Well Worth the Effort

It was just a year ago that we were able to open the gate to the lower paddock and watch with delight as the herd raced around celebrating their new digs. It sure has been an experience learning how to care for these four. This area was a lush, wet marshy field. ‘Oh – so much green grass for the donkeys!’ we thought.

Turned out donkeys CANNOT eat their way through a field of long lush grass without some major problems. NOW we know they enjoy this area much more as a race track and ‘playpen’. 😉

Darby loves to show off with sudden stops. She sprays gravel like a hockey player shaving ice! Last year at this time the machines were still parked in the paddock. There was some smoothing and moving of gravel left to do.

Rosie carries her head so high when she is strutting! She reminds me so much of Donkay on Shrek. Perky little thing with great attitude and sass. 😉

This shot reminded me of what she got up to last week. She streaked by me as I was bringing the Bully back from a manure run. Rosie was out the gate in a flash and literally jumped into the long grass by the firehall fence like those baby goats that have been made famous in YouTube videos this past while. There was no way I was going to talk her into giving up the grass to return to the paddock. Eventually I was able to ‘steer’ her toward the back of the little house. She didn’t want to be behind the building. That made the hill gate the preferred choice – thank goodness! I’ve watched that gate out of the front paddock much more carefully this week.

This shot shows the top of the knoll in the front paddock. Now the green is all gone and it is a sand rolling and sleeping spot. There is lots of green to ‘mow’ on the hilltop and in the backyard. Just not so much out there any more.
This last shot was taken this week. The lower paddock is still the favourite spot for the herd to hang out. They love being able to see what is going on in our front yard … and who is going by on the road … and what the fire fighters are doing at their Monday night practice next door. I didn’t realize donkeys were such nosey curious neighbours! 😉

Hope your day has gone well and you’ve had some time in your favourite hang out!
Hugs from the Meadow Mice