Donkeys Need To See The Dentist

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 ®

Learn Why Donkeys Are Not Horses With Long Ears

standard donkey
standard donkey

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 ®

Why Is My Donkey Chasing Cows?

Donkeys NEED a strong playmate to grab a hold of the neck, play tug with a food bowl and chase after.  Donkeys are not horses they are donkeys and they play different from the horse.  If you have a herd of cows and a donkey chasing after them I would say your donkey is bored and more than likely young and has no donkey to play with he/she is bored to death. Or a Jack (intact) donkey.

Two donkeys will play donkey games.

Never leave a donkey with baby sheep, goats or baby cows as the donkey can get bored and pick up the youngster by the neck donkeys play really rough and can kill the animal not big enough to defend itself.  Donkeys are not being crazy or mean they are just doing what donkeys do playing, they need a play mate that can play the way Donkeys play. Donkeys can and do kill baby sheep, calves, goats and dogs. 

Ideas To Stop This Behavior – Remember Donkeys Are Thinkers and They Get Bored Easy:

1.  Make sure your donkey has toys, black feed bowl or orange traffic cone – Donkeys like to play with their mouths all the time

2.  If your donkey is a Jack turn him into a John

3.  Please remember Donkeys go in two’s, get your donkey another donkey to play with and chase.  Size matters, pair the donkeys up fair. Diet is easier to manage this way too. Never ever leave your donkey with an animal too small as donkeys are just being donkeys they play really rough with their mouths and grab the neck of the playmate.  This is why donkeys have such thick necks compared to the horse as donkeys grab the neck of another donkey.

Please share information and enjoy your donkeys as donkeys are most happiest with another donkey and remember Donkeys are indeed precious gifts from GOD.

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

Melody Johnson

https://donkeywhisperer.com

American Mammoth Jack Opening The Barn Door

 

Donkeys Evolved From The Desert.

Thinking about bringing home a couple of donkeys?

Donkeys are smart not stubborn. Donkeys are visual learners meaning; Donkeys can watch you do something repetitively and repeat the process. Donkeys are wood eaters. Make sure you have excellent fences, gates and locks.

Donkeys love wood!

Please do not confuse eating wood as cribbing as its not. Donkeys evolved from the desert.

Select Donkey Whisperer Farm to learn more.

Miniature Donkey Rocket Man.

 

 

Thinking About Health Concerns of Donkeys and Mules

Health Concerns of Donkeys and Mules

Working with donkeys and mules takes training to an entire new level. Donkeys have photographic memories. Mules are half horse and half donkey meaning some mules will be more like a donkey and some more like a horse.  Not every mule is going to make it to the Grand Canyon. What’s the big deal? Horses are flight equine. Donkeys are seriously smart and into self-preservation. All equine have personalities just like people extroverted more go than whoa. Introverted more of a deep thinker and more whoa than go.
Dictionary:

Donkey – Equus Asinus or Ass

Three sizes

Minature

Standard or burro

Mammoth Donkey

JackThe term used for the male of the ass species.

JennetPronounced JEN-et, it is the correct term for the female of the species. The most commonly used term is jenny.

BurroA word taken directly from Spain. It means the common, everyday working donkey found in Spain and Morocco. Many people call a wild donkey a burro in the Pacific Northwest.

Donkey sizesDonkeys come in all shapes and sizes ranging from the Miniature Mediterranean 28 inches to Mammoth 16’2 hands. The ears of a donkey are much longer than the horse.

Mule – The mother is a horse and the dad is a donkey. Mules are Usually sterile.

Hinny – The mother is a donkey and the dad is a horse. The death rate is high when trying to breed this way. 

Female mule – Also known as a Molly.

Health Concerns

Diet is number one in the U.S.A. Donkeys evolved from the desert meaning they are seriously easy keepers. The overweight donkey is prone to laminits, colic, founder, hoof problems, abscesses, fat deposits. I.E., Neck crests and breaks. Death is final all due to poor diet. Donkeys must live on a dry pasture for the majority of their day. Donkeys will eat themselves to death if given the chance. Never feed donkeys alfalfa, oats, grass full-time grazing, bread, grass clippings. A safe reward for your donkey is a bite of a carrot. A bite. Never feed apples, pears etc., to your donkey. Donkeys evolved from the desert think about what is in the desert.  Donkeys are seriously Easy Keepers.

