Are Donkeys Expensive To Care For

December 27, 2022June 12, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

The Donkey Whisperer Farm ® has had donkeys and horses in our life since 2007, all of our donkeys and horses live in their forever home. We have experienced bringing home a baby donkey to sadly caring for the elderly donkeys and burying donkeys humanely. I am going to explain the truth about donkeys not the myth or the incorrect information shared on the internet and social media.

Watch my Free Youtube Video Bringing Your Donkey Home

Donkeys evolved from the desert the diet is one of the most important considerations in owning donkeys. Why? Donkeys were given the git to survive in the desert, over grazing, feeding the wrong foods will cause life threatening health issues for donkeys. Donkeys hooves are pointy unlike the horse as they were created to live in the desert. Donkeys cannot stand in urine, feces and mud without having hoof issues their thick fur coat needs to stay dry you must have a shelter. Think about what the donkey has to eat in the desert and you will have a clear understanding of why the donkey cannot graze on brush and grass and eat human breads, cookies, grains and oats without becoming obese and dying a painful death. Give lose free salt with minerals never vitamins. Please remember all hay or straw must be tested to come in at ten percent or lower in sugar and protein along with portion control. We can not look at hay by the color or the brand i.e., orchard, timothy or teff and know it is low in sugar and protein. Do not feed beet pulp or Alfalfa to a donkey. Low sugar/protein hay starts with the farmer making sure his soil has all the nutrients needed nitrogen and more. Cutting the field when the hay seeds have popped, and cutting on a gray day or early in the morning helps to ensure low Sugar and protein.

How can I find low sugar/protein hay?

Send hay samples off to Equine Analytical Lab before purchasing hay for the year. We use a slow feeder Hay Pillow fed inside the shelter locked inside of the High Country Plastic Slow Feeder. Feed two two meals a day morning and night is sufficient. When winter comes donkeys will need more meals to keep warm. Provide warm clean water using a heated bucket or bring warm water to your donkeys within 2 hours of feeding during freezing temperatures. Read Donkey Winter Care.

Donkey Shelter Big Enough For All Of Your Donkeys:

Donkeys need shelter to get out of the hot sun, wind, rain and snow. Make sure your shelter has a door that can open and close. Donkeys love to go in and out of the shelter when their food, water and lose salt is inside the shelter. Closing the door during fireworks, high winds and for teaching Donkey 101 & 102 video on demand is needed.

Quality fences and gates:

Donkeys are smart, they can watch us do something and repeat it. We use electro-braid hot wire for the paddocks and hot wire tracks. The exterior of our farm to keep neighborhood dogs and coyotes etc., out is Red Brand horse woven fence.

Storage for hay for one year:

After you test and find low sugar/protein hay testing 10% or lower in sugar and protein purchase enough hay to last one year.

Donkey Training:

I train the owner or caretaker how to tame and train the donkey via Donkey 101 & 102 Video On Demand with my E-book to print out. Sold with lifetime access. If you require personal consulting and coaching hire me under Donkey Trainer.

Hoof Care:

Hooves need to be trimmed by a farrier or trimmer every six weeks in the spring and summer and seven weeks in the fall and winter.

Shots and Veterinarian Care Required:

All donkeys need a veterinarian to come to the farm at least once a year. If you do not have a vet doing preventative care you will not be able to call a vet in an emergency. Vets do not come to farms that are not their customers. In the spring the vet will come to give shots and dental care. The minimum shots given to our donkeys as they do not travel to shows or other farms are Rabies, West Nile and Tetanus. All donkeys need the vet to check their teeth, jaw and gums once a year. Do not skip this as this is one of the most important preventive care medical procedures needed. Why? Donkeys are stoic they will not show us pain or suffering until in most cases it is too late. Colic is preventable.

Worming Donkeys, Mules and Horses:

I collect poop samples from all of my equine and give them to my vet twice a year spring and fall. My vet tells me which wormer to give my donkeys based on the fecal count and the part of the world we each live in. Over worming causes resistant parasites and can make the immune system suffer. Do not over worm your equine.

Exercise is vital to your donkeys health. Create a track made out of hot wire connected back to the shelter and sacrifice paddock. Donkeys love to run and play on their track browsing and exploring.

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Care Winter

December 25, 2022December 26, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 1 Comment

Freezing Weather With A Horrific Wind Chill Is An Emergency For Most Farm Animals.

“A blanket is like a fire extinguisher, we are prepared before the emergency hits” Melody Johnson. Some equine (donkeys, horses and mules) need a blanket until the freezing temps leave. Shivering, shaking and blowing diarrhea means they need a blanket. As hypothermia begins to set in, the core body temperature begins to drop.

Basic Care Needed:

Provide a slow feeder with hay, clean warm water and free lose salt. If you do not have an electric bucket to plug in bring your equine warm clean water within two hours of each meal.

Shut the door in the shelter if you have high winds with below 0 freezing temperatures. Frost bite can be prevented. Ordering a blanket at the last minute is almost impossible due to shipping and roads etc., plan ahead. Frostbite is also more common in donkeys and mules that have longer ears.

Providing shelter from wind and moisture is the single most important thing you can do.

