Avoncroft Donkeys

"Avoncroft Peony"

Aims and objectives 

I am breeding for temperament, type and colour.

Temperament

At just two or three days old my foals are introduced to the herd with their dams. There they learn to socialize with other "babies" and the older donkeys. They become confident with me working amongst them, being moved quietly from field to field and in and out of the yards and seeing all that goes on around the farm.  

Type

"Avoncroft Sparkler"

I am breeding from a variety of types of donkey. I value the influence of lighter boned and middle weight animals but am currently tending to breed for stockier types. 

"Sparkler" (born March 2004) is a good example. She is maturing as a quality draught type jenny - with a leg at each corner - the donkey equivalent of the cob and draught cross mares I have found so versatile when breeding horses.   

My intention is to put her to a smart middle weight jack at 4 years old. If she wasn't destined for my breeding herd she would be well suited in type and temperament as a working ride/drive donkey.

"Dusty" at Dorchester Show

It would be nice to one day produce a Donkey Breed Society Championship Show winner. Realistically I just hope that all the donkeys I breed will give their owners fun and most will not look out of place at Breed Society events and local shows.

Colour

"Holmesley Flash Harry"

I have always loved coloured cobs. Second generation homebred "Flash Harry" (out of a Percheron x mare) has turned a few heads in his time!

"Avoncroft Posy"		"Avoncroft Amita"

Most people would acknowledge that the type and quality of coloured horses has improved considerably over the past 15 years. I believe there is potential to improve coloured donkeys similarly in future years. I have retained 2003 foals "Amita" and "Posy" to help along the way! 

It could be a little boring to breed only coloureds! I have a good selection of greys, browns, blacks and whites. I hope that I shall have many more nice roans like "Sparkler" in years to come!

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 olivia@avoncroft-farm.fsnet.co.uk

Avoncroft Farm, Sopley, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 7BE

Home/Office phone
01425 672447 or 07976 239998

Last revised: November 07, 2006.