Fecal samples are a must to prevent worms. Donkeys must have vet checks and regular hoof trimming just like the horse when living in domestication.

Reproduction

Donkeys gestation is twelve to thirteen months. Vet care is a must if you think your donkey is pregnant get a vet check do not guess.

Donkeys are stoic – Meaning donkeys will never show pain until it is too late. Be sure to not wait too long to get medical attention as your donkeys life is depending on you.

Training?

The Donkey Whisperer Farm trains the owner or caretaker to train the donkey via our video training series Donkey 101 and Donkey 102. Take Melody Johnson to the farm with  you via your smart device. Each training program has a written PDF to print out and take to farm with you. We train the owner or caretaker to train the donkey worldwide using resistance free methods. Select OUR STORE to purchase donkey halter/lead lines, donkey training stick and string and our Donkey Training Video Series.

Baby It’s Hot Outside – Heat Stroke Prevention Pets

Select Heat Stroke Prevention

Select Horse, Donkey and Mule Heat Stroke

Donkey Whisperer Farm, LLC

Select  OUR STORE

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

Fireworks and Pets, Have A Plan

Select FIREWORKS AND PETS

Select Equine And Fireworks

Select Horses Fireworks Colic Death

Select Horse Dies Colic Fireworks

Select Donkey Dies 

Select 68 Horses Fireworks

Select Asking For A Restraint Of Fireworks Around Equine Farms

 

 

 

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

Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®

Select  OUR STORE

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

 

Surprise Donkeys And A Bird

Animals And People Are Similar

HORSE SHEEP NANNY ITALY

Select Donkey Sheep Nanny to read all about it!

Moses The Egyptian Donkey Was Mascot New Zealand Army Services

 

Moses, an Egyptian donkey, was the mascot of the New Zealand Army Service Corps in France. These images were taken at Louvencourt on 20 April 1918.

Farm Animals

RELAX

Mule or Hinny?

A new technique to identify mules and hinnies through mitochondrial DNA has been developed by researchers in Brazil.

Select Mule or Hinny

 

Resource: Donkeys

Donkey Dreams Of Being A Budweiser Donkey

 

Horses & Donkeys – Donkey Whisperer Farm

Behind every photo is a story. What do you see in this photo? Leave a comment.

Holiday Safety Tips for Pet Parents

https://wp.me/pa4cwA-4u

Home Is Where The Animals Live

Our farm is more than a business, our farm is our family.

Creating a farm takes lots of planning, savings and patience. The farm is a full-time investment of time, energy and funds. Each animal is unique, as time passes so does their health care requirements similar to people.

Why do people love owning a farm?

The farm is a wonderful place to work and relax at the same time. The human body was made to stay in motion. Not to sit around in front of the computer or other electronic devices. Fresh air and a purpose helps us sleep really hard at night.

The animals each have unique personalities and they are truly part of our life. We love each animal for life.

Farm visit do’s and don’ts or “Farm Etiquette”

  1. You are visiting a working farm and a business. You are a guest on the farm. Please respect any rules and signs displayed at the farm.
  2. Driving past a farm. Please slow down, do not honk your horn or throw food or garbage at the farm.
  3. When you drive into a farm shut the gate behind you.
  4. Leave your pets at home unless the farm specifies that pets are welcome. Most farms have their own animals.
  5. Park your vehicle in designated areas only.
  6. For your own safety, visit only identified areas.
  7. Please keep an eye on your children to ensure a fun, safe visit.
  8. Keep closed gates closed and opened gates open.
  9. Dispose of garbage in receptacles.
  10. Wash your hands after touching the farm animals.

Have Fun In Your Adventure

Let The World Know Why You Are Here


Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course!

