Soule: What's More Fun Than A Donkey? A Donkey In Charge?

A business of any size needs good middle managers, and here at Miles Smith Farm, we have a donkey who has promoted herself to "Learning Barn supervisor."

Donkeys come in many colors and sizes, but Eleanor is a small, gray Sicilian donkey with a cross on her withers and a black stripe down her back, markings and height typical of Sicilian donkeys. She shares her paddock with Abby, Washington (sheep), Hopps, Pixie, and Dixie (goats).

Eleanor was initially timid but took charge of the other Learning Barn animals after a few months. One job she takes very seriously is managing the feeding schedule. As soon as she sees us feeding the horses in the morning, she lets out a loud bray to remind us that her folks are hungry, too.

To get my attention, horses give a soft whinny as if to say, "Excuse me, it's time for breakfast." On the other hand, the donkey lets out a piercing hee-haw as if to say, "Get over here NOW! I'm HUNGRY!" which she repeats until the hay is served.

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Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm, where she raises and sells pork, raw milk, eggs, and beef. She can be reached at carole@soulecoaching.com