Donkeys

Brayson

Brayson is a former BLM (Bureau of Land Management) donkey, and the most petite and shy of our donkey trio. He came to live at Blackbird Ranch the summer of 2018, with his two buddies, Cheyanne and Joey. They were previously being cared for at Lavender Dreams Donkey Rescue. Sadly, the wonderful woman who ran the donkey rescue passed away and the donkeys were placed in our care. I can tell Brayson and the other donkeys miss their loving friend who cared for them for so long but we try our best to spoil them as much as possible with love, treats and lots of ear rubs (Brayson’s favorite)! Brayson is starting to be less shy with myself and some of the regular volunteers and lately he likes to rest his head on my chest when I walk in to give them love, while I scratch his ears. He’s such a sweet, loving little fella and we are all madly in love with him and his friends.

Cheyanne

Cheyanne is a Mammoth donkey and the alpha of our donkey group. Cheyanne has lived at Blackbird Ranch since the summer of 2018 and came to us from Lavender Dreams Farm and Donkey Rescue with her brothers Joey and Brayson. Their loving caretaker, who co-founded the donkey rescue, sadly passed away and the donkeys were placed in our care, for life. Cheyanne is the largest of the donkeys, and is oozing with silly personality. She makes the funniest faces and has the goofiest little quirks. Cheyanne isn’t shy about loving her groceries either, so much so, that we have her on a little diet. Cheyanne is a blast to hang out with, and because of her VERY extroverted personality is one of the most popular animals at the ranch with volunteers and visitors.

Cheyanne and Brayson have come from different backgrounds – Cheyanne born in sanctuary and Brayson on wild land. Teaching behavioral manners and life skills looks different for both donkeys. Cheyanne is determined and Brayson is sensitive, making the training style unique for each. In the beginning of the their training, the donkeys knew very little handling skills. Over the course of 2 years, they have learned how to respect personal boundaries, respond to verbal ques, stand for the farrier/vet, nicely load/unload from the trailer, and develop patience. All of this training is preparing the donkeys for daily handling and emergency prepardness. This is just the beginning of what they are learning!