Donkey Saddle Traing Part 1

I've started Nick under saddle. I invite you to follow along with his progress. Please like and subscribe. And, as always, feel free to ask questions or add a comment below.
My goal is to establish trust while also instilling in Nick that he needs to respect me because I am the heard leader. It takes a year or so under normal circumstances for a donkey to be considered "finished". There are several variables of course. Nick was 3 years and 8 months old when we started his training. His mental maturity is a major factor in his training. He won't be considered mentally mature until the age of 5-7 years old. That effects how long we train and how he reacts to stress. Patience is key. That's why I like to take a slow, easy pace.
Positive/negative reinforcement: I've watched and learned from lots of trainers throughout my life. When it comes to using positive and negative reinforcement I feel there needs to be a balance. If a trainer relies on only one or the other there can be negative consequences. That's not to say a person attempting to use only positive reinforcement won't achieve their training goals. They can, but in some cases, it can take much longer. Donkeys that have had too much positive reinforcement can act like spoiled children especially if they've grown accustom to getting treats. The relationship between the wrangler and the donkey can sometimes resemble that of a dog and it's owner.
Using only negative reinforcement can create a flighty donkey with aggressive tendencies. They develop trust issues and can be dangerous. I adopted a donkey once that was roped in an arena and it will probably have issues with a lead rope for the rest of it's life. I also had a donkey that someone must have hit in the head. It took me two years to get her to understand I wasn't going to hit her.
Donkeys have an amazing memory so it's important to keep in mind what you are imprinting.

[@TucalotaLongears]

Donkeys have a memory better than or equal to elephants, they remember EVERY THING! Good or bad they remember it all. I had ran across a jennet yearling up at Bishop while we were there. I wanted to buy her but she was already sold. But that didn’t stop me from loving on her and giving her a treat or two while we were there for the week showing. 12 yrs later I go to look at another jennet when another donkey at the ranch saw me from way back on top of a hill. She must have recognized my voice and demeanor because she was hollering up a storm and came running to her gate to get as close as possible. I asked the owner her name and sure enough it was that same donkey I had my eye on so many years ago. The owner couldn’t do much if anything with her. Even trained to ride she locked up and became a donkey statute as soon as anyone tried to do something with her. Needless to say I was not leaving there without her. We had a connection that had stood for all those years so home she came. After a couple weeks settling in I saddled her up and rode her with no issues in the round pen so 30 minutes later we were off on trail enjoying adventures together. If you treat donkeys right they will bond and attach to you like a really good dog.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

That’s a great story. Thank you for sharing.

[@neverfind1]

Such a terrific video!! I love how you educate us and how respectful and gentle you are. You have a great relationhip with him which is first and key!!

[@jodyjohnsen]

I’m so glad there’s no breaking in this session. Even as a small child we saw the long term effects of forcing an animal. I never trusted the idiots who did that - one of them was my own father.

[@janetgroves2220]

he loves you ❤

[@natashaduman3417]

Thank you for posting so many helpful videos about donkeys. Donkeys are often misunderstood and underrepresented when it comes to them being riding companions.

[@sallydarling3660]

I my donkey was the best animal I ever saddled for the first time and has been a great trail riding donkey He is a Mammoth donkey and wears a dressage saddle

[@3llaRae]

Nick was so calm and patient! You did amazing 🤩

[@randybutler4772]

That’s a lot of ear to scratch but he loves it ! He seems to be doing so well for you. Thank you for sharing.🐴

[@jordanaraujo2579]

This was really interesting I don't know anything about farming or livestock or training animals and this was a great description. I didn't realize how gradual of a process it is. It seems like you do a great job.

[@Time2Token]

It's easy for some people naturally other learn

[@RAZGR1Z]

Great video and great advice

[@thewoodsoutdoorchannel]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.

[@kallasusort2986]

What a cute donkey - wonderful creatures and your kind to him.

[@woahemiee]

What a good boy!!! I grew up on a goat farm with loads of other animals including donkeys and I had a donkey named Mary that I used to hang out with when I was being bullied and she was the sweetest girl in the world. I never felt the way I feel about donkeys about horses. Their so big it's a little intimidating to me since I'm a rather short woman but even after I was kicked in the chest from a donkey I didn't blame her. This is a great video!!!

