Addressing a common misconception, this handbook explains that donkeys are not horses and that the two kinds of animals are genetically and anatomically quite different. Carefully laying out the special physiological and environmental needs of donkeys, the book educates owners, would-be owners, and breeders about how best to care for their charges while also providing clear technical information on donkey anatomy and behavior, diseases, breeding, and general husbandry. Written with affection for donkeys and their antics, the book goes a long way toward preventing common and sometimes dire mistakes in caring for these interesting animals.
Donkeys are gaining in popularity across the country. They are used in trail riding, as pets, to guard livestock from coyotes and wild dogs, and as show animals. Donkeys are also used to breed mules, which are a hybrid produced by crossing a male donkey with a female horse. In The Book of Donkey, Donna Campbell Smith will cover the origin and history of donkeys world-wide. She will include chapters on breeds and types, care, housing, breeding, training, and the use of donkeys in the same format as her previous three books with Lyons Press. The Book of Donkeys will stand alone as an introduction to the world of donkeys and donkey keeping.
Uncover the enchanting world of miniature donkeys with "The Complete Guide to Managing Miniature Donkeys." This comprehensive eBook is your ultimate resource for understanding, caring for, and thriving alongside these charming creatures. Whether you're a new owner, a seasoned breeder, or considering starting a petting farm, this guide offers valuable insights and practical advice tailored to meet your needs. Begin your journey with an introduction to the history and allure of miniature donkeys, exploring their origins and the unique reasons they've captured hearts worldwide. Delve into their social structures and behaviors, learning to recognize both common traits and signs of distress, ensuring a happy, harmonious life for your donkeys. Discover essential daily care routines, from grooming to hoof care, and learn to maintain your donkeys' health with expert guidance on vet visits and health monitoring. Tailor their diets with balanced nutrition and tasty treats, preventing deficiencies and promoting long-lasting well-being. Design the ideal habitat for your miniature donkeys, with guidance on creating safe, comfortable shelters and enriching environments that stimulate their curious minds. For those interested in breeding, explore the intricacies of selecting pairs, managing reproductive health, and nurturing foals. Training your miniature donkey is made easy with effective techniques for mastering basic commands and solving behavioral challenges. If you dream of operating a miniature donkey petting farm, detailed chapters on farm layout, visitor safety, and community outreach offer a roadmap to success. Navigate the complexities of legal and ethical considerations, ensuring compliance with regulations and promoting animal welfare. Real-life case studies and personal stories provide inspiration and practical lessons from experienced owners. Enhance your knowledge with curated resources, further reading suggestions, and expert contacts. Stay ahead of emerging trends and innovations in miniature donkey management, and embrace the joy and lifelong commitment of sharing your life with these delightful animals. "The Complete Guide to Managing Miniature Donkeys" is your essential companion in creating a joyful, successful experience with your miniature donkey family.
International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary is launching The Clinical Companion of the Donkey, the revised version of The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, which has been the definitive text for clinicians and professionals working in donkey medicine or surgery for over twenty years. Now in an easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate format over its 360 pages, this updated paperback includes current and extra information in a bid to improve the health and welfare of donkeys worldwide by sharing knowledge and providing further education. Without covering the same ground as other excellent textbooks, The Clinical Companion of the Donkey concentrates on those differences in the equine species that are specific to the donkey. A new chapter on donkey behaviour has been included, as this is fundamental to understanding this unique animal and the presentation of clinical signs and requirements for handling, nursing and treatment. Technical colour illustrations have been included using images from the extensive libraries at The Donkey Sanctuary, as well as those private collections that belong to contributors. This book will also be available as translated versions over the following months. Created with heart and keen intelligence, The Clinical Companion of the Donkey has all the attributes of the animal it aims to aid, and will surely be the textbook of professionals involved with donkeys for years to come.
As pets or show horses, for driving, therapy, or guide animals, Minis are ideal whether you have limited space or a larger property. The Book of Miniature Horses is full of information on finding and selecting Minis; their care, exercise, training, showing, and breeding; their use as therapy animals; and more.
Strong, intelligent, dependable, friendly, and extremely versatile, donkeys are the perfect farm companion. Whether you use your animal to pull carts, till fields, or protect livestock, you’ll benefit from this practical and inspirational guide to working with and caring for your donkey. Providing expert advice on selecting the right breed for your needs, daily maintenance, training, and first aid, Sue Weaver also includes plenty of fun facts and charming donkey anecdotes. Raise a happy and healthy donkey!
The equine hoof is a complex marvel of natural engineering, built to withstand tremendous forces and able to adapt to an astonishing range of environmental conditions. It also changes daily–for better or for worse–in response to external and internal factors. Few horse owners have the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of the hoof, which limits their ability to advocate on their horses’ behalf and make informed decisions about hoof care and management. This book is the first resource of its kind to combine the most current and useful information available, gleaned from the research and wisdom of top hoof experts around the world, with a unique “hands-on” approach. The authors provide basic terms and anatomy, clearly illustrate the differences between healthy and unhealthy feet, discuss biomechanics and management concerns, and cover the causes, treatments, and prevention of commonly encountered problems, including laminitis, white line disease, and thrush. Along the way, readers are given activities to help them better analyze and understand the most important aspects of equine hoof health, such as hoof balance, depth of sole, and point of breakover. Easy–to–follow language, over 400 full–color photographs, and do–it–yourself exercises promise to empower horse owners and caretakers of all experience levels with the tools they need to accurately assess hoof health and keep their horses as sound and happy as possible.
This spiral bound manual provides an easy reference for equine owners on the care and feeding of longears, preventive care and housing of all equines, and donkey training from foal training to advanced horsemanship, including jumping, dressage, measuring for athletic potential, care and handling of jacks and equine massage for the beginner. It is duplicated and compiled from the workbooks associated with videotapes #8 through #10 of the Training Mules and Donkeys video series by Meredith Hodges. This manual serves a twofold purpose. First, it provides an economical solution for those who cannot afford to purchase the entire videotape series and secondly, it serves as a basis for a supplement to the video series that is translated for non-English speaking persons who wish to view the NTSC or PAL version of our videotape series. This manual has been translated and is available in French (1-928624-14-6), German (1-928624-15-4) and Spanish (1-928624-13-8). Go to www.luckythreeranch.com for more information.
A detailed and practical guide to training donkeys--for farmers and homesteaders So you've gone and done it, you've bought a donkey! You know she can be useful around the farm--that's why you bought her. You know that throughout history, the donkey has been one of our most useful partners in labor: a low-impact power source that also produces fertilizer. But now, as she stands there eating, how do you get any of that dreamed-of usefulness out of her? This book can show you how. Get Your Ass to Work! is a practical, hands-on guide to training donkeys to work--in harness and packing--to serve the needs of small farmers and homesteaders. It offers a clear and detailed program for each step of training, designed to enable you to bring an untrained donkey into the animal work force within a month or six weeks. Although there are several books in print of general interest on donkeys and donkey care, none deal satisfactorily with training. Get Your Ass to Work! will help you train your donkey to haul loads on a sled or cart, pull farm equipment, skid logs, and pack firewood, tools, or camping gear while respecting and protecting the health of your animal and keeping you safe. The book outlines how to care for your donkey, including feed, shelter, and basic hoof care. The text is abundantly illustrated by original photographs of donkeys working, with artistic sketches and diagrams to show techniques. This book will be relevant to the homesteader and small farmer, enjoyable for everyone who enjoys donkeys and mules, and appealing to any animal lover.
