Monday 20 April 2015

Everyone needs a friend

Do you wake up on a morning and think so what have we got today?
Today I will be going and spraying the back end of a donkey blue.
Coco is doing very well and accepts his treatment stoically. At the moment he has a lovely field with some shade and the top of an animal carrier to go under if it is too sunny or raining. I want it to stay cool and wet to minimise the amount of flies near his wound. Jeannine from the association "Helping 3 horses" has been staying in the gite so she could go and minister to his needs whilst  he is recovering. Jeannine who is a brilliant artist has also studied as a veterinary nurse in the US, so knows what she is up to.
Coco will need a new home soon with a friend. He has been offered a place in two donkey sanctuaries, when his hormones have died down. If before that we can find him a home locally with a donkey friend that would be the ideal, but it is good to have a fall back plan.
Kevin and Mimi who are donkey fostering at the moment are amazed how calm he is and Kevin who has been giving him his antibiotic shots, says " he never even flinches and stays calm even though now he knows the procedure"
If you know someone who has a donkey or someone who would like a donkey and accept advice from a number of donkey keepers in the area, ask about him.  We are insisting he has a friend and some control of his care till we are satisfied that he is being looked after properly.
You need a field, a field hut for shade, electric fencing or a fenced field. The costs are the marechal ferrant every 4 months about 40 euros each donkey and then possibly bales of hay in the winter, not very expensive. They also needing worming twice a year. We have had our donkeys 7 years and never needed medical intervention but I suppose that is a cost that may need to be considered.
If you want to know more contact us.
Jeannine  who is in the picture with Coco  and Val   at  taglines82@gmail.com