Baasha's record booklet was out, and Bellis' formal EquidenPass, so we could see what's been done together.
Then, surprise - the vet showed me the pages in Bellis' Pass where medications are entered for slaughter control. The question that I did not expect was posed, "Is this donkey intended for slaughter?" For the first time being asked that question, I hesitated. I don't honestly know. Slaughter here is different than back home. A horse can be humanely put down at home, and used for meat - even donkeys. (Who eats donkeys? The vet said it's true, there's a market for it.) The vet said I don't have to decide today. I will think about this. If she has an acute injury, of course she'll be euthanized.
So we started with vaccines and worming - have my requirements changed? What is this lungworm donkeys can transmit to horses? (I think normal Ivermectin treats them - is this correct?)
Bellis was due for Tetanus, and got that, but Baasha had a Tetanus last fall so didn't need one. Actually, that's it. Vaccinations are easy in Germany. It's just Tetanus, Rhino (Herpes)/Flu, and Rabies if you believe you need it (I don't - generations of veterinarians in Germany have never seen a case). Rhino/Flu is only required if we travel.
Worming - both equines will get my last Strongid tubes from America today. Bellis took hers already but Baasha is snoring still so I'll get to it later.
Baasha is in la-la land right now because he had to have his incisors trimmed. Oh, Bellis had her teeth filed too, easily with a rasp and no sedation. She was very good for this uncomfortable procedure and I'm so pleased. She got lots of praise from both of us! Afterwards, the vet checked Baasha's sheath but found nothing. Good work lytha, keep it up: ) (Unbelievable - even with two doses of sedation, he's shy and only barely shows it to us.)
Baasha was very concerned when we were working on Bellis, nickering and pawing. As soon as it was Baasha's turn, we locked Bellis in the stall (first time) and as soon as he was asleep, she kept staring at him. She's standing quietly right next to him (other side of the wall), it's easy to anthropomorphize and think she's mothering him. He certainly acts like a baby around her.
This really concerned me today, as I let them out together this morning: he shadows her to the point where it gets annoying, and since he's acting like such a foal, she does push him around a bit. Not cruelly like those ponies, just "get outta my way you big baby" and he obliges of course. I hate that a donkey is dominating my horse, but really, what did I expect. I guess I was hoping. It still could change, when he finally calms down and realizes she's not going anywhere. The important thing is, she's not mean to him. I cannot wait til she comes in heat - that should really shake things up. I just hope she's not loud in heat. So far she brays incredibly loud 2-3 times per day. It's horrible but could be worse. I never respond when she does this. In fact if she brays when she sees me, I turn around and go away.
Training is a real challenge and I'm gonna back off until I get some more advice. Everyone says you cannot treat them like horses, but I haven't found anything about how you *are* supposed to treat them, besides lots of bribery. She's so mouthy I shouldn't be using treats, but maybe only during the confines of lessons. The vet said donkeys are stubborn, what I've heard many donkey people deny, saying "They're just deliberating." Well I don't understand what there is to deliberate when I'm asking her to move over, when sometimes she does, and sometimes she doesn't.
It's really odd how the donkey wants to be "all over me" - she wants in my bubble and it just feels so wrong, but I don't know enough to know what to do. I poke her away but don't get much reaction. Is it possible to maintain your own bubble with a donkey?
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9 comments:
I've been traveling and have missed so much! Luckily you have many experienced donkey folk here to comment.
I'm so excited that Baasha has a friend! Okay, so he is a little co-dependent. But really, maybe having a friend is worth it. You're there to make sure he eats, the space is big, and it sounds like he is happy with the company.
My limited experience was that training our donkey who lived in the paddock with our guys was exactly like the horses, only more so. I had to be blindingly consistent but it took longer to get the right response.
But all the techniques worked. But it may have just been that donkey.
I'm no help... but I did want to let you know how much I am enjoying reading your blog and hearing about the adventures of Bellis and Baasha!
Baasha has always been co-dependent...I'm just delighted that his new companion is kind to him.
