donkeys | Morning Bray Farm

July 1, 2010

Why do donkeys lay their heads on one another?

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: burros, donkey behavior, donkeys |
[26] Comments

Why do donkeys lay their heads on one another? All of our boys do this often, and we get asked this question a lot. In fact, Nancy in NC asked just the other day, so I figure now’s the perfect time to offer an answer.

The Donkey Companion provides a great explanation for this typical behavior found in donkeys:

Assurance

Donkeys are physical animals who treasure each other through body contact. A jenny comforts her foal by holding him gently between her chin and her chest. Older youngsters and adults drape their heads across another’s back or rump to reassure or show affection; they rest their heads on a favorite human’s shoulder for the same reason.

There’s nothing at all like having one of the boys rest his head on my back or shoulder. It feels just like getting a big bear hug. ♥

Congratulations to the winner of our 150th post contest; Colleen, who left comment #21 and whose name was chosen using Random.org. She’ll be seeing a Morning Bray Farm t-shirt in her mailbox soon.

We’re so looking forward to celebrating 200 with you all!

June 8, 2010

Hanging out with the boys

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: burros, Don, donkeys |
[16] Comments

June 1, 2010

They’ll always be inseparable

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, inseparable |
[20] Comments

I decided to take Bernard for a walk around the neighborhood over the weekend. I didn’t take my camera because I wanted to pay full-time and attention to Bernard. Normally Don or Ellsworth would have come along, but it was just Bernard and me this time.

As always, Bernard did great, but for Ellsworth, you would’ve thought the world was ending. The running, the pacing, the braying… oh my.

When I returned with Bernard, it was a beautiful thing. Yup, they’ll always be inseparable, those two.

I think for Ellsworth, relief is spelled B-E-R-N-A-R-D. ♥

May 27, 2010

Peace

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[10] Comments

May 26, 2010

Cookie monsters

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family, Recipes | Tags: burros, donkeys, recipe, treats |
[18] Comments

Last week, in an effort to help us connect with Nigel, C in WI was kind enough to share a recipe for Paco’s favorite treats. Paco is C’s shy, rescued Peruvian Paso. According to C, these treats bring Paco to his knees begging. Hmm. Would they have the same effect here at Morning Bray Farm?

First, here’s the recipe for Paco’s favorite treats:

1 c. bran cereal
1 c. grated carrots
1 c. molasses
1 1/2 c. flour.

Mix together. Put teaspoon full dough on greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork and sprinkle of sugar (like Peanut Butter cookies). 350 for 15 min.

We were fairly certain what the outcome of our baking experiment would be. Not surprisingly, we discovered we have four cookie monsters.

Bernard thought taking a picture of the treats was a ridiculous waste of time.

Ellsworth thought they were delish and immediately asked for a second.

Fergus thought he had died and gone to burro heaven. Keep in mind during all of this I was hollering at Don, “Wait, you all are going too fast. I need to take pictures!”

Oh, sweet Nigel. Would you like a cookie sweetheart?

Paco loves them, so you will too. Better hurry though, before Fergus gets it.

Oh dear! It fell on Ellsworth’s butt. (This place is a madhouse.)

Let’s chase that puppy down before Ellsworth runs off with it, okay?

Here you go, buddy. I then heard Nigel exclaim something about a par-tay in his mouth.

Meanwhile, I turned around to find Ellsworth still pleading with Don for a second cookie. As was Bernard’s, Ellsworth’s upper lip reach was quite impressive.

After everyone had their second cookie, Ellsworth got to lick the plate. I noticed something else going on then too. Look at Bernard’s mouth. He’s savoring that molasses goodness.

They all did it. Too cute, I tell ya.

Dear C in WI,

Thank you so much for sharing your recipe for Paco’s favorite treats with our mom. We loved them and think you and Paco ROCK. Hugs to you and Paco from all of us.

Love,

The Boys ♥

May 23, 2010

Sunday Cinema – Suppertime

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Sunday Cinema | Tags: burros, donkeys, eating |
[27] Comments

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit in the bottom of a feed tub? Just in case you have, The Boys of Morning Bray Farm present Suppertime.

Call me eccentric if you must, but I think I could listen to the boys eat all day long. ♥

May 12, 2010

New bonds

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, bonds, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[13] Comments

We’ve noticed Ellsworth and Fergus playing together a lot lately.

They look happy together,

and seem to have a genuinely good time.

They don’t mind if Bernard or Nigel want to join in their fun,

but the play between Ellsworth and Fergus often seems to go on indefinitely.

While all the play was going on yesterday morning, Bernard was only interested in what time breakfast was being served. I think he was serious.

May 11, 2010

Sometimes it’s tough being short

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, leaves, short |
[14] Comments

Poor Bernard. I know personally that being short sometimes has its advantages. On the other hand, sometimes it’s downright tough.

Yo, ‘Worth. Do you think you could score me some of those leaves?

You mean these leaves up here?

Yes, Ellsworth. Those leaves up there.

Dang, these are some good leaves Bernard.

I promise I’ll be your best friend forever…

May 6, 2010

Celebrating 100

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: 100, Bernard, burros, contest, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[39] Comments

We’re celebrating 100 posts today, and once again, we’d love to have you join us for some fun. (You can click on the photo below for a larger image.)

One lucky, randomly chosen winner will receive a Morning Bray Farm tote bag. To enter our 100th post contest, leave a comment on this post completing the caption for the above photo. If you’d like to modify the caption and do your own thing, we’re good with that too. The contest will close Friday at 7 p.m. (Mountain time) and we’ll announce the winner on Saturday.

We love you all,

Bernard, Ellsworth, Fergus and Nigel xxooxx

May 3, 2010

A hodgepodge weekend

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, farrier, Fergus, grooming, Nigel, saddle cinch |
[16] Comments

We were hoping we might have Fergus in a halter by the time our farrier came around on Saturday.

Not yet, but that’s okay.

Okay because Shorty; our farrier, said the difference in Ellsworth this time versus last was night and day. It was only last time Shorty was here he was able to trim Ellsworth’s back feet.

Don bought a new (smaller) saddle cinch for Ellsworth and we tried it on for size later that afternoon.

Everything looked good, so we gave Ellsworth a test drive. Our gentle boy walked me around the corral several times. I never asked Ellsworth to move, but he did turn and stop when we asked him to. I couldn’t believe I was actually riding Ellsworth! ♥

I finally got pictures of one of the boys with their pink donkey tongue left sticking out as they tend to do after they have their drinks of water. It was Bernard.