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The shout of the guard-donk

Jenny-c: The theft of a friend's horse for bush racing has made me a little paranoid about my own bush-kept horses. My anti-theft device is my darling Sally donkey, who brays loudly as soon as any of the "schtoopid" horses wander out of her sight and brays even louder if she spots a human being!

Charlie: I can confirm that the donkeys really make a noise when they see people coming. Behind my house is a three-hectare camp I had my horses in. I now have six donkeys in there every night and if you go near, all hell breaks loose. They can be heard from a block away ...

Tomahawkie: I think that I should consider this, as my horses walk in the mountain and I found people wandering there who do not belong. I have considered an ostrich but then I have to run as well.

Jewel: I've always wanted to adopt a donk. They are so precious, but there seems to be great controversy as to whether they put horses at risk of African Horse Sickness or not. I know zebra do, but does anyone know if this is true about the donks?

Tomahawkie: I heard they were immune; don’t know how true that is.

Horse47: I don’t know anything about donks, but I have been told that they are carriers of lungworm?

Jenny-c: African donks don't carry lungworm ... but even if they did, most normal dewormers kill lungworm. Donkeys are seriously good doers, WAY cleverer than horses (and some people), easy to train, brilliant watch-animals and just thoroughly delightful family members! Every horse owner needs a donkey! I have seven horses and eight donkeys ... go figure! Having said that, one donkey can supervise four horses effectively!

Lacey: I have always wanted a donkey. I love them to bits. But I was told never to get one as they get lonely (and I wouldn't want a lonely donkey). I have been told they are GREAT at looking after sheep as well. Is that true? My horses are stabled and in the house-yard at night, but my sheep are in a shed about 100 m from the house and I worry about them!

Jenny-c: Lacey, they are great with sheep. Your best bet would be to get a young donkey mare and let her stay with the sheep at all times. She will soon bond with them.

Mary: Can you believe that in our whole area there's not a single rescue donkey to be had? They're all being snatched up by farmers as shepherds!

Alice: I have my name down with KZNHCU for a donkey or a couple, but they don't have any needing homes at the moment.

Jenny-c: So sad that some parts of South Africa are short and the rest of us have more rescued donks than we can feed!

Andycap: They are really quite cute, just don't let them start braying at the same time. Jenny-c, do you have earmuffs? That noise is amazing, and the whole neighbourhood definitely knows it’s feed time (or if there is an intruder!).