Woodfordshollow

Woodfordshollow Advocating, educating and connecting donkeys with humans to improve holistic wellbeing for both!

These two handsome fellows are available to start their new journey in new paddocks. Please reach out for more informat...
08/27/2024

These two handsome fellows are available to start their new journey in new paddocks. Please reach out for more information!

My great big Mammoth loves!!!!
07/25/2024

My great big Mammoth loves!!!!

The donkeys of Woodfords Hollow out bringing some smiles and healing today. Today was Finns first time out and he wasn’...
07/25/2024

The donkeys of Woodfords Hollow out bringing some smiles and healing today. Today was Finns first time out and he wasn’t too sure about stepping down off the curb onto the parking lot. So…..we just hung out for him to take it all in and when he was ready he beebopped right along!!!

Days like this are what keeps us going!!!

We are excited to be collaborating with Heiwa Equine Connection to bring you this workshop!!! There will be a short bre...
07/20/2024

We are excited to be collaborating with Heiwa Equine Connection to bring you this workshop!!! There will be a short breathwork donkey hike for those not interested in the animal Reiki on day 2 that didn’t make it on the flyer. Feel free to share!!

Special pricing for sponsors and Vetrinarians, Social Workers, and Hospice Nurses (day 2 activities).

Are you, or someone you know, a first responder or in a profession that experiences a high level of traumatic stress and want to bring something like this to your group? Let’s connect to discuss workshop opportunities and how we can customize your experience!!

07/18/2024

We are very excited to be collaborating with fellow Trauma Informed- Equine Assisted Services practitioner, Heiwa Equine Connection LLC, in offering a workshop in September - “Elevating Self-Care and Connection”. To be able to collaborate with a like minded professional in sharing knowledge that can transform your connection with your equine as well as your connection to self is inspiring and energizing!

More information coming soon! Save the date September 21st and 22nd!

07/17/2024

Let’s talk bottle babies! Disturbingly, we are seeing a rise in the sale of bottle baby donkeys at auctions. I’d like to esplain why this is disturbing to us to see and what we can do about it.

First: while donkeys do occasionally reject their foals, it does not happen as frequently as we see the number being brought to sale. While it can be overwhelming and a learning curve if it is the first time someone is experiencing a rejected foal, often times, with diligence, the momma will accept them at some point.

Second: if the momma continues to reject or has died, this is not the time to bring a stressed baby to a sale. The responsible thing is to tend to the needs of the baby by continuing to bottle feed until ready for weaning. If this is not possible for a host of reasons then another responsible option is to reach out to the numerous rescue organizations to do a surrender. Some vet practices will also be able to provide assistance here.

Third: health ramifications. It is likley this goal did not get the required nutrition from mom to set them on track for a healthy life. It is not appropriate to bring a compimised foal to a sale where they will be stressed and exposed to all sorts of germs and pass them into the hands of new owners where there is a high liklehood they have inadequate knowledge of the complexities of a bottle baby.

Fourth: bottle babies at auction is rising g because of the monetary gain, or hope of a monetary gain. It costs time and money to are for a rejected foal. There is this public perception that bottle babies will be more friendly and connected to the owner. The reality is they have no donkey to teach them healthy boundaries and how to be a donkey. They are often very maladjusted.

So what can be done to stop this trend.
1) refuse to buy a bottle baby from the sale barn. If there is no market then maybe the trend will stop.

2) provide the sale barn with local resources they can supply to consigned if they really need to find a new home for the foal

3)ask the sale barn to develop a practice in which they will not permit the sale of bottle babies.

4) if it’s a private seller, provide them with alternatives of where to find a home

5) educate, educate, educate as many times as needed and to who ever needs it to help stop this rising trend.

Ahhh Spartan ❤️. One of the most amazing minded horses we have ever owned. He was a kill pen rescue from NJ and worth t...
06/24/2024

Ahhh Spartan ❤️. One of the most amazing minded horses we have ever owned. He was a kill pen rescue from NJ and worth the trip. He is a challenge to keep sound and comfortable because of his comfirmation but so far he is doing great! He has his little mini mule shadow ( we got her just for him because she was feral and needed out of the auction pipeline and he LOVES his donkeys and mules) that we have started to gentle through him. Slow and study.

Flapjack is a character and one of my son’s favorite. He came to the farm as a boarling and by 7 months was so aggressi...
06/24/2024

Flapjack is a character and one of my son’s favorite. He came to the farm as a boarling and by 7 months was so aggressive it was frightening. Castrating older pigs is expensive but after his tusks tore into my leg my son wanted to give him a chance at a happy life so he went for castration. Amazing what pigmones, or lack of, did for this guy…..he is super sweet and one of our smartest snooters!!!!

