After several years of raising
Miniature Donkeys I have learned that every foal is different and I need
to adapt my imprinting to each situation. When a jennet is about to
foal, I put her in the birthing pen. The birthing pen has a large
private stall area in the barn and an open paddock area on the outside.
If the jennet has surprised me and foaled in the pasture, then I carry
the foal to the birthing pen
and the anxious jennet follows. I keep them in the birthing pen for
about a week to 10 days.
I want to make sure the foal is nursing and
the dam(mom) is pooping and all is OK.
Foals born at our ranch
are minimally imprinted
for the first few days after birth. I still hold each Miniature donkey,
just like
a baby, a few hours
after it is born, douse that umbilical cord with diluted iodine
and rub all over the foal's body
with my hands. I rub my hand over each side of the face and eyes and rub all inside the
ears.
The foals usually relax and go to sleep in my arms.
If they do not relax, then I don't push it,
but I wait until they are still to put them down.
Each day I visit the foal and usually try to rub its belly.
That seems to be the favorite spot.
Some foals that are very friendly at birth
when put up with the dam, can decide to be less friendly
when they are let out with the group of dams and foals. The opposite can
also be true. Some foals that won't let you love on them when they are
put up with the dam, become lap babies after they are out with the
group.
When they are let out with the group, the less friendly ones definitely
watch the other foals that come up and get scratches
and usually they realize that they are missing something
and become your new best buddy.
Our Miniature donkey foals wear tiny
halters during the first farrier visit after they are born. They act so
independent while their dams are tied awaiting their feet trimming. They
learn to
stand tied at their next farrier visit and have their feet trimmed.
We work to have them halter broken and trailer broken
by the time
they have to leave
Satroma Ranch.
All Miniature donkeys sold at Satroma Ranch are
sold with a negative coggins, new lead rope
and halter.
We provide a
health record
and of course Miniature donkey registry transfer with papers.
Our Miniature donkeys
are on a 3 month
rotated worming schedule, farrier trim, and have annual vaccinations.
I also include a packet for new
Miniature donkey
owners with care and feeding information.
Email
Liz