Watch the footing for ice. Ice accidents can become a serious medical emergency.

Where Can I Find A Blanket for my donkey?

The Donkey Whisperer Farm ® is a dealer for Kensington we can sell any thing they sell using their MAP price always lower than the MSRP. Order Miniature donkey blankets, standard, burro, baby donkeys or Mammoth directly from me. I will help you find the best fitting blanket and weight for the cold with a life time warranty from Kensington. Send me an e-mail at Melody@donkeywhisperer.com asking for support. We have had donkeys in our life since 2007, if you need consulting sign up under Donkey Trainer for anything you need help with.

Thank you for investing in your donkeys,

Melody Johnson,

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Bringing Home Mario and Luca

December 7, 2022May 26, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Mario and Luca came to live with us on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ® two and half weeks after Tuba died. Tuba was bonded to Oboe both standard donkeys. Oboe has been in heavy mourning since loosing his buddy Tuba. Please note; if your donkeys companion dies you must get another donkey same sex and size as quickly as possible as donkeys can go into a deep depression and stop eating and drinking causing death from grief. Read Goodbye To Tuba.

Mario (4) and Luca (10) began their life as wild donkeys living in Fort Irwin, CA. Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (PVDR) humanely captured them, no helicopters, did health checks, shots, worming, gelding, and made sure they were tamed and haltered plus pick up their hooves before sending them to the adoption center. If you are looking to adopt two donkeys I highly recommend PVDR. Donkeys train humans quickly to do exactly what they want to do. If you are thinking about adopting donkeys please get into my program Donkey 101 & 102 video on demand as I teach you how to use words, timing and powerful exercises building a powerful relationship for life with your donkeys. If you do not learn how to become a fair leader for your donkeys they will become the leader of you quickly. Donkeys can act like they know how to absolutely nothing with a human who is inexperienced with donkeys.

We drove to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, Riverside, WA to pick these boys up from Sequim, WA encountered snow and ice it was a road trip to say the least. God is amazing we had favor going over to get them and bringing them home. Thank you Jesus! Did you know donkeys ride lose in the trailer? Yes as donkeys will brace their butt up against the trailer and ride without being tied. These boys spent one week in our miniature donkey barn, paddock and track on the other side of Oboe and our three miniature donkeys. I wanted to be sure we built a connection before moving them into the larger paddock with Oboe and on our large donkey track to run and play. Additionally I began the first exercise in Donkey 101 and they did outstanding. I am happy to report these boys are bonding with me quickly showing no signs of abuse from humans and are now living with Tuba and spending their entire day with Tuba and the miniature donkeys on the large track. Our farrier was scheduled to come to the farm the following week these boys arrived, their hooves needed to be trimmed so we got it done. I can tell you first hand that donkeys need to trust both their owner and the farrier. Mario did the typical donkey freeze for the hoof trims and Luca put up a fight. I ended up having to tie him to do his hooves as they had to be done. I continue to work with both boys in my E-Training Donkey 101 & 102 (pick up the feet) to prepare for the next farrier visit in just five more weeks.

The farm is beginning to feel normal again as we have six donkeys and two horses. We continue to grieve for Rio our Mammoth donkey and Tuba each and every day they are no doubt in heaven together as God brought them home. We know we will see them again. Peace and harmony is slowly coming back to our farm.

Donkey Training 101 & 102 Video On Demand, sold with lifetime access and my E-book to print out.

I will be adding Mario and Luca into my E-Training program Donkey 101 & 102 video on demand, trailer loading and sharing how I teach them words, whoa, walk-on, over, foot, back-up and the ground tie whoa. I will be adding them into my link line walk two donkeys using one lead line.

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

The Truth About Donkey Blankets

December 6, 2022July 13, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Blanketing Donkeys:

Miniature donkey blanket — donkey blanket

Owning a donkey is challenging as well most halters are made to fit a horse. I make custom adjustable soft yacht rope halters made to fit a miniature or standard/burro size donkey with a matching lead line, stainless steel twist safety snap and a real black leather end. Baby donkeys, mammoth donkeys, mules and horses can choose build a halter/lead line. I teach you how to measure the head for a perfect custom fit.

miniature donkey halter — mini donkey halter

A blanket is like a fire extinguisher we have it ready to go in case of an emergency. Please remember (2) blankets for each donkey is important as there is no blanket 100% waterproof the entire winter season. Leaving a wet blanket on any equine will cause laminitis can contribute to colic and death. Please understand donkeys are stoic will never show any sign of sickness or pain until in most cases it is too late.

How Do I Measure A Donkey For A Blanket?

Did you know that blankets are made for horses, ponies and foals? Yes! Due to the donkey having a small chest, not having any withers and the round belly it can be a challenge to get a good fitting blanket that is quality for a donkey. Again it is very important we measure and find quality blankets before the emergency hits. I attach the leg straps as donkeys love to grab the blanket in play the straps keep the blanket on. I am excited to share Kensington Protective Products is making custom donkey blankets made to fit a donkey not a horse. Sales will begin in the fall of 2023.

