| THE LEGEND OF THE DONKEY'S CROSS "Bring me the colt of a donkey," was the Master's request. A young donkey was brought to Jesus to carry him to Jerusalem. A week later Jesus was ordered crucified. The little donkey so loved the Lord, that he wanted to help carry the cross. But alas, he was pushed away. The sad little donkey waited to say good-bye until nearly all had left. As he turned to leave, the shadow of the cross fell upon his shoulders. And there it has remained, a tribute to the loyalty and love of the humblest of God's Creatures." -Singer Or read the account in the Bible - Luke 19: 28-40 or Numbers 22: 21-33 |
| WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass." -Mark Twain |
| HOW TRUE IT IS! "Donkeys possess the affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation of a cow, the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and the intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's." -Robert Green, The first miniature donkey importer into the United States (New Jersey Farm) in 1929 |
| USES OF THE MINIATURE MEDITERRANEAN DONKEY IN THE UNITED STATES Courtesy of Nadia Attia-O'Bryan, The Little Friends Ranch
|
| HISTORY OF THE MINIATURE MEDITERRANEAN DONKEY Courtesy of Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association, United Kingdom, Jill Allen-Melvin |
Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys are a separate breed of donkey from the island of Sardinia. Because they were so
small they were employed to turn grinding stones for grain inside the peasants' houses. There are 18th century wood
block pictures showing these small donkeys, blindfolded, attached to the grain mill and walking in endless circles. They
were also used to carry water from village wells and supplies into the mountains for shepherds.
Now almost extinct in their native land, these diminutive little animals are a popular pet in the USA, especially in the
southern states. Approximately 300 have been imported into the UK from North America and are fast becoming very
popular here in Great Britain. The most common colour is grey-dun with chocolate highlights. Other colours include
brown, black, slate grey, sorrel, spotted, piebald, skewbald and cream.
Miniatures usually have at least three recorded generations of ancestry. Many have up to 400 recorded ancestors dating
back to 1929 when the first imports from Sardinia arrived in the USA and were imported by Mr. Robert Green, a
stockbroker of New York and sent to his stud farm in New Jersey.
Mr. Green is quoted as saying, "Miniature Donkeys possess the affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation
of a cow, the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and the intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's."
Almost all Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys in North America originate from those and other early imports.
All original stock in the UK of Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys have come from either Canada or America and originated
from those imported mini donkeys from Sardinia. If you wish to buy a genuine Miniature Mediterranean donkey it is
important to purchase a pedigree donkey, already registered with the American Mule and Donkey Association if you live
in the United States or the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association if you are in he UK. All donkeys registered with
the AMDS or MMDA have certificates providing pedigree and a certificate number. The MMDA general register contains
miniature donkeys with at least one registered and numbered generation in their pedigree. The MMDA stud book register
has only those miniature donkeys with three recorded and numbered generations in their pedigree. These donkeys are
considered of breeding quality.
small they were employed to turn grinding stones for grain inside the peasants' houses. There are 18th century wood
block pictures showing these small donkeys, blindfolded, attached to the grain mill and walking in endless circles. They
were also used to carry water from village wells and supplies into the mountains for shepherds.
Now almost extinct in their native land, these diminutive little animals are a popular pet in the USA, especially in the
southern states. Approximately 300 have been imported into the UK from North America and are fast becoming very
popular here in Great Britain. The most common colour is grey-dun with chocolate highlights. Other colours include
brown, black, slate grey, sorrel, spotted, piebald, skewbald and cream.
Miniatures usually have at least three recorded generations of ancestry. Many have up to 400 recorded ancestors dating
back to 1929 when the first imports from Sardinia arrived in the USA and were imported by Mr. Robert Green, a
stockbroker of New York and sent to his stud farm in New Jersey.
Mr. Green is quoted as saying, "Miniature Donkeys possess the affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation
of a cow, the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and the intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's."
Almost all Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys in North America originate from those and other early imports.
