The Rural Voice, 1991-05, Page 23Donkeys of all sizes graze from a round bale of hay at the Simcoe County farm of Hemsted. They adjust easily to our climate.
from human contact most of the time.
Here, as Regelink and Hemsted
leamed, ranchers have been using
donkeys to keep coyotes at bay for
years.
"We went down there telling these
guys we were looking for donkeys...
and we'd kind of mutter, embarrassed,
that we wanted them for predator
control. They'd tell us, `boys, where
have you Canadians been? We've
been using donkeys for that for 150
years'," Regelink said.
Donkeys are so commonplace
there that they're taken for granted by
some. One wealthy rancher politely
FROM MINIATURES TO MAMMOTHS, DONKEYS
ARE EASY TO CARE FOR AND CAN BE PETS
Donkeys, burros, asses, they're all the same animal, one that's been made fun of
for years.
Yet, the donkey has provided service to mankind for centuries in many parts of
the globe. Today, the donkey is divided into three categories, by size. The most
common is the standard, which ranges in height from 35 to 54 inches (at the withers).
Miniatures are 35 inches and smaller, and mammoths are 54 inches and up.
All sizes will serve to control predators, but standards are most commonly used.
In the United States especially, miniature donkeys, indeed, miniature animals of
many species, are much in demand as trendy pet stock. It's not uncommon for true
miniature donkeys to fetch $3,500 or more at auction. By comparison, Donkeys
Unlimited sell their standard jennets for $600 each ($750 if the animal is bred).
Donkeys are hardy as well. Some owners prefer them to guardian dogs with sheep
because donkeys will eat the same food as sheep - pasture, hay, and grain. The
Canadian Donkey and Mule Association strongly urges donkey owners to halter -
break their animals for easier handling when necessary. They should also be wormed
regularly and have their hooves trimmed on a regular schedule.
Despite their fearsome reputation against dogs and coyotes, donkeys are curious
and gentle creatures with humans. That sleepy, long-eared look really does indicate
a friendly nature that can last a lifetime. And remember this: donkeys live longer than
their equine cousins. Thirty-five years isn't an unusual life span for a donkey.0
suggested that Regelink's wife might
want to save herself some embarrass-
ment by getting out of the truck and
taking a bus across the Canada -United
States border to avoid the stigma of
travelling with a load of donkeys.
Nonetheless, the Canadians, work-
ing with their United States associates,
managed to round up a shipment of
about 30 donkeys, all jennets, plus
Tyrone. Regelink and Hemsted are
keeping him as a stud for Ontario
donkey owners.
The donkey in the foreground is a
miniature, while the one behind is a
standard.
MAY 1991 19