Blanketing Donkeys In The Rain:
No blanket is 100% waterproof in the rain. I do not blanket in the rain. I provide shelter for my donkeys in all seasons. Place hay, water and salt into the shelter so the donkeys are not afraid of the shelter. Watch for a donkey bully kicking the donkeys out. You may need more than one shelter depending on the size of shelter, herd size and donkey bully.

Taming the donkey to accept the cloth measurement tape can be for some donkeys a challenge. I always take my donkeys out with the halter/lead line on and let the donkey smell the cloth tape or anything new. If they are afraid of it wont touch it with their mouth I put it on my head and wrap it around my body. Soon I am able to touch my donkey with the tape. 🙂

I am a dealer for Kensington Protective Products I can sell any blanket any size or any product they have at a cheaper price than the MSRP. Why I like Kensington? They sell quality products and offer a lifetime warranty and will send another blanket if the blanket does not fit.

The miniature horse blankets are what I am selling for mini donkeys. Order miniature donkey blanket using the velcro on the chest and under the belly works so much better than the metal clasps as it fits better.

If you need help trying to find a blanket just ask I will do my best to find the best fitting blanket available from Kensington for miniature, standard/burro, mammoth donkeys, mules and of course horses.

Read my blog post How To Wash A Donkey Blanket

Melody Johnson
Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Miniature Donkey, Horse or Pony Trailer

November 20, 2022November 20, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Hey did you know that there are miniature trailers made to fit right in your truck bed? Yes. These have pull-out ramps for the minis to load and unload with a sturdy ramp. The nice part is if you custom build you can add on most anything you want. Read Miniature Horse Talk Blog for more details.

Now, here’s a look at some pretty ingenious miniature horse trailers that look just like camper shells. The outfit is called Miniature Horse Trailers By Bob.

Mini horse haulers or trailer conversions:

Shetron Custom Trailers
900 Airport Road
Salisbury, NC 28147
Phone: 704-305-8268
Fax: 704 638-6281

Gore Trailers
305 Gore Trailer Road
Whiteville, NC 28472
Toll free: (800) 334-3488
Dealer and Manufacturer
Let us custom build your mini trailer
(Also custom Llama and Alpaca trailers)

L.B.’s Trailer Sales
2904 Harmony Hwy
Harmony, NC 28634
(704) 546-2231
Dealership

Ready to learn how to train your donkeys to load in the trailer? Order Donkey Trailer Loading Video On Demand with my E-book.

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

How To Wash A Donkey Blanket

November 12, 2022July 13, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

How to Wash and Care for your Donkey, pony, horse or mule Blanket:

Remember that no blanket is 100% waterproof for the entire winter. Once you start putting the blanket on your equine you must check for rubs and dampness daily. I keep two blankets ready to go for all of our eight equine, six donkeys and two horses. Why? As I stated above the blanket can get wet and I need to add a dry blanket until the weather breaks and we move back into rain. I remove the blanket as soon as we are out of the 20’s and move back to rain weather. I never blanket my equine during the rain as they all have shelters to move into and no blanket is 100% waterproof though the rainy season.

How often do I wash my blankets?

DO NOT OVER WASH YOUR BLANKETS. Scrape the poop of the blanket, before washing. I wash all of our blankets once a year in the summer, this way I can hang them out to dry. DO NOT PUT A WATER PROOF BLANKET IN THE DRYER. After they are dry I spray a water repellant on each blanket. Now I am ready for winter.

Are you looking to purchase a blanket for your donkey, horse, pony, mule or Zonk?

The Donkey Whisperer Farm ® is a dealer for Kensington Protective Products. You can order a miniature horse, pony or Donkey blanket in my store under Miniature Donkey Blanket. Send me an e-mail at Melody@donkeywhisperer.com to place an order that is not in my store as I can order anything from Kensington for a cheaper price than the MSRP price.

Melody Johnson, Owner and Trainer

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Goodbye Tuba

November 8, 2022June 12, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 2 Comments

We are deeply saddened to share that Tuba our rescue donkey age is estimated to be in his thirties has passed away. God in Jesus Christ precious name has brought home another precious donkey to heaven.

Tuba was healthy no signs of illness and than boom he started to have grand mal seizures. Our veterinarian came quickly and was able to administer medication to help him for a few hours. Early in the morning the grand mal seizures returned with a furry, we made the decision to have our vet humanely euthanize him. No more pain and suffering Tuba you are in heaven now.

What does donkeys are stoic mean? Donkeys unlike the horse will never show us pain until in most cases it is way too late making keeping donkeys healthy truly more challenging. We had absolutely no warning sign that Tuba was not feeling well, he ate his breakfast and dinner like normal. Tuba went out on the big paradise paddock track and proceeded to run and play with Oboe his bonded companion while the miniature donkeys grazed on the track. That evening Tuba had grand mal seizers, our vet promptly came and tried to stop the seizures within hours we made the decision to euthanize him. Tuba was truly a special donkey and the leader of Oboe his bonded companion. We miss him deeply and thank God he did not suffer.

What We Must Do When A Donkey Dies?