All original stock in the UK of Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys have come from either Canada or America and originated
from those imported mini donkeys from Sardinia. If you wish to buy a genuine Miniature Mediterranean donkey it is
important to purchase a pedigree donkey, already registered with the American Mule and Donkey Association if you live
in the United States or the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association if you are in he UK. All donkeys registered with
the AMDS or MMDA have certificates providing pedigree and a certificate number. The MMDA general register contains
miniature donkeys with at least one registered and numbered generation in their pedigree. The MMDA stud book register
has only those miniature donkeys with three recorded and numbered generations in their pedigree. These donkeys are
considered of breeding quality.
| All site copy and photos are the exclusive property of Best Friends Farm and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Any violation of this copyright is pursueable to the full extent of the law. |
| Very Interesting Donkey Information Updated 8-12-08 |
| Waiting for baby. |
| Making new friends. |
| People often ask us how donkeys spend their time. Here are a few examples of a donkey's typical day -- on donkey time of course. |
| Resting after a very tiring day! |
| Hanging out with my friends. |
| Scratching an itch. Ahhhh. |
| Halter Training |
| Resting my head. |
| Showing off my best asset - my legs of course! |
| What are you waiting for? Become a little donkey's best friend! |
| JUST HOW DOES A MINIATURE DONKEY SPEND HER DAY? By Frankie Osborne Lee, Best Friends Farm |
| YOU KNOW YOU ARE A DONKEY LOVER IF . . . By Frankie Osborne Lee, Best Friends Farm
Have some "IFs" of your own? You're invited to share them on our site. Just email to bestfriendsfarm@yahoo.com PLEASE MAKE THE SUBJECT LINE: DONKEY LOVER IF |
| BEST FRIENDS FARM M I N I A T U R E DONKEYS Farming for the fun of it! Jim and Frankie Lee 13903 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 352-339-3908 or 352-333-3819 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| www.bestfriendsfarm.com |
| Email: bestfriendsfarm@yahoo.com |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Miniature donkeys, sweet faced, soft eyed, shaggy, friendly and affectionate. They have won the hearts of most of those who have had the
pleasure of being exposed to their charms. Today they are the beloved and often pampered pets of their owners, yet their history has not
always been so kind to them. Originally from Africa, they arrived in the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily to be beasts of burden.
They pulled carts, carried loaded packs, and did other light farm work. Some accounts have it that hey were often underfed, over worked and
not infrequently, abused.
The story of their miserable situation was told to a Mr. Robert Green, a New York stockbroker with a farm in New Jersey, who ordered six
jennies and a jack, sight unseen, while on a trip to Europe. They arrived in New York in May of 1929. Unfortunately a few months after their
arrival, they were attacked by dogs and three of the jennies were killed. The jack and remaining three jennies were the original foundation
herd of miniature donkeys in the United States. One of the jennies was pregnant and on Columbus Day 1929, she gave birth to a little jack
who was named Christopher Columbus, the first miniature donkey born in America.
Mr. Green kept his donkeys as pets and delighted in driving them in the many special small carts he had made for that use. He continued to
import others from the Mediterranean area as well. He only sold a few of his cherished little donkeys when his herd became too large, and
in 1935 he had a herd of 52 donkeys. Among his buyers were Mr. Richard Sagendorph, Henry T. Morgan, and August Busch, Jr. (Whose
donkeys you can find in pedigrees as the "Belleau" prefix). These families also imported more of the little donkeys as well and were the
original developers of today's donkey stock. It has been reported that pure Miniature donkeys in the Mediterranean area have become nearly
extinct.
In the early 1950's, Daniel & Bea Langfeld bought their first miniature donkey from August Busch, Jr. of St. Louis, MO, as a pet for their
daughter who had cerebral palsy. The Langfelds established the Danby Farm in Omaha, Nebraska where they raised show quality
Shetland ponies and Miniature donkeys. They were the first professional breeders of miniature donkeys in the United States, eventually
having as many as 60 to 225 Miniature donkeys in their herd.
Mrs. Langfeld's concept of breed perfection was the original stocky, draft type animal with straight legs and head held erectly. She preferred
jennies to be 32" or under and gray-dun in color. Bea Langfeld established the original registry The Miniature Donkey Registry of the United
States in 195 8. She turned the registry over to the stewardship of the American Donkey and Mule Society in Denton, Texas in 1987. The
original registry listed donkeys to 38" in height. The breeders got together and decided to reduce the recognized height to 36" and this
change was adopted in 1987.
Today the Mediterranean Miniature Donkey enjoys increasing popularity in the United States and the current population is estimated to be
from 10,000 to 15, 000. As many animals are not registered it is difficult to have an accurate count.
