Donkey Defenders Re Post 2010

 Paco the horse and Eyeore the Donkey (note he is not purple) live next door to Val and Cookie. Robert called them over to the fence for me.

 Robert told me ranchers and farmers use Donkey's instead of dogs for Guard Donkey's. Who Knew? Not me! 

Click on link for info about how ranchers use donkeys as defenders Howling For Justice

 

The donkey stays close to Paco to keep the flies off both of them, you can see in the series they were rubbing against each other, and removing the flies. 2 tails are always better than one for swishing of pesty flies.

Jennies rather than the Jacks of the species are superior pasture guards because of maternal, protective characteristics, Gersbach said. Donkeys, or burros, gravitate toward bonding with whatever livestock happens to share their pasture, whether it is horses, cattle, sheep, or goats

However, too many donkeys in one meadow will encourage herd behavior and yield less effective protection. The most effective pasture guardians arrive at a young age and grow up among their animal neighbors.

 Donkeys have the advantage over working dogs in pasture settings because they eat the same food as other livestock, Gersbach said.