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The French education system couldn’t be more different to that present in the UK at the moment. This does not pose much of a problem to young families who first attend school this side of the channel but for older kids (and therefore their parents) and especially teenagers, the differences can prove insurmountable and may often lead to the students in question wanting to return to the UK...
This is the traditionally the time of year when you take stock of your life, looking back at what has gone before and forward to what is to come. Maybe things didn’t turn out quite the way you had planned…Maybe you didn’t have a plan at all! We all get swept along by the tide of events and the desire to please others and often wish we could just take the time to really think and put our lives back on track. So, have you ever thought of going on a retreat to find a place and time to think? Well, I’ve been talking to Danuta Karpinska of the Radha Caudet Yoga Retreat Centre about her work, the centre and the people who go there. « Lots of people talk to animals, but not very many listen, though. That’s the problem. » Benjamin Hoff
With that endearing face, those dark penetrating eyes, that distinctive bray, and lively intelligence, the donkey has a way of capturing your heart. By nature, donkeys are curious, patient, sensitive, dependable, and kind, making them ideal around children and good with people with disabilities. The calming effects of donkeys on nervous livestock are well documented.
They learn quickly and do not forget what they have learned. Their undeserved characterization as « stubborn » or « stupid » is a human misunderstanding of their strong instinct of self -preservation, which is much stronger than that of a horse. Donkeys are careful and contemplative and not prone to panic or carelessness; they reflect and consider a situation before acting. If they know they can trust and depend upon you, they will want to please and accommodate you.
Because of their stoic nature and capacity for endurance, donkeys have often suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of humankind. But, with time, patience, and love, donkeys can show a remarkable facility to forgive the past and learn to trust again. And all donkeys deserve to be safe, well cared for, and appreciated for who they are. Life with donkey companions can bring loads of love, challenges, fun, and endless delight.
Before acquiring a donkey companion, thought should be given to the time, effort, and expense involved in caring for these marvellous creatures. Donkeys can have a life span of over 40 years; therefore, caring for them represents a long-term commitment. For your happiness and wellbeing, and that of your donkey companions, here are some factors to consider:
The purpose of having a donkey may simply be to have a wonderful and loving companion animal and to give a deserving animal a second chance at a safe and happy life. With proper equipment and training, you may also enjoy activities with your donkeys such as driving, walking, children’s riding, showing, and doing light draught work on a small holding. Reflecting upon why you desire to have donkeys helps you choose the right donkey- in terms of age, temperament, character, and size – to fit your needs and expectations.
A minimum of about two hours a day is needed for daily feeding and grooming, as well as mucking out of field and shelter. Because donkeys are natural stoics, an illness or injury may be well advanced before they show obvious signs of discomfort. Early recognition of problems such as illness and lameness is possible when you are familiar with your donkey’s normal behaviour and movement, appetite and thirst patterns, faeces/urine, eyes, nose and respiration, hooves, coat and skin. Time spent observing your donkey’s health and behaviour each day is the key to this early recognition.
It is essential to have adequate and correctly managed pasture for grazing and exercise. Being familiar with good pasture management for donkeys helps
avoid problems such as obesity and laminitis (a painful hoof problem), the spread of worms, and the ingestion of toxic plants.
There are several types of recommended fencing for donkeys, including electric and post and rail. Donkeys can be great escape artists, so care should be taken that all fencing is secure and does not pose a danger to your donkeys. An ideally managed pasture can be divided into two or three paddocks to control grazing. It is essential that fencing should be arranged to allow donkeys free access to shelter and fresh water at all times.
Donkeys require access to a barn or other adequate shelter to allow them to avoid the heat and flies of summer, as well as the inclement weather in winter. Donkeys do not produce as much natural protective grease on their skin as horses do: their coats are not waterproof! Adequate shelter protects them from uncomfortable exposure to rain, wind, and snow that can lead to conditions such as rain scald and mud fever.
The shelter (at least 9 sq. meters for a pair) should have at least three and a half sides and be well drained with adequate ventilation and good air circulation. It should be protected from prevailing winds, away from areas prone to fly nuisance, and have a dry non-slip floor. Clean bedding straw or wood shavings on the floor of the shelter allow a warm dry place to lie down. Regular cleaning prevents the build up of bacteria in the manure, which can attack the donkey’s hooves causing foot problems.
Donkeys can be fussy about what they drink. They have been known to refuse to drink rather than drink dirty water. They should always have access to a clean fresh water supply in well-scrubbed containers. In cold weather, care should be taken to see that the water supply is not frozen. Most donkeys will not break the ice with their hooves, as horses often will.
The grass hay and barley straw fed to your donkey should be examined to ensure that it is of good quality and should be stored in conditions that protect against mould, dust, moisture, and rodent infestation, etc. Mouldy, dusty, or spoiled hay or straw must never be fed to a donkey.
Donkeys require companionship and naturally form strong bonds with each other. They should never be kept alone, and should preferably be kept with another donkey. Where this is not possible, a horse or pony may make a suitable companion. If your donkey is to live with horse(s), it is important to be aware of their differences in terms of: nutrition and feeding, behaviour and temperament, shelter, tack, training, and hoof trimming.
A local equine vet should be available to call when you have concerns over you donkey’s health and well-being.
Donkeys’ hooves differ from horses’ in both angle and form: they are more upright, smaller, tougher, and more elastic. You will need a farrier who is experienced trimming donkeys’ feet and is gentle with your donkey to visit every 6-10 weeks.
All too common foot problems and diseases in donkeys can be avoided or minimized though proper feeding, daily hoof care, and regular visits from the farrier. The old saying, “no hoof, no horse”, applies to the donkey, too!
Your knowledge of the basics of donkey care and welfare is essential to the health and well being of your donkey: nutrition and feeding requirements, daily care and grooming, behaviour and general handling, general health and hoof care. You can never know too much about your companion animal. (See the ERF website for a list of suggested reading materials).
Who is born a donkey will not die as a horse~Italian Proverb
While many aspects of donkey and horse husbandry are similar, there are also many important differences. If your donkey is to live with horses, it is important to be aware of these differences as they pertain to: nutrition and feeding, behaviour and temperament, shelter, tack, training, and hoof trimming.
There will also be initial costs for equipment, fencing, shelter, tack and grooming aids that will depend upon existing equipment and facilities available.
Even with the best care and attention, there will be times when you need to call out the vet. Given the long distances involved, the costs can quickly mount up and it is not unusual for a simple visit to cost in the region of 75 – 100€ without the cost of any medicines.
Once these basics are all taken care of, you and your donkeys will have a wonderful future together!
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At Equine Rescue France, we often have donkeys that require new long-term guardians. We never sell our animals, all our equines are placed on loan under contract so that we can be sure they are safe and well looked after for the rest of their lives. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us at admin@equinerescuefrance.org or through our website.
If you would like to support the work we do here in France, please consider making a donation - every centime goes towards helping equines.
Merry ChristmasThe success of our growth can put down to a couple of things, but mainly, our contributors who have worked hard to bring exiting & interesting, important & informative, and funny & serious articles to us all, and for that – I thank you very, very much.
2011 will bring more exiting articles – from existing contributors such as Judy Mansfield, Wendy Wise, Lindsey Sermon, Diane Ohanian and Stephanie and Jeremy Godwin – and with new regular contributors – such as Author – Mel Comley, Professional Photographer – Valérie Jardin and FranceRevisited.com Editor – Gary Lee Kraut, and a few more in the pipeline – will ensure the continued success and growth of our Online Magazine.
Thank you all again – readers and contributors, for your loyal support – may it continue into 2011 and beyond!
Greg Hughes
Editor