On 4/17 I bought a Burro (Donkey) at a livestock auction. This little girl went to the ring with no bids, at the last moment I put a $25.00 bid and won her. She loves attention. I have now owned her one month and would like to start training her to ride and pull a cart. Her past owner has told me that they have let kids sit on her back and they would lead her around. The other day I did get on her back and taped her side asking her to move forward. She would just look back at me as if to say "what are you asking me to do?"
I have noticed that she does not react like a horse does. An example is if I tap my leg and try to send her away she stands in place and looks at me. How can I get her to understand what I am asking of her? I do NOT want to use any whip or stick. What can I do? Has anyone ever worked with a burro or donkey?
Hi Christena - As I have never owned a donky and do not know much about them after reading your post I watched http//www.horseandcountry.tv/episode/monty-and-kelly-horsemanship-essentials-Kelly-and-the-Donkeys
This is a great video and I am sure you will find your answers there - it is also very amusing - particularly the last section with Patty the large donkey. I had lots of laughs so I hope you do to. Anyone with a stubborn horse? This one may work for you too!!
I had trouble going back to this video after posting so try:
http//www.horseandcountry.tv/episode/monty-and-kelly-horsemanship-essentials-kelly-and-the-donkeys
If you can't open it then just go to horseandcountry.tv and type in the title on their search bar.
I have had a few burros, but never tried join up with them, as I had never heard of it. Actually, they belonged to my husband. The first was an old gelding who was trained to pack and ride, and was the most uncomfortable mount I ever had, but I did notice that he would want to take after a dog if one came to chase us, not like a horse, which is more inclined to run away. The next one was a 3 year old jack who was very gentle but unbroke, he and my son, who was the same age, learned together. I put my son on him when they were both 4, and both did fine, but when they were 5, and my son wanted to ride him by himself, Jackie refused to move, so my son came in complaining. He didnt want me out with them, so I was wacthing through the window. My son has a stubborn streak a mile wide, and I told him, are you trying to tell me you cant outstubborn a donkey? He went back out and the next thing I knew, was riding Jackie all over the place with no trouble at all. The one time he fell off, Jackie went through all kinds of maneuvers to keep from stepping on him. Jackie was the only one I ever had anything to do with training, although he was too small for me, but it was easy, probably because he had always been around people and was loved by everyone. My son rode him until he outgrew him, then we were given a shetland becauee nobody could handle him, and he rode him, or tried to, until we got a 6 year old adopted mustang mare, which he broke, he was 11, but Jackie was always our pet. He was the sweetest little guy.
Thanks phantommustang1, My burro comes from Oatman, Arizona. Where the burros are petted and handled from birth. My girl looks at me as if to say "I want to learn but I don't understand." I have been working with clicker training and sign language with her. We are doing really well with this. She currently understands 5 signs. She is VERY smart and understands things fast. Would doing Join up with her mix signers with clicker training or would they work side by side.
Since I never did join up with one, I dont know. But I will say they are VERY smart. So maybe its worth a try.
Kelly Marks tries join up with the donkey that wont load - Patty -and it worked to some extent. She does say on that video that you should be able to join up with donkeys. I think it is burros she is working with in the beginning of the video but I am not sure. Worth checking out.
Thanks everyone. I have watched the video and I think this weekend I will try join up and see how it comes out. Wouldnt hurt to try.