I inherited a donkey. Now what?

[hydroswiftrob]

My wife and I just closed on our new home/farm. In the contract was a donkey. The donkey has been in the pasture I know for three years, had no name, no human contact, and seems all but wild. I have many questions.

What do I feed it? Does she need a mineral block?

Will it ever be possible to tame it enough to be able to touch it?

Her bray (squeaker box, as I like to call it) seems broken. She just sounds like she is snorting. Is this a problem?

I know donkey's are good to keep coyotes at bay, but she seems extremely afraid of my little dogs. I have heard of donkeys killing dogs, but this one takes off running every time my dogs go to the fence and bark.

We named her Ginger and try talking to her every time we go outside hoping she will see us as good. I have heard donkey's love to be loved on, but I am thinking this one is too far gone.

 

[Bunnylady]

I don't believe she's "too far gone;" I've heard of many animals that were neglected/abused and learned trust later in life. When my miniature mule was given to me, she was 9 years old and almost uncatchable. She'd had no training at all, and what little handling she had had was the kind that wasn't pleasant. Any physical contact was threatening to her. Fortunately, she associated people with food, so she had at least some positive feelings toward people. It took time, but now, she gives mule hugs!

Food is a great motivator, though feeding a donkey is risky business. Donkeys and mules have extremely efficient digestive systems; it seems like they can get fat on air. Most people feed just hay to donkeys, though if there's enough pasture, even that may not be necessary. A mineral block probably wouldn't hurt. A handful of oats or a couple of carrot slices could be used as a treat to try to get this gal thinking positively toward you.

If you can get close to this girl, resist the urge to try to pet her face. That is threatening to a donkey. Keep your hands low. Petting/scratching on the shoulder will signal friendly intent without scaring her. As she learns to trust you, you can do more with her, but think baby steps for now. Good luck!

 

[Blackhereford boy]

We have a donkey that came off the range (the wild) and she lets me ride on her. And loves to be loved on. So you can tame them.

 

[mully]

Get some Murry gingersnap cookies she won't be able to resist them, only 1-2. She will come looking for them when you are around. They have a great use to give worm meds to goats as well as donkeys. Donkeys can be very loving but it takes time, she has to trust you first. Visit her often so she knows you are a friend, you will love having a donkey in your life!!

 

[PendergrassRanch]

That is so cool! Good luck with her

 

[secuono]

Don't they need regular hoof trimming as well??
What on Earth do her feet look like? If they are ok, I'd say someone has been out to catch and trim her. Can you ask the previous owner what they did?

I would heard her into a smaller fenced area where you can work with her and see her a lot better.

 

[BoonesBain]

You'll have to win her over with treats in order to get a close enough look to assess her. I bet her feet are in need of some work, she probably needs to be dewormed too. Donkeys really like being around people. Do be careful with the dogs though. She may be afraid of them now, but you never know when she will muster up the courage to go after them. Donkeys will stomp them quicker than you're able to stop them.

 

[chubbydog811]

Don't they need regular hoof trimming as well??
What on Earth do her feet look like? If they are ok, I'd say someone has been out to catch and trim her. Can you ask the previous owner what they did?
I would heard her into a smaller fenced area where you can work with her and see her a lot better.

Not necessarily. I had a literally wild Chincoteague mare that I rescued when she was 4 years old. Sounds just like this one, except she was outright mean/nasty/dangerous. She had never had her feet done (or the stallion that I bought with her from the same bad situation). We euthanized the mare at 10 years old after not making any progress with her (remember the dangerous part, otherwise we would have just turned her out to pasture). In her 10 years, she NEVER had her feet done, not once. You would never know it. Her feet looked nicer than the horses who were done every 6-8 weeks. When I told people we never did her feet, they threw MAJOR hissy fits, almost calling the state on us...Well, once they saw her feet, they were a little embarrassed to say the least.

Point being, it is possible for them to naturally wear down their own feet without human intervention (ie mustangs and wild burrows). This isn't always the case, but is a good possibility before jumping to the "neglect" assumption.

ETA: One could also assume the donkey wouldn't be walking too well if her feet weren't wearing on their own after 3 years...

Also to the OP, good luck with her! If she is doing well enough on her own, just take your time with her...Treats are great encouragement! Start just by giving her treats, without trying to make contact. When she looks for you for treats without you having to sucker her in, then try making physical contact. Avoid the head (like someone else mentioned) and go for the shoulder. It's less threatening.
When the pasture starts drying up for the season, you should probably throw her some hay. Make sure she has fresh water available as well. Maybe a mineral block as well. I would skip graining at all if possible.

 

[BoonesBain]

Here's a great resource for you: http://www.lovelongears.com/

 

[sawfish99]

Regarding the feet, post pics and I can give an opinion. I trim donkeys. Just because nothing has been done DOES NOT mean she is fine. I am rehabilitating a donkey that went years without a proper trim and based on the condition of the feet, nearly suffered a fatal founder episode (rotation of the coffin bone was evident without needing xrays). However, if the donkey can't be handled, trimming will be nearly impossible. It is definitely possible that the donkey is naturally wearing the hooves down, but each environment and animal is different.