What accounts for this great popularity of the Miniature donkey? Any donkey owner and enthusiast can spend hours telling you. Mostly it is
the nature of the little guys. They are exceptionally friendly and affectionate. They enjoy people about as much as people enjoy them and
tend to greet their owners with displays of affection and attention getting wiles. They will nudge you and nibble on your clothing and "talk" to
you with brays, snuffles and snorts. Miniature donkeys are docile and surprisingly intelligent. They learn quickly and are easily trained, due
in part, to their willingness to please. They make especially good pets and companions for children, elderly people and people with
disabilities because they are so calm and do not bite or kick by nature. As they will live from 25 to 35 years they are truly lifetime companions.
Besides being excellent pets, the donkeys are easily trained to pull a cart or wagon. Many people enjoy showing their donkeys in driving,
halter or pack classes. Due to the popularity of these activities there are a growing number of donkey shows across the country today.
Miniature donkeys can carry a pack up to 75-100 pounds if well conditioned and properly fed and make a fine trail companion for hikers and
backpackers.
Because they are small, they do little damage to trails and the countryside. They are also great fun for parades, petting zoos, Nativity Scenes
and the like, always attracting a lot of attention and seeming to enjoy it all. Next to their winning personalities is their appearance. They are
just plain cute! Their hair may be flat or burly, smooth or wiry, long or short, but is often shaggy, particularly in the cold months. They have
large, gentle eyes, long ears and soft noses. They are at most 36" high and may be as small (very rarely) as 26" tall. Gray-dun (gray body
color with the cross over the shoulders) is the most common color with brown and spotted becoming popular as well. Sorrel, white and
black may also be found but are not as common. Nearly all miniature donkeys have a line down the back (dorsal stripe), with a cross over
the shoulders. There are several charming legends regarding the origin of the donkey's cross.
Miniature donkeys are easy to care for because they are quite hardy and require a minimum of space and care. They do require a good
supply of fresh water and a free source of salt or a salt/mineral block. They get by well on pasture grass and good quality grass hay.
Miniature donkeys adapt well to almost any climate but they do need a good three-sided shelter to protect them from the wind, rain and
winter weather. Since their bodies are smaller than most farm animals they need protection from cold, wet winds. Donkeys need to have
their feet trimmed every 6-8 weeks but do not need to be shod. Many owners learn to do this task for the donkey themselves. Worming
should be done a minimum of two times a year and certain vaccinations may be appropriate depending on the environment and
circumstances.
Further information may be obtained by contacting both The American Donkey and Mule Society, 2901 N. Elm St., Denton, TX. 76201(817)
382-6845 or fax 817-484-8417 and the National Miniature Donkey Assn. RD 1, Box 427, Dewey Rd., Rome, NY 13440, (315) 336-0154. For
Brayer Magazine books & literature, registration forms and breeders listings contact the American Donkey and Mule Society. For special
breed services, the ASSET Magazine, breeders' listing, contact the National Miniature Donkey Assn. These two associations work in tandem
to better serve the Miniature Donkey World.
-Reprinted with permission of The Brayer Magazine
pleasure of being exposed to their charms. Today they are the beloved and often pampered pets of their owners, yet their history has not
always been so kind to them. Originally from Africa, they arrived in the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily to be beasts of burden.
They pulled carts, carried loaded packs, and did other light farm work. Some accounts have it that hey were often underfed, over worked and
not infrequently, abused.
The story of their miserable situation was told to a Mr. Robert Green, a New York stockbroker with a farm in New Jersey, who ordered six
jennies and a jack, sight unseen, while on a trip to Europe. They arrived in New York in May of 1929. Unfortunately a few months after their
arrival, they were attacked by dogs and three of the jennies were killed. The jack and remaining three jennies were the original foundation
herd of miniature donkeys in the United States. One of the jennies was pregnant and on Columbus Day 1929, she gave birth to a little jack
who was named Christopher Columbus, the first miniature donkey born in America.
Mr. Green kept his donkeys as pets and delighted in driving them in the many special small carts he had made for that use. He continued to
import others from the Mediterranean area as well. He only sold a few of his cherished little donkeys when his herd became too large, and
in 1935 he had a herd of 52 donkeys. Among his buyers were Mr. Richard Sagendorph, Henry T. Morgan, and August Busch, Jr. (Whose
donkeys you can find in pedigrees as the "Belleau" prefix). These families also imported more of the little donkeys as well and were the
original developers of today's donkey stock. It has been reported that pure Miniature donkeys in the Mediterranean area have become nearly
extinct.
