If you are hoping to use your donkey for riding or driving instantly, then it must be at least four years of age and trained in that specific skill. Keeping a Donkey You also need to consider whether you have the right facilities, whether you have a suitable companion and whether you have the resources to look after the donkey. At least half an acre per animal is essential, fenced into separate areas to enable one section to be rested. Shelter is vital. Donkeys are not natives of this country and have far less resistance to our unreliable weather than ponies.
All donkeys require shelter from rain, wind and flies.
Donkeys require a constant supply of clean, fresh water in well scrubbed containers. Ideally your donkey should have company of its own kind but where this is not possible it will probably settle with a horse or goat. Donkeys need regular hoof trimming and inoculations against both equine influenza and tetanus. Study your mare and ensure that her faults in conformation and temperament are not going to be doubled by any the stallion may have. Study the DBS Stud Books in case you may inadvertently produce an in-bred foal.