Donkeys are emotional beings and have excellent memories. It is vital that you put the halter/lead line on and walk the living donkeys buddies up to the body to say goodbye. This step is really important to give closure. Next it is vital that this donkey is not living alone get another donkey asap. Donkeys can die from grief and colic stress. Donkeys can go into a depression stop eating and drinking, have a glazed look in their eyes. Spend as much time as you can with your living donkey and help him/her through the grief.

tubamammoths — Tuba (3rd donkey) with the mammoth donkeys

I met Tuba and Oboe bonded pair of standard donkeys (Tuba 3rd donkey to the right Oboe butt) for the first time in 2008 as I was called asked to try and help the owners who were not able to halter or catch the donkeys. I went to the farm with the intention of teaching the owners how to tame and train Oboe & Tuba so they could stay in their forever home. Sadly they had tried horse methods on the donkeys that clearly did not work and the owners were frustrated with donkey behavior. I began working with the boys and was making great progress with them but sadly the owners did not want to learn as they had small children and a business leaving no time for the donkeys. I helped to get these two boys into a donkey sanctuary as our farm at the time was not big enough to take more equine. In 2014 we moved to our property in Sequim, WA I promptly brought Oboe and Tuba home to live with us in their forever home with Rio our Mammoth donkey on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ®. I always said God has a sense of humor as their names Oboe and Tuba fit Melody. 🙂

After Tuba passed we moved Oboe in with our miniature donkeys to help him. Luckily the miniature donkeys and our standard donkeys Oboe and Tuba have been spending lots of time together on the paradise paddock track. Please remember when a bonded pair of donkeys lose their companion it is vital to move the donkey in with another donkey quickly. Donkeys are very emotional and can stop eating, drinking and next is colic. Spend as much time with your donkey helping them move past the loss of the beloved companion. It is very important that all of the donkeys in the herd are able to smell the deceased donkey before burying the donkey. Why? Donkeys will cry out for a donkey that disappears if they do not know what happened and can stop eating and drinking. Its truly one of the hardest things to do loose a donkey, mule or horse. We thank God for his peace and strength to handle this pain and suffering. Tuba is in no more pain, we believe he is in heaven with Rio our mammoth donkey.

God bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Wild Burro and Horses BLM Roundup

October 17, 2022November 13, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning on announcing the next roundup of wild horses and wild burro’s for fiscal year 2023. These helicopter roundups are brutal and traumatizing resulting in injury or death to the horses and burro’s. Google BLM Donkey Abuse to watch a horrible YOUTUBE video showing the truth, helicopters chasing the donkeys and the donkey suffering physical abuse from wranglers for not running when scared and tired. Donkeys freeze when scared and tired as donkeys are not horses with long ears.

You can be the voice for the wild horses and burros it only takes a couple of minutes of your time to fill out the forms listed below. Your voice matters!

Sadly the abuse does not end in the round up its worse when captured and forced to live in holding pens as they become one of 60,000 plus wild horses and burros locked up in jail, held in the BLM’s holding system. Many of these holding pens are full of disease outbreaks, underfeeding, lack of basic care, vet treatment along with seriously ill maintained facilities causing more injuries.

American Wild Horse Campaign AWHC is taking action to address this crisis and break the silence surrounding the beginning of the BLM’s next roundup season. Please fill out all of the forms below now.

1) DEMAND BLM ACCOUNTABILITY ON Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) VIOLATIONS
The BLM has its own assessment standards for holding facilities called the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP). Even with this program in place, many holding facilities have been found in violation of these standards. Send a message to the Department of the Interior to demand the BLM actively enforce its own CAWP standards. →

SEND A MESSAGE

2) SUPPORT THE WILD HORSE AND BURRO PROTECTION ACT
One of our wild horse champions in Congress, Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced legislation this year that would take a stand against the brutality of the BLM’s helicopter roundups: The Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act (H.R. 6635). This bill would ban the use of helicopters for capture once and for all. Send a message to your representatives in Congress letting them know you support this legislation and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor. →

SEND A MESSAGE

3) CALL ON THE BLM TO MANDATE CAMERA INSTALLATIONS
Often wild horses and burros are chased for miles before our field representatives see them. And even when the helicopter comes into view, the BLM places the observers as far as a mile away from the operation, making it nearly impossible to really see what’s happening. We’re fighting for the passage of Rep. Titus’ legislation to ban the use of helicopters, but so long as these roundups continue, we’re advocating for the installation of cameras on all helicopters used for these operations! Mandating helicopter cameras to record and document roundups will help the public hold the BLM accountable and establish a record of activities most Americans never see. Send a message to the BLM to advocate for camera installations on helicopters. →

SEND A MESSAGE

2023 is the year we demand change for the wild horses and burro’s. Tell congress the brutal helicopter roundups should end now. Thank you for taking action.

Melody Johnson,

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkeys Need To See The Dentist

October 15, 2022June 3, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Why is it important to have your donkeys teeth checked by a vet once a year?

The role of routine dental care is to improve chewing, relieve pain, to treat and cure infection and to promote the general health, productivity and longevity of the donkey, horse or mule. It is important to remember that dentistry includes not only the teeth and mouth but the sinuses, bones of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint.

Facts:

1. Domesticated donkeys can develop high points on their teeth pushing on the gums making them sore and difficult to chew. Eating hay that is not chewed causes colic and can contribute directly to death in donkeys, mules and horses.