A big welcome to Mellow, the newest member of our flock!! We have chocolate (co-co) and s’mores so of course we needed ...
06/22/2024

A big welcome to Mellow, the newest member of our flock!! We have chocolate (co-co) and s’mores so of course we needed a marshmallow (mello). And the best part is all of them have been named by the most adorable 4 year old ever so of course we are keeping the names!!!!

05/19/2024

Individualized practice sessions are essential for the emotional, mental, and physical wellness of equines. Our donkeys are all so different and have very different practice sessions. Some prefer to go to work everyday doing something (Clyde, Lil G, Timmy) while others would rather practice once a week if that (Nester and Pandora) and then there are those in between that want to be interacted with in a meaningful way every day but would prefer it to not feel like a practice session (Gucci is big on this one). If I don’t have the correct individualized plan with the right practice session outline instead of seeing eager connection I’m going to see the I tail end as they move away quickly.

We are blessed to spend much time with our herd in just the right way to meet their needs!!

05/04/2024

There are not many places we go that bring us as much peace, happiness, and relaxation as being at home with all the animals of the Hollow. However, the end of April, we went for a short stay and glamped at Donkey Ridge and it was absolutely perfect. The day we arrived it was raining and a bit chill from the rain and it was stunning. To shower in an open and bright outdoor shower followed by sitting in the outdoor patio just listening to the rain. I’d say this is my second best place to be with home being first! A must visit and experience for those loving outdoors with a modern feel and loving donkeys!

Creating memories and living our best life!
05/04/2024

Creating memories and living our best life!

Woodfords Hollow would like to give a huge thank you to our newest supporter of our programs. Red Star Veterinarian Cli...
05/02/2024

Woodfords Hollow would like to give a huge thank you to our newest supporter of our programs. Red Star Veterinarian Clinic has continued to provide quality care for our animals and keeping our donkeys happy and healthy. We are so appreciative of their care for our animals and support of our programs!

04/29/2024

The moment someone wants to try and ‘educate’ me on why donkeys are just fine with having only a horse or mule as a companion and not another donkey. Theirs was just fine. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So 1) how would you know the difference because you only ever had a lonely only 2) in order for you to agree with the widely known truth, you would have to admit you had your donkey living as a lonely only 3) know your audience and who you are trying to educate…..duh….I’m the Ass lady and that’s what I do….specialize in donkeys.

This is how myths and false education keeps perpetuating because of willfully ignorant humans.

Let me be very clear (and consistent with all the places that advocate for donkey optimal health). Donkeys do BEST (emotionally and mentally) when they are with another donkey. That doesn’t mean they can’t do fine with only the companionship of a horse, mini pony, mule etc. I have seen some wonderful care of donkeys that are the only. I have seen some of those go on to add another donkey and even tho they said their donkey was just fine came back and said “wow, you were right, they are so much happier”. There is a reason a lot of breeders and reputable rescues will not place their donkeys in homes if there is no other donkey. Or they do so very selectively. We have one right now that would do ‘fine’ without another donkey.

Please stop telling me your other equine was fine with them….that is not the point, it’s not about them it’s about the donkey. And we have rescued donkeys that were never with another donkey in their life and it took them a bit to understand donkeys were friends and that they were indeed a donkey. And when they did understand that….what a thrill to see them emotionally and mentally open up and play!

Sometimes people are in the position to have just one and that’s okay, they should not feel bad. Those people that I know with just one are incredible owners and provide lots of enrichment and their donkeys are healthy and fine. But they also don’t go around touting misinformation because they love donkeys and realize that there would be a difference if they had another. They, like myself, are on this journey to learn and always look for ways to do better for the animals we love so dearly.

One rescue provided an amazing example: If a human had only the companionship of a turtle they would be fine with having that companionship. But given the choice between the companionship of a turtle and another human, they would naturally gravitate towards the companionship of another human (as long as it’s the right human)

Point is…..people need to stop spreading misinformation and know it’s okay if you fell into the category of misinformation. We have all been there at one time or another until we continue to learn more and to say “wow, I had that wrong “

Here are some other top misinformations that get spread that is just unkind and unhealthy for donkeys:

“My donkey is just fine on lush grass turn out “ - no they are not you just haven’t admitted all the signs are there that they are not fine - overweight with pontoon fat pads, reluctant to walk a normal pace, maybe even had bouts of the various hoof ailments, heat in the hooves, hyperlipaemia (greater risk in obese donkeys) the list goes on. They are desert animals with systems not meant for lush green grass. Will they gobble it up and be happy to so….yeah like me at a donut buffet, but the health detriments are huge which put them in pain and not feeling good and could even end their life.

