A Wilkes County middle school is turning to a group of donkeys to help raise money.
Eight donkeys will ship in from Boiling Springs for a specially trained basketball game. The evening is being showcased as ‘Donkeyball, the Wildest & Funniest Show on Earth.’
The creative evening of fun and excitment is designed by Professional Animal Frolics.
According to East Wilkes Middle School, the animal company produces some of the best donkey ball games in the business.
The performance will be held on Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
“We get volunteer members from faculty and staff, coaches from feeder schools and high schools, local people…and its a basketball game where you ride the donkey and try to score,” said athletic director Chuck Hudson. “That’s only if you can convince the donkey to move, let alone to stay on it.”
Some donkeys are very tame. However, “some donkeys require people willing to sacrifice themselves,” said Hudson with a chuckle.
“We expect a great turnout for this event,” he said. “The school has had success in the past with the donkeys. The night does very well. We’ve packed this place both times we’ve held it. We’ve made good money for the successful event and that helps do a ton of good for our kids.
“To date we’ve never had an animal accident, but we are prepared with a poop er-scooper just in case,” laughed Hudson. “It’s all part of the show.”
Proceeds benefit the school Athletic Booster Club.
Advance tickets are on sale now at East Wilkes Middle School. Adults are $6. Children are $5. Children 5 and under are free. Gate admissions are higher so early ticket purchases are encouraged.
For additional information on this event and other activities by the East Wilkes Middle School, please call the school at 928-9800.
All animals are under the supervision of Professional Animal Frolics of Boiling Springs.
Reach Anthony Gonzalez at 835-1513 or email at agonzalez@civitasmedia.com
So that the school & public can be educated and know what they are doing, here are some FACTS that you should know:
- NO donkey should be ridden until at least five years of age and that would be seven yrs old for mammoth stock or large standards which is the ONLY size that is big enough to handle most HS students or faculty.
- Riding a donkey at too young an age causes permanent damage to their backs and legs as the growth plates have not yet closed. (Is their pain and permanent injury worth your entertainment?)
- Donkey ht/weight and the MAX body weight tack should be (samples):
A 5 yr old 32" tall donkey that weighs 236 lbs has a max load capacity of 58 lbs. (this would be a small mini)
Skipping a few ahead ...
A 5.5 yr old 40" tall donkey that weighs 368 lbs has a max load capacity of 92 lbs.
skip a few more ...
A 6 yr old 50" tall donkey that weighs 618 lbs has a max weight capacity of 154 lbs.
The load weight capacity is human PLUS tack. As you can see, the small donkeys used for these events are not suitable.
- The rule of thumb is that a donkey can safely carry 25% of their weight, including tack.
- Just because a donkey *will* carry more weight, does not mean that it should. They are much more stoic than a horse and not apt to tell you when they hurt.
- At no time, for any reason should weight be placed on the back of an immature donkey.
- If a donkey is overweight (& many of the donkeys provided for these cruel activities are, in fact, overweight), THAT weight needs to be taken into consideration, as well.
- Riding a donkey bareback is very painful to a donkey as the weight is not evenly distributed.
I hope this helps you to make a more informed decision and I hope that you make the right one - not only for the sake of the animals but for the sake of your children. Fostering compassion for some of the sweetest, most intelligent creatures on earth is surely more important than an hour or so of ill-gotten 'entertainment'.
Why not hold agility competitions or a coon jumping contest if you must use donkeys?