AboutSue King Expertise I've owned saddle mules for over 25 years. After running a 30 stall boarding barn for horses, I established my farm, Brayer Hill Farm, producing National and World Champion saddle mules and standing two jacks to the public. I have also written and published articles concerning mules and maintain The Saddle Mule News online and serve as the Executive Secretary for The North Anerican Saddle Mule Association.
Experience I have 25 Years experience in owning, breeding for, raising, and showing quality Saddle Mules and own Brayer Hill Farm. In addition, I am a Charter Member of two National Mule Associations. I also publish The Saddle Mule News available online. www.saddlemulenews.com
Organizations
North American Saddle Mule Association (Executive Secretary),
American Gaited Mule Association,
American Donkey and Mule Socitey
Publications
The Brayer,
Mules and More, and
Owner/Publisher of The Saddle Mule News
Education/Credentials Under and Post Graduate work in Education.
Awards and Honors ADMS Farm Versatility, Hall of Fame
ADMS, Versatility Hall of Fame Winners,
ADMS Breeding Versatility Hall of Fame,
NASMA Registers of Merit , National and World Champion title winners.
Expert: Sue King Date: 5/16/2007 Subject: loading a donkey
Question I have a 3yr. old large standard donkey who refuses to load. I have tried everything I can think of to get her on the trailer but she will not!! she has even laid down so she would not have to load! If you can get me any ideas or tricks to get her to load I would be ever so thank-ful. I have places to take her this summer but the way she acts I cannot get her on a trailer. I have had her since she was 1yr old and she has not had a bad experience on a trailer, I have trailered her 3 times and every time was a drag out fight where she just shuts everything out and either lays down or she had to be dragged on the trailer. Donna ( the donkeys name) weighs 600 pounds. Please help!!
Denise
Answer Ah. Yes, the enjoyment of loading a donkey.
Everyone has had the problem with their donk. Your standard and my Mammoth are a little heavy for manhandling and carrying in. And when a donkey makes up his mind an act of Congress is not going to change his it.
However, she can change her mind herself. Patience, Patience, Patience. And, don't wait to load until you HAVE to be somewhere, but practice on a day when you have all day. And, I mean.........ALL day.
Start by bringing her up to the trailer as you usually do and tie her so she can see in. Then you become the busy bee.....in and out, look like your doing something important in there. Carry food or hay in and out passed her. Talk on your cell. But, do not try to load her. She is merely observing you going in and out, in and out in a very business like manner implying this is very important to do.
It might take ALL day, but eventully she'll be so curious she'll indicate she's interested. Since you know her the best, you'll know when that is. My jack talked to me. His vocalizations became louder the more I ignored him.
When she shows interest, give her verbal incouaragement, but don't try to load her. Make it pleasant and mysterious. Eventually, she won't be able to stand it (remember ALL day)and she'll get bored, hungry and thirsty eventually putting one foot in. When it's voluntary interest, ask her to put another foot in, then all of them. By this time you are tearing your hair out!
But, donkey lessons are best learned when the student is ready to learn. Her reason for her resistance seems obtuse to us, but she has her reasons, even how "donkey" they may seem. And no donkey has ever been bullied into doing something. That's horse herd mentality and donkeys don't get it. There is no etiquitte or protocol their herds. So they cannot bring that to training like a horse or dog.
When she does get in, tell her your happy and let her get out. DON'T TRAILER HER SOMEWHERE THAT DAY. Just in and out, in and out, despite the quisical looks you'll get from your neighbors. Take your time, you are building a behavior that may save her life someday. You can't get to the hospital if you can't load her. So..............do it right now.
Eventually, when she's decided it's her idea and it's profitable she'll be trooper. Donkeys tend to be mercenary. What's in it for me? That doesn't have to be food either. It can be time with you in the trailer, grooming in the trailer or whatever she finds to be a reward.
This might take a day or a month.
If this does not work for you get some help from someone, and apply pressure to the her halter by leading her in behind you. Don't pull. Just apply some uncomfortable pressure on the halter until she gives a little to release it. Then real in the lead just as much as she moved forward until you have the same amount of pressure and she moves forward to relieve it.
When she has to step up in the trailer, have the other person lift one foot and put it in. If she takes it out, put it in again. Don't try to put any more feet in or get in a knock down drag out with her because she'll win.
Now if neither of those work, you might get someone trained in John Lyons technique and pay them to teach her to load.
Donkeys are very smart. Their basic attitude to everything other than petting is, "You want me to do what? When? Why? Ummmmmmm I don't think so."
Because donkeys are not flight, but fight animals they make their own decisions. They have no one leader in their herds, they take turns. If they are presumed prey, many times the preditor has a big surprise because they will fight, and, very effectively. A burro jack can kill a puma. That's why they are used for predator control with sheep.
Since they don't understand leaders, you aren't one. Horses and dogs are very trainable because they understand they have to mind the herd or pack leader. They are hardwired to be followers. If we assume that leader position correctly, we can control their behavior without question.
Keep in mind if your donk was in the wild, she would NEVER make herself vulnerable by getting into a small dark cave or cavern. Why would she get in this stupid trailer thing?
However, with a donkey it's peaceful co-existance and a lot of coertion.
Your job is simple. Make them think it's their idea and you went along with it.
