The Spiked Lil’ Burro: Indiana’s Newest Business Featuring a Donkey Bartender

My Mini-Donkey Dream

Last Christmas, I made a very specific request to Husband-Claus: I wanted a mini-donkey. Those little hee-haws are just so darn cute with those big ole ears. Instead, I got a computer. Now, I can't complain, it's a really nice computer—but the longing for a mini-donkey still lingers!

Living the Dream: Kaelen Rice and Her Beer Burro

Today, while scrolling through Facebook, I stumbled upon something on Evansville 411 News that made my mini-donkey dreams come true (well, sort of). Kaelen Rice from Mt. Vernon, Indiana, has launched The Spiked Lil Burro—and it’s already a huge hit. Kaelen, a bartender by trade, is assisted by her mini-donkey, Bush, who’s not just any donkey. He’s a "beer burro," delivering drinks to guests at events.

Isn't that just the cutest thing ever? I had the chance to chat with Kaelen about her fun new business, and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you.

Kaelen's Life with Animals: Not Your Average Barnyard

Kaelen isn't just about hanging out at events with her donkey. She's a serious equestrian who spends her time taking care of six horses, two donkeys, two llamas, 13 mini cows, and even an emu! Her equine family ranges from a Clysdale named Guinness to a mini-horse named Moonshine.

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From TikTok Inspiration to Reality

Kaelen’s journey to creating The Spiked Lil Burro started after seeing a TikTok video about a "beer burro." She and her mom were hooked, but they had one little problem: they already had a donkey named Radar, and while Radar was great for protecting the cows (donkeys are excellent at chasing off predators like coyotes), he wasn't quite cut out for beer delivery duty.

So, Kaelen and her mom set off on a quest to find the perfect mini-donkey. After some searching, they found him in Alabama! Kaelen told me she met Bush’s previous family in Arkansas to bring him home, and the real work began: pack training.

Kaelen’s no stranger to animal training; she’s trained and shown Saddlebreds and Hackney ponies and even barrel races her big Clydesdale, Guinness. And yes, you read that right—Guinness, despite being a giant, loves barrel racing, even though he’s not exactly built for speed. She said that he's not terribly fast but has a blast so she gets him to barrel races whenever she can.

Meet Moonshine & Guinness: Future Beer Burros

While Bush is already the star of the show, Guinness and Moonshine are about to join the crew. Moonshine may not carry much (he’s a little too small for heavy packs), but Kaelen has some adorable outfits that event-goers can choose for Bush and Moonshine to wear.

What to Expect from The Spiked Lil Burro

While Kaelen is a licensed bartender, she doesn’t hold a liquor license. That means if you're booking The Spiked Lil Burro for your event, you'll need to work with your favorite catering company to bring in the alcohol. She also works with St. Phillips Inn if you don't have a caterer in mind. Kaelen and Bush will then deliver the drinks to your guests, ensuring they’re entertained by both the mini-donkey and the drinks.

Kaelen told me that they officially launched on January 1st but did some practice events before the initial launch. They've done weddings, parties, and even trick-or-treating. Bush and Moonshine love attention and have a great time when they are at events.

Meet Bush in Person at the Ultimate Wedding Expo

Want to see Kaelen and Bush in action? They’ll be at the Ultimate Wedding Expo on February 23, and they’re working on getting Bush a spot outside, so look for the little donkey when you arrive! Who knows? You might decide you need a beer burro at your next big event.

I think it's safe to say that Kaelen and her four-legged bartender are going to be a hit—and they might just fulfill my mini-donkey dreams for me, one event at a time!

Ready to Book Your Donkey?

Give Kaelen a call at 812-575-9820 or visit them online at thespikedlilburro.com.

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