2. The gums can become inflamed and need a vet to do oral surgery. Most of the time these donkeys need to go to a hay mash and can no longer eat hay.

3. Sinus health issues are addressed by annual vet exam of the mouth.

If we do not do regular dental care we risk loosing our donkeys early in life. Eating hay that is not chewed properly will cause colic. Senior donkeys can be moved to a hay mash with restrictions to eating hay or straw 100%, these donkeys can graze on fresh grass for limited amounts of time to avoid obesity.

Please find a veterinarian that has experience with donkeys as donkeys digest drugs differently than a horse. Most vet’s in the U.S.A. give a mild sedative before opening the mouth, as it is safer for the donkey and the human.

Thank you for investing in your donkeys.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Facts

August 24, 2022August 24, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Donkeys evolved from the desert. The donkeys gift is to survive on low sugar and protein forage and use every calorie. Donkeys are stronger than a horse the same size. Donkeys have pointy hooves made to survive in the dry climates with rocks. Donkeys long ears are made to hear their donkey buddy up to 60 miles away in the desert and to cool them down in the desert heat.

Donkeys living in the U.S.A. are being overfed and fed the wrong foods. Once the neck crest (fat) breaks over nothing can be done to repair the neck. Insulin resistance, laminitis, hoof abscesses, white line disease, hyperlipidemia (fat in the blood) and soon death. The good news is with diet and exercise the donkey can live a healthy life.

Do not starve a donkey trying to loose weight. Tested hay in a slow feeder with portion control works best @haypillowinc

What can I do to help my obese donkey? Just like humans diet and exercise changes everything in most cases. Test all of your hay, equine analytical lab in the USA to ensure 10% or lower in sugar and protein. No grain, no sweet feed, no oats, no vitamins give salt with minerals, no breads, beet pulp or human snacks. Limit time grazing on pastures and brush. Diarrhea is on sign of too rich foods along with stress. A safe treat is a bite of a carrot. If you cant find low sugar/protein hay remember you can soak it to remove sugar.

Exercise & Diet:
Create a donkey track connected to the shelter and dry paddock for clean water, salt, and portion control with a slow feeder. Remember portion control is important no big round bales of hay eating on full-time 24×7. Do not let your donkey graze on pasture and brush.

If you would like to learn how to setup your farm for the desert equine sign up in my store under Donkey Trainer for a consultation.

Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Whisperer Farm®

How To Prevent Heat Colic in Donkeys Mules Horses

July 8, 2022August 18, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

How To Prevent Heat Stress Colic?

• Provide shade with fans located up high in the shelter.

Provide cool fresh water several times a day.

Dental should be done once a year by a veterinarian.

Worm twice a year, spring and fall. Provide your vet with a fecal sample and worm after the fecal count proves parasites. Tape worms do not show up in fecal sample. Worm with ivermectrin after the first frost in the fall.

• Lose salt and clean cool water (change out the water several times a day) to prevent heat stress colic.

• Use the Hay Pillow 1 1/4 holes work best to slow down hay consumption, stop wasted hay and prevent colic from fecal impactation.

• Never work any equine in extreme heat. Avoid surgeries or sedation during extreme heat.

Clip a donkey, horse or mule if medically needed.

Signs of heat stress in a donkey, horse or mule:

• Lethargic

Hot skin to the touch

• Rapid breathing with flared nostrils

• Laying down wont get up

• “Glassy” eyes

• Staggering or weak gait

• High core body temperature. The rectal temperature is the last to increase so internal temperatures of the muscles will be even higher.

For more mild cases:

Call the vet

• Bathe the donkey, horse or mule in cool water and repeat as necessary. Allow to air dry. Do not scrape keep in shade under the fan.

*Check the body temperature using a rectal thermometer normal is 99 to 101.

•For more severe cases:

Call the vet.

• Hose the donkey, mule or horse using cold water for at least 5 minutes. If using a bucket, apply cold water every minute (a person on each side) for at least 5 minutes. After this time the rectal temperature should be near normal but check to make sure. Allow to air dry do not scrape. Put back into a shaded space.

Veterinarian may need to sedate add intravenous fluids to save a life.

For both situations:

• Once your equine is acting more comfortable can walk again, move to a shaded area.

Check the body temperature using a rectal thermometer.

• Give cool clean water. Equine that refuse to drink may require intravenous fluid therapy. Discuss with your veterinarian.

• Bathing may need to be repeated as core temperatures can sometimes increase again as heat stored in muscle is released.

• Monitor your donkey, mule or horse carefully do not leave their side until the vet says you can to ensure they are eating and drinking normally, look for normal urine and manure in both appearance and amount during the next 24 hours. Please talk to your vet for guidance as heat colic can be a life threatening issue for all equine.

Melody Johnson,

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Do You Have A Fly Problem On Your Farm?

June 15, 2022November 13, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 4 Comments

I have been receiving lots of inquires asking me what to do when fly’s are eating donkeys, face, legs. I really have had a difficult time understanding why this is happening until I saw the photo below showing a donkey rescued needing immediate medical attention.

Remember you chose the equine they did not choose you.

“You are the smart human who took the equine in it is your job to take care of the animal and give him/her a great life.” Shame on people who throw any animal out in a pasture and never ever check on them to make sure they are healthy.