>insert zombie voice<
"PHO-TOS! Must...have....phoooo...tooooos!"
I agree that donkeys are not like horses but some aspects of training can be the same. The biggest differences are that they won't move away from pressure and they require time to "think about it".
Moving her haunches will most likely require a "donkey motivator" (feel free to google, just a plastic bag on a stick). It should startle her enough to move away when you give your cue and you work from there. Same with being in your space, pull it out of your pocket and shake it at her until she backs off.
There was a comparison that found donkey's appear to learn equally fast with positive and negative reinforcement. If she is getting lippy/nosy, flick her in the nose. Works wonders! Alternately rubbing the inside, especially the base, of her ears should make her happier than a any treat will.
Make sure you have an extra dosage of patience when preparing to "train" as you will certainly need it but once they learn it, they don't seem to forget it.
Good luck! I have had a donkey for a little over a year now, what a learning experience. It is worth it in the end.
I am so glad you have a jenny. They are smarter than horses and they do figure things out (deliberate). We halter ours then brush/groom her all over once a day. She stands for that and enjoys it.We talk to her as well. Now she runs up to greet us. When we feed our horses she is fed last only a hand full in the bucket of Manna Pro Max-E-Glo, flax based product. Opal loves her Max-E-Glo.We also had her feet trimmed, they were too long.We are training her to be ridden and it is going well. For when the smaller kids want to ride.You might want to train yours to hold a pack on trail rides for you. That way she gets a job.Good Luck and happy trails.
I'm finding your experiences and thoughts, while you get to know your new donkey, so interesting.
Perhaps, the reason why some people prefer donkeys over horses, is because donkeys act more like big lovable dogs, ie, wanting to be in your space, being petted, scratched and loved on, just as they do with other donkeys.
While horses in a herd, and with people, too, are expected to respect personal space?
This might be one of the reasons that some people choose donkeys over horses...what do you think?
~Lisa
I don't know anything about Donkeys, but I have seen this show on RFDTV and it seems like the lady knows what she is talking about. Here is the website
http://luckythreeranch.com/website/
breathe, thanks for the tip. i will not lose hope!
dreaming, thank you so much.
aarene, it took me an hour but it's ready, the post that proves something happened thru pics. (dude i totally believe that!)
appy, i will certainly check that out! thank you so much!!
ruth, i guess i'll have to work hard to stay ahead of this animal!
lisa, omgosh that's it. they're big dogs. 1. she is always trying to be with me, touch me, she's all over me! 2. she's always putting things in her mouth 3. she actually prefers my company to the horse. 4. she follows me wherever i go, even leaving food. uhh oh, that's not good. i have a full time job!
heather, i looked that up but it seemed to be about riding and mules. i'll check again.
In my limited experience (remember Zep is my first donkey too) the training is the same. You just have to take things slower and be more patient because they a thinkers. They don't do anything without thinking about it first. They are VERY curious.
Things are different for me because Zep wasn't handled during his first three years so he's very skittish! The slightest advance from me sends him bolting across the pasture. So I'm having to do everything opposite from the way you're having to do them.
Clicker training is a great way to teach them because it gives them the opportunity to think things out for themselves. I don't know how well if will work for her since she's not food motivated though. I wish I could be of more help. I have read that donkeys lean into pressure (heck some horses do too), so they have to be taught to move away. I don't know what you're doing when she moves away, but I would suggest (remember I'm no expert) that you press your finger into her hip (doesn't have to be a lot of pressure) and wait. Whens he moves over say yes!, give treat and praise her big time. Tell her she's awesome. She should figure it out that way. If she doesn't move over you can try adding a different cue, like tapping. Sometimes the constant pressure doesn't work with them, so you can try tapping her with a whip (not hard!). The constant, irritating tapping should illicit a response. Also you could try tipping her nose to you just to get the hip to swing away. Once you have her doing that easily you can slowly wean her off of having her nose brought around.
I hope these suggestions help! Have you tried doing searches on Youtube? I learn a lot from watching videos because I'm such a visual learner. Good luck!!
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