The Donkey Companion

Strong, intelligent, dependable, friendly, and extremely versatile, donkeys are the perfect farm companion. Whether you use your animal to pull carts, till fields, or protect livestock, you'll benefit from this practical and inspirational guide to working with and caring for your donkey. Providing expert advice on selecting the right breed for your needs, daily maintenance, training, and first aid, Sue Weaver also includes plenty of fun facts and charming donkey anecdotes. Raise a happy and healthy donkey!
Sue Weaver has written hundreds of magazine articles and many books about livestock, horses, and chickens, including The Backyard Cow, The Backyard Goat, The Backyard Sheep, Storey and The Donkey Companion. Weaver and her husband share their ridgetop farmette in the southern Ozarks with an array of animal friends. Preface: Why Keep Donkeys?

Acknowledgments



Part 1: Donkey Primer

1 Meet the Donkey

A Basic Brayer Lexicon * Donkeys Aren't Horses * Out of Africa * Brayers on the Move * Donkeys in Myth



2 Born to Be Wild

The African Wild Ass * The Asiatic Wild Ass * The Kiang



3 The Breed You Need

Which Breed? * Closing In * Popular North American Breeds * Evaluating Donkeys



4 A Donkey of Your Own

Finding a Veterinarian * Finding Breeders * Adopting a Wild Burro * Adopting a Rescued Donkey * Transporting Donkeys



5 Donkey Behavior

Donkey Behaviors, A to Z * Donkey Whispering



Part 2: Donkey Care

6 Tack and Shelter

Halters * Leads * Shelter Options * Gimme Water * Fencing Makes Good Neighbors



7 Feeding Your Donkey

Hay * Grass and Browse * Nosebag Know-How



8 Grooming and Hoof Care

The Tools of the Trade * Grooming Overview * Bathing * Sheath Cleaning * Freeze Factor * Finding and Keeping a Top-Notch Farrier * Can This Hoof Be Saved?



9 Parasite Control

Internal Parasites * Demystifying Dewormers * Lice * Mites * Mosquitoes * Horse- and Deerflies * Blackflies * No-see-ums * Ticks



10 Health Care

Health Care Pointers * To Be Your Own Vet (Or Not) * 22 Classic Donkey Maladies * Medicating Your Donkey * Don't Wait, Vaccinate!



11 The Holistic Donkey

Herbs * Flower Essences * Homeopathy



Part 3: Donkey Fun

12 Clicker Training

What Is Clicker Training? * Why Click?



13 Donkey Riding

Donkey Dos and Don'ts * Why Ride a Donkey? * Donkey Tack 101 * Training Your Donkey to Ride * On the Trail



14 Donkey Driving

Getting Started * Driving Gear * Choosing Harness * Teaching a Donkey to Drive * Drive Safely



15 Fun with Donkeys

Showing * Packing * Pack Burro Racing



Part 4: Donkey Business

16 Breeding Donkeys

Breeding Q&A * A Jack for Your Jenny * Getting Ready for Breeding * Preparing for Foaling * Give Me a Sign * Here Comes Baby! * After the Birth * Bringing Up Baby * Socializing Baby * Very Basic Training



17 Those Mules

Origins * Today's Mules (and Hinnies)



18 Making Money with Donkeys (Maybe)

Breeding to Sell * Marketing Donkey Milk * Manufacture Donkey Equipment * Donkey Trekking * Be a Traveling Photographer * Portray Sinterklaas * Throw a Donkey Party



19 Donkey Marketing Mojo

Web Sites * Do It Yourself! * Effective Web Design * The Rest of the Story * Business Cards * Flyers and Brochures * Show Off Your Stock * Penny-Wise Promotion



Appendixes

A: ADMS Code of Ethics

B: Donkeys as Livestock Guardians

C: Weighing and Body Scoring Donkeys

D: Emergency Euthanasia



Glossary

Resources

Index

Photography Credits

Friendly, dependable, and intelligent, donkeys are wonderfully adept at protecting livestock and pulling loads yet make spirited racing partners and gentle stable companions. And their heart-felt braying, ever-alert ears, and expressive brown eyes earn them special status as beloved farm pets.



Give your donkey the best possible care, admire his place in history, and laugh at his charms. Training tips, v