Inhabitants of mountain regions have always kept donkeys and appreciated them for their endurance and diligence.

Eight years ago, brothers Nicholay and Ivan Pomogalov founded a donkey farm for tourists riding along mountain paths.

But their business was started by an accident. They bought just one donkey, and only then decided to organise the whole farm and purchased about 20 donkeys from Gagauz in Moldova.

Now their farm is plenty of not only donkeys…

but also of hens…

oxen…

and pigs.

Today the farm has about 40 donkeys of different age. Most of them are used for tourists’ transportation : in summer the demand is high. The farm sells some animals, but some of them are kept only for procreation.

Riding a donkey is easier and not so terrible as on horse. Harnesses and saddles are practically the same.

It turns out that donkeys are obstinate, but only if they do not like people, for example, because of people’s rudeness or foolishness. There are also special commands and rules that help you to get on a donkey to the right place. It is like driving a car.

“Donkeys are strong, they are quick runners that may ponder! And if people want, donkeys can drive them to mountains”.

A rider should estimate his load on a donkey in order not to make it restive. The donkeys carring capacity is about 70-80 kg.

After 15 minutes you get used to the animal, the donkey gets used to you.

The main problem with moving in a column is not to allow donkeys to approach to each other too close. Animals may be carried away by smelling one another and there may appear a traffic jam or even a crash.

A playground.

A local artist painted all walls with “ass” theme.

A “donkey” museum also exists. Here are different figurines, toys, books and pictures about these animals.

via macos