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The popularity of jackstock is increasing in many areas of the
world. Slowly we are beginning to rediscover what our own ancestors knew
for thousands of years - that donkeys are very practical and deserving
creatures. (see What is
Jackstock?) They have many modern uses still and are interesting
and personable companions.
Jackstock are easy to handle and easy to raise.
People who have handled all kinds of equines generally agree that donkeys are
some of the easiest to own. Many people that started with horses and
found the joy of jackstock, are no longer horse owners. Though jackstock require the
same basic care as any horse, 24/7 access
to shelter, unfrozen water, feed, hoof care, deworming, vaccinating, dentistry
and training; donkeys are generally more laid back and don't look for trouble.
With appropriate training and conditioning, jackstock can do most equine sports; riding, driving, showing, packing and
other pleasure riding pursuits.
Jackstock are resistant to diverse weather conditions.
With appropriate shelter and care, jackstock can handle different climates
around the world. They are hardy desert animals that can take cold
as well as heat. As long as they are protected from wind chill,
precipitation and allowed
adequate shade in the summer and kept well fed and hydrated - donkeys will
naturally adapt to all seasons.
Excellent Foragers!
Jackstock, like all donkeys, are
grazers and browsers. They enjoy good pasture as well as munching on
most weeds and brush and an occasional wood fence post. Donkeys
are very good at extracting a lot of nutrients from their feed. Make
sure their environment does not house toxic chemicals or flora, however.
Jackstock are Gentle Giants.
They are born
loving people and attention. It is only through mishandling that can
cause bad temperament and behavior in any donkey. Donkeys are
survivalists - they look out for themselves and in doing so will look out for
their riders.
Jackstock are decorative and entertaining.
These
giant donkeys can appear exotic and are intelligent, and captivating in their
gentle personalities. Their expressive eyes and ears keep you
well charmed.
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Noise.
Donkeys do bray, loud and often. Some are
more persistent than others, it is an individual characteristic.
Intact Jacks will be noisier than most. Make sure they are housed on
land that is zoned for livestock.
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Adequate care.
Taking care of livestock can
be labor intensive - see caring for
Jackstock.
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Manure management.
Proper stall and yard
clean up is important for fly control, as well as cleanliness and care of
the animal. The average mammoth jackstock will deposit approximately
six to eight ton of manure a year.
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Danger.
Handling any kind of livestock can be
dangerous - they are large animals. Serious injury can result.
Any animal, no matter how tame can accidentally step on a person's foot.
Though not normal for a well trained adjusted animals, a donkey can bump into someone, they can shy, buck,
bite and even in rare
circumstances bolt and run away. Training ourselves to be good handlers is
the first major hurdle. Teaching donkeys to good, respectful
citizens is the next. Biting, kicking donkeys are made, not
born.
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Mating. Donkey breeding can be rough and
dangerous to handlers as well as animals. They are big animals!
Keeping an intact jack - a stallion should only be handled by knowledgeable
individuals. Jacks are not suitable for children's mounts. Jackstock jennets shouldn't be bred
until they are at least 4 years of age. Jacks should wait until
their 2nd year. See
Breeding
Jackstock.
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Behavior.
Handling jackstock or smaller
donkeys for that matter are not for everyone. Donkeys are
intelligent thinkers. They will always think for themselves and you
must develop a trusting partnership with them. The stubborn comes
into play when a so called trainer tries and scares the donkey into doing
something they feel is dangerous. Jackstock respond better in a
trusting partnership. If you don't have a donkey's trust
you have nothing. See
Training
jackstock.
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Life expectancy.
Jackstock, with appropriate
care can normally live longer than a horse. It is not unusual to
hear of 25-30 year old individuals. And 40 year old animals are not
unheard of. Good genetics and proper maintenance is the key.
The importance of conserving rare donkey breeds.
For thousands of years mankind have been using donkey power through out the
world. In the age of motorization, much has been forgotten and is on the
way to being lost forever. Our jackstock is living history - and
deserves our protection.
How can we help?
Anyone can make a difference! A
great contribution is owning one or more American Mammoth Jackstock.
By purchasing authentic stock, you support the farms that are breeding and
preserving them, you are helping increase the population and spreading the
gene pool so it is not confined in small areas that could be more easily
eradicated by natural disasters or disease.
Educating yourselves to become dedicated guardians of the
breed. Learn the history, conformation, color and breed
characteristics of jackstock will increase ones enjoyment and satisfaction.
You will be better able to make breeding decisions as well as promote
jackstock more effectively by making this information come alive for others.
Breed jackstock responsibly.
Increase numbers by
breeding - but this must be done carefully. Breeding jackstock
indiscriminately is worse than not breeding at all. You can destroy
jackstock bloodlines by crossing and diluting with standard sized donkeys.
Breeder/Buyers need to be cautious and to examine pedigrees carefully to make sure they
are getting what they are paying for. Just any big donkey is not
necessarily American Mammoth Jackstock. Check with other breeders and
breed registries for help.
Exhibit your Jackstock.
The best way to promote
the breed is to show and take to them to exhibitions. Make up stall
signs explaining what your jackstock is and the history of the breed.
Have flyers available to help educate the public. A well trained donkey
is a natural ambassador for the jackstock breed. Owners that do
something with their animals and take pride in them are more likely to retain
them. The public seeing the animals being enjoyed and useful will more
likely to become enamored of the breed themselves and want to support their
cause.
Support Registries and Breed Conservancies.
Registries need memberships and animal registrations to keep going. They
work to preserve the bloodlines and educate the public, keep the jackstock breed
standards alive. They print newsletters, sponsor seminars, shows
and a variety of other promotional work. Supporting them helps your
animals and will help increase your knowledge and put you in contact with your
peers to work more effectively in preserving jackstock.
American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Mammoth
Jackstock Registry
American Donkey and Mule Society
Also see -
What is
Jackstock?
Also see -
The Definition
of a Donkey
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1996-2007 by Jeanine A. Rachau.