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Deep Fork Farms is home to many, many donkeys. They include
Mammoth, Standard Donkeys, Large Standard Donkeys, and the ever
sweet Miniature Donkeys. We love every one of them. The donkey's
history as a work animal goes way back ... historians say to 4000 BC at least.
By the early 20th century their use in the USA was mostly as a
pet. Without a doubt, the donkey as a servant and as a companion
deserves our respect and appreciation.
We love donkeys for what they are. And we love to see their
strongest characteristics bred into mules. For one, donkeys are
sure-footed. Have you ever taken a ride down the Grand Canyon?
It's likely you took the trip on a donkey. Donkey's are
sure-footed on rough terrain. Mules inherit this surefootedness
from the donkey (along with the speed of a horse). Donkeys
are similar to horses in many ways. After all, they're both part
of the equidae family (and zebras too). But they're also
wonderfully unique. A neat little trinket of trivia ... did you
know that a donkey's eyes are placed so it can see all four feet
all the same time!
A horse can run faster than a donkey. So instead of fleeing the scene,
a donkey camouflages itself by standing very still when
something new or threatening comes. Donkey's really aren't as
stubborn as they've been stereotyped to be, however they are
cautious and won't be scared/bullied into doing something they
perceive as being contrary to their own safety. When a donkey
feels safe and confident in their handler, it's amazing how
easy-to-please a donkey behaves. When handled "donkey-style", a
donkey can be even easier to train than a horse.
Oklahoma gets intensely hot during the late summer months. The
majority of photos at the right were taken in September (a very
hot month for Oklahoma). Donkeys keep themselves cool during
these 'dog days of summer' by giving themselves a dust bath. Of
course, this makes grooming nearly impossible during the summer.
If you're new to keeping donkeys, be sure to have a good dusty
spot they can roll and cool themselves; horses enjoy water to
cool themselves, donkeys will need extra water to drink but they enjoy dusting
their bodies to cool themselves.
The miniature donkey packs all the benefit of a larger donkey
into a small body. Robert Green imported miniature donkeys to
the United States and was a lifetime advocate of the breed. We
agree with Mr. Green when he said "Miniature Donkeys possess the
affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation of a cow,
the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and the
intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's."
Here are a couple good articles you can read about the donkeys.
Article one
Click here. Article two
click
here.
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Sally, a Mammoth Gray jenny, pastures with the
mules. She's a gentle giant.
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Sally comes to say hello to Sharon. |
Smokey, a Mammoth jack, lives in his 'suite'
near another jack and the stallions.
Click here for
more information about Smokey. |
Sharon kisses one of the baby donkeys. These
young donkeys can make sweet pets for children.
The babies are irresistible and with proper love
and attention make life-long companion animals. |
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