“Juliet lived a life full of happiness and unconditional love from our family, and what she gave us in return was so much more than that.”
On 12th February 2026, Bransby Juliet, a donkey rescued back in 2001, sadly passed away after deteriorating unexpectedly, leaving a large hole in the hearts of her family. Juliet was the final member of “The Shakespeare Group” who all arrived almost 25 years ago, leaving behind a legacy that we’d like to pay tribute to.
Rehoming an equine with Bransby Horses is a commitment that can span decades, change your life and create memories that will last forever. As is Juliet’s story, who, along with nine others, was rescued from neglect.
Some of our long-standing supporters may remember this story from 2001, where 10 donkeys, a horse, five goats and a duck were removed from an elderly owner by the RSPCA, as their needs were no longer being met. The 10 donkeys and one horse were signed over into the care of Bransby Horses and named after characters from Shakespeare’s plays. Gertrude, Cleo, Titania, Othelia, Juliet, Othello, Hamlet, Puck, Romeo and Bottom all showed signs of neglect, with some of the older donkeys in a desperate condition.
Juliet, Gertrude, Cleo and Othelia had very overgrown and twisted feet that needed immediate farrier attention, and all were very malnourished. Juliet and Gertrude were both nursing two sets of foals and expected to foal again very soon, which was affecting their recovery. The team weaned the older boys, Puck and Bottom, first before later weaning Othello and Hamlet, giving the mums a better chance at rehabilitation.
Two new additions
The expected foals, named William and Cobweb, were born to Gertude and Juliet in June 2002 and August 2002, respectively, bringing the total number of Shakespeare donkeys up to 12.
Their rehabilitation journey took time, given the severity of neglect. It took months of hard work by both the Veterinary team and the farrier just to get their feet back to normal. Romeo, the stallion, also needed to be castrated before becoming available for rehoming, and William and Cobweb needed to be weaned.
Over the following years, Juliet wasn’t the only one to find a new home. Puck, Bottom, Othello and Hamlet were all rehomed together, Gertrude was fostered by Bransby Horses volunteer Sandra, and William and Cobweb found their Perfect Partner as a bonded pair. Just Cleo, Titania and Othelia remained on site at Bransby Horses, as their hooves required too much work and ongoing care.
Juliet's Story
Juliet and Romeo were rehomed together in 2004, where three children would grow up with the constant presence of the Shakespeare donkeys. “Sadly, we lost Romeo too early in February 2010,” explained Darcy, who was just six years old when Romeo and Juliet first came to live with them. “After which Juliet showed her true resilience and courage. She battled through the grief of her bonded companion, stepping up as one of the ponies and found her place independently where thankfully she managed to thrive and find her peace within the herd.
“Throughout the years Juliet had many important roles. She protected young lambs; she was a perfect perch for chickens and a kind mentor for new horses that joined the family. She was chief midwife when we welcomed thoroughbred foals into the world and she taught the young stock how to be brave and composed.
“Little Juliet withstood more loss as we said goodbye to her best friend our Connemara mare Enya a few years later, leaving Jules to become “one of the boys” alongside our Welsh pony Dazzle and Bransby Shetland Nestle. Once again, she showed remarkable strength and her wise and loveable personality continued to shine.”
For 22 years, Juliet knew nothing but love and care, a far cry from her life before Bransby Horses and before the Minihane family. She thrived in her home, becoming a permanent fixture of the farm, greeting her loved ones with a loud bray each morning.
Juliet wasn’t just a donkey, she was a member of the family, a family who are feeling her loss deeply. “Juliet’s bond with people was unmatched, she was a calm in all the chaos, an anchor when the waves got rough for us and a pillar of true strength. Tara, myself and Shay were 2, 6 and 9 when the donkeys came home and now at 24, 28 and 31 we don’t know a life without Juliet in it, and we have to adjust to our farm being a lonelier place without her.
“Most importantly Juliet lived a life full of happiness and unconditional love from our family, and what she gave us in return was so much more than that. Now she has gone home to be reunited with Romeo, Enya, and her children and friends she was rescued with 25 years ago.”
We’re extremely grateful to this family who provided Juliet with a loving home, for 22 years, making her one of the longest fostered equines at Bransby Horses. While the final chapter of the Shakespeare group has come to a close, there are many more stories still left open.
If you are interested in rehoming an equine with Bransby Horses, you can view our current available equines online and submit an application. To get in touch with our Rehoming Team, please email rehoming@bransbyhorses.co.uk.