Allergies:

Did you know animals get allergies? YES!

If your equine (donkey, mule or horse) is not getting well you must seek medical attention. Donkeys can have an auto-immune health issue causing them to be allergic to almost anything. Zertech, Bendadryl and Apoquel may work for your donkey. Make sure to check for Cushing’s with a blood work check as many times the immune system is compromised due to Cushing’s. Please work with your vet.

How do I stop Fly’s?

1. We pick up the poop out of the paddock, shelter and track (hot wire) twice a day and compost it away from the equine. Cover the compost pile with a plastic tarp.

2. We using Fly Predators since 2007 as they work.

3. Each and every day – twice a day I check my equine over for wounds and medicate right away and pick their hooves.

4. Use a fly mask if needed and medicate when they have sores immediately. Please have empathy; think how you would like to be stuck in a place, hot with fly’s and poop every where it is horrible.

5. Create a track using hot wire, this way you are controlling the diet and have an easy way to pick up the poop each day.

A huge bonus to picking up the poop is parasite control. Picking up the poop and composting stops worms dead in their tracks too 🙂 We take fecal samples to the vet and do not worm unless they need it over worming can cause more problems as the worms become drug resistant and it destroys the immune system.

Select What diseases do fly’s carry?

How do I take care of ticks and lice? I use Ultra Boss on the poll of the donkeys due to their thick fur powders do not work. Give a bath with warm water an anti-fungus shampoo and conditioner. Do not spray the face with the hose hand wash the face. Note; donkeys do not like baths until they know for sure it feels good eventually your donkey will learn to enjoy it. Tie the donkeys up together and give a bath together.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

World Donkey Day

May 8, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Hello donkey lovers, May 8th is world donkey day!

What is the meaning of world donkey day?

It was created to bring awareness to the plight of these intelligent, stoic equine animal helpers, including their diet, training, and care.

If you would like to help your local donkey sanctuary simply ask what they need. The Donkey Whisperer Farm ® sells quality tack made to fit a donkey, donkey E-Training Video On Demand, and donkey artwork.

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Melody Johnson, trainer/owner.

Happy Easter

April 18, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Learn Why Donkeys Are Not Horses With Long Ears

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 3 Comments

Donkeys evolved from the desert their gift is to survive on low sugar, low protein forage:

Equus asinus (Donkey) evolved in the desert regions of our world. Donkeys have been been given the gift to survive in the desert, a part of our world where very few other creatures can survive. Donkeys can survive and thrive on very low sugar, and protein diet. The donkey has one of the most efficient digestive systems seriously better than the horse helping the donkey metabolize low nutritional value shrubs and trees, grasses for survival. Donkeys digest foods much slower than the horse and this gift helps the donkey to absorb more nutrients from lower-quality forage. Drugs in donkeys are not the same as with a horse. Most vets must learn the hard way about giving far fewer drugs to a donkey as their bodies absorb drugs differently from the horse per weight and size.

Please remember donkeys are healthiest emotionally and physically when getting to live with another donkey. Never make a donkey live without another donkey in isolation. Can a horse work out? It depends, most donkeys prefer another donkey over a horse but will take any animal in lieu of being forced to live in isolation. If you decide to place your donkeys into a pasture environment with cows, horses, sheep, lama, etc. you will have to watch the diet of your donkeys as they cant eat foods the other animals eat without becoming obese. Obesity in donkeys is a life-threatening health concern as laminitis, hoof abscesses, insulin resistance, fat in the blood, and kidney failure are all due to a rich diet. Additionally, donkeys grab the neck in play with their pasture donkey buddy, and in battle, they can kill another small animal quickly.

How Do I Keep My Donkeys Happy and Healthy?

Tested low sugar/protein hay with portion control. Test hay at Equine Analytical Lab before purchasing enough hay for the year. Do not feed free-choice hay twenty-four hours a day or your donkey will become obese. No grain, oats, grazing full-time, eating brush as even brush can be high in sugar in the Pacific Northwest. Create a hot wire track (dry) but safe for exercise and enjoyment.

Use The Hay Pillow mesh size 1 1/4 inches works best.

Geld jacks as jacks (stallions) are never a safe option for the farm. Only experienced donkey breeders should be keeping a jack.

Provide excellent fences, gates, and locks. Donkeys are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet they are capable of opening gates and doors that are not secure.

Shelter, donkeys need to get out of the rain, snow, and sun.

Clean Water and warm clean water in the winter.

Salt with minerals, add selenium if your hay does not have it, and remove if hay has selenium.

Vet care is needed for a donkey; spring shots, fecal samples (spring and fall) health checkups, and dental exams once a year.

Farrier visits schedule every six weeks in the spring and summer and seven in the fall and winter to trim and balance the hooves preventing white line disorder, seedy toe, and more.

Check for lice and rain rot in the winter months and spring.

