I have two extended families, but the one that lives with me are my minis. Not to mention a few larger members of the family that I will talk about in another blog. As my friends and family can tell by now, my passion is in my animals. I have had many jobs and friends along the way, but nothing compares to my current position as trainer, teacher, mother and doctor to my mini extended family.
coming to say hello
Little Donk came to us from the neighbors next door. He was a cull from their herd, being that he is male. So I bought him, of course. I have always wanted a donkey and he being a mini was perfect. He loves me sooooo much that he makes sure I am up every morning with the sunrise as he brays to the world that it is time to start the new day. Although Donk doesn’t get grained like the others each morning, he always comes up to accept his special treat of a hand full of oats just so he doesn’t feel left out. Then he goes bucket to bucket trying to bully the other horses away from their feed. He has no idea he is only three feet tall and can’t push them away. He still tries to kick and bite at them, while they treat him like a pesky nat and just swat him away. Yet, on the other hand, when the mares are in the pasture together, they fight over who will be his mother for the day. Ocassionally, I will let Donk out in the yard to wander by himself. He then goes pasture to pasture braying to the other horses before he settles down to graze. But her never wanders off and I can always find him around the yard.
shaggy as an old do
Eddie here came to us from a horse trader. He looked so cute in the stall and was such a friendly little character. He was only two when we purchased himand has grown not an inch since. I don’t have to worry about Eddie getting cold in the winter or weathering winter conditions as his hair is extremely thick and shaggy. The only thing about Eddie is that I have a hard time catching him. He was not ‘tamed’ when we bought him. We had to teach him to stand for grooming and for the farrier. Other than that he is just a wonderful pasture ornament. I have no use for him but to look at him. Once in a while he will come to me cautiously to be hand fed. To catch him to be groomed or trimmed I have to let him follow our Peach into a stall, then remove her so he no longer has a “security blanket” to hold onto in order to avoid us. But that is ok. I like Eddie just the way he is. He plays well with the others and is never any trouble.
lovely peaches
Lovely little Peach was my first mini. She is nine years old now and is great with everyone. Peach has been to a Christmas celebration out of doors, she has given rides to small children and she sometimes goes on long walks with me. Peach, too, has really thick hair and a long mane and tale. Peach, however, has asthma and has a hard time breathing in hot weather. She also has a tendency to eat too much and founder, so I have to watch her food consumption which she does not like. Especially since she is one who likes to eat a lot! Oh my gosh! This girl will eat everything in site if given the chance! Peach is also quite jealous of my attention to anyone else. If she is walking with me and my husband, she has to be between us and closer to me. If another horse comes up to be loved on, Peach wants to push them away. Peach loves to have her back scratched and will stand there all day if I could spare the time. That’s about it for my little minis. They are special to me and my family would not be complete without them.