Adorable Rare Miniature Donkey Twins Need Loving Care
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Stealing the hearts of all those he meets, little Lonegan, born prematurely with severely deformed legs from cramped conditions in the womb, is one of only 3 rare sets of miniature donkey twins known in the world to have been born live, at Willowdale Donkey Stud in Metricup, south of Perth, Australia. His front legs are badly knock-kneed mainly due to soft cartilage, meaning he cannot walk properly.
Photo Bernie Bracken
The first born to the jenny named Fantasy was Donegan, a strong chocolate brown foal very much like his Mum. No one could have been more surprised than their breeders Barbara & Bernie Bracken when Lonegan entered the world shortly behind him.
“[The mum] said ‘one is plenty’, so I had to crawl around and convince her [that] baby number 2 was hers as well.” said Barbara.
Although he beat the odds and survived premature birth on March 29th 2008 at 11 months gestation instead of 12, the more he grew and put on weight, the more deformed his legs became. His condition worsened, and with nearly no knowledge to correct such a problem in donkeys is known, the Bracken’s vet suggested specialist help.
They called upon a local TV station who in turn got Murdoch Veterinary Hospital involved for a consultation.
Photo Bernie Bracken
Photo Bernie Bracken
After X-rays and examination he was fitted with casts on his front legs to help strengthen them. Merely 9 days later, Lonegan began favoring his right leg and reluctant to stand or put weight on it. Their vet determined that the casts had to be removed, revealing sores on his pressure points.
This Mother Nature’s little miracle was then fitted with splints strapped with bandages to support his frail legs.
The operation “doesn’t come without risks, but it has to be done. It’s that or do something awful and that we couldn’t do because this little guy is so amazing.” Bracken said emotionally.
Lonegan mastered the art of drinking from a bowl, and to separate and rest apart from his mother and brother. The darling little foal has an incredible will to survive, his motto being “I can DO that,” no matter what was asked of him.
But this is only the beginning of his treatment, which is likely to be prolonged over 3 years while he grows and his legs develop, and will verily require operations to pin one or both of his knees.
Intensive corrective therapy, splints and eventually surgery could see Lonegan developing into a strong, 36 inch (1-meter) tall donkey, able to live life like any other.
“He has maldeveloped bones in the carpus.” said Dr Murphy, an associate professor at Murdoch University’s Equine Centre. “He was born that way and it’s rare.”
“The angulation he has we sometimes see in horses, but I’ve never seen it as bad as this.”
Photo Bernie Bracken
The miniature donkey twins happy together at home. Photo Bernie Bracken
Miniature donkey and mum. Photo Bernie Bracken
Current costs for Lonegan’s medical help are about $3000.
This highly technical specialist care will be expensive, and there is no Medicare for donkeys. Lonegan and his legs are now the subject of a major fundraising effort and an intensive care regimen coordinated by Dr. David Murphy.
“His daily care is pretty intensive.” Dr. Murphy said. “We change his bandages every day, set his splints every day, X-ray once a week — it does add up.”
The Bracken’s are hoping to raise $25,000 to pay for the medical attention Lonegan needs. Any funds left over will be donated to the orthopedic department at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
Initially, Lonegan was rejected by his mother who favored his more able brother, but his Mum welcomed him home after surgery to suckle from her along with his devoted twin brother.
Photo Bernie Bracken
Photo Bernie Bracken
Miniature donkey twins at 18 hours old. Photo Bernie Bracken
“I’ve spent many hours with him and even slept in his stable.” Said Barbara Bracken. “I hope he thinks of me as Mum “2″. Donegan, his brother, cared for him and would move over so Lonegan could get his share of Mum’s milk, and then lay close to him when they slept in the sun, together.”
“He lays on his blanket and I massage him for at least an hour. If I stop for a moment, he lifts his head and looks at me as if to say “Don’t stop, I like it!”
“When carried in to the sunshine, he takes in all the sights and sounds, and nudges my legs … “Time for fun?” But one day he will have fun and be able to play.”
Now 4 weeks old, Lonegan weighs 33 pounds (15 kilos), up from his birth weight of 17.6 pounds (8 kilos). Despite the setback, he continues to eat and drink, and win more hearts.
“Hopefully the twins will grow to around 32 to 36 inches [or] nine hands.” Bracken said. “Some of them are smaller — one I’ve bred is much smaller than that. They’re just amazing little guys!”
Lonegan and his twin, Donegan, were named after a UK folk singer, Lonnie Donegan.
Photo Bernie Bracken
Photo Bernie Bracken
Photo Bernie Bracken
Contrary to popular belief, the miniature donkeys aren’t stubborn at all, Bracken says. In fact, “they’re great thinkers and outsmart me.”
