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Member
Posts: 38
| Recently picked up a mini donkey as a companion for my horse. She is about a year old, and hasn't been handled much. She's got a nice temper, not mean at all, but very shy and only halter broke. Eventually I would like to use her as a hauling buddy, so how do I train her to walk on a lead? She is very stubborn...but loves treats. Right now I'm working on gaining her trust, and we're making good progress so far.
Also have some maintenance questions for them...
Do you vaccinate them like you do horses?
Do you get their feet done as often as a regular sized horse?
She also has a runny nose, and has been lying down a lot and seems very itchy...is this any cause for concern?
Thanks :) | |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
  
Location: In The Land of Cotton | I vaccinate mine like a regular horse. Their feet get done too on a schedule. They get de wormed also.
I know mine has a thick under coat and it is coarse hair.
I used the old pressure release with mine to teach him to lead. They can be different from a horse, that is for sure. Fairweather on here has recently taken in a donkey and she has taught him to lead etc. Maybe she will see this and respond. | |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | She has a cold or something else if she laying because of get the vet out treat it and vaccinate when well.if you can get her off balance to try and lead in a circle never straight on they only learn to pull against you. Tap on the butt to get the feet moving and reward her when she does. They are very smart and will get it quickly. How fun she will be. | |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
 
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I've trained a lot of horses but I wound up with my first jack donkey about a month and half ago -- you couldn't get within 20 feet! He was a rescue case that the neighbors turned loose in the neighborhood when animal control starting putting pressure on them.
I've got him leading and picking up his feet and I've started to introduce the rasp this past week. Hoping to get him gelded very soon now that we can handle him some.
Biggest thing I've learned so far is that they are a LOT different in how they think and react. They get rattled and stay rattled a whole lot easier, and they hold grudges. Because of that, I've been more open to using treats -- I don't use treats for training with horses. The treats made a big difference as far initially helping to make some progress.
He was really more comfortable with me touching his hind end and tail than he was his face or shoulders so that's where I started. He was still wild as a buck but he'd come backing up towards me really slow... talk about a funny feeling! But he figured out really quick that he loved his tail rubbed and I used that to gain access to everywhere else.
What I did was instead of concentrating on trying to make him let me pet an area, I would rub that area for a half second and immediately leave it. I would start where he was comfortable and gradually work my way into other areas.
I also used a lot of routine --- every time I fed him, I'd make it an opportunity to touch and pet. The routine also helped him to be easier to pet -- he knew it was time to come in to eat so he was less likely to run.
When it came time to actually lead, I started out by using a bucket of feed --- take a step, let him have a bite. After a few times of that, I gradually weaned the feed down to where he wasn't getting any and was getting scratches instead.
To start out, I always asked with pressure and release diagnally off to the side -- that way he's off balance and will take a step -- disengaging the hip helps to get them freed up. To free him up a little more, I used a butt rope while I led him -- all the time still doing pressure and release.
To get the feet, I used a soft rope and lifted with that first -- same thing pressure and release. Then I started picking his feet up by hand.
Biggest "principals" that I use is use pressure and release followed by tons of rubbing on itchy spots. Use treats when I start something new. They always notice everything new --- I used a different type leadrope and he wasn't too sure about that. So keep that in mind when you change something - it unsettles them. Try to set it up where it's their idea.
Our donkey has come a long ways.... he brays every time I walk off or he sees me come to the barn, follows my truck down the fence line, and wants scratched every changes he gets. So I think we're making progress!
As far as vaccinations... I've always been told they're vaccinated just like the horses are. Feet, they could go longer - they're tougher.
As far as snotty nose and lethargy, sounds like it's time for the vet. Have you taken a temp? There's a lot of things it could be... shipping fever, strangles, etc.
You'll have to post pics!!!
Here's Oscar...
 (notahappydonkey.jpg)
 (donkeybutt.png)
 (spring oscar.jpg)
 (butt oscar.jpg)
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 notahappydonkey.jpg (87KB - 156 downloads)
donkeybutt.png (89KB - 158 downloads)
spring oscar.jpg (12KB - 166 downloads)
butt oscar.jpg (10KB - 168 downloads)
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Regular
Posts: 60
| I was so lucky when I got my donkey. He leads great and picks up his feet. He loves people and is very gentle. He will not let you ride him though! | |
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