I am new to the forum. Oh joy when I read Martin T's article that there would be a forum for Foster owners. I am hoping that lots of F.O's will sign up to the forum so that we can compare notes and generally indulge in donkey talk! I have been hoping for this for such a long time, thank you Martin for making it happen.
I am proud foster carer to two donks, Nicholas and Brian. Sadly we lost Moses 18months ago, he was a little donkey and very elderly. Nicholas is elderly and needs lots of care to maintain condition which means frequent small meals and lots of dental care. He is a lovely character, well known in the village for his appearances at church events and just out on strolls around the village. Today both the donkeys enjoyed their walk aroung our garden and along our drive in the winter sunshine. Brian on a lead rein and Nick walking beside us. He knows the garden so well. I am hoping that Brian will do so too in time. Brian enjoys his canter around the fields and munching starw in any spare time he has when he is not following Nicholas around the paddocks.
They have had now their evening feed and Nicholas has his coat on for the night and now they are tucked up in their stable for the night.
Would love to hear from all you donkey people out there, especially if you have the joy of caring for donkeys.
New to the forum
Posted 24th January 2010 by Big Ears
Hello Big Ears! I am so pleased this forum is being used by other donkey owners. How are your donkeys coping with this awful weather? Mine have been wearing their 'winter faces' for ages and it is a problem finding things to keep them amused especially when they are spending so much time inside. I wonder do other owners have the same problem and what do they do?
We've come up with a few things to get them through the dark winter days but always interested to hear of new ones!
Hi Hettie
Yes it's good that we can exchange notes isn't it.
Well we go out for walks so the donks can nibble in the hedges. I also give them an orange occasionaly, the look on their faces as they suck the juice and it dribbles down their chin, keeps them happy for ages. nick prefers a pera just nice and soft about to go over ripe.
We bring visitors up the the paddocks. The neighbours are having some renovations done and have parked all their building materials in the next door paddock so Nicholas and Brian stand at the fence and watch. They watch the hens scootling about in the garden, busy lives really, they get taken by surprise by a visiting deer (muncjac )
I am going away to Cambodia in a couple of weeks so they will have the holiday team visiting.(friends who take care of them when I'm away)
Uncle Colin is coming tommorow to 'do'their feet. Other than that the days are getting longer so there is hope.....I am so glad it is Feb 1st. * weeks and it's easter!
I wouldn't worry too much Hettie, you'd be amazed as to what is happening in their paddocks when you are not about.
Nick is an elderly donkey so he has small frequent feeds, so I guess I am up and down to them quite a bit.
How old are yours and how long have you fostered them?
Great to have some contact on the forum. Thank you for replying. Are you going to any of the days at paccombe this year, what part of the country do you live?
Big Ears
'Time for Donkeys'