heavenly donkeys

That's exactly what everyone asks us all the time.....and we have lots of answers!

We first fell in love with miniature donkeys while shopping for a couple of "pasture" donkeys to protect our calves from coyotes. We had heard that they were good guard animals. One lady where we shopped happened to have a mini for sale and we thought he was the cutest thing we had ever seen. We knew nothing about donkeys and spent the next SEVEN weeks reading and trying to decide if we should buy this donkey. We never did buy those guard donkeys, but we now have 20 quality brood jennets and three jacks. The more we read and looked, the more we loved these animals!

We have each had a lifetime of raising, training and showing quarter horses. We have found our years of experience very useful in planning and managing our donkey breeding program, but have also discovered a world of difference between the two animals; and I don't mean just size! We love to work with horses but find our donkeys absolutely irresistible for petting, loving, brushing, spoiling, etc., etc., etc.,

So, what are some of the etcetera? Here is a list of donkey activities and qualities:

* Donkeys are fun to train and lead over and around obstacles and trails.
* They make great pack animals.
* They are fun to "dress up" at parties and will actually serve beverages and treats!
* Donkeys are great ambassadors at nursing homes and other facilities where people are confined or disabled.
* They are wonderful pets for all ages.
* They are naturals at pulling carts.
* Donkeys have very sweet temperaments as a rule and love to be petted. They will hang around and beg for attention.
* Donkeys are easy to train.
* Donkeys are great for breeding programs as a source of income.
* Showing donkeys is not only fun but very rewarding. Donkey shows are great family activities. This is something everyone can enjoy together.
* Donkeys make great companions to other animals such as sheep, goats, horses and humans!
* Donkeys are fun to take to parades.
* Miniature donkeys make great props for Christmas plays.

Have we done all of these things with our donkeys? YES! The small size and gentle disposition of these wonderful animals makes it easy to enjoy them in many ways.

http://www.heavenlydonkeys.com/images/samdrivinga.jpg