“Donkeys make great guardians“ - no they do not. They are fine living with other animals until the day they decide they are not and it will typically result in the death of that other animal. Maybe because they were playing hard like donkeys do or maybe because they decided it wasn’t in their best interest to retest to share space with that other animal any more. And let’s go back to the dietary needs of the donkey……likely not the same as what they are turned out to guard.

It’s not about condemning those that have their donkeys in any of these situations. It’s about making sure we are not spreading misinformation and if the owners have any of these situations they are doing all they can to ensure the healthiest and happiest life possible.

When we know better, we have an obligation to do better and that starts with not perpetuating the misinformation with “well my donkey was (or is) just fine”

The April Issue is ready to read! The QR code on the right will take you to this months issue. To subscribe, use the Q...
04/24/2024

The April Issue is ready to read! The QR code on the right will take you to this months issue. To subscribe, use the QR code on the left which will take you to our webpage where you can access the subscribe button.

As always, share with anyone you think might enjoy!

Sunshine, blue skies and and Gucci cuddles ❤️.
04/23/2024

Sunshine, blue skies and and Gucci cuddles ❤️.

Sweet Buckwheat Clifford “BC” enjoying his 15 minutes of hand grazing time on the long grass. Donkeys are desert animal...
04/14/2024

Sweet Buckwheat Clifford “BC” enjoying his 15 minutes of hand grazing time on the long grass. Donkeys are desert animals and grass shorter than 6 inches is particularly dangerous for them and even long grass they should have very limited access (no more than one hour a day). Their digestive tracks are not designed to have unlimited lush grass access and an obese laminitic donkey is absolutely miserable.

We are excited this year to open up a track system so they will have increased excercise in addition to providing limited browsing time!

Daily Donkey Spotlight: Meet Finn-Dottie. Finn is a 1.5 year old black NLP (no light points) micro mini Jack. He is c...
04/14/2024

Daily Donkey Spotlight: Meet Finn-Dottie. Finn is a 1.5 year old black NLP (no light points) micro mini Jack. He is curious and snuggly and has quite a boisterous bray for such a teeny tiny fellow. He adores Stormy and the two are each others shadows. Finn loves to hike and will stand to be loved on all day long!! Looking forward to taking him out and about this season!

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3761 Burbank Road #102
Wooster, OH
44691

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+13302942500

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Videos

There are not many places we go that bring us as much peace, happiness, and relaxation as being at home with all the animals of the Hollow. However, the end of April, we went for a short stay and glamped at Donkey Ridge and it was absolutely perfect. The day we arrived it was raining and a bit chill from the rain and it was stunning. To shower in an open and bright outdoor shower followed by sitting in the outdoor patio just listening to the rain. I’d say this is my second best place to be with home being first! A must visit and experience for those loving outdoors with a modern feel and loving donkeys!

Barley got to stretch his legs and see outside for a few minutes. This big little fellow continues to fight and get better!
Barley got to stretch his legs and see outside for a few minutes. This big little fellow continues to fight and get better!

Look who was feeling strong enough to stretch his legs today!!! Barley keeps showing signs of getting better each day…fingers crossed he keeps getting better. We also figured out which water and which bucket he likes to drink from. Looks like he picked his color….it shall be green!

Bogie and Pandora….our 2 rescue mules who are decompressing and just letting their minds heal, mature, and trust!

Doing the donkey shuffle
Doing the donkey shuffle

A little Pandora time.
A little Pandora time.

Working on targeting the sketchy halter and lead rope. She’s come a long way and oh so smart!

Donkey call!
Donkey call!

When it’s time to come in from the field and your donkeys love you!

Piggie happy tails
Piggie happy tails

Happy Nester
Happy Nester

We love giving back to the community and doing special events. Today we were fortunate enough to participate in a Winter Wonderland event where families from the community drive through to enjoy many themed booths. How magical it is to see the joy and wonder in the eyes of both children and adults!! I think my favorite moment might just have been when Santa’s eyes lit up and he asked “Can Santa take a picture with the donkeys!” A very fun evening for Woodfords Hollow and the Holiday Donkey Express!!!

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