What I have learned about donkeys or burros

I would like to share what I’ve learned about living with donkeys which are also known as burros.  I have 2 burros, Frieda and Noche’ who live on 10 acres of high-desert sagebrush in northern New Mexico, near Taos.  

First off, donkeys are very social creatures; both with humans and other burros.  Donkeys are a herd animal which means they do things together by instinct.  Historically, the herd provides protection from predators and burros stick together.  Noche’ and Frieda are “burro buddies” which means they have self-selected each other as best friends.  I rarely see them far apart.  They play together and often seem to annoy each other like siblings.  But I can’t imagine either one of then thriving and happy if the other were to died.  

Burros are also very social with their human caretakers.  Even wild burros can learn to trust the kindness of humans – once trust is developed.  Frieda and Noche’ have interacted with me for years and we are well bonded.  When I return home from a trip to town, these very alert burros will see and hear me a half mile away.  They excitedly run to the fence to greet me.  They enjoy hugs and physical closeness and love being brushed with a curry comb.  

This high degree of alertness is part of what makes donkeys excellent guard animals.  If I were to put vulnerable animals - like alpaca or chickens or goats in with the donkeys, they would protect all from the numerous coyotes living out here.  

Donkeys are also very expressive creatures.  They bray (the infamous hee-haw) when they want my attention.  They bray when they are happy to see me and bray when they want to alert other donkeys.  

Burros are also very intelligent.  They can remember people or other animals they have not seen in years.  I know that Frieda and Noche’ study my routines and patterns.  Noche’ has learned to open the pasture gate with his mouth, having watched how I open/close it.  But once the gate was open, he had no interest in running off; he is just curious and wanted to be closer to the house to see what I was doing.  

Truth is, I love burros and will likely adopt more.  They are playful, smart, loyal, loving and excitable like dogs.  They are also rather easy maintenance, at least on a physical level.  Emotionally, your burros will want you to spend time with them regularly.  Donkeys make wonderful pets and companions and bring me joy nearly every time I look out my windows and watch them doing their burro things.  

Protecting the remaining wild burros and horses is a very worthwhile effort.  Our society needs more of these intelligent and loving creatures.  

Always advocating for wild equines,

Mark Curtin

AWHC Volunteer Ambassador

Taos, New Mexico