Animals - If you don't scratch, you get a nudge with the donkey's nose
The donkeys of Alois Rapp are small - really small. In a district of Ochsenhausen (Biberach District), full-grown animals with a measurement of only 65 centimeters tower over a meadow and let themselves taste the grass.
Rapp breeds American miniature donkeys - not to be confused with dwarf donkeys. Miniature donkeys should not be more than 86 centimeters tall, explains the 59-year-old. If they are particularly small, they are called micro-miniature donkeys. They have a shoulder height of only 65 centimeters - about the size of a Shepherd dog.
On approximately 3000 square meters, the 15 donkeys can grumble, graze, and roll. Currently, there are even two foals there. The miniature donkey babies are only about half a meter tall - and already friendly. Visitors ask for stroking sessions from the animals, and they gladly oblige with a firm hand. If not stroked, a small push with the donkey nose ensues. In the summer months, Rapp does not need to bring them into the stable. But they are habitual animals. Rainy weather apparently does not please the donkeys according to Rapp. "Then they all stand under the roof in front of the stable."
In his main profession, Rapp works as a tile layer in industry. The donkeys are just a hobby for him - but the most beautiful one. "The donkey gives you so much," he raves. "It's so calming." He has had donkeys for 30 years, miniature donkeys for 10. The love for the animals is evident. A website does not exist for Rapp, yet he receives more and more inquiries, even from abroad. Many want to go hiking with his donkeys, others want to buy foals.
Rebekka Mueller visits the donkey meadow regularly with her children Max (4) and Paul (7). Concerns quickly dissipated. Meanwhile, the donkeys are practically part of the family. When Rapp is on vacation, Mueller takes care of the animals. "They are just so loving and cuddly," she says. Relaxation pure from everyday stress.
Nadine Naß and Nicole Schmid visit Rapp's donkeys regularly. "They are simply friendly from the start, come to you, nuzzle with one, let themselves be stroked, enjoy being petted," Naß gushes. "That's just a completely unique experience." Looking, stroking, grooming, and hiking, all that is allowed by Rapp for visitors. This is currently done by appointment and privately. In the future, he could imagine offering professional donkey hikes.
Donkeys are in trend, says Rapp, especially the small ones. When animals are bred small, criticism often arises. Rapp dismisses this in the case of miniature donkeys. It is a pure breeding, where the proportions must match and "everything fits". Heidrun Kübler, President of the State Veterinary Chamber Baden-Württemberg, says: "I have not yet encountered any breeding-related problems with miniature donkeys or micro-donkeys." She would not exclude it, but: "Given that the original animals are a very old breed, I would rather not expect problems."
Rapp's donkey sanctuary is located in the Biberach district, specifically in Upper Swabia, a region in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. During their leisure time, visitors can enjoy interacting with the miniature donkeys, which include micro-miniature donkeys with a shoulder height of only 65 centimeters. On a sunny day, Rapp doesn't have to bring the donkeys into the stable, as they happily graze in the open nature near Biberach.
