Keeping a donkey?

Question

I'd really love to have a donkey, as company for my horse. So I did a little research. I found out the braying can be heard over 3 kilometers. My neighbours won't appreciate that. Are there certain breeds which make less noise?

Also, I found out they don't make very good company for little animals like sheep or goats. How about a horse?

I'd just love to know a little bit more about them, some information about keeping one together with my horse.

Maybe some other suggestions about company for my horse?

Answer 1

I kept a donkey with my horses for years. He was an American Standard which are large donkeys. They can be ridden by just about any size adult. Ours rode and drove. He was very good about keeping small intruders out of the fields. We had a problem with foxes and coyotes but never in the field that our donkey was in. A gelded male is the best choice unless you're going to breed them.

  Some people have concerns about parasites but my Vet told me that some of the parasites donkeys get are different than a horse may get but that parasite will not invade a horse. Donkeys are also very hardy animals and easy keepers. He won't add much to your feed bill.

  Some cattle farmers keep donkeys in their fields to keep predators away from their new-born calves. However those donkeys have been raised with cattle. An adult donkey brought around cattle for the first time MAY or May not go after the young calves too. They just don't like anything dog size in their fields.

  However donkeys raised around cattle are often tied together to a calf to train it to lead.

Answer 2

I have a donkey.  I just love him.  He is seven years old, I've owned him for 2 years and I just had to get him gelded.  I am currently training him to pull a cart and his training is going very well.  

He tries to dominate my horse and bites the geldings.  They don't appreciate him.  I haven't put him back in with them since I've had him gelded though.  I have a couple of friends that have jennets out with their horses that do just fine. The Jennets don't bray as much and are much more compatible with horses and other small animals but, much like mares, they can be moody.   The lady I purchased my jack from said that he killed one of her goats and she couldn't keep him with her horses either.  I'm hoping I didn't geld him too late to change his dominant, studly behavior.  Most of them do great with horses and if gelded earlier I'm sure my jack would have too.  He does bray loudly but I love it and my neighbors have adjusted too.

My suggestion is to buy a young gelded donkey.  That will be your best bet.  He WILL get along great with the horses.  

Be forewarned that donkeys are smarter than horses and good or bad they learn lessons quickly.  They make great pets, they are very loving and affectionate.

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/277775908...

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/240955698...

Answer 3

Donkeys are great out here in Texas for companions to people and horses.  In fact, they are not only companions, but they are great for keeping coyotes, foxes etc. out of the pastures and away from your livestock.

P.S.  Tell the neighbors to move!  (Just kiddin')

Answer 4

Donks are very loud and thats a huge consideration.

They are watchdogs of equines, and will bray when you come home, when you feed, when you leave, when someone strange comes over..

Also, your neighbors dogs are toast should they get in the pen with them.  So neighbor relations might suffer.

They are awesome animals.  I love my donk and mules, but you need to understand the dynamics of the breed and killing dogs and sometimes goats and sheep is in their nature.   There is nothign you can do to take that out either, other than possibly raising a baby up with goats/sheep etc.

From what you are mentioning I would try a rescue horse, a mini horse or something along that line.