Demand Strong For Rare Mammoth Donkeys

Demand Strong For Rare Mammoth Donkeys LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Ron and Suzanne Paddock have been breeding Mammoth Donkeys for 9 years Demand for the rare breed is strong For us it started out as an innocent little project but it blossomed into a wonderful business which we call Big Ears Donkey Ranch says Suzanne We re the only registered breeders in Manitoba as far as we know We started out with only three of them and right now we have 22 on the place They re really gaining in popularity because they re such good pets and there are just so many things that people can do with them Mammoth Donkeys have docile temperaments They re used for trail riding skidding firewood small farm work as guardian animals to protect cattle sheep or goats and simply as companion animals for people and other horses Formally called American Mammoth Jackstock the unusual donkey breed was developed at the time of George Washington Animals were selectively bred for their size and used specifically for breeding to draft horses for farm work Black was the most common color for Mammoths when the breed was developed but now all colors exist according to Paddock The population peaked in the 1920 s with an estimated 5 million Mammoth Donkeys worldwide Today there are thought to be just 3 000 to 4 000 registered animals in the world They re on the Rare Breeds list in North America To be registered Mammoth Donkey jacks must be 56 in and over while jennies must be 54 in and over They often live for 25 or more years and are generally healthy hardy animals but should receive the same vaccinations and de-wormings as a horse When being ridden or driven they like to go at their own speed and don t like to gallop Because of their natural herd protection instincts donkeys have a dislike for dogs and other canines and will attack them with their hooves Prices for Paddock s registered Mammoth Donkeys generally range from $1 500 to $2 500 Can for weanlings and yearlings So far they ve sold animals to enthusiasts from Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta and B C Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ron and Suzanne Paddock Big Ears Donkey Ranch P O Box 191 Baldur Man Canada R0K 0B0 ph 204 535-2141; rslizzarta@inethome ca; www bigearsdonkeyranch ca

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