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I am wondering if you might be able to help me. I wish to travel el Camino with my 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome who would be more inclined to trek with a donkey to sometimes ride as well as alternately simply bearing her pack. Can you tell me if it is possible to hire a donkey someplace to take on the camino? I would be very interested to learn from your experience and undertake such a trek if it is possible.So, am I actually the only one on this thread who has done three Caminos with a donkey? Instead of guessing?
Take a look at this threadI am wondering if you might be able to help me. I wish to travel el Camino with my 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome who would be more inclined to trek with a donkey to sometimes ride as well as alternately simply bearing her pack. Can you tell me if it is possible to hire a donkey someplace to take on the camino? I would be very interested to learn from your experience and undertake such a trek if it is possible.
Perhaps you would contact me directly at [edited by a Moderator. Please use the forum Private Message function]
Thanks for your consideration.
I am wondering if you might be able to help me. I wish to travel el Camino with my 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome who would be more inclined to trek with a donkey to sometimes ride as well as alternately simply bearing her pack. Can you tell me if it is possible to hire a donkey someplace to take on the camino? I would be very interested to learn from your experience and undertake such a trek if it is possible.
Perhaps you would contact me directly at [edited by a Moderator. Please use the forum Private Message function]
Thanks for your consideration.
That would not be a problem with a donkey rented from a trekking company. My donkey was shod, by the way.Just to add to the above concerning care and welfare of the animal - the donkey would have to be very fit and used to trekking many kilometres on a daily basis and over an extended period of time. I would suggest very few would fit into that category. You may encounter foot issues, lameness and worn, sensitive hooves. What would your backup plan be. My opinion is that unless you are very experienced in their care then it is not a viable option. Mucha suerte.
These appear to be mules, as opposed to donkeys. Different—and bred to be larger—beasts of burden. I met two young (20 somethings) on horseback on my Camino Francés this past May/June and their biggest challenge was finding places that would shelter the horses and also themselves. Not all albergues were open to having them. They never booked ahead and upon arrival in each town, started approaching bar owners to see if anyone had a suitable testing place for the horses. It was challenging but they met loads of people as a result and they managed in the end. The Camino did provide, with a lot of effort on their part. Horses or mules may be the better option. Buen Camino.Donkeys are more common in France, so an option may be walking le chemin in France. I ride horses (own one), and also have ridden a certain mule, named Spock. So.. I have found that a lot of negative comments about equine options are from people who haven't been around equines much and would be overwhelmed in caring for them. Donkeys are not like a bicycle-- they have good days and bad, they eat, they poop, they bray.
Then again, the donkey will recognize you and are good company-- they'll say good morning and make your day brighter. Brushing a donkey and looking into his dark eyes is very rewarding.
Here is a youtube video of a family with two donkeys (pretty big ones) walking from Le Puy-en-Velay.
A donkey cannot easily carry an adult-- but then there are small donkeys and big donkeys, and too, small adults and big adults. A really big adult cannot ride on a small horse either. If you rent from a responsible company they will help learn how to care for your donkey, what size is appropriate, and how to pack. They will also come and help you if there is a problem.
May I suggest you and your daughter take some time to get to know donkeys and care for them at home before you head out on the camino (or le chemin).
About 12 years ago on a whim I acquired a donkey in Carrión de los Condes. I’m walking the Camino now and was just thinking how difficult it would be today to walk with a donkey. There is so much more traffic and somehow the Camino seems less rural. I think the logistics would be very complicated. PM me if you like.I am wondering if you might be able to help me. I wish to travel el Camino with my 21 year old daughter with Down syndrome who would be more inclined to trek with a donkey to sometimes ride as well as alternately simply bearing her pack. Can you tell me if it is possible to hire a donkey someplace to take on the camino? I would be very interested to learn from your experience and undertake such a trek if it is possible.
Perhaps you would contact me directly at [edited by a Moderator. Please use the forum Private Message function]
Thanks for your consideration.
Yeah- you are right, definitely mules. The word âne threw me off. I fixed my earlier post.These appear to be mules, as opposed to donkeys. Different—and bred to be larger—beasts of burden. I met two young (20 somethings) on horseback on my Camino Francés this past May/June and their biggest challenge was finding places that would shelter the horses and also themselves. Not all albergues were open to having them. They never booked ahead and upon arrival in each town, started approaching bar owners to see if anyone had a suitable testing place for the horses. It was challenging but they met loads of people as a result and they managed in the end. The Camino did provide, with a lot of effort on their part. Horses or mules may be the better option. Buen Camino.