In the early 1950's, Daniel & Bea Langfeld bought their first miniature donkey from August Busch, Jr. of St. Louis, MO, as a pet for their
daughter who had cerebral palsy. The Langfelds established the Danby Farm in Omaha, Nebraska where they raised show quality
Shetland ponies and Miniature donkeys. They were the first professional breeders of miniature donkeys in the United States, eventually
having as many as 60 to 225 Miniature donkeys in their herd.
Mrs. Langfeld's concept of breed perfection was the original stocky, draft type animal with straight legs and head held erectly. She preferred
jennies to be 32" or under and gray-dun in color. Bea Langfeld established the original registry The Miniature Donkey Registry of the United
States in 195 8. She turned the registry over to the stewardship of the American Donkey and Mule Society in Denton, Texas in 1987. The
original registry listed donkeys to 38" in height. The breeders got together and decided to reduce the recognized height to 36" and this
change was adopted in 1987.
Today the Mediterranean Miniature Donkey enjoys increasing popularity in the United States and the current population is estimated to be
from 10,000 to 15, 000. As many animals are not registered it is difficult to have an accurate count.
What accounts for this great popularity of the Miniature donkey? Any donkey owner and enthusiast can spend hours telling you. Mostly it is
the nature of the little guys. They are exceptionally friendly and affectionate. They enjoy people about as much as people enjoy them and
tend to greet their owners with displays of affection and attention getting wiles. They will nudge you and nibble on your clothing and "talk" to
you with brays, snuffles and snorts. Miniature donkeys are docile and surprisingly intelligent. They learn quickly and are easily trained, due
in part, to their willingness to please. They make especially good pets and companions for children, elderly people and people with
disabilities because they are so calm and do not bite or kick by nature. As they will live from 25 to 35 years they are truly lifetime companions.
Besides being excellent pets, the donkeys are easily trained to pull a cart or wagon. Many people enjoy showing their donkeys in driving,
halter or pack classes. Due to the popularity of these activities there are a growing number of donkey shows across the country today.
Miniature donkeys can carry a pack up to 75-100 pounds if well conditioned and properly fed and make a fine trail companion for hikers and
backpackers.
Because they are small, they do little damage to trails and the countryside. They are also great fun for parades, petting zoos, Nativity Scenes
and the like, always attracting a lot of attention and seeming to enjoy it all. Next to their winning personalities is their appearance. They are
just plain cute! Their hair may be flat or burly, smooth or wiry, long or short, but is often shaggy, particularly in the cold months. They have
large, gentle eyes, long ears and soft noses. They are at most 36" high and may be as small (very rarely) as 26" tall. Gray-dun (gray body
color with the cross over the shoulders) is the most common color with brown and spotted becoming popular as well. Sorrel, white and
black may also be found but are not as common. Nearly all miniature donkeys have a line down the back (dorsal stripe), with a cross over
the shoulders. There are several charming legends regarding the origin of the donkey's cross.
Miniature donkeys are easy to care for because they are quite hardy and require a minimum of space and care. They do require a good
supply of fresh water and a free source of salt or a salt/mineral block. They get by well on pasture grass and good quality grass hay.
Miniature donkeys adapt well to almost any climate but they do need a good three-sided shelter to protect them from the wind, rain and
winter weather. Since their bodies are smaller than most farm animals they need protection from cold, wet winds. Donkeys need to have
their feet trimmed every 6-8 weeks but do not need to be shod. Many owners learn to do this task for the donkey themselves. Worming
should be done a minimum of two times a year and certain vaccinations may be appropriate depending on the environment and
circumstances.
Further information may be obtained by contacting both The American Donkey and Mule Society, 2901 N. Elm St., Denton, TX. 76201(817)
382-6845 or fax 817-484-8417 and the National Miniature Donkey Assn. RD 1, Box 427, Dewey Rd., Rome, NY 13440, (315) 336-0154. For
Brayer Magazine books & literature, registration forms and breeders listings contact the American Donkey and Mule Society. For special
breed services, the ASSET Magazine, breeders' listing, contact the National Miniature Donkey Assn. These two associations work in tandem
to better serve the Miniature Donkey World.
-Reprinted with permission of The Brayer Magazine
| ABOUT MINIATURE DONKEYS Courtesy of The Brayer Magazine, May-June 1997 Issue Article by Bobbe Leonhardy, Sundown Ranch, Sisters Oregon |