Hiking With Donkeys: Meet Your New Hiking Companion
If you love hiking and enjoy the outdoors, then hiking with donkeys might be a perfect experience for you. The donkey is very attentive to its master’s needs and can carry gear on long hikes of up to 15 miles in length. It takes surprisingly little work to provide sustenance for your donkey. And, of course, it won’t bite!
Here are some great reasons why a donkey might be the perfect hiking companion for you:
1. They’re cheap to feed
When hiking with donkeys, they only eat about ten pounds of hay per day, so you can spend your money on other things—like gear for the hike. And donkeys eat the same kind of hay that horses do—but their digestive system breaks down the fiber more efficiently, which saves you a lot of money. When you buy hay for the donkey, don’t forget to buy a hay net (donkey’s prefer the wicker variety).
2. They have great stamina and endurance
In fact, they have far more lung capacity than horses and run faster than walking pace! They can easily keep up with humans on long hikes. This is a great attribute, because you and your donkey can enjoy the freedom of the wilderness without being tied to a horse. You’ll also be able to carry far more gear on your trek than you could if you were using a horse; a donkey will pick up and carry a pack nearly as easily as its own weight!
3. They’re perfect for carrying gear
When hiking with donkeys, one donkey can carry about 150 pounds of gear on a 15-mile hike, which provides plenty of room for food, water, and even camping supplies. That’s roughly half the weight a pack horse would carry. Plus, donkeys are great at helping you navigate difficult trails where you might fall otherwise. If you fall, the donkey will stay beside you to help you get up. Your donkey can shoo away snakes, insects, and other danger. With a donkey by your side, you won’t have to stop and rest as often.
4. They have big feet
Donkeys have big pawed feet that provide great balance on rough terrain. When hiking with donkeys, you’ll find that your donkey walks with surefooted grace much like mules or horses do—but donkeys are still very fast! This is a great attribute if you often hike over rocks, steps, and logs.
5. They are a lot of fun to hike with
Donkeys have a positive personality, are very curious and energetic, and love to play. They’re also good companions for children who will enjoy the adventure and be able to teach them about nature. It’s easy to establish your relationship with your donkey by feeding it treats, petting it, and playing games. This will get the donkey used to being around people.
6. They’re great at carrying things
Donkeys can carry as much as 150 pounds on their backs! If you want to hike with family or friends, that’s how much most people would bring on a dayhike. Most hikers would probably prefer two donkeys for one person than one horse for two people! Try out a donkey-human team sometime; you’ll be amazed at what they can do. Group hiking with donkeys are much more fun and convenient than you might think!
7. They’re easy to train
Donkeys are very intelligent and easy to train. Plus, they are very faithful and love to follow their master wherever he or she goes. Their intelligence means you can teach them what to do during a hike, like stopping walking when you stop. If you want to make a donkey into a pack animal, it’s easier than training one to be ridden. With the proper instruction, your donkey will carry your gear with ease and you’ll be able to walk for miles at a time.
8. They are small and sturdy
Donkeys are small enough that you can pick them up if you need to—so grooming or veterinary visits won’t be a problem! Their sturdy build also means that they can work in rough terrain where few other animals would thrive, so they are the perfect companion for adventurous hikers.
9. They’re low maintenance
You don’t need a lot of special equipment when hiking with donkeys, just a halter and lead rope for the donkey. They are very low maintenance animals that require little more than occasional brushing and a bit of hay. Being small and light means that they don’t require a lot of food or water, either. You can be assured that your donkey doesn’t need special equipment and will deliver a top-notch hiker experience.
10. They’re fun to train a young donkey
If you’re an animal lover that wants to help your child learn more about nature and the outdoors, then getting a donkey would be a great opportunity for him or her to become acquainted with the animal over time. Donkeys are very affectionate and enjoy being around people, so you can provide them with a nice home for them where they will be happy.
11. They’re great in bad weather
Donkeys are built to endure weather much better than horses—their thick fur protects them from elements that other animals find too extreme. That makes them perfect for a dayhike in bad weather when other animals find it too dangerous to continue. When you’re out in the wilderness with other animals, you are instantly brought together by your environment. But when you’re out in the wild hiking with donkeys, it’s just you and nature—and your donkey!
12. They’re friendly
Donkeys are gentle and are less likely to fight with your dog or wolf pack than with your other hiking companions, because they make good friends with both dogs and wolves. They will also recognize you as their master, so they won’t become aggressive toward other hikers or wildlife while you hike.