I’m guessing that every word uttered so far here is wise and true. BUT….. hey, this may be the Camino that is calling you. I had to take time off the Camino in May due to Covid. My walking companions told me that during that time they met a pilgrim on the way to SJPP from Santiago on a horse. THAT pilgrim flew in from Brazil, had never even touched a horse in their life, landed in Santiago, bought a horse, and riding that horse was doing the Camino. Big smiles all around. Maybe there were others here that met that pilgrim. My point: if this is your Camino, you can make it happen
poor horse.I’m guessing that every word uttered so far here is wise and true. BUT….. hey, this may be the Camino that is calling you. I had to take time off the Camino in May due to Covid. My walking companions told me that during that time they met a pilgrim on the way to SJPP from Santiago on a horse. THAT pilgrim flew in from Brazil, had never even touched a horse in their life, landed in Santiago, bought a horse, and riding that horse was doing the Camino. Big smiles all around. Maybe there were others here that met that pilgrim. My point: if this is your Camino, you can make it happen
I recalled that story as illustrative of thinking outside the box. In life, the advice given overwhelmingly is to stay within the box. It’s refreshing to see people living boldly.Well, not entirely the OP's Camino - he/she will be with a 21 year old daughter who is other-abled.
The idea of the donkey was with the thought it might make the journey easier.
Regardless of whether the original poster choses to do the Camino "within the box" or "outside the box"... I think we all need to support her desire to do the Camino by re-assuring her - Where there is a will, there is a way!. As I said before, a donkey or mule might actually make it harder on the mom to do the Camino because of all the needs of her daughter PLUS the additional needs of the donkey... plus all of the extra supplies/equipment needed for the donkey and for them BECAUSE of the donkey (like camping gear which most people don't NEED for the Camino normally). But with or without the donkey - the Camino journey can most definitely be adapted to the daughter's needs. Just requires a little more research and forethought to make it happen.I recalled that story as illustrative of thinking outside the box. In life, the advice given overwhelmingly is to stay within the box. It’s refreshing to see people living boldly.
It doesn't take long to learn the Spanish for ," please do you have somewhere I can put my tent and a Donkey? I will need some water."I met a family traveling with three boys aged about 5-10, two big dogs and a donkey. They were camping in the grounds of albergues and paying to use their shower. It seemed a faff but they were Spanish. Unless you speak reasonable Spanish I think this is a no go. youd need to find places to stay that are both good with horses and camping.
Most people with a learning disability get on very well with equines. I've stayed at several places that had good relationships with local associations that provided riding lessons for people with all sorts of health problems.Regardless of whether the original poster choses to do the Camino "within the box" or "outside the box"... I think we all need to support her desire to do the Camino by re-assuring her - Where there is a will, there is a way!. As I said before, a donkey or mule might actually make it harder on the mom to do the Camino because of all the needs of her daughter PLUS the additional needs of the donkey... plus all of the extra supplies/equipment needed for the donkey and for them BECAUSE of the donkey (like camping gear which most people don't NEED for the Camino normally). But with or without the donkey - the Camino journey can most definitely be adapted to the daughter's needs. Just requires a little more research and forethought to make it happen.
Yep, my donkey liked me to read aloud as we walked. She was good with everything but Stevenson's Travels with a donkey. Mostly she preferred me to sing, despite my inability to carry a tune in a bucket. And what's more, she could blag chocolate out of an amazing variety of people.Yeah- you are right, definitely mules. The word âne threw me off. I fixed my earlier post.
If I were to ride the camino, it would be on a horse. I like to ride for days, but the camino riding groups that I have seen advertised all seem to offering an expensive 5 star tour, not just staying at albergues and meeting people. I don't want to be part of a tour.
Then again, a donkey could carry my stuff and we could have deep conversations while we trundle along..
And I think you’d be surprised at how people would want to help you.It doesn't take long to learn the Spanish for ," please do you have somewhere I can put my tent and a Donkey? I will need some water."
I never said people with disabilities don't get along well with equines in either of my two responses! My responses weren't about whether or not a young woman with Downs will do well with a horse/donkey/mule etc. It was more about the mom caring for the needs of the young woman with Downs Syndrome AND a donkey. The mother will have to deal with her needs and her own gear. She will also need to assist her daughter with her daughters gear. Then she will need to ensure her daughter's physical, mental, emotional, and health needs are all met. Assisting her daughter all day every day as needed depending on her daughter's health and ability levels. (And of course - this mom already knows this). Adding a donkey to the mix means she has another life for the mom to care for - that of the donkey. With that - you need to add the donkey's gear, and the donkey's needs. And - on a day that the daughter is struggling, there are no guarantees the donkey will cooperate and in any way make the mom's journey any easier. Mom may very well end having to deal with her daughter's struggles PLUS an uncooperative donkey. Then there is the fact that you can't just stay in any hotel or albergue with a donkey - which would likely add the need to camp along the way. As I stated - brining a donkey may simply complicate things for the mom rather than simplify them.Most people with a learning disability get on very well with equines. I've stayed at several places that had good relationships with local associations that provided riding lessons for people with all sorts of health problems.
