Training FAQ's

Q: Should a donkey always wear a halter, or should it be put on each time it is needed?

A. Please never leave a halter on any equine as they can cause strangulation and much more. There is no need to leave a halter on when you train the equine to catch you. (Smile)
Train your equine (donkey, horse or mule) to catch you. I have created a blog on the dangers and abuse of leaving halters on.

Here is the article I wrote on my blog to provide the dangers of leaving the halter on the equine.

http://donkeywhispererfarm2010.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/

Q: Where do I begin to train my donkey he/she is afraid of me and I am afraid of him/her?

A: My answer is always the same; study Parelli get your gear carrot stick, rope halter learn how to use your carrot stick and get your timing in place. The carrot stick is not to abuse the equine it is to rub them and to protect you from being kicked, bite or knocked down. Next; play the friendly game make sure the donkey has little space to leave you when working on this and have some carrots or a green apple low in sugar. Make sure when you are playing the friendly game you are in a safe position to not get kicked as the donkey, horse or mule is terrified of you. Try and think how you feel when you are terrified this is not a fun place to be. Try and spend no more than 10 minutes two and three times per day touching your donkey with your carrot stick and giving him/her a bite of green apple or carrot. The equine that will not eat food is truly terrified and this means you must spend more time proving you are a good human leader and you feed them, water them and rub them etc. When your donkey is no longer afraid of you make it a habit to try and brush him/her in their favorite places many times a week. Remember donkey’s ears are fragile so be careful when brushing and rubbing them as humans can break the cartligiage of their ears and they will not stand up any more.

Q: I am trying to teach my donkey to lead and he/she will not move the feet. What can I do?

A: My answer; first make sure your donkey is not sick and is a healthy donkey. Learn Parelli use your carrot stick as an extension of your arm and play the friendly game in a small space. Practice leading in a small space before attempting to go out into the open as donkeys are really strong. Make sure you have the verbal commands, walk, whoa, backup, over (porcupine game) in place before stepping out into the open for walks. In the beginning small cut pieces of carrots and a green apple help with learning how to lead I do train with treats in the beginning and surprise them every now and again later.

Q: At what age can I start riding my donkey?

A: Please see this article on the growth plates of equine before spending a lot of time riding. 

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com/whentostartanequine.htm

At two years old I start using circingles with some saddle bags for weight and Parelli’s bareback that has a real cinch really helps in emulating the weight and feeling the equine is moving towards. I never spend more than fifteen minutes on a young equine when teaching how to carry their weight and the human. So much to teach a youngster before swinging the leg over. Study Parelli and learn what you can do to prepare your youngster before swinging the leg over. Parelli makes and sells a bareback pad that has a real cinch used to emulate the saddle I highly suggest you learn how to use this tool and get them use to this saddle pad as Parelli teaches immediately as this is a life long process that they will need to master putting up with the cinch on. Parelli teaches in detail how to approach the equine with the tools and how to gently cinch them up.