Now we have found him, the one we were still missing: “Gardien”, an Andalusian donkey gelding. He is only seven years old and already trained in carrying, riding and pulling. With him we can now go hiking with the whole family. The girls can go everywhere without having to carry heavy luggage.

To get used to each other, we did the one and a half hour upper valley loop. Gardien is very attentive and, typical for donkeys, also very careful. Right at the beginning of the little hike, we had to cross a slightly flooded stream ford. He thought long and hard about where best to take his steps. In the end, it was no difficulty for him. A steep ascent in several serpentines followed. We all had trouble following him. As if on level ground, he went steeply uphill without any effort. He made us sweat in the first quarter of an hour. We had the impression that he was walking with us, not us with him!

We then walked along an overgrown road towards the end of the valley. On the rest of the way, each of us was allowed to lead or ride. Gardien accepted everything without resistance. He even thinks of the people accompanying him in height and width. He is always awake and alert, a true “Âne Garde”! We are happy with our new family member.