The OP seems to have vanished and I'm not going to start making assumptions about her daughter's capabilities or her own. The fact that her daughter is likely to get on well with a donkey might well make the journey possible, note that I don't say easy.I never said people with disabilities don't get along well with equines in either of my two responses! My responses weren't about whether or not a young woman with Downs will do well with a horse/donkey/mule etc. It was more about the mom caring for the needs of the young woman with Downs Syndrome AND a donkey. The mother will have to deal with her needs and her own gear. She will also need to assist her daughter with her daughters gear. Then she will need to ensure her daughter's physical, mental, emotional, and health needs are all met. Assisting her daughter all day every day as needed depending on her daughter's health and ability levels. (And of course - this mom already knows this). Adding a donkey to the mix means she has another life for the mom to care for - that of the donkey. With that - you need to add the donkey's gear, and the donkey's needs. And - on a day that the daughter is struggling, there are no guarantees the donkey will cooperate and in any way make the mom's journey any easier. Mom may very well end having to deal with her daughter's struggles PLUS an uncooperative donkey. Then there is the fact that you can't just stay in any hotel or albergue with a donkey - which would likely add the need to camp along the way. As I stated - brining a donkey may simply complicate things for the mom rather than simplify them.
Anyhow - as I pointed out in my other posts - where there is a will there is a way - so I encourage this mom to continue doing her research - because I feel it is absolutely possible for her to do the Camino with her daughter - but a donkey MIGHT not be the best solution. But as I stated earlier - there are services that can assist with luggage transport and there are taxis available along the more popular Camino routes. Modifying distances to the daughter's needs will help a great deal. Or heck - while I am one who generally encourages people to do this on their own without booking/support services - this is a situation where hiring a company to book, transport luggage, and provide support services may be the way to go. And who knows - maybe a donkey will work for them - once mom considers all the benefits AND disadvantages of hiring a donkey.
In other words, a complicated Camino is like a visit to Hotel California: This could be heaven or this could be hellI never said people with disabilities don't get along well with equines in either of my two responses! My responses weren't about whether or not a young woman with Downs will do well with a horse/donkey/mule etc. It was more about the mom caring for the needs of the young woman with Downs Syndrome AND a donkey. The mother will have to deal with her needs and her own gear. She will also need to assist her daughter with her daughters gear. Then she will need to ensure her daughter's physical, mental, emotional, and health needs are all met. Assisting her daughter all day every day as needed depending on her daughter's health and ability levels. (And of course - this mom already knows this). Adding a donkey to the mix means she has another life for the mom to care for - that of the donkey. With that - you need to add the donkey's gear, and the donkey's needs. And - on a day that the daughter is struggling, there are no guarantees the donkey will cooperate and in any way make the mom's journey any easier. Mom may very well end having to deal with her daughter's struggles PLUS an uncooperative donkey. Then there is the fact that you can't just stay in any hotel or albergue with a donkey - which would likely add the need to camp along the way. As I stated - brining a donkey may simply complicate things for the mom rather than simplify them.
Anyhow - as I pointed out in my other posts - where there is a will there is a way - so I encourage this mom to continue doing her research - because I feel it is absolutely possible for her to do the Camino with her daughter - but a donkey MIGHT not be the best solution. But as I stated earlier - there are services that can assist with luggage transport and there are taxis available along the more popular Camino routes. Modifying distances to the daughter's needs will help a great deal. Or heck - while I am one who generally encourages people to do this on their own without booking/support services - this is a situation where hiring a company to book, transport luggage, and provide support services may be the way to go. And who knows - maybe a donkey will work for them - once mom considers all the benefits AND disadvantages of hiring a donkey.
Did you realise that the OP quoted you in her post and asked you to PM her?The OP seems to have vanished and I'm not going to start making assumptions about her daughter's capabilities or her own. The fact that her daughter is likely to get on well with a donkey might well make the journey possible, note that I don't say easy.
Yes, and I did. She didn't replyDid you realise that the OP quoted you in her post and asked you to PM her?
Yep, my donkey liked me to read aloud as we walked. She was good with everything but Stevenson's Travels with a donkey. Mostly she preferred me to sing, despite my inability to carry a tune in a bucket. And what's more, she could blag chocolate out of an amazing variety of people.
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