Codas Critter Care

07/28/2024

Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend 🤗☀️

07/16/2024

Have a terrific Tuesday!!! Hunter & Benji say “Hi, I’m relaxing… what about you?? ☺️😋

07/13/2024

Brody being silly outside!!! Love my critters 🤪🥰

07/09/2024

Have a terrific Tuesday!!!! 🤗❤️

06/20/2024

Wow!!! To know you’ve come so far!! Happy Birthday my little Binx!! You’re such a cuddle bug 🥰. We love you!!

06/16/2024

Happy Birthday Molly May 🥰🎉🤗

06/15/2024

Have a super Saturday 🤗😉 Lazy babies Benji & Hunter ♥️

06/14/2024

Have a fantastic Friday 🤗🤗 Don’t forget to stay cool out there like Rosie and Betty Boop ❤️

06/13/2024

Stretch into a terrific Thursday!!! Hope you have a great day!!!! Hunter’s morning stretches 🥱😴🥰

06/12/2024

Have a wonderful wacky Wednesday!!! 🤪 nice look Molly

06/11/2024

Have a terrific Tuesday! Even though it will be raining….. we need it!!!!!!!! 🤪 🌧️☔️ enjoy like Ivy ♥️

06/10/2024

Want some hay??? Silly Moose 🤪 Have a wonderful Monday!!!

06/05/2024

06/02/2024

Have a relaxing Sunday!!! 🥱😴😴😊♥️

05/30/2024

As temperatures rise, be mindful of the recommended storage conditions for your horse's medications. >>>https://bit.ly/EQSummerMedicationStorage

05/27/2024

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day!! 🫶🙏 thank everyone for your service!! 🪖

05/23/2024

How can Hunter be just soo dang cute!!!! 🥰 enjoy your Thursday everyone!!!

05/22/2024

Wednesday…. Half way to Friday 😜

05/08/2024

The following is an open letter to the American Association of Equine practitioners. If you would like to “sign” the letter in agreement, please feel free to comment “signed,” tag your favorite vet clinics, rescues, clubs, etc, like, or share this post.

Open Letter to the American Association of Equine Practitioners Regarding the Inclusion of Donkeys In Educational Materials

May 7, 2024

Dear American Association of Equine Practitioners,

For nearly 7,000 years, two millennia before horses, the humble donkey has been serving humans. They began their service to humans packing water, food, and supplies through northern Africa, into Eurasia, and eventually spreading around the world. In America, our cultural history is closely tied to donkeys. George Washington, ever the forward thinker, and understanding the value of a great mule with regards to agricultural work, acquired donkeys from the King of Spain in order to develop the breed we know today as American Mammoth Jackstock. The American west was crisscrossed for hundreds of years by explorers and prospectors holding a lead rope tied to their trusty, steadfast, and thrifty b***o companions. You’ll scarcely find a better partner in the unforgiving desert. As it has been throughout history, people today find immense joy in the companionship of a donkey. Whether you participate in driving, trail riding, liberty, or even trail runs, there are events for donkey lovers proliferating across the country.

However, even with all the love we as donkey caretakers feel for our animals, they are still often left out. Despite their myriad of incredible attributes, they struggle to shake the perception of being stubborn, stupid, low-value, unworthy, and “less-than”. “What do you even do with a donkey?” is a common refrain heard by donkey owners. Seeking out information about their care typically ends with few legitimate studies, outdated, debunked ideas, and often simply false statements from places that should know better, such as large rescues and land grant universities.

There is hope for donkeys; unridden equids are growing in popularity, and with that, of course, we have an increasing number of donkeys as pets. As a result, new studies are being done to quantify in exactly what ways donkeys are different from horses, and how they are the same. Around the world clubs, groups, and nonprofits are popping up, dedicated to donkey education and welfare.

However, those groups are often fighting an uphill battle against misinformation or no information. An all-too-common excuse for poor ownership and care? “It’s just a donkey; you don’t need to.”

You don’t need to? Don’t need to…what?

You don’t need to vaccinate them? You don’t need to trim their hooves every six to eight weeks? You don’t need to feed them clean, good quality, species-appropriate grass hay and straw, free of mold, weeds, and debris? You don’t need to call the vet when they are ill? You don’t need to offer them companionship and training? You don’t need to use tack that fits their body shape and doesn’t cause pain? You don’t need to be aware of weight limitations as riders? You don’t need to protect their feet on long pack trips? You don’t need to listen when they tell you they do not want to? You don’t need to listen when they tell you they’re sick, or injured? You don’t need to…?

Why do people think you don’t need to? Because “it’s just a donkey. They’re different from a horse…”

After all, in 2024, of the nearly 40 public Facebook posts the American Association of Equine Practitioners has posted so far having to do with equine health, care and keeping, one, only one, has used inclusive language that could even possibly relate to donkeys. Only one has mentioned exclusively equids rather than specifically horses. None have explicitly mentioned donkeys or mules.

“If spring vaccines were needed for donkeys, wouldn’t the AAEP have mentioned it?” “If donkeys need dental care, why didn’t the AAEP say that when posting about dental health month?”

May 8th is World Donkey Day. In preparation for this day, we, as caretakers of our beloved donkeys, ask you to make one simple change to improve the lives and visibility of donkeys, to elevate them culturally, to a place of dignity: we ask that going forward, in times when it is relevant and especially on public-facing forums such as social media, the AAEP includes language and space for donkeys. We believe this simple change can help drive people’s perception of these incredible animals, and lead to a marked improvement in the lives of domestic donkeys in America. All it takes is adding “and donkeys.”

“Schedule your yearly dental exams for your horses and donkeys.”

“Here are ways to prevent colic in your horses and donkeys.”

“Ensure you have a qualified farrier for your horses and donkeys.”

On World Donkey Day the AAEP has an opportunity to be a cultural leader, not just in the United States, but throughout the world, by pledging to use donkey-inclusive language in relevant articles and social media. The AAEP has an immense platform, made of uniquely qualified professionals, from which to educate the public, donkey owners, prospective owners, caretakers, veterinarians, and veterinary staff. Help those of us who love donkeys to loudly, and publicly say they’re not just donkeys, and donkeys deserve better.

We ask this with respect and appreciation for all the AAEP, equine veterinarians, and support staff do to keep all our equine companions healthy, happy, and comfortable. It is our most earnest hope that this small change will have a cultural effect which will help all of us long ear guardians be educated and empowered to offer the best possible care to our beloved donkeys.

Sincerest thanks,

Burros Rock Arizona & Yonder (BRAY)

05/07/2024

Have a terrific Tuesday!! 🤗

05/05/2024

Make sure you relax before starting a new week…. Rest is good for the soul 😆 happy Sunday

05/03/2024

Loving that preggy belly Molly🥰. Have a great weekend ahead!!!!!

05/02/2024

Hunter is enjoying his new home 🤗

04/29/2024

Hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!! 🤗

04/14/2024

Relaxing or keeping watch… hope you enjoyed your weekend!! Take in some sun, refresh for a wonderful week ahead!! Happy Sunday☀️