Raystede Donkeys, Goats & Sheep

At Raystede we currently have 8 donkeys. Most of them are old or have some form of injury or illness and are here to spend the rest of their days receiving the best possible care and attention. All the equines live outside year round, with access to shelters if required, to enable them to live as natural a lifestyle as possible.
Donkeys have a very strong sense of survival, which often deems them stubborn. Being very sociable animals, they should be kept in pairs or herds and not alone. They generally live up to an age of 30+ years and are not waterproof, they therefore require adequate shelter all year round to protect them from the elements.
Donkeys love to be groomed and we do this on a daily basis. Donkeys hooves grow very fast, these need to be trimmed by a farrier every 6-8 weeks to ensure comfort and good health.

Nolly is the alpha mare, so leads the herd. Wherever she goes, the rest tend to be close behind. She has an independent streak and often leads them in the opposite direction to where we want them!

Benji is one of the lads, and loves to play. Sometimes he will try and help us clear the buckets and pick up a poo scoop but then just walks off with it instead. Too much like hard work for him!

Long Ears is a miniature donkey but his size does not stop him standing up for himself. He has three feeds a day, this is because he only has three molars so can not chew grass. This does not stop him hanging out with his friends.

Mr Perkins was scared of other donkeys and ran away from them when he first arrived. Now, he is happily one of the gang and enjoys playing with his friends.

These three are our latest arrivals, three miniature donkeys; Yolanda (7 year old mum) and her two daughters, Poppet and Angelica. They arrived in June 2009, from a loving home, but due to circumstances, their previous owners felt they needed more attention as all three love people.

Goats have always been a part of Raystede. Our goats come in all shapes, sizes, breeds and crosses,and have all arrived here under a wide range of differing circumstances ranging from owners moving home to being left alone when their companion has passed away. Traditionally goats were bred, raised and maintained for many purposes including milk, cheese, meat and mohair and usually kept on farmland or in rough rural areas. However, over the years they have gradually become more domesticated and are now often seen as pets or as companions to other animals.

DJ is 2 years old. He came to us from another rescue centre as he couldn't be homed due to being a great escape artist. He was hand reared and was fed every time he escaped. He LOVES people and has settled in well.

Chester is 8 years old. He came in as his owner could not cope anymore. He is a great character! Nothing is safe from him, if he can get hold of it, it's eaten before you can blink.

Toffee came in with Lettie as their owners were moving. He is 7 years old. He likes to think he is boss. He is very playful and likes to play a game with us where he stands on his hind feet and does mock butts.

Lettie came in with Toffee as their owners were moving. She is 7 years old. She is a little nervous except when food is about, then nerves are forgotten! She loves browsing on the trees and is able to reach branches that her shorter friends can't, as she stands on her hind legs with amazing balance.

Rocky (left) and Badger (right). These two are our most recent arrivals, they are both 7 year old pygmy males, who have fitted into the herd very well. Both have sweet natures and love people. When we do the first checks in the morning, they always come over to say hi and have a scratch - which will also make them very popular with our visitors!

Rocky (left) and Badger (right). These two are our most recent arrivals, they are both 7 year old pygmy males, who have fitted into the herd very well. Both have sweet natures and love people. When we do the first checks in the morning, they always come over to say hi and have a scratch - which will also make them very popular with our visitors!

At Raystede, we also have a couple of sheep, who live in harmony with the goats. The sheep being herd animals enjoy the same freedom as our horses and donkeys; 24/7 fields and shelters. Each shelter has its own hay rack in, as they really do not like the rain but it means that they make perfect barometers, the faster they come in the heavier its going to rain.

Laura is a recent arrival, found by a couple that hand reared her, but due to lack of grazing, were unable to keep. They also realised that sheep are not happy on their own.

Cutlet is 2 years old. He was found as a lamb and try as we might, we could not find his owner, so we kept him here at Raystede. We are sure he now thinks he is a goat. His best friend is DJ.