Donkey 101 contains 19 Videos with over 1 hour of training content by trainer
Melody Johnson and a 6 page PDF outlining and highlighting core training points.

The Donkey 101 Online Training Video Series Curriculum is listed below:

Donkey Whisperer Farm is proud to announce Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course, the first in a series of online training courses By Trainer Melody Johnson. Donkey 101 teaches the fundamentals of resistance-free, natural training for you and your donkey. We offer a holistic training approach that includes insight and guidance into donkey psychology, emotion and behavior. Donkey 101 focuses on unique and proven techniques that train you, the owner, to train your donkey so you and your donkey enjoy a balanced, positive and rewarding relationship. Donkey 101 includes 19 instructional videos and a PDF addressing the topics below. You own lifetime access to your videos!

ALL FOR JUST 

Introduction
A Small Training Area
Training Tools
On Donkey Time
Building Trust
Three Second Rule
Personal Space
Your Donkey Catches You
Walk-On and Whoa
You are the Leader!
  How to Ground Tie
Going in and out of Stalls
Introverts and Extroverts
Backing up
Teaching “Over”
Walk-On, Whoa and Back Up
Donkeys are not Stubborn!
Going in and out of Gates
Taking Your Donkey for a Walk

We recommend each Course participant purchase a Donkey Whisperer Farm Rope Halter. Our rope halters are made in the USA with high quality yacht rope. Visit our ONLINE STORE to purchase your rope halter and the Donkey 101 Online Training Video Course.

Once purchased, each participant will receive a Welcome E-mail within 24 hours of your purchase. The e-mail will include a link to the Donkey 101 PDF and a link to the password protected Donkey 101 Online Training Video Series. You own lifetime access to your video 101 Online Training Course. Please add info@donkeywhisperer.com to your address book to ensure your Welcome E-mail does not go to spam.

Thank you,
Donkey Whisperer Farm
info@donkeywhisperer.com

Go to our Online Store

 

Donkey 102 contains 16 Videos with over 3 hours of training content by trainer Melody Johnson, our new DWF Training Tool Stick and String and an 11 page PDF outlining and highlighting core training points.

The Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series Curriculum is listed below:

We are proud to announce our new Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series now available to all students who have purchased and practiced our Donkey 101 Online Training Course. Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series is for intermediate students and takes an in-depth look into donkey personality, herd mentality, the rescued and traumatized donkey, how to pick up the front and back feet and various other problem solving techniques.

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series also launches our new Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool a high quality, ergonomically designed fiberglass stick and string for desensitizing and working intimately with your donkey. It is a mandatory tool for training your donkey to pick up his/her front and back feet and for addressing behavioral issues such as, pushing, crowding, bullying and refusing to come and lead. The DWF Training Tool Stick and String is mandatory in Donkey 102 and is the key to being a Fair Leader and building a foundation of trust and respect with your donkey.

Each Donkey 102 E-training Video Series includes our Donkey Whisperer Farm Training Tool Stick and String. If you have a Miniature Donkey please purchase the course with the 3ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. If you have a Standard/Mammoth Donkey please purchase the course with the 4ft DWF Training Tool Stick and String. Our DWF Training Tool Stick and String comes in Royal Blue and Deep Purple. Each donkey 102 E-Training Video Series also includes an 11 page PDF with step by step bullet points for you to refer to as you view the training videos.

Both Donkey 101 and Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series teaches YOU to train your donkey. A third party trainer cannot help your donkey. Only you can train your donkey because you are the one who is caring for your donkey, sharing life with your donkey and building a strong foundation of trust and respect with your donkey. A third party trainer may gain the respect of your donkey, but he/she comes and goes. As the owner and caretaker, you don’t come and go. You are your donkey’s polestar, so it is you that must gain your donkey’s respect, it is you that must become your donkey’s Fair Leader.

We hope you will take the next step in building a partnership with your donkey. Our vision at the Donkey Whisperer Farm is to teach you, the owner/caretaker, to train your donkey and to provide the tools and education to better the life of your donkey. A large percentage of donkeys that end up at shelters, auctions and slaughter houses have been abandoned because they were difficult to handle or could not be trained.
Our vision is that EVERY donkey find its forever home. Our prayer is that your donkey stays with you forever.

