This is Why Farmers Sell Their Weapons and Buy Donkeys

[JJosephS]

My grandfather who fought in WWI, loved to tell the story about how in the mountains of eastern France the roads were narrow and dirt and when it rained they would get treacherous. The horses would just walk straight ahead and when the edge of the road gave away, they would go rolling down the side of the mountain often taking the wagon with them. The donkeys have a keen sense of the firmness of the ground beneath their hooves, and so they began to put donkeys in front of the horse teams to lead them safely, Worked like a charm.

[franknberry]

We raised donkeys on our farm, they're crazy strong for their size, and pound per pound can outwork a horse any day, also they're super affectionate and loyal. I'd sit on the fence for hours with Jasper resting his head on my knee, and scratch his ears, then when I had to go he'd cry. When I went to college my Dad made me sell them. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried the whole way home. That was 30 years ago and I still miss them!

[georgeorwell]

My father was raised on a farm and always said a donkey was more useful than a horse. They were stronger, longer, and had the ability to bounce back for work the next day. And yes, was very protective of the cows, sheep and even chickens.

[Khyberization]

My dad grew up in Jordan on a farm, as his family were farmers. Calling someone a donkey in Arabic is an insult, implying you're stupid, as it is in English. He always hated the insult and would always tell me how donkeys were smart, hard working, and protectors, and how everyone loves the majestic horses, but donkeys were more important to his farm than the horses even though they were cheaper, and if trained properly did everything horses did and more on the farm.

He also told me about the time thieves came to steal their live stock while he was shepherding them alone as a young teen, and if it wasn't for his three donkeys he may have lost the live stock and maybe his life.

He's now a civil engineer that can speak 13 languages. Taught me that when ignorant people insult you to simply ignore it, and maybe even take it as a compliment if they liken you to a donkey.

[seanr]

Anything: enters the farm
Donkey: "license and registration please"

[KansaSCaymanS]

A landowner behind us had a herd of goats and an old donkey that would follow the herd as they grazed. One evening, a pregnant goat gave birth right behind our house and even though the rest of the goats headed home, the donkey stood guard over the mama goat and her kid, until the baby goat was finally able to get up and walk home. Amazing!

[gunsmoke]

I know donkeys have a good memory and know what love is I grew up on a farm I left for 8 yrs Mabel saw me and run to me crying I hugged her I started crying it was a sight to see.

[tarwingrill]

Donkeys do have a good memory. In some areas without roads, donkeys are the main transportation mean. It is a well known fact that if you are lost in aforest while collecting fire wood, just load the wood on the donkey and follow it home. They never forget their way.

[davidterry]

A while back I raised goats, and the coyotes would take my goats whenever they wanted one. One day a mule showed in my garden eating my okra plants. I put him in my pasture with the goats and located his owner. While he was visiting I noticed the coyotes and any other K9 that happened to come along would not stay around and my missing goat issue completely went away. That old mule would work those coyotes over, I mean he would beat them like they owed him money. I located his owner and he let the old feller stay with me for a while and eventually told me if I wanted him I could have him . The owner had used him to plow his garden with. Like I said this was long ago . I had a couple of horses but never realized how smart a mule was . He could open gates, but would not close them, and pretty much managed my pasture like he saw best . He never bothered my dogs or anything else that was there when he came . He stayed with me for about 8 or 9 years before he died of old age . I had gotten rid of all the goats and horses but let him stay around as long as he wanted .

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

So donkeys are the final bosses that an intruder must confront

[TheMalchiah]

I worked a few years back as a stable tender at a horse farm. They had two donkeys that I cared for. They were so loving and affectionate like massive dogs. But I knew too they were incredibly powerful and headstrong when they weren’t ready to go back to stable. I absolutely love these animals but they honestly worried me more than the mares. These stories do not surprise me at all.

[MLMLW]

My brother bought a farm in rural Georgia and there are other farms around him. The one next door has several horses and a donkey. She's the sweetest thing. We love petting her through the fence. She's very friendly.

[oliverimhoof]

When I was a kid, my neighbor moved to a city because he and his wife were getting too old to take care of their horses, sheep, and their only donkey. They didn't have money to pay someone to help, so they sold their house and gave away the animals except the donkey. That guy was gifted to me like a flaming bag of brown mystery sludge. I'm kidding. I loved that jackass. His name was Hugh and he was given to me because I was the only person he seemed to like. Oftentimes, I'd have him pull me in a cart to Sonic and through the drive thrus at McDonald's and Wendy's. He was the unofficial mascot for my little sisters soccer team. He died of heart failure a few years after I moved out of the house. I miss you, Hugh.

[KerisPee]

This is why my Papaw always kept a donkey or 2 with his cattle & horses.
If you raise them from babies, they will do most anything you ask. One year we had a baby born in Spring & by late summer, I had him very tame. He'd follow me everywhere, even if I was just peacefully sitting by the pond.
We were shucking some corn, as a family, in the back yard & he kept coming to the fence crying, so I asked to let him out to be with me. He ended up impressing everyone there as he'd just go person to person getting ear scratches. My Granny said, 'well, look at that, he's just like a lil dog or something'
I, personally, LOVE donkeys & mules. I've grown up with them, so I had the great honor as a child for them to teach ME who they are...sweet, loving babies.

[lisahumphries]

They ACTUALLY do this. I kept my horse, Penny, in a paddock that could only be accessed by walking through the main field. We had a pointer, Lola, the most gentle dog you could imagine unless you were a rabbit on the run. She used to come riding with me, trot along beside, shoot off to investigate potential rabbit prizes, gorgeous girl. Turned up one morning to find two donkeys in the main field. 'Ooh, cute!!' thinks I. Lola barely escaped with her life. I'm not exaggerating, they went full-on for her. She scrabbled through the hedge, it wasn't funny.

[dianekeilman]

I always have loved them. Their bay is so unique. I knew they were good guardians of the sheep. I also love the cross on their backs. The donkey is what St. Joseph and Our Blessed Mother used. Love it! ❤✝️😇

[Commenter]

Donkeys will also bring a bunch of fairy tale creatures to an ogre's swamp

[mydogbullwinkle]

The donkeys that are shoving around hyenas, that's commendable.

[lizrock]

We had 2 donkeys and our far away neighbors noticed they had no more coyotes, racoons and other undesirables . They do accept thee family dogs and graze with them. Their jaw is 4x more powerful than a horse and they work in teams . Very impressive when they team up against an unknown dog...scary. They are ultra smart, calm and just amazing animals. I miss them everyday.

[Madheim]

This reminds me of what rice farmers do in Thailand (very different case and species of animals), they use a HUGE army of ducks, carried in big cages, and they are released in the plantations after the harvest. They eat all the insects and residues of the previous harvest and then are returned to the cages. Pretty interesting stuff.