13. They’re great in crowds
Donkeys have very low competition levels, so they can easily handle the crowds on public trails like the Appalachian Trail where pets are not allowed. They are easily trainable, so they won’t get frightened by other hikers.
14. They like being with people
Donkeys prefer the company of humans more than most other animals would, which means that they will be less distressed by solitude when you hike. They are also friendly and affectionate and make great companions if you enjoy spending time with animals while you hike.
15. You can save a donkey from cruelty
The donkey is not usually a farm animal that is forced to work as hard as mules and horses as pack animals or for riding, but some donkeys in foreign countries are forced to do this. Thankfully, there are still people that are willing to adopt a donkey and keep them as pets.
16. They are easier to transport than horses
Donkeys are smaller, so they fit in smaller vehicles. And when you need to pick up your donkey at the end of a hiking trip, it will fit in your car as well. Your donkey will require less care, creating more time to spend on your adventure.
17. They are great companions for children
Kids will enjoy hiking with donkeys or riding on its back, which is good for everyone’s health and fitness. This can lead to a special bond between the kid and his or her new animal friend—and that bond can be beneficial for everyone in the future.
18. They are great for beginners
Donkeys are less difficult to manage than a horse for someone that is just learning about handling animals—and their small size makes them easier to control and handle than some of the larger animals on the planet. They are also easier to take care of than other animals, so it doesn’t take you very long to get your donkey up and running as quickly as you would a horse.
19. They would make a great traveling companion
Because they can travel in small trunks or crates, donkeys are great for trips that you want to take, whether it’s short trips or international travel. Their smaller size means they will fit easily onto planes, trains, and buses.
20. They are really healthy for you
When hiking with donkeys, they are fairly easy to take care of and feed, so they don’t require as much upkeep or maintenance than traditional farm animals like horses or mules. Plus, their small size also helps to reduce their impact on the environment compared to horses and other farm animals.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Donkeys Laugh?
Donkeys are very intelligent and enjoy being with people. They can be trained to do tricks as well—such as standing on their hind legs when they are asked to. However, donkeys do not laugh like humans, but they will make some noises that sound like laughter. They might also smile and look silly—which most people interpret as a laugh.
2. Do Donkeys Make Good Pets?
Donkeys are very affectionate animals and love being around both people and other animals. They are also very easy to train, so if you’re looking for an animal companion that will be easy enough to bring along with you where you go without too much trouble or expense, then a donkey is it!
3. What Do Donkeys Eat?
Donkey’s food consists of hay or grasses (if possible), grain or oats, fruit, and water. They also enjoy having some roughage, which is good for their digestive systems. Because they are not as well suited to grazing as other farm animals are, they eat less than most farm animals do.
4. How Does a Donkey Behave Around Other Animals?
Donkeys are good with other animals and are not very aggressive. Some donkeys will be aggressive toward smaller animals like cats, rabbits and hamsters, but most donkeys will get along peacefully with any other animal—but make sure to supervise their interactions with you or your pets at all times!
5. Why Do Donkeys Have Long Ears?
Donkey’s ears are designed to help them stay cool while they work or travel. They also have a very good sense of hearing, which is why they can hear so well—their ears are made for maximum sound absorption. The long fur on their ears also helps to protect their skin from sunburn and rashes.
6. How Can You Tell the Difference Between a Male and Female Donkey?
Female donkeys have long hairs at the end of their tails, but male donkeys have short hairy tails. The males also have a larger “dandy” on the back of their heads, which is used to attract females.
7. How Much Meat Does a Donkey Eat?
Donkeys eat less than horses, but they are still good foragers and can pretty much get all of their nutritional needs from what they can find in the wild or eat on their own. However, donkeys will happily eat any grasses or weeds if you give them the chance!
8. What is the Best Way to Keep a Donkey at Home?
Donkeys prefer to stay outside, but they will adjust to living inside if needed or if you have no other choice. They do better when they have plenty of room and when you provide them with fresh hay and plenty of water for them.
9. Why Do Donkeys Have Dark Spots on Their Ears?
The dark spots that are on donkeys’ ears is something called “piebald spotting”, which has been found in several different types of animals. It looks like a spot on a white sheet of paper that was marked with a ballpoint pen and has black ink drops on it.
Conclusion
Donkeys are a unique animal—a truly adorable and charming creature that can make a new friend for you. They are very intelligent and happy animals, so they make great companions for anyone that wants to go on hiking with donkeys . If you have the opportunity to spend time living with a donkey, it will be well worth your time!