Once purchased, each participant will receive a Welcome E-mail within 24 hours of your purchase. Your DWF Training Tool Stick and String will arrive separately in the mail. The e-mail will include a link to the Donkey 102 PDF and a link to the password protected Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series. Please add info@donkeywhisperer.com to your address book to ensure your Welcome E-mail does not go to spam.

 

1. Introduction
2. Making a Commitment to Your Donkey
3. Knowing the Signs of Stress and Fear in Your Donkey
4. Donkey Personality: Introvert or Extrovert?
5. Understanding Herd Mentality
6. The Rescued or Traumatized Donkey
7. Endorphins Versus Pain
8. Teaching Your Donkey to Tie and Stand
9. Preparing Your Donkey for the Farrier/Veterinarian
10. Blanketing Your Donkey
11. The New DWF Training Tool Stick and String
12. When Your Donkey Does Not Respect You as a Leader
13. Picking Up Your Donkey’s Front Feet
14. Picking Up Your Donkey’s Back Feet
15. Having Fun with Games and Obstacles
16. Conclusion: Your Donkey is Waiting For You!

 

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with
DWF Training Tool Stick and String.

 3ft Stick and String in
Royal Blue or Deep Purple.

Donkey 102 E-Training Video Series with
DWF Training Tool Stick and String.

 4ft Stick and String in Royal Blue or Deep Purple.

Purchase in our Online Store

Growing The Donkey Whisperer Farm “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back”

Do You Have A Dream For A Small Business?

Please share your dream business in the comments section. I am excited to hear your dream business. 🙂

Meet my husband and best friend Scott Johnson, we have been partners for almost twenty-six years. This man is the reason I am able to be bold and step out in the world. He encourages me to never give up. He picks me up when I am tired. He is my soul mate. If you are blessed to have a supportive spouse you are truly living in GOD’s best. God wants his children to be happy, healthy and whole. This man was placed on the planet for me. I was placed here for him. Nothing in this earthly world is more important than my beloved. I love you Scott.

Starting a new business is always exciting, terrifying, and overwhelming as we may see our tiny business grow or not. Starting a new business in agriculture is even more of a risk as the experts are quick to calculate how this little business will fail. The startup costs of a farm are indeed high, risks are higher. I truly believe in GOD in Jesus Christ name. Without GOD to guide me, give me creative ideas and the strength to first step out and try, second never give up I could not do this. 

Each person living on this planet has twenty-four hours a day to do something. Some people refuse to use even a small percentage of their day in a productive way as well they are stuck in their sorrow and grief. Failure has become an idol something they hold tight, day and night.  Every failure is an opportunity to grow and learn how not to make the mistake again. Seems as we age the risk is higher to not try. I simply do not want to be taking my last breath and wondering if I could have succeeded at my little business. I do not want to say “WHAT IF” on my death bed.

Making the world a better place for donkeys and the humans who love them. This is what my dream and goal is, my purpose. Donkeys are the most abused of all the equine. Donkeys deserve to wear beautiful quality tack that fits a donkey not a horse. Donkeys deserve to be trained using resistance free methods, never abuse. This is my dream for the Donkey Whisperer Farm, helping donkeys and owners or caretakers worldwide. “Donkeys Are Not Horses With Long Ears. Horses Dream Of Being Trained The Way A Donkey Demands To Be Trained.” Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ™. Stay ON DONKEY TIME ™ never drill or abuse your donkey. Less is more.

Select Brilliant Inventions Made By Failure

Starting a worldwide business is a little overwhelming as social media spreads quickly. The customer base is worldwide. This is a huge challenge. I simply give the Donkey Whisperer Farm business to God in Jesus Christ name. I am simply not smart enough to do this without GOD guiding me.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TWO AND FOUR-LEGGED.

WWW.DONKEYWHISPERER.COM

 

%d bloggers like this: