Breed Profile: Miniature
Donkey
By Lyn Odom-Cherenzia
"This started out as a hobby, but as anybody who's ever owned one could tell you, these little people become an addiction. You can't have just one," laughs Russ Hauenstein of Circle H Ranch in Blanco, Texas. Russ and his wife Gloria are now "down" to 28 registered miniature donkeys. Twenty some odd years ago, Gloria's parents bought a pair for unique pets to live on the terraced hillside of the small Blanco ranch. What started out as just pets grew, at one time, into one of the larger herds in Texas. Years later when Russ and Gloria purchased the ranch, they started with four jennies and a jack, and a few years later had three herds totaling 55. Gloria's father passed on some great advice to Russ on retiring-have a good reason to get up in the morning, and these wonderful little beasts are certainly that-just be a little late and hear the alarm clock!
Now
into their twelfth year of enjoying Miniature donkeys, Russ and Gloria find
much to delight in with the hearty miniature donkey. "No matter what mood
I'm in, I'm always surrounded by love when I go down to feed. And to see how
visitors are surrounded by them seeking affection, or the joy a new owner
feels, that's beyond description." Managing a "natural herd," the Hauensteins
practice as little intervention as possible with natural herd behavior. The
breed no longer needs to be protected, owing to its growing popularity as
the 'perfect rural pet.' "We strongly believe the primary responsibility now
of any breeder is to give every animal entrusted to our care the best life
it can have," states Russ. They frequently handle them but believe the closer
to a natural environment they can provide, the healthier the herd will be.
Contrary to many breeders, who separate and hand breed the jack, theirs is
left with the herd 24/7, even after the foals are born, and they like the
jenny to foal where she decides. The foals are left in the herd too, as long
as possible. "We imprint in our own way, through daily contact, we would never
get between a mare and her foal." Births are loudly 'announced' with a "HEE
HAWWW", as are breedings, hunger, and calls to each other-and anything else
out of the ordinary. "If you're going to live in this valley, you better like
the donkey bray."
Donkeys date back as far as 4800BC according to pictographs throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. Donkeys were being bred for specific purposes and color as far back as 3400BC. First imported to the United States in the early 1920's the miniature donkey's popularity has steadily grown. They originated in the islands of the Mediterranean, and a few have even been imported from Ethiopia. The color of the miniature donkey varies widely. Color include brown, black, gray dun, sorrel and even white donkeys that have blue or, more rare, two toned brilliant blue eyes. Today there is a large population of spotted donkeys too. Their versatility has changed from being pack animals hauling citrus from the Byzantine Era, 535AD, to being the popular rural pet of today.
Standing 36 inches and under the miniature donkey can be shown in harness, in hand and even ridden by small children. Being social by nature the donkeys may visit nursing homes, stand quietly in a nativity scene or make the rounds at schools, parades and other social events. Other advantages to owning the miniature are that they make great a companion for children and handicapped people as well as the perfect companion for weanling foals and keeping nervous horses quiet. Donkeys are healthy, hardy animals that should receive the same vaccinations and worming as a horse per body weight and need their hooves trimmed and skin and coats kept in good condition.
Donkeys have a long life span and can live well beyond 30 years. They have a natural aversion to canines, seeing them as predators, but can be trained to get along with the family dog with gentle patience. They are naturally herd animals and live best with a companion of their own kind, but are able to adapt to a large array of possible best friends. They tend to be possessive of their people, and tend to do what is good for the donkey, which is not always what the human thinks is best (especially when it comes to getting their feet wet). Miniature donkeys are sometimes used as protection for livestock herds against individual predators, but are not big enough to guard against pack animals, where their larger relatives are more effective, the standard or mammoth donkey-thought by some to be surpassed only by the llama, perhaps the Pyrenees as a guard animal.
There is one very common disease among donkey owners called Donkey Fever. Symptoms that people exhibit include going to visit breeders and auctions and looking in fields wherever you go to spot donkeys says Leah Patton, Office Manager, of the American Donkey and Mule Society (ADMS). Lists of breeders of well-bred donkeys can be found through the American Donkey and Mule Society (ADMS), The National Miniature Donkey Association (NMDA) or right out in Blanco, Texas, at the Hauenstein Ranch www.miniature-donkey.net.
Russ and Gloria sell their miniature donkeys nationally to breeders and pet owners who fall within certain guidelines: You must have a few acres per animal, decent shelter, fresh water, have a companion animal for them, don't pen them up where they can't roam, enough money to support them properly, and-most importantly-love for animals. They're perfect for many rural folks who want an affectionate animal, but don't want a complicated care-taking program, as they require little maintenance. Looking is free, as is their pre-purchase and after purchase advice. The most important thing about owning a miniature donkey is to "Just love the little beast and love 'em a lot."
