Select Rick Lamb Mini Donkeys
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody
http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile
2012
The Donkey Is Humble
A donkey is truly humble he/she is Not concerned with who he should be. He isn’t concerned with himself at all, but instead he’s concerned with his pasture buddies and the most special human in his life who does not abuse him.
I think we humans can learn from the Donkey making our most fragile world a much better place.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Straight Talk – Rio The Mammoth Donkey
Friends Of the Donkey Whisperer Farm,
My name is Rio I have high jacked the Donkey Whisperer Farm Blog to give you a few of my thoughts. I am six years old now and I am way taller than the mini donkey Rocket Man and the blonde horse Miss Lily!
How tall am I?
16’2 hands tall, I am a mammoth donkey no horse in me I am 100% donkey b0y. I am a blessed donkey as each day my humans provide me with mold free, low sugar (orchard) hay, some white salt and loose salt. I get clean water every other day, just so you know us donkeys are pretty picky about clean water. I get bored easily as unlike the horse I can think all of the time and I do think all of the time. I enjoy playing with my toys the orange traffic cone, black grain bowl and my Parelli ball is great fun . I enjoy playing tug with Rocket Man my best buddy and I love grabbing his neck this is all normal stuff us donkeys love to do. When I am running and playing my ears are flat back not because I am mad like the horse because I am a donkey. Please understand when we are running and playing our ears go back sometimes but this does not mean we are mad or angry it just means we are thinking and playing.
Personal
Just because I’m big does not mean I am not afraid of new things – I’ve been an introvert all of my life it’s just who I am. I need the human to slow things way down when introducing new things as well I like to stand back and watch to see what happens before giving it a try. I prefer to let Lily the blonde horse I share my life with go first as she is pretty darn extroverted and she not only goes first she pushes me out-of-the-way to be first. Silly horse she just can’t stop and think like us donkeys as the adrenalin takes over for her and then she has to run and buck a bit. Please remember if you own a donkey we are not horses with long ears we are donkeys!
I get stinky feet so my humans pick my hooves out each and every day just like they brush their teeth. My mom uses bedadine solution and water in a spray bottle when it rains too much to help keep the thrush away. I need my teeth looked at by the vet at least once a year and I get a few shots each year. I love to be talked to, kisses on my nose and lot’s of brushing and walks and talks with my humans. On a special occasion I carry a child just because my humans understand I will take the most care of a child. I am indeed the worlds smartest equine I am the mammoth donkey. If you want to learn more about Mammoth Donkeys or any donkey google them.
If you own a donkey and you’re a bit confused about how we think I would like to share one thought for you. “We are really smart, we think all the time, we think after you go back into your house and we get bored fast we never ever forget anything, remember us donkeys are always On Donkey Time.”
Thank you for reading my human mom’s blog & Happy New Year!
Fireworks and Pets
Howdy,
Fireworks and Pets Not A Good Combination:
Plan ahead to keep pets safe; owning pets is a huge responsibility and for those of us who have equine (donkeys, horses and mules) living in rural areas we must be extra careful. The equine is a flight or fight animal when terrified of death. Meaning; they can get scared when the fireworks start, and the smell is in the air. Some horses have been known to run into fences. Locking them in their stalls is the safest when neighbors are shooting off fireworks I turn the radio up and give lot’s of hay and fresh water.
Want to read more tips on pet safety and fireworks? Select Blue Cross Pets Fireworks for more details.
Dogs and cats can get so scared of fireworks they can run off and not be able to find their way home best to keep them locked in the house too. Our doggies get very stressed, turning the radio up helps, some people tranquillize their dogs until the fireworks are over. I say do whatever you have to do to keep your pets safe as they don’t understand fireworks. Please remember animals do not understand fireworks “they are truly scared and think they will die.” It’s our job as the smart human to protect them and take care of them.
What do you do to keep your pet(s) safe during the fireworks? Please leave a comment to help others.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody
http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile
Thinking About Poop
Thinking about poop when owning a horse, donkey or mule is a full-time job. Is the poop firm enough, too firm, or not enough poop? Poop in the equine world is a big deal 🙂 When I was down from the semi truck accident I was constantly asking my husband How Does The Poop Look? My poor husband was like “It’s poop Melody, lot’s of poop! Thank GOD he has learned the importance of learning what each of our equine’s poop should look like or not look like. 🙂 Donkeys are very efficient with their food so if you are new to Donkeys you may be surprised how hard the poop of a donkey is. On the positive side not much smell from a donkeys poop compared to my horses poop. Donkeys use every single calorie and save it for a rainy day.
Natural equine ownership is the safest way for us horse, donkey and mule owners to care for our domesticated equine. Here on the Donkey Whisperer Farm our equine poop is picked up twice a day and added to the compost pile, water buckets are cleaned and fresh water is added every other day. All of our equine are fed out of a plastic slow feeder to prevent colic. Select Plastic Slow Feeder with the hay pillow attached inside. You can make your own out of wood but donkeys are wood eaters.
Fecal Sampling
I started fecal sampling a few years ago as Over Worming can make our equine worms resistant to wormers just like antibiotics for people. In addition when we over worm our equine we are destroying the immune system of our beloved equine. Each farm needs to have a plan to keep the equine as healthy as possible so read, read, read to stay updated on equine ownership. Select Fecal Testing Journal.
Collecting a poop sample is easy; get a plastic zip lock bag, write the name and date, go to the barn pick up two fresh poop balls and place them in the bag. Make sure to get the fresh poop sample to your vet right away. When my vet comes to the farm I have three little zip lock bags waiting for him, please remember to ask your vet about hot and cold weather considerations of fecal samples as I am not a vet only sharing what we do to keep our equine healthy.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson
GOD Must Have Needed One More Donkey In Heaven – Goodbye Sweet Galopin
While recovering from a life threatening car accident in 2010 I started teaching for free via Skype how to tame and train a donkey. I started my blog Donkey Whisperer Farm ® in 2010 and the business in 2013, testimoinals. Martin and Geoff Lyon living in France were one of my first virtual students to teach for free. Galopin needed to be gelded, I shared how Rio our mammoth donkey almost bled to death from the vet not tying the testicles off he was rushed to a trauma hospital and they saved his life. I shared how important it is the vet has experience in drugs and donkeys, weight etc.
Galopin did not wake up after being sedated. The cause of death is guessed to be too much drugs for his weight or a severe drug interaction as donkeys digest drugs differently than horses. The only way we the owners can know for sure the cause of death is by paying for a necropsy. Galopin touched my heart deeply I am very sad to report he died during the gelding process a few weeks ago. I have not been able to write about this as well my emotions were bouncing all over the place. I have spent many hours in prayer for the owners of Galopin as they loved him so very much, they did everything they could do to give this beautiful young donkey a great life. Death comes to all of us and only GOD knows the date and time. GOD must have decided he needed one more standard donkey in heaven as Galopin died from the gelding process. Please pray for Galopins human family, pray for peace and joy to come back into their home.
Warning for gelding donkeys:
Donkeys can have reactions to medications, donkeys can bleed to death after being gelded if the vet does not tie off the the testicles. Donkeys are not horses with long ears. Sadly, when veterinarians attend school they are seldom taught about donkeys.
When I am pressed on every side by troubles, I am not crushed and broken. When I am perplexed because I don’t know why things happen as they do I don’t give up and quit. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:8 (TLB)
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner
Our Three Blonde Dogs
Jewel as a puppy, akita, chesapeake retriever she was a rescue from down the road weighing in at sixty five pounds as an adult. Jewel was an amazing dog.
Sampson, as a pup (akita great pyrenees) he is just turned five years old, he is the protector of our home and little farm he is indeed a good dog. We rescued Sampson from Petfinders he is a wonderful healthy doggie.
Buddy our Carin Terrier he is seven years old now, my how time keeps flying on by. Buddy started having seizer last summer we do our best to keep him calm and relaxed along with medication to help stop the seizure it is really painful to watch our animals get sick. He is the smallest but the most vocal of all three as he is low to the ground and can hear things much faster than the other two dogs. Buddy was a friend of ours dog and when the grand kids were allergic to him as a puppy we took him into our home. Buddy and Sampson still play tug and wrestle almost every morning.
Our three blonde dogs live inside the house with us they sleep at the foot of our bed, even when my husband was at the hospital with me for 18 hour days the dogs did nothing wrong in the house. Our three blonde doggies are little angels and they truly love their life and we love having them in ours.
Our three blonde dogs are truly a gift from GOD they bring so much joy to us and ask so very little in return.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner
Donkeys Love Kisses
Howdy,
Kisses for the donkeys can make a dirty face for the human 🙂
After coming in from feeding last night my husband looked at me and started laughing he said “Go look in the mirror at your face”, I looked in the mirror and laughed a really deep laugh. The entire left side of my face was covered in dirt as I had kissed all the equine before we did our evening choirs.
Here is a big donkey smile just for you!
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody
http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile
Life As We See It – a horse and two donkeys
Hi my name is Rio I am a 16’1 hand Mammoth donkey I am introverted and afraid of new things, I know, I know I am a big donkey but hey us big guys get scared too!
I’m Rocket Man – I do know care if I am short I am just as much important in this world as you or anyone else. I make up for height with personality I love my step brother the Mammoth donkey (Rio) and I tolerate my step sister the quarter horse blonde. She seems to be in a hurry most of the time and well this gets to be annoying as I am never in a hurry.
