How Rio came into my life
After purchasing Lily in January of 2007, I was working hard physically to build her paddock and two walk- in barns so we could bring her home. Additionally, I had one more important job, “I needed to get another horse past Scott” so Lily would not go crazy when left alone on our five acres. Equine are very parallel to humans when placed in a small barn, stall or a paddock without another equine in that they mentally, emotionally and physically start to fall apart. This is what jails do to punish humans when they break the rules; they place them in solitary confinement. My husband Scott told me I should look into a mini donkey for her companion as he was having nothing to do with the horse ever. I was not convinced this was going to work as I could see the mini donkey would not be tall enough to groom her.
On my 47th birthday I drove up to Mass Ass Acres (MAA) and I fell in love with Rio. Rio was nine months old with tons of brown and white donkey fur and he looked like a stuffed animal, he did not look real. The first time I saw him he was playing tug utilizing his food bowl with his best buddy “Rocket Man" a mini donkey. I remember walking up to him for the first time in a large pasture, he walked right up to me and placed his big head in my chest and left it there for at least 30 seconds. He was so different than the horse. Kelly & Richard Probst, the barn managers, assured me that he would grow tall enough for Scott to ride with me on the trails and I was assured of this when I was introduced to his aunts, cousins, mother, father and basically his whole family. I was sure this was a better fit for Lily than a mini donkey. I could take my time helping Scott get over his fear of horses and he could ride with me on the trails when Rio and Lily grew up; afterall Rio was just a baby Mammoth donkey.
What Rio has taught me
Finally, on August 2nd, 2007 we brought Rio home at age one with Rocket Man. Lily came home on August 3rd, 2007 and the three of them have always worked things out. Lily is the leader, next Rocket Man and then Rio; as donkey’s hierarchy is age. The oldest one rules! Rio and Lily enjoy one another, they groom one another standing like book ends, the donkey and horse heads wrapped and entwined in their essence daily. Having no experience with donkeys other than a ride down the Grand Canyon as a kid (nine years old) I had much to learn.
Rio is very unique and special. He has always had the presence that he is older, he is an “old soul” donkey. Rio taught me quickly how physically strong donkeys are and flexible...... truly amazing. Rio has taught me to be more humble; I think about how Jesus picked the donkey to ride, I am grateful for the equine Jesus chose to ride. Rio is three now, he is a left brained introvert thanks to Parelli training. In the beginning, he was a right brained introvert and because of his size if he explodes it is more intense. He currently wears a draft size halter and is almost 16 hands tall at the butt. Rio has taught me how to teach the equine who is very introverted to learn and most important wait for another day before asking again. He learns very fast, but takes time to process information. Additionally, Rio is visual and he can learn by watching Lily. Rio taught me that you cannot make a donkey do anything, cannot bribe them with treats, cannot move their feet if they are scared or concerned. Donkeys can get so scared they cannot hear you, they just go introverted. Luckily, I have only seen him do this once after a trail walk on the lead line. He got over overwhelmed when it was time to trailer load and go home. Luckily, I knew what to do to get him in the trailer. Rio keeps my horse calm as he stands still when the wind comes hard, and some times he just lays down and eats the leaves in the middle of the storm. The most important ingredient I have learned from Rio is your human/equine relationship. The human/equine relationship must be resistance free! I use “parelli” methods with a donkey; clear leadership, fair, and respectful training. Everything the horse dreams of the donkey demands. The hearing of the donkey is brilliant and they hear noises faster than the horse and their vision is incredible. Donkeys are into self preservation so they do not generally do anything that could harm themselves. Donkeys will learn from a human they trust and respect. If the ears are straight ahead all is well. Rio has taught me that “I can teach a donkey to do anything I can teach the horse” and much, much more!
My goals for Rio
Rio is the ambassador for the Mammoth donkey as his conformation, personality and size are perfect. Rio will be an outstanding trail donkey carrying the most important human in my life, my husband Scott. Rio will take care of every human whom sits on his back as he is a donkey who has been trained with Parelli and he is very special. No human has ever hurt him or betrayed him. Rio will be trained to pull a cart and do some dressage, and of course all of the Parelli games. Rio will help the human to believe in the donkey. Rio is going to prove that the Mammoth donkey is truly the best trail riding equine for the introverted, older (over forty) or disabled human. |