Watch my free youtube video Bringing Your Donkey Home

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Whisperer Farm ® Spring Sale

March 11, 2022March 11, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Spring Sale! Spring is almost here get ready to take your donkeys out for walks this spring and summer. Donkey 101, 102, and Trailer Loading Video On Demand Sold with lifetime access. Print out my e-book located in the first video of all of my training to speed up your training time. After you get your donkeys trained move into my Link Line, walk two donkeys using one lead line.

link line donkey — Link line, walk two donkeys using one led line

Order https://donkeywhisperer.com/shop/

Training Tip! Quality exercises take 20 minutes per donkey to teach end on a good note put your donkey(s) away. Your donkey will sit and think over and over process everything about the lesson you had with him or her. Do not drill (repeat over and over) until your donkey is panicked or bored) never push or pull on your donkey to teach how to walk. Teach words, walk-on, over, foot, back-up, and whoa. Stay On Donkey Time! Tomorrow your donkey will show you how smart he or she is.

After you study and practice Donkey 101 & 102 Video On Demand if you need personal coaching sign up in my store at Donkeywhisperer.com under Donkey Trainer. I am here to support all of my students worldwide. I want you to keep your donkeys in their forever home.

Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Has Surgery Will Not Eat

February 17, 2022October 15, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Tips to help your donkey recover after Surgery:

Donkeys make life better. Owning a couple donkeys is a truly wonderful blessed life but with it, we must learn as much as we can to keep our donkeys healthy and happy. Please never make a donkey live without another donkey. Donkeys have thick fur, slanted long eyes pushing back further into their head enabling the donkey to see behind them without turning their head giving the donkey peripheral vision. Donkeys have pointy hooves made to walk on rocks and dry hard ground. Donkeys are born with unique personalities, introverts, and extroverts just like humans. The extrovert donkey can sing, and bray definitely has more go than whoa, the introvert donkey will never bray or sing, never and has more whoa than go. The introvert donkey is a deep, deep thinker. Donkeys are truly the most sensitive and emotional equine as they become deeply attached to their herd buddies and are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Meaning a donkey will never forget any experience good or bad and has a memory that is truly comparable to the elephant.

Preparing for any form of haul into the veterinarian’s office that requires more than one afternoon or night at the vet’s office is truly as important as the surgery. Additionally, we must prepare our farm to keep the donkey healthy while recovering from surgery.

Surgery is over, the veterinarian does an outstanding job in surgery and the prognosis is high that your donkey will recover. Day two or three after surgery you will get a call from your vet telling how your donkey is not eating. Most of the time when a donkey stops eating it is directly due to depression and seriously missing his/her heard buddy. Sure sometimes it can be due to the illness and this is a matter the vet can fix but many times the vet is stumped about why the donkey is not eating. After all, the surgery went beautiful and everything looks outstanding.

What does the Donkey Whisperer Farm ® do when a donkey needs surgery that requires more than 24 hours in the vet’s hospital?

I explain to my vet that my donkey needs to go to the vet’s office with his buddy, wake up after surgery and see his donkey buddy in the stall next to his recovery stall. Why? Donkeys will go into surgery less stressed with their buddy in the stall next to them and donkeys will start eating faster and heal faster making the surgery a success. I prepare my farm to have a place for the sick donkey recovering from surgery to be able to see his herd buddies when he arrives home from the vet’s office. Why? Donkeys get depressed when they can’t see their herd buddies and have their life back to the way it was, in fact, they will stop eating and in some cases drinking. It’s truly a form of suicide for the donkey as they simply do not want to live their life like this in insolation. I always put my donkey back into the herd asap as isolation is truly depression for donkeys.

Please feel free to browse in my store Donkey Whisperer Farm ® I sell premium adjustable soft yacht rope halters made to fit a miniature or standard/burro size donkey with a matching lead line, brass, or stainless steel twist-on snap, and a real black leather end. I teach the owner or caretaker worldwide how to tame and train donkeys using words, timing, voice, energy, never pain via my donkey exercises videos and E-book.

Resources:

Donkey 101 Video On Demand

Donkey 102 Video On Demand

Donkey Trailer Loading Video On Demand

Donkey Hoof Abscess Video On Demand

Melody Johnson,

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

How Can I Teach My Donkey

February 10, 2022October 17, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / 7 Comments

Melody, how can I teach my donkey to walk on the halter and lead and not pull back or refuse to move his feet? I am frustrated. Sherry, AL

Hi Sherry,

Donkeys are not horses with long ears. Donkeys are not flight equine, donkeys have personalities just like people extrovert more go than whoa and introvert more whoa the go. Donkeys need to see a reason for each and everything they do and their safety and self-preservation is number one. Learning how to tame and train a donkey is vital to your success as traditional old cowboy horse training will not work on a donkey. Donkeys will lay down when overwhelmed and not get up or they can fight back but all donkeys can stop walking when scared or not understanding what we want them to do.

Why is the donkey refusing to walk on the halter and lead line pulling back? Taking a donkey out for a walk without doing basic training foundation work in Donkey 101 Video On Demand https://donkeywhisperer.com/product/donkey-training-101/ is like driving a motor vehicle with no breaks, steering, or control of acceleration. Please do not feel like you are the only person to encounter this issue with donkeys. This is a common issue and is easy to fix if you are willing to learn using proven short exercises that work. I train the owner or caretaker how to tame and train donkeys worldwide.

