By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

XENIA, Ohio — When consumers can’t afford gas-guzzling SUVs, they often turn to compact cars. Similarly, the cost of owning and boarding horses has risen dramatically – so, many equine enthusiasts have turned to the donkey.

“I’ve had horses all my life and never knew what I was missing,” said Walton, Ky., farmer Richard Parks. “I never gave these animals a second thought, but they’re so much easier to tend to, are fun to be around, less expensive to feed and require less land to keep them on.”

Parks and several hundred other donkey owners attended last month’s Midstates Donkey Show in Xenia. Parks didn’t enter the competition this season, but came instead to watch the proceedings and purchase a few donkeys. He currently owns 11.

“I wouldn’t trade five donkeys for one horse today,” he said.
Betty Stegemoller of Lebanon, Ohio, one-time president of the Midstates Mule Show Society, echoed that sentiment.

“We had 20 horses when we got our first donkey. We now have 26 donkeys and no horses,” she said. “My daughter, Julie, started with donkeys in 1983. She had a broken arm at the time and her 4-H advisor suggested getting a donkey. Gone went the horses.”

According to Stegemoller, dealing with donkeys is much easier in and out of the ring.

“With horse shows there’s a lot of stress and a lot of competitiveness,” she said. “Donkey people are much more congenial and laid-back. It’s much easier to take care of a donkey.

“The people who have trouble with donkeys are the ones who think if they snap their fingers the donkey should respond. These same people often get frustrated with these animals.”
Jerry and Betty Thomas, owner of Thom-ass Acres in Winchester, Ind., have 26 donkeys. They’re nearing retirement and have big plans for their “small” stable when that time comes. They currently supplement their income by showing their donkeys at nursing homes, school visits and parades in and around Winchester.
Sally Brooks, 11, of Mason, Ohio, was introduced to donkeys after her horse riding instructor of eight years died a few months ago. Her horse riding ceased, but the Stegemollers introduced her to donkeys. She rode a mule named Malachi and instantly made the horse-to-donkey switch.

“I found a new love,” Brooks said, clutching a few ribbons she had already won that day. “I like horses still, but donkeys are cool. I’d like to own one soon.”

The Midstates Mule Show Society has 22 shows across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. The shows run at various locations in these states from March-October.