If you can find someone nearby with either minis or donkeys, who would let you come by and help them handle them, so you have some knowledge of either or both, it would both help you make up your mind as to which you want, and give you experience in handling them. I don't know what your experience with either horses or minis is, but if it's not much, then if you can find a few good horse care books, and if there are donkey or mini-specific books, get one of them as well, and read up on it before you get them....you will have more idea of what is needed. A basic horse first aid book, and first aid kit, would help a lot. You will need a halter that fits each animal, a lead rope for each, and an extra, and at least one brush, a curry to clean the animal and a curry to clean the brush, a hoof-pick, and a brush for manes and tails. Some sort of shedding helper, for the spring, is nice, and if you want to be very elegant, provisions for bathing are nice - some animals will never have had a bath, so you might have to educate them to it. Shampoo, a sponge for faces, and a sweat scraper, and maybe a bucket, are all needed. In summer, spray for flies is a kindness - again, if they haven't been accustomed to the noise and feel of being sprayed, you will have to teach them to accept it. One thing to remember, about minis as well as donkeys, is that they do NOT need really good pasture - too rich grass can give them laminitis as well as grain can. You will have to trim their hooves - for both - about every 6 weeks, so count that expense and effort into your budget. If you have some knowledge, and a good farrier, he might be willing and able to teach you how to use a rasp to keep feet short enough, and then he would only have to come every few months, just to be sure all is well. It's not easy to find a farrier to do small animals - bending over that much is HARD on their backs!!! But, not doing it can lead to major problems, so keep it on the schedule. Both minis and donkeys need some sort of shelter, from cold and rain as well as from the heat of the sun. While wild animals get by sheltering in hollows and bushes, providing some sort of roof and at least three walls is better for pastured animals. While it doesn't HAVE to be, making it tall enough for you to walk into helps a lot - you should plan on cleaning it out at least once a month.... And, depending on the pasture in question, and on where you live, you will almost certainly have to feed hay in the winter, so you need to be able to store that safely sheltered from both the wet and the donkeys, AND be able to get a truck nearby to unload it, so plan on that as well. You will have to provide water, so plan on access to a hose to refill the trough - it should be dumped and scrubbed about once a week, both to keep the mosquito population down and to keep the algae and junk off the sides and bottom. In winter, you need to keep it thawed, so access to electricity to be able to put in a heater helps. Both minis and donkeys benefit, in terms of health as well as socialization and manners, from regular handling and grooming - you get to remind them that they have to behave, and check them over for any cuts or scrapes, as well as keeping them tidy and keeping their coats, manes and tails in order. Having them trained - and reminded - to lead and tie helps both you and any people working on them - they will need the blacksmith, as I said above, but also an annual veterinary visit - to pull blood for Coggins tests, as well as for whatever vaccinations are necessary in your area. Having the vet be familiar with you and your animals helps if you have an emergency. Regular worming is also a good idea - you MIGHT be able to manage with 2 or 3 times a year, or need it done every 6-8 weeks - it depends on if they are the only equines on the property, and if they or others come and go, to be exposed to parasites. Discuss it with your vet.... You don't need to, and probably shouldn't, grain either minis or donkeys, but catching them once in a while, just to be nice to them, helps you catch them when you NEED to catch them, and an occasional treat won't hurt. You can use apples or carrots - if they like them - some don't and some learn to - or a handful of grain, bread, or a manufactured horse treat. If they get too pushy about treats, stop giving them.

It might have been a geographical thing maybe. I know when my son was growing up these were very popular in N NY gardens. My first thot was a planter but I thot it would be cute to put a baby in the cart for now. Later it may be a planter.

That's what I'm exactly afraid of with enameled cast iron made in China! Now I'm glad I bought Le Creuset, Staub, and some pieces made in France at Bed, Bath, & Beyond (can't remember the brand now, but it was a little less expensive than the others). So far, no trouble with any of them. And I don't "baby" them, I actually made the no-knead bread in a Le Creuset 5 qt. casserole. I did buy them discounted at the outlet or in Home Goods, T.J. Maxx, Tuesday Morning, and Marshall's. I even have an All-Clad piece (made in the USA-my favorite thing) and a Scanpan from one of those stores. But with all the other good reviews, I'm still tempted to check out the ones in Aldi's, even though I don't need another pot! I seem to be awfully tempted with kitchen (cooking) things!

Thank you! It is gorgeous and I'd wanted one for years, but wouldn't bit the bullet. My parents sold their second home, across the dam from us, a few years ago. DH and I handled everything from lining up movers, donation truck, RE agent and repairs. I filled up my SUV with pillows and accessories to stage the house for the photographer (after private items/clothing were removed). Then came the semi-long list of things to do after inspection, and more packing/moving. DH was gifted Mom's golf cart (still cost us a small fortune to buy it six new batteries). The gbabies love going for rides, so well worth it. I had suggested and found it locally for them, so I was quick to answer "THE BENCH!!" when I was asked "what would you like to have?" The side table seems to have a lot of detail, like my reindeer. If so, it would hold up well outside if out of the elements. Does it say "safe for outdoor use?"