While most days will see me out trimming and shoeing ordinary horses, I do get the occasional case that is interesting enough to share.
Today definitely qualified with a schedule full of donkeys, a laminitic pony and a fellow in the 'city' that claimed he needed service for his unusual 'horses'.
The first was this 9 year old African Plains Zebra. Most agree that the Zebra is nearly impossible to domesticate. This young fellow may have qualified for 'half-domesticated'. The remainder of his feral nature was certainly intact.
The second 'horse' was actually more interesting.
This is 'Calvin', a very rare, French Poitou or Mammoth Donkey.
It is estimated that there are only 400 of these Poitou donkeys left in the world. They are considerably larger than donkeys found throughout the US. This fellow was about 14 hands at the withers and probably weighed about 950 pounds. Hoof size was comparable to a standard size 0.
I've worked on zebras before but this was the first mammoth donk I've ever been asked to trim. While the owner insisted he was a behavioral problem for prior vets and farriers, I found the animal to generally very calm and willing.
Cheers,
Mark
Today definitely qualified with a schedule full of donkeys, a laminitic pony and a fellow in the 'city' that claimed he needed service for his unusual 'horses'.
The first was this 9 year old African Plains Zebra. Most agree that the Zebra is nearly impossible to domesticate. This young fellow may have qualified for 'half-domesticated'. The remainder of his feral nature was certainly intact.
The second 'horse' was actually more interesting.
This is 'Calvin', a very rare, French Poitou or Mammoth Donkey.
It is estimated that there are only 400 of these Poitou donkeys left in the world. They are considerably larger than donkeys found throughout the US. This fellow was about 14 hands at the withers and probably weighed about 950 pounds. Hoof size was comparable to a standard size 0.
I've worked on zebras before but this was the first mammoth donk I've ever been asked to trim. While the owner insisted he was a behavioral problem for prior vets and farriers, I found the animal to generally very calm and willing.
Cheers,
Mark