We recently obtained a copy of a very informative book, “The Donkey Companion” purchased from http://www.eeebray.com/ and authored by Sue Weaver.

We wanted to review this book as a candidate for literature to pass on to new donkey owners. We believe it is our responsibility to breed and sell healthy donkey companions and provide the new owners with the tools to have years of enjoyment.

I really enjoyed this book! It is generalized in that the book covers information on all types of donkeys: Mammoth, Miniature, Poitou, etc. Yet the book does a very good job of describing the differences and giving resources such as ADMS (American Donkey and Mule Society) NMDA (National Miniature Donkey Assoc.) etc. One chapter is dedicated to the origin of the donkey and the various wild donkeys throughout the world. There are some beautiful color photos of wild asses as well as the various domesticated breeds. In addition, the book has a chart describing differences between donkeys, horses and mules.

The book outlines proper confirmation, as well as faults. Donkey behavior is discussed in detail. A great deal of time is dedicated to proper feed and nutrition, grooming and hoof care and health, including parasite control.

The book has multiple chapters dedicated to basic training, saddling a donkey as well as proper equipment, driving and the various activities at shows for donkeys. There are several color photos of driving, coon jumping, donkeys under saddle, snigging and pack riding. In fact, I recognized several individuals in the photos.

The book also spent time on foaling and the business of breeding and selling donkeys. Emphasis was placed on breeding quality and not falling into the trap of fads; such as color, popular bloodlines, etc. This is near and dear to my heart, in that in breeding dogs for over 30 years, I have seen fads bring serious genetic problems, personality issues and over-exaggerated characteristics into certain breeds.

For the information contained in this book, it is a bargain and extremely educational. We highly recommend this book and intend to provide a copy to new owners of donkeys purchasing stock from Legendary Farms. To read the complete Book Review Click Here to go to our Product Review Page.

Technorati Tags: book review, care of donkeys, donkey books, donkey companion, ebray.com, eeebray.com, miniature donkey, poitou donkeys, sue weaver

If you have the right equipment towing a trailer can be an easy and enjoyable adventure. Have bad equipment and it can be dangerous and a night mare. If you tow a horse trailer, car, camper, boat, or tool trailer, I know there is one experience you don’t like; hooking up the trailer to the hitch.

You basically have two options; first, if you are by yourself, you wear the seat of you tow vehicle out by jumping in and out to see how close the ball of the hitch is to the trailer and if it is lined up correctly. Once you get it close you start pushing or tugging on the trailer to get it the last inch or so to match up with the receiver.

Second, if you have someone with you; they stand by the trailer and make hand signals or yell directions to you. If you are real high tech you may have walki-talkies to help with the shouting. Usually, this results in screaming and statements like, “No, your other left!”

As entertaining as this might be for those of you with a sick sense of humor, I just discovered something that promises to stop all this. I love electronic gadgets, most men do. I just came across the Swift Hitch. It is a portable back-up camera and viewer.

We tested this product briefly as soon as we opened the box and charged the two units. It only took 2.5 hours for a full charge on both.

As soon as I mounted the camera on my tailgate it was a breeze. A picture is provided to demonstrate exactly what you are going to see in the viewer.

This is what you see when you are getting close to the trailer. A swing to the right or to the left and you are right on target.

For a compete description, evaluation and cost just click here to go to our Product Review Page.

Technorati Tags: back up camera, horse trailer, swift hitch, tow truck, tow vehicle, trailer hitch

We are very excited about some wonderful Babies we have planned for 2009:

Due in Late April:

Sire: Springlake Razmataz

Dam: Cobra’s Angel

Pedigree is listed here.

Due in Mid- May.

Sire: Springlake Razmataz

Dam: Cobra’s Rose Petal

Pedigree listed here.

Due in Late August

Sire: Springlake Razmataz

Dam:  Cobra’s Anastasia

Very shortly we will begin to offer a new feature on our site. We will be doing reviews of certain products and providing our opinions of how well they work or how useful they may be. We already have a few things lined up and we are very excited about sharing this with you.

If you have any products that you have been wondering about and would like us to take a look at send us an email with the name and description of the item. If it is within our ability to obtain the product we will then post the results right here for you to consider.

Email your suggestions to richard@legendaryfarms.com or katrina@legendaryfarms.com.

Technorati Tags: help, product review, questions