“They are very safe with children, so loving, and so part of your family.” Even the family dog loves the donkeys.
After creeping into the hearts of locals, incredible community interest spawned the creation of a website dedicated to updates on Lonegan’s progress. You can follow him and learn more at Little Logan.
Murdoch University’s Equine Centre and the ANZ Bank have set up an account for those wishing to give donations: “Little Lonegan’s Legs” account, ANZ Bank, Kalamunda branch, BSB 016 341, account number 483855125, or from links provided on Lonegan’s site.
Other Miniature Donkey Twins
“We only know of three [other] sets of [miniature donkey] twins in the world.” Bracken said. “One in New Zealand 7 years ago, in 1993 a pair in New South Wales, and twins were born in the UK.”
“In America I believe they’ve had a few born but they don’t live very long. Normally the jenny will abort twins, it’s just not possible to carry two to full term.”
Photo Stacy Mini Acres
But Stacy Mini Acres, located in southern Indiana, just 13 miles (21 kilometers) from downtown Louisville, Kentucky are the proud owners of a set of miniature donkey twins — Jack and Jill — born in March 2003.
“We were not given much encouragement with their surprised birth.” say the owners. “The gray jenny only weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilos) and was well accepted by her mother. The little gray spotted jack only weighed 11 pounds (5 kilos) and was moved to our basement after his mother rejected him.”
After the veterinarian inserted a feeding tube down his nose he had to be feed around the clock every 2 hours.
Today, the twins are healthy 2-year olds and inseparable.
“We participate in local parades and volunteer at local parks giving rides to children. Everyone is welcomed to stop by and see our herd and to talk ‘donkey’.”
Although some twins appear to be identical, many of the twin cases are graternal — of different colors, or male / female pairs.
Photo Bernie Bracken
Photo Bernie Bracken
About Miniature Donkeys
Miniature donkeys are one of the most gentle, and affectionate and of all equines, and extremely intelligent with an amazingly high IQ. It’s this intelligence that’s been misunderstood and caused it to be labeled as “stubborn” when in fact, the donkey is merely exercising common sense and caution.
Their ability to assess and react properly to danger and harm means fewer veterinarian expenses or costly loss due to injury or death.
They are a breed of their own and not bred down as other miniatures which can cause the inherent genetics of an animal to become diluted.
They are quite healthy and hardy, so much so that they have and are still being used as pack animals in their native Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean islands.
Miniature donkeys grow to an average height of 36 inches (90 centimeters) and under.
Most donkeys, regardless of color have a cross and stripe — even some miniature donkeys that appear to be black actually have very faint markings. There may be some donkeys who do not have a cross, but the genetic marker has not been located to see where it is, or is not.
Originally from Africa, they were taken to the Mediterranean Islands of Sardinia and Sicily to be beasts of burden. They pulled carts, carried loaded packs and did other farm work, and rumored to be often underfed, over worked and abused.
In 1929 a New York stockbroker, Robert Green, was visiting Europe and heard the rumors of abuse. He ordered 6 jennies and a jack, sight unseen, to be shipped to America.
Sadly, several months after their arrival the donkeys were attacked by dogs and 3 of the jennies were killed. The jack and the remaining 3 jennets were the original foundation herd of miniature donkeys in the United States.
One of the jennies gave birth on Columbus Day, 1929, which was officially named Christopher Columbus and the first miniature donkey born in America.
Miniature Baby Donkey Just Born
Sources: Daily Telegraph, ABC Perth, Little Lonegan, Tennessee Donkey Association and Stacy Mini Acres
Tags:animal animals donkey donkeys Lonegan miniature donkeys. foal
What a fascinating story Deborah and what lovely pictures to document the highlights. I’m impressed about all the facts you build in this post and well written too!
I’ve SU the post of course
Great post. Those baby miniature donkeys are adorable. I hope all goes well with them.
Thanks Renny, I’m glad that you enjoyed their story
Thanks Cindy, hopefully they’ll find the funding to continue the medical requirements he needs.
I am feeling sad after see the donkey kids.They are really unlucky.My god bless them.
Oh that’s so sad donkey.. very sad… but cute
Awww… the donkey is sooo cute ^_^
Awwww. So cute. I would love to give them love and care, if only I had the space and time.
Oh, poor donkey….I’m very sorry to see this
Anyway, you are doing a great work, you are amazing
He certainly is a doll, Fiona
Well thankfully they do have loving care, Calvin.
Thanks June, here’s hoping they get the funds they need to continue his medical care.
What a charming chronicle as well as what good looking pictures to manuscript the places of interest. I’m overwhelmed about all the particulars you put together in this post and well written too!
Thanks Kristian, glad you enjoyed it