Town Barton’s ‘sweetheart’ Peter

He may look like a regular donkey, but 25-year-old Peter has captured the hearts of the grooms at Town Barton with his special personality.

Since he arrived at our sanctuary four years ago, Peter has endeared himself to everyone he comes across thanks to his easy-going character and wobbly bottom lip.

Despite belonging to a herd of 130 donkeys, Peter keeps to himself, preferring to follow Groom Kizzie Drake around when she carries out her day-to-day duties.

“Peter is my favourite donkey at Town Barton,” Kizzie says. “He is so well behaved and so easy being caught. He remains relaxed whenever he’s being vaccinated or having his feet attended to.

“He is a complete sweetheart and so easy to manage.”

An image of a dark brown donkey grazing on grass while he wears blue socks pulled up his legs and a women stands behind and strokes his back. — Peter with his groom, Kizzie, at Town Barton Farm. Peter has been wearing long socks over the summer to help protect him from fly bites.

Peter arrived at the sanctuary alongside his companion Sadie, and the pair have remained firm friends; often grazing side by side and indulging in a spot of mutual grooming.

In the colder months, Peter often receives extra support and care from the grooms as he has arthritis that causes bouts of stiffness and muscle loss in his shoulders.

“One of Peter’s favourite activities is going for walks,” Kizzie says. “Quite often he’ll be waiting by the gate to go for one. He always takes the opportunity to stop on his walk and graze the hazel bushes on the side of the path.

“He’s also got a keen eye for other animals, and will happily stop and greet other donkey groups he meets along the way.”

An image of a dark brown donkey walking alongside a women on a gravel track and he wears blue socks pulled up his legs. — Peter with his groom, Kizzie, at Town Barton Farm. Peter has been wearing long socks over the summer to help protect him from fly bites.

Due to his current health needs and Sadie being blind in one eye, it’s unlikely that Peter will become eligible for our rehoming scheme.

That suits Kizzie and her fellow grooms just fine though, as Peter will remain happy and healthy in Devon under the expert eyes of her fellow grooms and farm manager Kim Green.

“The story of Peter really captures why I think we have the best job in the world!” Kim says.

“Peter is such a character on the farm. I regularly tell anyone that will listen just how lucky we are to play such a vital role in providing care and welfare to so many donkeys and mules.

“I often arrive at the farm around 7am so I can do a pre-morning check and greet all our donkeys as they wake up for the day. Peter is always the first to come over.

“What makes him so special is his gentle nature. Peter approaches so gently and quietly as if to say morning and return the greeting. It’s such a privilege to be a part of his routine.”

An image of a dark brown donkey eating straw from a box feeder while wearing blue socks pulled up his legs. — Peter eating with his herd at Town Barton Farm. Peter has been wearing long socks over the summer to help protect him from fly bites.

Kim has also sung her team’s praises. Come rain or shine, her team of grooms work diligently every day to ensure the resident donkeys at Town Barton receive the highest level of care.

“It’s lovely to be a part of what feels like a big family with not just Peter and Kizzie but the whole team too,” she adds.

“The special little moments I observe between handler and donkeys and mules throughout the week I can only describe as glimmers – micro-moments of joy!”