barn when no one was looking. He lost his balance and tumbled down the slope, landing miraculously upright against the barn in a dug-out area banked with railroad ties. He was good and stuck, with one leg jammed underneath the aluminum wall of the pole barn.

The neighborhood Roger alert was sounded, and soon reinforcements arrived. It was several hours before the really old donkey could be freed, and it was hard on him and the neighbors both. His distraught owners called me to come look him over and sew up a few lacerations he’d sustained during the ordeal, and I came out the next morning.

Dodging the Really Old Donkey

Roger was annoyed at being kept inside for my visit, and he kept blundering in circles on top of me and my equipment. He didn’t weigh much, being a small donkey, but his hooves hurt when they pressed into the tops of my feet. The owners short-tied him to a rail, which made him mad. Because of his age, I didn’t dare give him a regular sedative, so I injected him with some Valium, which affected him minimally.

He had a decent-sized laceration on one front leg and another on the opposite hind. He tolerated me clipping the wounds reasonably well. When I went to scrubbing and trying to numb the wounds, things changed, and Roger danced from side to side, waved feet threateningly and air kicked a few times just to let me know he still had it in him. I believed him, and 47 or not, I figured a kick from those sharp hooves would still hurt, so I was careful.

Robyn’s husband Ed had to hold up a hind leg for me to get a suture placed in the deepest wound, and Robyn distracted Roger with a mixture of treats, head-thumping, a twitch, and by howling loudly in his drooping ears while I danced awkwardly around the kicking leg trying to tie my sloppy suture. Ed grunted and sweated, doggedly holding on to the limb, and all three of us realized that while we might not be in Roger’s age range, we were definitely not in our 20s anymore.

Time to Recover

Finally it was done, the last knot was tied, and Roger gave all of us menacing looks as we cleaned up the mess around him. Robyn untied him and he made angry circles around all of us, at one point butting me out of the way, and I snatched up my kit before he could knock it into the dirt.

Sweet talk and attempts at petting Roger only made him madder. At last Robyn brought him some treats, which he haughtily ignored.

I gave Robyn some antiseptic spray for the wounds. I didn’t dare put Roger on systemic antibiotics, having given him a horrible case of diarrhea the year before when I put him on oral medications for a skin infection. He was just going to have to take his chances.

I was packing up the truck as Ed marched past me, a roll of fencing wire under his arm and a bucket of tools in his hands. Another Roger-proofing was underway. Robyn shook her head.

“What next, Dr. Diehl? I swear, just when you think you’ve covered everything that he could possibly hurt himself on, he finds something else!”

I didn’t have any suggestions, and there were definitely no husbandry tips in any of my texts or journals regarding the care and feeding of a 47-year-old donkey. I figured we’d all just have to keep winging it.

Roger healed well, went back to eating with his usual gusto, and as of today, has managed to stay out of further trouble. Ed and Robyn continue to Roger-proof the farm as possible trouble spots occur to them, so it seems likely that the old man will live to see 48.

This article about one really old donkey originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

Further Reading

Read more Vet Adventures columns from Dr. Diehl

The post Ears First into Trouble: A Really Old Donkey Wreaks Havoc on the Farm appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.