donkey stuff

Question
Hi Lisa,

I bought a family of donkeys from an old gentleman who used then to clean his field and gave them no training.

I have had no previous equine experience, but all appears to be going well other than with Daddy Donk.

He is lovely, gentle and affectionate, but I am struggling a bit leading him (although will probably get there) but his problem is gates (and any other unusual thing to pass through). I want to move him from time to time from his tired field to chew some lovely pasture nearby... but he won't go anywhere. Mummy and Baby are happily off munching, but Daddy sits in his field howling for his lost loved ones!

Can you help me with any pointers as to how i can reassure him?

Regards,

Paul

Answer
Hi Paul,
           The one thing I have learnt about donkeys is that they are unlike any other equines. They have minds of their own. You need to earn their trust. Daddy donk will lead when he wants to, not when you want him to <g>. I would get Daddy Donk gelded if he is not already. A Jack can turn vicious in a second and can kill a human. Make your lessons short. I have used a few things to get a donkey to either go through a gate or lead. You can tie him at the gate so that he thinks about it or you take a long lead rope, put one end around a solid object and slowly and gradually take up slack as he moves and draw him through the gate. Have another person behind him gently shooing him forward. Donkeys are great animals. I hope you enjoy yours.

Lisa