Who We Are
Ashington Park is located in Chiltern, Victoria, 20mins south of the Albury/Wodonga border and just off the Hume Highway. The Loveridge Family started Ashington Park in 1998. Ashington Park is named after a town near Newcastle in England where Donkeys were used in every day life. Ashington Park welcomes visitors by appointment for meets and greets with our donkeys. Families with children and families with special needs members are especially welcome at Ashington Park.
Love, affection, cuddles and kisses are always in demand in our herd, giving Ashington Park donkeys their reputation of having outstanding temperament and character.
The cornerstones of our selective breeding program are temperament and conformation. Our Jack has exceptional bloodlines and of course good looks!
Ashington Park breeding is done in hand, that is, in a calm and controlled environment. Our Jack isn't allowed to "chase down" the Jenny as this is very stressful on both animals and can result in injury to one or both animals.
Our foals arrive in safe, weatherproof facilities and are given human contact and handling from birth. They are kept under constant surveillance and Ashington Park uses a specialist equine vet to safe guard our donkeys health and wellbeing, if required. The high rainfall, excellent pasture and mild climate provides the ideal environment for our Donkeys to thrive.
All this time, effort and experience goes into offering you a donkey that will melt your heart, not your credit card. A donkey that will give you a lifetime of unconditional love, unquestioning loyalty and unforgettable memories.
But don't take our word for it, come and meet our lovable longears and judge for yourself............................
Why a Donkey?
Donkeys are ideal animals for children as they are solid stable mounts, are easily trained and their fright reaction is to stop and stand still. Donkeys will never knowingly head into dangerous situations, and you never have to “fear the rear” with a donkey. Donkeys are used for riding, driving, working on small acreages and hauling loads. Donkeys are also used as pets and mounts for children with disabilities. These wise and gentle creatures just seem to know when someone is that little bit special.
Donkeys also appear to be “Hypo Allergenic” Georgina – our daughter has chronic eczema / psoriasis, when she comes in contact with ponies she breaks out in a horrific reaction all over her body. When she comes in contact with donkeys, she can play, groom and kiss without any effects on her body at all. They are simply the ideal pet for the allergic owner.
Ashington Park breeds both Miniature (Section A) and a small herd of Irish Donkeys (Section B). Most of our Donkeys do not mature over 36”and therefore are registered as Miniature Donkeys. However this usually only occurs when both the Jack and/or Jenny are below this height. Most Miniature Donkeys in Australia have some element of Mediterranean bloodline.
Note - We have been asked of late questions about our Jack and why we DON'T allow visitors into his paddock for pats or cuddles. There's a very simple answer - JACK'S ARE NOT PETS they are a breeding animal, just like a Horse Stallion. Below is some information regarding Jacks taken from the Donkey Business III publication and The Donkey Companion.
A Jack must be handled by an experienced, competent person and no matter how quiet, loving and obedient he is even one of place is absolutely assured in heaven when he dies, must always be treated an entire with some reservations as to his unpredictability always in mind. A Jack is a hormone driven breeding animal and under the right set of circumstances they will crack. For instance - if you cuddle and pat a jenny and then go into a jacks paddock, the smell from the jenny could arouse him to the point of you being in harms way.
We here at Ashington Park believe in our Jacks temperment - that's why we breed with him, that's why we have very satisfied owners, that's why we have a 100% safety record and that's why we don't allow visitors into our Jack's paddock. To our knowledge there are NO Donkey Societies that encourage one on ones with Jacks - it's simply not worth the legal action, sorrow and pain that could be caused. For further info on Jacks please contact us, we would be happy to provide you with published information regarding them.
Ashington Park abides by the ethics and guidelines as stated in the constitution of The American Donkey and Mule Society.
"Happiness is a Hearty Bray"!
Please email us for more information
apdonkey@bigpond.net.au
Contact
The Loveridge Family
Chiltern
Victoria, Australia
Ph - 03 57261512
email - apdonkey@bigpond.net.au
Visitors Welcome By Arrangement
ã Ashington Park 2006
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