Donkeys Happy, Emil & Lotta
Donkeys were confiscated - the animal owner had overestimated himself
Out of eight confiscated donkeys, Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf was able to take in three. The confiscated animals originally came from a slaughter transport. The future owner wanted to give the animals a home. Unfortunately, he took on the animals. The husbandry and care conditions were not appropriate for the donkeys and so the animals were confiscated.
Unfortunately, such abuses happen again and again. People want to help, but very often they are overwhelmed and the situation escalates until the animals suffer and have to be confiscated.
Emil (4 months), Happy (1 year) and Lotta (25/26 years old)
Unfortunately, Gut Aiderbichl was unable to take in all the donkeys, but at least Emil, Happy and Lotte have been given a forever home in Deggendorf.
Lotta had diseased eyes, which were immediately treated by a vet. She also suffers from laminitis on all four hooves. Her coat is grey, she has put on weight and feels like a grandma to the young donkeys she is trying to train.
Little Emil and Happy have settled in well in Deggendorf and think it’s cool to be able to run free.
What does the donkey need and what is not good for it?
Donkeys have different needs to horses and keeping them in the European climate zone is not easy.
The long-eared donkeys need a stable and also open spaces with a shelter and protection from the weather. The donkey’s coat is not waterproof, so they should never get completely wet. One of the donkey’s favourite pastimes is rolling in the sand to groom its coat.
Moisture and greasy pastures damage the donkey’s metabolism. Incorrect feeding causes the painful laminitis that Lotta suffers from. As donkeys originally come from the desert, they need dry and hard ground.
To avoid colic, donkeys must not be fed a diet that is too high in fat. Basic feed is hay, supplementary feed can be grass, straw, grain, fruit and vegetables. The amount of this supplementary feed must be strictly adhered to, because if the donkey likes it, it will not stop eating.
Emil, Happy and mare’s mum Lotta and their offer of friendship
Donkeys are very sociable animals and should not be kept alone. A mare and a gelding are ideal and they are happy about any donkey that enriches their group. Stable mates from other species, such as sheep, are not a problem, as donkeys are often also responsible for herding flocks of sheep.
The donkey wants a good relationship with its human and if the human is smart, it will accept this offer of friendship. The sensitive donkey senses moods such as sadness, joy or even illness and is a good comforter.
Emil and Happy still have some donkey training ahead of them, but donkey mum Lotta is doing a wonderful job.
I have never found love for people where there was no love for animals. Anyone who truly respects life also respects the animal, because life was given to both of us by God.
– Prof. Konrad Lorenz
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
