Q:
I know miniatures are 36" or less; what are the measurements for standards and mammoths?

A:
Although miniatures can be still be registered as minis at 38 inches
Standards measure from 36.1 inches to 48 inches
Large standards form 48.1 inches to 54 inches
Mammoths- jack from 56 inches and up, jennet-from 54 inches and up

Q:
What is your favorite basics book on donkeys, the one you'd recommend to the novice breeder?

A:
Many good books are available but for the beginner my personal favorite would be "The Definitive Donkey" available from the ADMS. As you learn more there are many other excellent books most of which can be obtained from the ADMS. If you are into the Miniature Donkeys a good place to start would be "Caring for your Miniature Donkey" directions and/or links to acquire these books are located on my "suggested Reading" page on this site.

Q:
Will a cattle guard keep donkeys in a pen, or must you have a gate?

A:
Do not trust cattle guards as too many animals are maimed on these things when frightened into crossing them.A gate is preferable.

Q:
I've been told that "a young jack" is not a good choice for a guard animal of young goats because he will play too rough. At what age will most jacks start being good to be put in with goats for guard?

A:
An intact jack is not a good choice for guard animal. While there are exceptions, it is better to use a jennet or a mature gelded jack. Even a gelded jack is usually too playful until he is around 3 or 4 years old. I personally prefer a jennet for this job.

Q:
If you want to train a donkey to be ridden, is one gender preferred over the other? Can a completely untrained donkey purchased at an older age (18 mos. to 2 years) be trained to be ridden?

A:
Any donkey can be trained to do anything you want if you know how. Patience and trust is the key. My jack was 7 when I started him and I have one jennet that had no schooling until I got her at 12. Age is not a problem. If children will be around them I suggest a gelding or a jennet over a jack. I personally, like geldings for children as they tend to have a more playful spirit and you don't have to deal with hormones.A gelding over age three makes a wonderful "babysitter" usually

Q:
Are donkeys ridden bareback, with standard horse saddle, or both?

A:
Both, it only being important to fit the saddle properly to the animal, not the other way around.

Q:
If you have a wild donkey, one you can't rope and halter, who decides she doesn't want to have a tube of Equimectrin up to her mouth, how do you worm? Use sprinkle-on-the feed stuff? And how, pray tell, do you vaccinate?

A:
If the wild one will eat from your hand, feed it a slice or two of bread for a couple of days. When it looks forward to the bread, put the worming paste on the bread, fold it over and serve...It will disappear like magic. Sprinkle wormers do not kill as many parasites as pastes. For vaccinations...call the vet.

Q:
I think I'd like to get a spotted (why don't they call it painted?) jack. If I put him with non-spotted jennies, and I want spotted babies, will I be more likely to get spotted babies if my jack is out of two spotted parents as opposed to only one?

A:
It all depends...loaded question there...it's all a matter of reccessive and dominant genes and all you can ever be sure of is the luck of the draw. We can tell you if your chances will USUALLY be better but that is no guarantee. Generally, the more spotting on your jack, the more chance of white in your foals BUT.. it would take more research into your jacks background than just what color his parents were to promise spotted foals and even then...well..

Q:
We have registered dairy goats and registered Labrador Retrievers, but I didn't even know there was such a thing as registered donkeys. Are there registered standards? If so, where's the registry?

A:
There are registries for all sizes of donkeys. The ADMS is a great place to start. They maintain registries for all sizes. There are more registries for minis, however. There is a listing of registries and contacts or links to them on my DONKEY LINKS page on this site.

Q:
How can I purchase those that are registered, and/or register mine?

A:
Again, you need to contact the registry/registries you wish to register with. They will tell you what you need to do to register yours and can provide you with a breeders list in your area if you wish to buy.

Q:
The farrier who trimmed the horses we've had said you don't need to trim a donkey's hooves. I've heard others say they trim theirs every 2 months. We don't have rocky soil, and we do have to trim our goats' hooves, but the jenny we've had for about 6 months now has never been trimmed. She looks fine to me.

A:
You need a different farrier. Donkeys feet need the same care as horse feet. The shape is a little different and trimming is a little different but it still needs to be done. Like with horses, some don't need as often as others that's all.

Q:
We live in north central Texas. I understand that jennies carry their young about a year. Is there a time of the year we should avoid breeding? And is there consensus that one should not breed donkeys under 2 years of age?

A:
Try to avoid having them deliver during extreme seasons such as the cold of winter or the heat of summer. PLEASE never breed a donkey under two years of age and most will agree you should wait until three. Donkeys mature slower than horses and their bones are still developing at two. A pregnancy at this age can possibly ruin your jennet.

Q:
As we move into winter, how much grain (horse and mule 10-12% sweet feed) should I give the donkeys each day? How much hay should they get?

A:
Some people don't feed grain, some do... Unless the hay is VERY poor, grain is not neccessary. I do feed grain but be cautious of over feeding or feeding grain with too high a protein content. Same with hay, watch out for too much protein...donkeys do not need it and will tend to get fat. Hay should be fed free choice through the winter as it provides their bodies with the fuel needed to heat them. On average you can figure about 1/4 bale of hay a day for a grown standard size donkey if there is no pasture or grain supplementation.

Q:
How long does a standard donkey live, and how long does it breed?

A:
I've known donkeys that lived to over 50 years of age and I'm not sure about the breeding age...The oldest I've had still produce foals was 33.

I made reference a couple of times to the ADMS. This is the American Donkey and Mule Society and a GREAT place to search for information. Membership is only $20 a year and that includes The Brayer magazine... another wealth of information. I strongly urge you to contact them. You may reach them at :