Murray corrals welcome a spotted donkey

There is a new addition in the Murray corrals! A week ago spotted donkey colt was born. It is a female "Jenny." Its mother also has spotted markings which is a dominate feature. When Gordon Murray, Mankato, purchased the mother, she had a colt on her and was placed in a corral with some male donkeys or "Jacks." It was a bit of a surprise when it was noted she would have another colt so soon.

A name for the new colt has yet to be determined. Murray has received several suggestions including Bunny because of the obvious long ears, and Angel because of the white of the inner part of the ear being shaped like angel wings. For now the new colt is the center of attention.

Murray is known for his horse trading and training skills. He grew up with it as his father did some trading also. Gordon has been in the horse trading business for 60 years. That also includes mule and donkey trading. He is known for his wagon, carriage and sleigh operating skills. He and Donna Ramey have been in many parades and trail rides with their carriages and wagons, drawn by their well trained horse teams.

According to Murray, donkeys and mules are becoming more popular. Donkeys can become "show donkeys," and cattle men like to have one or two included in their herds of cattle as they help keep coyotes away. Donkeys, as well as mules, are trained to pull wagons and carts. Donkeys are used to break and train 4-H project steers and horses by being hooked up halter to halter, "and it works great," said Murray. Of course we've all heard of donkeys and mules being used as "pack" animals, as they take supplies where needed. The larger mules are also ridden up on mountain trails. Some mules become fine riding choices when working with cattle. Murray tells of the late Don Diehl who helped out in the pens at the livestock sales riding his mule.

Another stand out in the Murray corrals is a zebra jack, named "Zeb." It is planned that soon some "zedonks"(colts), zebras crossed with donkeys, will be showing up adding even more interest to those corrals.