Twinkle shows off her gray-dun coloring. Maria and Twinkle Brian and Maria

Miniature Donkeys

Miniature Donkeys are native to two Mediterranean islands - Sicily and Sardinia. The word "miniature" generally designates animals that have been bred-down in size, but Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys have not been bred to be smaller over years; rather, they are naturally smaller than a full-sized donkey. With proper care, Miniature Donkeys will live for 25-40 years, and weigh anywhere from 200 to 450 pounds. Their height typically ranges from 36 to 38 inches.

Most Miniature Donkeys are "gray-dun," which means they have a gray-colored body, lighter-colored belly and inside legs, and a darker stripe down the back and over the shoulders. In the middle photo at the top, Twinkle is showing off her light-colored belly. Of course, Miniature Donkeys come in other colors, ranging from reddish-brown shades to white, black, and spotted.

A male donkey is called a Jack, and a female donkey is called a Jennet. Miniature Donkeys become fertile at one year of age, but they often make very poor mothers. For this reason, breeders must pay special attention to young foals, bottle-feeding them every two hours, 24 hours a day. A female donkey usually gives birth to just one donkey, weighing between 18 and 25 pounds, and will carry the donkey for 11 to 13 months before birthing.

Miniature Horses

Rodney enjoying a treat Bopper comes up to visit

Minniature Horses are found all over the world, and there are many different colors and styles of Miniature Horses. This smaller version of a horse as been bred to be much shorter that common horses. Miniature Horses are usually under 38 inches tall at maturity, and are separated into two classes depending on their height. Miniature Horses under 34 inches tall fall into Class A, and horses 34 to 38 inches tall are in Class B.

Miniature Horses were popular pets among royalty in sixteenth-century Europe. Later, they were used as valuable workhorses, often seen pulling carts through coal mines in both Europe and the United States. Miniature Horses can pull up to ten times their own weight.

Miniature Horses commonly live to be 25 - 35 years old, but some have been reported to live to the age of 50! Depending on their size, Miniature Horses can weigh anywhere from 150 to 350 pounds. They thrive on grasses and grains, and make excellent lawn mowers. Hay can be substituted when fresh grass is not available.

Today, Miniature Horses are being used to guide blind people, so as to increase the number of guide animals available for the blind. They may be preferred to traditional guide dogs, especially for blind persons wanting a companion animal with a longer lifespan, or those who are allergic to dogs. The Guide Horse Foundation has been working with guide horses since 1999.

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