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 beautiful Mammoth donkey and the unmistakable alpha of our donkey family. She has called Blackbird Ranch home since the summer of 2018, when she arrived alongside her brothers, Joey and Brayson, from Lavender Dreams Farm and Donkey Rescue. Their beloved caretaker and co-founder of the rescue sadly passed away, and the three donkeys were placed in our care. We promised to give them a safe and loving home for the rest of their lives—and Cheyanne has certainly made herself right at home.
Cheyanne may be the biggest of our donkeys, but it’s her enormous personality that truly makes her unforgettable. She is overflowing with character, constantly making us laugh with her hilarious facial expressions, silly antics, and wonderfully goofy little quirks. She has a way of bringing joy wherever she goes, and spending time with Cheyanne is almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
And then there’s Cheyanne’s love of food. She absolutely adores her groceries and would happily spend her days eating if given the opportunity! Unfortunately for Cheyanne, her enthusiasm for snacks has earned her a little diet. She doesn’t seem particularly concerned about this, however, and remains convinced that every human she meets should probably be carrying treats.
Cheyanne is also one of the most outgoing animals at the ranch. She is curious, friendly, and VERY extroverted, and she genuinely seems to enjoy being around people. Volunteers and visitors are naturally drawn to her big personality, and she has become one of the most beloved animals at Blackbird Ranch.
There is something incredibly special about watching an animal who has experienced loss find a place where she is safe, cherished, and completely free to be herself. Cheyanne has found that place here. She gets to spend her days basking in the sun, having a nice dirt roll, enjoying the simple things she loves most—and making sure everyone around her knows that she has arrived.
Cheyanne is big in every way: big in size, big in personality, and, most certainly, big in our hearts. We are so grateful that she found her way to Blackbird Ranch, and we feel incredibly lucky to be part of her story.
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!
