8 things you need to know about donkeys

The donkey is a gorgeous animal, but because most people don't know much about them, they're also likely to suffer abuse, from untrimmed hooves, no shelter, and obesity.

Andrea Thompson has been rescuing donkeys for a long time. The founding member of the Donkey and Mule Protection Trust NZ, says donkeys are one of the most misunderstood animals.

The first thing you need to know, says Andrea: a donkey needs another donkey. They will live with other livestock, but donkeys have fewer behavioural issues and are happiest when they live with another donkey. If Andrea needs to train one of hers – she does competitive carriage driving – she will take another donkey with her on a lead, so the one in training doesn't feel alone.

These are the other important things to know before you get donkeys.

1 Donkeys are super smart

The latest research shows the smartest of all equines is the mule, the offspring of a donkey and a horse. Andrea says people tend to look at donkeys as cute and fluffy and underestimate how big a brain they have in their over-sized heads.

2 Donkeys are not stubborn

The intelligence of the donkey means many people interpret its behaviour in certain situations as stubbornness. However, the animal is doing what comes naturally: stopping, assessing a situation, and thinking about its choices before deciding what action to take.

Donkeys have different ‘danger' reactions from horses. While it is thinking about the best reaction it will freeze, something often perceived as stubbornness.

Their first option is flight. Andrea says they'll run for about 100m and then stop to reassess. They may stand there and not move until they feel reassured.

Donkeys do this when confronted by something new, says Andrea. Her advice: let them investigate and don't push them.

They may also choose to attack, striking out with their front feet against something they perceive as dangerous, such as a dog.

3 Donkeys are very much like dogs

Donkeys form powerful bonds with their owners and other donkeys. They are very cautious of strangers (a vet or farrier visit is stressful).

A donkey on its own will become very upset and can bray loudly, especially jacks. Donkeys that live in pairs tend to be quiet.

4 Donkeys have ongoing expenses

Like horses, donkeys need their hooves trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Andrea says many farriers don't have much donkey experience and don't cut enough of the sole away, leaving the hooves too long or heels too high.

Donkeys need regular drenching

(6-8 weeks, $20-$30 depending on weight).

There's also the one-off cost of gelding a young jack. A standard vet's visit for illness or injury can be $300+.

5 Good food is not good for donkeys

Donkeys are designed to live on sparse, poor quality forage. They quickly get fat on rye and clover, then suffer from painful health issues such as laminitis (inflammation in the hooves).

Feed needs to be restricted, but they also need lots of room to roam. Andrea recommends a track system where you put a second fence just inside a paddock, creating a track around the perimeter. This gives you grazing in the middle for other animals but forces a donkey to walk long distances in a more limited grazing space.

Feed roughage such as dry hay made from tall, coarse grasses passed their prime. Donkeys also need vitamin supplements and a salt lick.

6 Donkey coats are not water-proof

Donkeys must have a run-in shelter or they can get pneumonia. A cover or trees/ hedges is not good enough.

7 A donkey is for life

It's very easy to fall in love with donkeys due to their high cute factor and engaging personalities, but it's a long-term commitment. Donkeys can live to be more than 30 years old and will form a very strong bond with you and other donkeys.

8 Don't mess with a jack

Don't ever buy a jack unless you are willing to pay to get it gelded. Jacks can go from placid to aggressive in a flash and are often the victims of abusive owners. Jacks are far more likely to end up needing to be rescued. They can also have many behavioural issues due to abuse by people who can't handle them.

Andrea says a lot of farriers don't have much donkey experience and need to cut away more of the sole.