I am the center of my universe my name is Lily I am 100% horse! No donkey in me anywhere. I am 100% horse and I am a girl a mare in the horse world. I love my step brother the Mammoth donkey and I enjoy bugging the little donkey. Life is really good!
Barb Wire Is Not Safe – Remove and Replace asap
Howdy,
Perhaps you just bought your dream land and you are so darn excited to get your horse, donkey or mule home. As you walk the property you notice barb wire and you think to yourself no big deal it’s been on the land for all these years no need to worry.
Did you know?
Barbed wire is not a good idea for horses, donkeys and mules – they can easily hurt themselves by various means with barbed wire. Most rescue agencies don’t allow you to adopt a horse from them if you have barbed wire.
Why Should you remove barb wire?
Barb wire is wicked and can be deadly leaving death or permanent scars for the animal entangled in it. I highly suggest removing barb wire asap!
Select how to prepare a safe pasture for horses.
http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-a-Pasture-for-Horses
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody
BARN Sweet BARN – Give Me Some Kisses
Howdy,
Living on the farm is indeed a blessing from GOD, I thank GOD each and every day for all of our blessings. Thank you Jesus!
Our sweet donkeys love to have kisses on the nose each and every time I am down in the barn. Little Rocket Man our mini donkey will nudge me in the leg to remind me if I happen to forget as his little tiny mini donkey nose is low to the ground and Rio well those big eyes are always saying “Give Me Some Kisses” each time I see him. Even my horse enjoys kisses every once in a while. I think kisses are like a smile they make our brain release the much needed endorphins and whatever is going south in the human world is better after a few kisses.
Here are a few of my favorite “Give Me Some Kisses” photos. Enjoy!
Melody
http://www.donkeywhisperer.com
What Age Is My Equine Full Grown?
Driving down the road this week I noted two brand new foals playing on a horse farm close to our farm they were enjoying the sunshine in the Pacific Northwest and life. Made me think about how important it is for people to understand just because their tall does not mean they are full-grown.
Several times people have pulled into our farm and said “oh what a cute baby donkey you have”, too funny! Rocket Man is our 18 year old mini donkey 🙂
Please read as much information as you can on the growth plates to understand what age your beloved donkey, horse or mule is full-grown. Wondering how much weight a mini donkey can carry? 20% including the saddle of the equine. Make sure the donkey, mule or horse is full grown and prepared to carry the weight.
Miniature donkeys are full-grown at age three.
Standard/burro age four.
Mammoth donkeys six or seven. Rio our baby mammoth donkey grew to be 16’2 hands tall he was seven.
Lily age 2 with Rio age 1
Lily age 7 with Rio age 6
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson
What Is The Weight Limit To Ride A Mini Donkey?
Howdy,
Select What is the weight limit to Ride a Mini Donkey? to read the formula. Please use common sense when adding a rider to the equine as listed below:
20% of weight can be carried! Miniature donkeys are full-grown at age three.
An adult Mini donkey can carry no more than 50 lbs including the saddle.
Adult Standard donkey no more than 100 1bs including the saddle.
Standard/burro size donkeys are full-grown at age four.
The adult Mammoth donkey that is conditioned can carry most adults I would never make a donkey carry an extremely obese human. It is really hard for the equine to carry a rider that is obese and not able to ride in balance.
The mammoth donkey is full-grown at age six or seven. Rio was full-grown at age seven as he stands 16’2 hands.
Select What age is my horse, donkey or mule full-grown? to read and understand the growth plates of the equine.
Riding any equine too young will cause permanent disabilities for the equine. If you must ride be sure you purchase the equine old enough to ride and make sure they are conditioned before long trail rides. Please stop and think about how your body feels when carrying a heavy pack and not training before a big long hike.
Please have mercy for these magnificent equine and use common sense. If you see someone too heavy to ride a donkey, horse or mule speak up “You Can Be a Human Angel” for this equine.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson
Memories
I share our life on the farm in order to help you help your donkey, horse and mule live life in optimum health.
We purchased my horse miss Lily at twenty months old not broke, our Mammoth donkey Rio t nine months old and our mini donkey Rocket Man age thirteen. Much is to be learned when purchasing youngsters and these photos in random order share a little memory each step of the way. I hope you enjoy!
Rio Our Mammoth Donkey Can Open The Barn Door
Howdy,
Donkeys are really smart, they are visual learners, Rio has been able to open the barn door during feeding time since he was a baby Mammoth donkey.
Donkey tip; Must have lots of great locks when owning the smart equine. After three years my horse can open the door.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody
What Age Is My Donkey, Horse or Mule Full Grown?
Please remember to wait for heavy work until the equine is full-grown. :}
Miniature Donkeys age three
Standard burro age four
Mammoth donkeys age six or seven. Rio our Mammoth donkey was seven years old as he stood 16’2 hand tall at the withers.
GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!
Melody Johnson
Donkey In The Bible
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