• Home
• Contacts
• Role
• Policy
• Fostering
• Hoofcare
• Feed and Care
• Gallery
• Donations
• Become a Friend
• Rehoming Centres
• Links

Ned and Cracker

Ned and Cracker were returned to the Trust because their foster carers were finding them a bit of a handful. Wendy Macpherson  agreed to have them until a new foster home could be found. However in the meantime they (sort of) grew on Wendy and her husband, Neal. The outcome of this was a decision to foster them on a permanent basis.

Wendy reports as follows:
Ned and Cracker are both very loving and happy donkeys. They are big strong donkeys, and can move fast, and need firm handling. Ned in particular had real issues with his left front hoof being handled. He used to throw himself around in a most dangerous manner. However, Neal and also our farrier have worked very slowly with him and now Ned is a real gentleman and stands quietly for his hoof pick outs and trims.

Our main concern has been the fact that Ned and Cracker are so very dependent on each other. They made it quite clear from the start, that they really didn't want to socialise with the other donkeys. We kept telling them they had to face the fact that eventually one would be left behind in this big wide world, but of course (hopefully) not for a long time yet. To start with, we ran them “over the fence” next to our geldings, but they all had real aggressive issues with each other, and still do. So unfortunately our hope to have a “band of geldings” was out of the question. We then turned to the idea of having Ned and Cracker live with the jennies. Over the past year they have discovered that running with five ladies is a great idea. Ned and Cracker stayed together “outside the circle” for quite a few weeks, but we are now very pleased to report that all is well and they intermingle with these girls with no hassles at all. I have noticed of late, that at times Ned will wander off and leave Cracker, but as soon as he (Cracker) realises Ned isn't beside him, he still gets very panicky and needs to find his friend and feel safe again. Hopefully, time will sort this issue out for dear Cracker.

Lucretia of the Trust

Lucretia and the rest of her “donkey” family had been running wild way up in the Rimutakas for about 10 years. They were rescued by the Protection Trust early in 2006. This little family of donkeys were all extremely undernourished, and their hooves were badly in need of attention. They were also very wild and scared, and in need of special handling skills.

Well, as they say, time marches on, and I am delighted to report that Lucretia has gained so much confidence over the past two years. Her condition is excellent, and as well as her grazing, she enjoys constant access to straw, some hay, and the correct nutrients in her daily chaff mix.

Lucretia is usually first in line to be haltered. I am still the only person she will trust, to put her halter on. However, when tied up, once she realises she is not going to be hurt, she is quite happy to accept any attention required, including standing in a nice calm manner for her regular hoof trims.

Over the last few months, she has started joining in with the other donkeys to greet any visitors, and will often stand quietly while they make a fuss of her. But, on saying this, if anything does upset her, she very quickly reverts back to her feral state.

We love Lucretia dearly and hope to share many years of enjoyment and companionship with her.