Carolyn Cravens’ first two mini donkeys, Patches and Donk, were not what she expected. She and her husband Dodson bought them to protect their cattle, believing they would be tame like horses. They soon discovered the two had lived their whole lives out to pasture and were completely wild.
Instead of giving up, Cravens was determined to befriend them. With time, treats and a lot of patience, she introduced Patches and Donk to human contact and the two steadily became friendlier. Today, they greet her with nudges and whinnies and get excited when new people come to visit.
The experience taught her many things, especially patience.
“You go with the donkey’s pace,” Cravens said.
Patches and Donk had their first baby about three years after Cravens adopted them. Cravens discovered she loved being around donkey foals, and that is when she decided to start raising them for pets. Today she runs Carolyn’s Dinky Donk Ranch, home of eight mini donkeys, including Pebbles and BamBam, the latest foals.
The Craven family’s farm now includes cattle, horses, a pony, a Great Dane and a rooster, but Cravens has a soft spot for her donkeys.
“They’re like humans, they all have different personalities,” she explained.
There are some constants — she described all her donkeys as intelligent, loyal, affectionate and playful, with a special fondness for rolling in dirt. Their reputation for stubbornness is actually a misconception, she noted.
“They won’t move because they have to be sure of everything, and that’s why they get their name of being stubborn, but they evaluate the situation before they make a move whereas a horse, they’re flight. They just take off if they hear a noise. They’re gone, they don’t stand there and look and see whether it’s dangerous or not.”
When the situation calls for it, mini donkeys are great livestock guardians — one of her males has killed a coyote — but are affectionate to humans with the right socialization
“Once you get their trust, then they’re loyal to you, and that’s why they make great companions just like dogs,” she said.
Cravens advises potential owners to study up before deciding to adopt. Mini donkeys live 25-35 years if properly cared for, weigh from 200-350 lbs and stay under 36 inches tall, and come in a range of solid and spotted coat colors. Females are known as jennies and males are called jacks. Cravens said their upkeep is relatively inexpensive because they are hardy animals and only need a few acres of space and shelter from the elements.
Cravens’ donkeys get sliced fruits and veggies for treats, including as apples, pears, sweet potatoes and carrots, along with the occasional handful of Frosted Mini Wheats. Treats are great training tools, especially since mini donkeys can carry packs, pull carts and learn tricks. Cravens has found they pick up behaviors from each other as much as her.
“The best teacher for an animal is an animal that you taught,” she remarked.
Cravens’ mini donkeys usually sell for between $900-1,200. She sells her animals strictly as pets and not livestock because of all the time, effort and love that goes into their socialization. She interacts with foals from the time they are born and becomes like a second mother to them as they grow up. As long as they are with people who love them, mini donkeys remain excellent family companions. They have also become a popular attraction for her friends and family.
“I love raising mini donkeys, and having family and friends bring over their kids and grandkids to pet and play with them,” she said. “I love watching the kids interact with the baby donkeys.”
Carolyn’s Dinky Donk Ranch can be found at Circle C Farms on Facebook or reached over the phone at 573-778-7340 or 573-778-8883.