Donkey walk

I have decided to buy Bellis the donkey, even after my offer was refused.
I thought oh heck just do it, whatever it takes. So today my man placed an order for 150E worth of fencing so we can add another strand to our too-high fence for a smaller animal to live behind. The lady did knock off 50E from her original price, a compromise as she called it, but then she's asking me to pay gas for the donkey delivery. Ugh. That's gonna be just over 50 euros. But having a transport option is nice, so I should be happy. The thing that makes this donkey special is that she apparently loves horses, has lived with only horses for years, and even grooms them. I think that makes her an exemplary donkey for Baasha and worth the price (although all animals are priced high here, IMO.)

Now to get Baasha over his fear of donkeys. He's such a laid-back, easy horse, I know that a donkey in his environment won't take long for him to adapt to. And Melissa said it takes horses about 2 days on average to adjust to a donkey, and then they adore their donkey.

I got to experience this today, what Melissa said, how horses jealously guard their donkeys.

I got Baasha prettied up and packed a bag with carrots and an extra coat if it rained.

We walked 3 kilometers to a place I'd never taken Baasha, the little town of Stumpf by the gas station owned by Herr Braun who has all the pony coaches going by. The pony coach went by on our way there and Baasha fruck out! If only a photographer had been there, he turned into a show stallion! Tail straight up, neck higher than I thought possible, snorting big long rumbling terror noises, standing a little splayed and then pawing the air with one leg. I moved him back from the street, but still in view of the ponies to not startle them, so that they could pass. But then I asked them to stop because I wanted to know about donkeys in the area. The guys said, "Ask Herr Braun!" So I will, if I get lucky and he's at his gas station next time I go.

I found it funny that those ponies were unwilling to stand still while we chatted. They started rearing up insolently. Ah, I remember the days, driving horses in the city, having them rear up at red lights.(Not fun!)

About half way there my new Ariats were giving me a blister, agh. That doesn't usually happen. Oh well.

I'd driven by earlier to be sure the horses+donkey were there, but as we arrived, I saw just an empty field. *sigh* I started walking along the fenceline, hoping desperately we were not trespassing. I saw a horse's head down the hillside. A big chestnut came prancing up and rushed right toward us and I thought oh no he's gonna go right through the fence! Baasha was straining toward him and I quickly backed him off, thinking that horse was gonna attack him. But he didn't, but he sure did press his enormous self against the rails. I was sure they'd break. A dark bay lame mare came running up, the donkey following. Baasha saw the donkey and sounded the alarm.

You know the alarm call of horses. A loud blow that echoes over the hills, "Danger!"

I gave him carrots. Lots. Get over this please!

I threw some carrots at the horses but they were too fixated on Baasha. I hand fed the enormous chestnut apprehensively.

I kept Baasha back and fed him carrots almost non stop.

The donkey was curious but every time he tried to come to the fence, the mare chased him back fiercely. She was almost three legged lame, but she kept that donkey back away from us. I thought if I could just give her carrots...but the chestnut would not allow it.

He would spin around and canter a circle and make the earth shake and kick his heels straight up and get the other two going as well. I thought surely someone is gonna come up here and yell at me. But I don't think the owner's house is in view of that part of the pasture.

Then again, you never can tell which house owns which pasture in Germany, and then again, the horses themselves are often renters so the owner is nowhere near.

Finally an older couple came out and the first thing I said was "My horse is afraid of donkeys and I'd hoped to show him this one here."

The man said, "Oh that mare won't let that donkey near him!" I said, "Yes I noticed."

Then he said, "The donkey is nothing to fear," to Baasha, and asked his name and stroked him.

They are related to the owner of those animals, and they asked my name and where we live. I told them and then thanked them very much and left.

The chestnut was tearing around again, flinging mud and prancing like an amazing dressage horse. What a horse he is, so big and powerful and commanding.

That donkey cantered as fast as he could when herded around, but I noticed the mare did not bite him, nor run him down, she kept to his little-legged pace.

On the way home Baasha saw his reflection in a drink shop (in Germany there are stores that sell only beverages). He neighed to it!

I politely walked into the street when I saw a lady and a baby stroller coming toward us. She smiled at me and then we were both staring up at the sky, watching a  V of geese returning from the South. How wonderful! It made her so happy she spoke to me, a stranger, "It's going to be Spring soon!" I said, "I have hope now!"

And as we both stood there staring up at the sky, a car came and had to stop because here I am, and this white horse, in the middle of the lane. Oops! Well, I hope he understands country living!

Almost home, a car slowed and came to a stop next to us. I knew it, it was my man, coming back from geocaching. I told him that we'd just attempted another cache on our way home, Baasha and me, but I still cannot find it.

Now Baasha and I are both a little sore. (The photo shows fields around the corner from our house - apparently they spread manure recently.)

This little hut is in a field adjacent to our field. I've never seen anyone go in or out of it. My sneaky side really longs to break in there and see what's inside.

Now Baasha is snacking on hay and I'm about to bake some turkey legs I found. I couldn't believe it, turkey legs! Just like at a Renn Faire! Hope I don't screw up..

The photos are from our walk today, see how dismal it is here?

The reason I have no photo of that donkey and those horses - well, I was too afraid that chestnut was going to crash through that fence or spring over it and attack us. The thought of camera never occured to me.

The thought of having a donkey here as a gentle, safe companion for my dear Baasha.....oh my, I cannot wait!