Sadly, people get into a hurry when trying to teach anything new to a donkey. Some people think quick tricks are the best like placing a rope around the butt, or another person pushing while the person with the lead line is pulling and adding a chain to the flat halter. This exercise creates a memory of pain and distrust as there is no relationship its simply being a bully while adding pain. In fact, it makes teaching the donkey to lead more difficult as donkeys store everything good and negative in their memories for life. The next time the person takes the donkey out they will have a hard time catching the donkey as the memory is pain. The donkey does not want to feel this pain again. Never use pain or force to teach a donkey as the donkey is one of the most intelligent animals God created, the donkey will never forget you betrayed him or her. Learn how to be a fair leader with a plan and remember you own a donkey.

Donkeys are born with the gift of self-preservation. Horses are flight equine meaning if I am afraid I had better fart, poop, and run to not be killed or hurt. The mule (mom is a horse and dad is a donkey) is used in the Grand Canyon as the mule will not spook and jump off the wall. Self-preservation from the donkey. The donkey will always check at least three times or more anything new to ensure it is safe before moving a step forward.

The relationship is number one between donkeys and humans. If we do not take the time to build a foundation built on trust, timing, and words (walk-on, whoa, over, back-up, foot) along with good experiences the donkey will keep the memory of refusing to follow you as a fair leader. I highly recommend my courses Donkey 101 & 102 Video On Demand with my E-books to print out.

Stay On Donkey Time ®

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

What Do I Feed My Donkey

January 20, 2022May 31, 2023 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Congratulations you own a donkey! Donkeys evolved from the desert this is why the donkey has pointy hooves to walk on hard ground full-time. Donkeys have been given the gift to survive on low sugar and protein forage. Please understand if you give your donkey the wrong foods or too much food and the opportunity to graze full-time they will become obese get sick and die a slow painful death.

Owning donkeys is truly a beautiful and blessed experience I highly recommend you do your homework before bringing two donkeys into your life. Please watch my free youtube video “Bringing Your Donkey Home.”

Donkeys living in the desert will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. Please think about the environment your farm is on. Do you live in the desert part of the world or the wet and green like we do in the Pacific Northwest, Washington?

Living in the green and wet part of the world takes a bit of planning.

Create shelter big enough for all the donkeys to get out of the rain, snow and heat.
Create hot wire tracks to keep your donkeys moving and exercising and not overeating. No grazing muzzle needed.

How Do I find low-sugar and protein hay or straw for my donkeys?

Healthy young donkeys eat hay. Geriatric donkeys eat hay mash Standlee Hay Pellets add hot water and make into an oatmeal consistency.

All forage (hay or straw) must be tested as the brand of hay or straw and color has nothing to do with the sugar content. Ideally, we want 10% or lower in sugar and protein for the donkey and portion control. Test hay in the USA at Equine Analytical Lab I use the slow feeder Hay Pillow to feed my donkeys and horses in tested low sugar and protein hay. Two meals a day is ideal. If you have extremely cold weather you can give a little extra in the slow feeder before bed. Do not feed vitamins, beet pulp, oats, or sweet feed. Donkeys need minerals Salt, clean water, and warm clean water in freezing temperatures.

Provide salt with minerals add selenium if your hay does not have it and remove it your hay has selenium. We use lose salt add as needed for our donkeys and horses.

Clean water is a must, warm clean water in the winter.

If you would like to hire Melody Johnson as a personal consultant or coach for your farm select DONKEY TRAINER for a Zoom meeting.

Thank you for investing in your donkeys,

Melody Johnson

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Donkey Blanket

January 10, 2022November 30, 2022 / Donkey Whisperer Farm ® / Leave a comment

Protect your miniature donkey, horse, or shetland pony with this Kensington unique waterproof blanket using velcro on the chest and belly for a secure warm fit, no metal or metal clips to mess with. Order Miniature Donkey Blanket sold with a lifetime warranty from Kensington.

How Can I Order? Follow our measurement instructions, measure your donkey pull the cloth tape measure snug from the center of the chest to the center of the tale, if the measurement is not on the chart choose the next size up. Select the size, the weight of the blanket light, medium, or heavy, and color. Add four inches as blankets are made for horses and ponies. Sold with a lifetime warranty from Kensington. Please measure correctly and choose the color of blanket you want for your donkeys, mules, and horses.

DESIGNED WITH YOUR MINIATURE DONKEY, HORSE, OR PONY’S COMFORT IN MIND – Waterproof miniature turnout blanket designed with 1200 denier nylon lining to avoid irritation from friction, protecting your horse’s coat from annoying insect bites and scraping. 97% UV protection, all day.
TEAR-FREE AND MILDEW-PROOF – With a Teflon exterior, our horse turnout blankets are designed to withstand the harshest tugs and pulls without tearing apart or easily disintegrating over time.
MINIATURE DONKEY or horse WATERPROOF Blanket features a velcro belly band and chest, tail flap, and adjustable leg straps for superior security. Easy contour technology lets this stable blanket stay stunningly fit.
LONG-LASTING MATERIAL – Crafted by the best quality of protective nylon and handmade to ensure top quality, our lightweight, water-proof horse turnout rugs are finely-designed and double-stitched to avoid wearing and tearing.