Special discount for knowitall.ch readers! (see conditions below)
If you have ever spent any time with a donkey you will realize how rewarding they can be, especially for young children. You can pet them, brush them, ride on their backs and even be led on a carriage by them, they are such versatile, easy-going animals!
One person who recognized the true value of donkeys at a very young age is Ursula Bivans, current owner of 13 donkeys at the popular Elevage des Charmilles, located in stunning countryside near Dardagny, to the west of Geneva.
Ursula told knowitall.ch, “As a child, I decided that when I was older, I would have a donkey that would never work, to make up a little bit for all the poor, overworked donkeys in the world. My dream came true in 1980 with the arrival of Benny. I soon discovered that donkeys don’t like to live alone, so I got her some girlfriends and eventually a handsome boyfriend. Over the years they had many babies, some of which I sold, but donkeys are so lovable that this was getting more and more difficult. So I quit breeding and selling them.”
She continued, “I noticed over the years that donkeys love being around people and doing things with them. I started giving donkey rides at different places like “Signal de Bougy”. I also invited customers to my pasture so they could meet free ranging donkeys, which love being petted, and I started giving rides in a donkey-drawn carriage so that parents and children could have fun together.”
Ursula’s business was formally set up in 2001 at the Elevage des Chamilles, set in beautiful countryside near the village of Dardagny, an ideal location for donkeys to roam the land. Ursula now offers a number of donkey packages for clients who are looking for a special activity to do with children.
On Wednesdays, she invites groups of children to meet the donkeys in their natural habitat. Ursula welcomes the children with two saddled donkeys, so they can each enjoy a short ride, led by her towards the pasture, where the donkeys are finally released to roam freely with the other donkeys. This is a wonderful taster for anyone thinking about starting horse riding lessons. A small house with a covered terrace is located in the middle of the 2.5 hectare pasture and is perfect for sheltered picnics should it rain.The cost for a typical group outing like this is Fr. 300.- per day.
On Saturdays and Sundays, families can travel together on a donkey drawn carriage along the Plateau de la Donzelle. The carriage can take up to two adults with two children, three adults alone, or one adult with three child. The cost for one ride is Fr. 20.-.
However, one of the biggest demands for Ursula’s donkeys is for special events. For just Fr. 300.- plus Fr. 50.- transportation costs, Ursula will bring two donkeys to your special occasion for the afternoon, be it a children’s birthday party, family gathering, company party, or neighborhood event such as a local market.
Indeed, if you take a look at the Agenda page on Ursula’s website, you can see some of the public events where her donkeys have already been booked in 2015, giving rides to children up to 12 years of age. You can also check her availability throughout the summer, as many dates have now already been reserved for private events.
If you explore the website further, you will also discover lots of fun facts about donkeys, which can help to prepare your children for their next encounter with a donkey!
To enable more children to experience the pleasure of being with a donkey, Ursula is offering a special 5% discount for knowitall.ch readers who book her services for a special event during 2015. Just mention this article on the knowitall.ch website when you make your booking. Thanks, Ursula, for this great offer!
Ursula Bivans
Elevage des Charmilles
Route du Mandement 333
CH-1281 Russin
079 750 69 07
http://www.elevage-des-charmilles.com
http://www.elevage-des-charmilles.com/NosServicesEnglish.html (English page)
