My husband Jack is really good at birthdays. He plans big surprises, parties and memorable gifts. This year was a milestone birthday for me (ugh), and he hit the ball out of the park! I got a DONKEY for my birthday!
Mickey is originally from the south. I was kinda hoping he would have a southern accent, but no luck, in fact, he’s still learning to bray.
He was born in mid-April in 2025 and stands about four feet tall. He will grow a little more, but he doesn’t need physical size to have a large presence on the farm.
Donkeys are their own special creature. I’ve long wanted one — and this could be the start of an addiction. Donkeys are different than horses and we’ll have to be students with Mickey. They are social animals and need friends.
The very first night he arrived, our 28-year-old mare, Hope, decided she had to be with him. She stood outside his run all night, and all day, and all night the next night.
She’s never attached herself to someone like this before. I hope it continues so she always has a buddy. Sometimes the younger horses can be very aggressive toward an aging horse, and she has been a bit of a loner since we lost her last elderly partner.
To get Mickey integrated into the herd, we had him hang out with Hope along with Leon and Lollipop, our three gentlest horses. Now it seems Leon has decided he is Mickey’s protector out in the pasture. Any time Mickey gets too close to one of the big Belgians, Leon beelines himself over to get in between them. It’s so surprising to me! He will traverse the entire pasture to make sure he’s between Mickey and the big guys.
At this point, all the horses go out to pasture together. Jack usually feeds in the morning as I head off to work, and he’s decided to endear himself to Mickey by giving him treats. I cautioned against it… as Mickey is now a little nippy, but Jack knows the way to a donkey’s heart. He claims the donkey was for me, but I’m beginning to wonder who is more attached!
Mickey is already the life of the party, and he’s attracted a lot of visitors. I think he’s a good addition to the family.
Maybe he’ll make a few appearances this summer at Ginger and Baker so you can meet Mickey, too!
