Publisher Description

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!

Back Cover

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, valuable advice, fun facts, quotes, and colorful anecdotes are all included in this comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the versatile donkey.

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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, valuable advice, fun facts, quotes, and colorful anecdotes are all included in this comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the versatile donkey.

Table of Contents

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

Review

"The Donkey Companion is the most complete, up-to-date reference of its kind. The book offers readers a walk through the wonder and capabilities of this equine species, with keen insight into the differences between donkey and horse."Sir

Review Quote

The Donkey Companion is the most complete, up-to-date reference of its kind.

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