Please Don’t Get a Donkey

********************************

0:00 Intro
0:36 Do you need a flock guardian?
0:59 Are you ready to train?
2:53 Is your area safe?
4:11 What is your land like?
5:22 Do you have access to a vet?
6:04 Will they have a "pasture pal"?
8:29 What is your climate like?
9:30 Are you ready to be patient?
13:02 Do you have access to a farrier?
15:32 My recommendation

MORE ABOUT ME

I'm Anne of All Trades. In NASHVILLE, I have a woodworking, blacksmithing and fabrication shop, a selection of furry friends, and an organic farm. Whether you've got the knowledge, tools, time or space to do the things you've always wanted to do, everything is "figureoutable."

I became "Anne of All Trades" out of necessity. With no background in farming or making things, I wanted to learn to raise my own food, fix things when they break and build the things I need.

8 years ago I got my first pet, planted my first seed and picked up my first tool.

My goal is to learn and share traditional techniques and skills while showing my peers how to get from where they are to where they want to go, how to do the things they are passionate about, and what can be done TODAY to engage their own community and grow deep roots.

Whether it's carving spoons, making my own hand tools, restoring my antique truck or growing heirloom tomatoes, the farm and workshop definitely keep me busy and support - whether financially through Patreon, through shopping my affiliate links, through buying merchandise, plans or project videos, or even just liking, commenting, and sharing my content with others helps me GREATLY to keep producing quality content to share.

********************************

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means by clicking and shopping through these links, I might earn a commission, at no additional cost to you - which is a great way you can help the creation of more free content just like this. Your time and attention mean the world to me. I know you work hard, and I'm careful to only share brands and products that I FULLY support. Keep being awesome!

Help Support this project and others!

Other places you can find me:

[KevinRAAMAAAGE]

I love my donkey more than anything. Hes 35( or somewhere around there) vet said hes getting old. He left a mountain loin with "injuries not compatible with life" is what I was told.. he's had to tell my dogs off many times. And protected my horses from loose dogs he didn't know. We live in Wyoming, he handles the cold well. Jericho can be put in the back of a car worst comes to worst, and he'll actually get in. His best friend is my old paint horse, and he is my arab mares short king. He acts like she is his mare, and she let's him. She was almost starved to death, but Jericho is the only one she'll share her food with. He has the opposite problem of dropping weight. His teeth are good, he's good. His age is just catching up with him. He finally needed a blanket for the first time in his life. We hope to get 5 years or more out of him. Jerichonis the definition of stubborn old man. He's too old to deal with our shenanigans. He does what I ask, but you can tell his face says I'm too old for this crap. Him being old is what makes him stubborn I think. He's done it all and seen it all. He can drive and ride but I'm not gonna make him do that. He's an old man

[ellengriesmeyer]

Any animal you get, a dog, a horse, a cat, a donkey, needs a family. They need that centering and they are remarkably just like children babies. And we really have to think if we can supply the emotional and educational needs of that animal to live a productive and evolving life . I am 70, I want a dog a cat a horse again in my life but I have to think if I can supply this animal all it needs. Animals have souls and they bond to their owner as though we are their actual parents. They give all of their love, all of it. Its a sin to hurt these children, if you cannot afford or give energy to it, go visit one. Any farmer would let you see thier gang of farm animals. Give the farmer some money in thanks.

[kronoscamron]

one day I was in a village in southern egypt, and it was the first time there, I had a donkey with me, and I didnt know the road and kept guessing, and got us lost, the donkey all of a sudden realized what is happening, and took charge and he got me home safely, I have alot of respect and love for donkeys, they are amazing animals.

[christiekitchens]

I would never have gotten a donkey but nevertheless, I came home one day and there he was. No idea where he came from and nobody ever claimed him. He's been here for 24 years now and lives with the horses. My grandkids grew up loving on him. He used to follow me when I rode and was popular at fundraisers. I have no idea how old he is. The farrier thinks close to 40.

[utekrause]

I have had 2 donkeys. One rescue who lived her last 10 years with us happily. She was 40 years old when she passed. The other was given to my husband when 4 years old. She lived to 30 years. It's a great commitment to have a Donkey. I loved them both very much.

[cheerful]

40 years! I had no idea. Thanks for spreading the word. Another aspect: A lot of people want exotic birds, without realizing those can live 75 years.

[elizabethl]

I knew a boy with autism who met a miniature donkey, and it was love at first sight. The owners were so moved by their friendship that they gave the boy their donkey. This particular animal was completely chill and low-maintenance. If donkeys are anything like horses, there is a ton of variation in individual personalities. But this video was an excellent reminder that donkeys should be considered fairly demanding pets!!

[phoenixlawmac]

In the UK there are thousands of donkeys that have been rescued for various reasons. I am so relieved that someone is explaining how much care donkeys need. thank you ❤

[PartanBree]

The horse trainer Warwick Schiller says that to manage mules and donkeys, you have to treat them the way you SHOULD treat a horse. Because if you try to ignore their signals and bully them into compliance, as people do with horses, they will just stop.

[tjallingdalheuvel]

Goes for most animals. People do not do their homework properly. Keeping an animal takes knowledge, skill and dedication.

[terrienfarm]

"buying a dog is buying a ticket to the worse day of your life" no truer statement has ever been uttered. I am grateful for this video as I would LOVE to have a donkey buddy wandering around our farm, but am grateful for people like you who are honest about the not great side of things from your experience. I love your honesty and the fact that you're still real to who you are, Thank you. I am glad I found your videos

[NonEuclideanTacoCannon]

My mom's neighbor has a donkey that wanders around, and it is more happy about visitors at my mom's house than my mom is. It's like a giant golden retriever that makes weird noises.

[neurodivergenthomestead]

As a farrier/trainer, my biggest warning for prospective mini owners is to make sure they know and understand boundaries and personal space before you let them into your personal space.

It's very easy to dismiss poor behavior with minis because they're small enough that it's unlikely to get you hurt. However, that behavior is harder to dismiss when it comes time for vet/farrier care, especially when they start to throw a fit because they're not being allowed to be spoiled.

[farishope]

This animal face has loads of innocence and kindness.

[cindyn]

Great video! Years ago I retired my show horse to my farm. Someone called my trainer saying they had a 5 yo donkey that needed a new home. She encouraged me to take him b/c 1) she felt bad for the donk, and 2) then my sweet gelding would have a buddy.

So Choo Choo came to live on my farm. I have a lifetime of horse experience, but donks are definitely their own thing. At the time if I had known they live for 40 years I may have re-thought taking him home, but I am so glad he is here.

[jcw]

I never considered raising a donkey, however, I believe this information about raising donkey is essential for anyone considering doing this. In other words, this is a MAJOR project.

[TheBub]

i was once sitting at a rural bus stop and felt eyes on me. i looked back and there were two donkeys staring at me. they were so adorable, i can understand why people would love to have one

[derekv]

You're absolutely correct about donkeys! I have 8 of them at our non profit rescue. They are truly unique farm animals that require research and experience to manage properly.

[rfrederick]

I have owned and loved mules and donkeys for 30 years. When we first got mules and donkeys our vet said with a wink and a twinkle in his eye "Feed them half a tumbleweed a day." You have given such sound advice and hopefully, people viewing will take it to heart.

[anothersquid]

As a large parrot owner (both me and the parrots), I am very aware of the 40 year commitment thing. My macaw turned 38 in October :) Interesting video, I'd often wondered about what it was like to have a donkey.