Miniature Donkey trust issues

Question
Hi,
I have a miniature jennet donkey that seems to have some trust issues.  Whenever I go into the pasture with a halter she runs away from me.  I know for a fact that she has never been abused as I purchased her as a yearling from a respectable breeder.
Thas is not what Ineed help with however.  When I am leading her, she only moves forward when I am either atleast 2 feet infront of her, or behind her shoulder.  If I am behind her and step infront of her she emediatly stops.  Also, If I am walking in front of her she will only go at a walk and not a trot.  From behind, when I make a clicking noise she moves forward quickly, but when I am infront of her she just stands there.
She seems to think that I am terrifying although all I have ever been is gentle.
Do you have any advice?
Thanks so much!
Amira

Answer
Let me preface this by saying I am not a donkey expert. I will give you my input but I know their nature differs from the horses a great deal. I also know that they are extremely intelligent. As far as the trust issues I don't know many horses that if you come out with a halter(which to them equates to working) won't move off from you. I make it a habit to usually have a halter in my hand when I go out in the pasture with my horses so they don't think much of it, and get used to it being just another part of me. I also make it a habit to go out with horse cookies or carrots so they associate me with good things! I don't use halters much to bring my horses in rather I walk up to them quietly and start to scratch them for a few minutes then all have been taught to lead with just an arm around their necks. When we reach the barn I will halter them if I need to tie them for one reason or another. I think just getting your little girl to associate you with good things when you come out to get her and maybe the scratching thing after a treat and quietly slip a halter on. You could also just put the halter in your pocket and then approach her give her a treat and a scratch then put it on? Leading I always walk at the shoulder and teach them walk and trot words so they just start to pick those word up. So I start off with looking forward and just start to stride off and at the same time tell them walk on firmly. If they plant their feet I have a whip fairly long to reach their hinnys and will again start off tell them walk and immediately give them a tap. Usually it gets them to walk and I praise the crap out of them.Give a little treat and continue with the exercise for a few more times until they start off at the walk when I say the word and walk off my self. I will stop if they do it a couple of times and give lavish praise. I practice this for a number of days until they have it down and I can drop the every time treat thing and just praise them. Just remember it is time and patience that will be the way to get it across. As well as lots of praise. Then comes the trot in the same way. I don't walk ahead of my horse of behind. Behind you are a preditor they can't see and cause some fear and in front of them means stop. The only time I step to the front of my horse is to set up for a halter training session. The whip is a good teaching tool or you can even use a long lead with the end in your whip hand and if they don't step off with you then a gentle reminder is usually all it takes. Training is tedious and some horses are a little nervous and need some extra time. I find teaching them a word to associate with what I want works well. If you plan to drive her then when you go from the leading at a walk and trot and whoa and she learns the words when you go to start the ground driving she will know what you want verbally. I think the more messing around with them in the barn brushing or just scratching or whatever starts to build a bond and once the bond is there they are more willing to trust you. I have a mare who is scared of her own shadow and though she trusts me is still afraid of things. I recently started to train her and she has issues but we are working through them. Her defense is to rear when she is pushed so we are going so far then stopping on a good note. I know there are probably donkey specific message boards and they might be of better help to you? I hope some of this helps and let me know if you still have problems. Good luck. Melissa