[@jaseg4054]

The saddle looks perfect how it looks

[@DiverseKitty]

Thanks for this video!

[@lynndellcox7078]

Good helpful information

[@kennethhudson8013]

Precious animals

[@sonnybobbie22]

this is great

[@user-mg6rq2uz2v]

You ar a good person

[@Reddylion]

Nice..

[@bobbenson5733]

Hi Eric. Thank you for the video and sharing your knowledge. Question: Do you do Join-up with donkeys as they do with mules and horses? That is round pen work with change of direction to establish herd leadership and build confidence in the animal? If not, what do you suggest for building confidence and relation in otherwise fearful, somewhat skidish donkey? Thank you again

[@tricknfa]

You ever try putting the saddle on the rail, let him smell it, even give him treats for a bag on it?

[@trashbarn]

Where do you buy you standard donkey walking halters (rope) & trail halter? Also I your packs are amazing! Thanks

[@TucalotaLongears]

I use regular stiff rope halters made for horses on my standard and mammoth donkeys. I find the stiff rope halters work best. With the nylon webbing halters they learn to push into them just like a harness and will drag you any where they want to go.

[@ForPropertyInvestors]

I want one vic Australia Grampians shire 2024!

[@aasish1611]

I love donkey

[@adirtyrat]

wow never thought about having to get on/off on right side

[@JennieSeifi]

You are absolutely wonderful. Do you have any resources as to where you got your gear - halter w/ the name, saddle pad appropriate for a donkey, saddle that fits a donkey, etc. I am having issues finding things that are donkey-sized (I have a standard) as everything is geared towards horses and I know on top of size difference, their bodies are built differently. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!

[@mountainridgegear8172]

I make a lot of donkey sized gear. (mountainridgegear.com) I use Queen Valley Mule Ranch saddles. the fit both my mammoth donkeys and my mules very well.

[@kennethhudson8013]

I really like those long ears

[@southernassets9606]

First thing I do with my donkeys is teeth also but I do try go with hackamore prior to using a bit

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Southern Assets I can talk about that in one of my videos. I’ve used hackamores but I haven’t seen a notable difference or reason I would use one over a snaffle bit.

[@the_gaming_pig2631]

That dog zoomen

[@anasbenhaddou6909]

Wow, the first time i heard about tha teeth thing. What is the purpose of that?

[@blackdogblue2161]

Which brand of saddle are you using?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Black Dog Blue Queen Valley Mule Ranch.

[@Turtisland]

4:10 that dog is cautious about something

[@joshguffey9584]

How old is he? I’ve got an old donkey that has been with the cows and treated like a cow for many years but now I want to ride her. She’s probably 10. We had a good session a few days ago on groundwork but I couldn’t catch her today. Am I doomed?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

I’ve trained a donkey that was with cows for years and see was also about. It’s very doable. Just be patient, she’s been doing her own thing for a long time. Nick turned 5 this past Christmas.

[@miabeaulieu3149]

I weight 90lbs do you think I would be too big to ride a 12hh donkey?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

You should be fine.

[@tg2963]

Anyone else see the dog in the back ground look like is was trying to pounce on something

[@stephanieramirez9151]

I seen a donkey list for $1 at Craigslist

[@pleveanonym]

Do they have to be castrated?

[@jennaholt6712]

How do you know if your standard donkey is large enough to saddle train and then ride?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Jenna Holt are you referring to age or size?

[@jennaholt6712]

More for size

[@mountainridgegear8172]

I’d say at least 14 hands for an adult not more than 190 pounds.

[@jennaholt6712]

Thanks so much!!!!

[@Scales556]

I tried riding my donkey Buttercup and,she did not go...She just backed up.(It scared me and thought that she was going too buck me of)

[@Juudit_ponies]

Donkeys back is not the same as horses, so you can not put a horse saddle on him/ her!

[@JoeLinux2000]

Are you rubbing his ears or behind the ears? He really seems to like that.

[@Southernpinesranch]

I'm getting my first set of donks to train for driving. I'm nervous as I've never had donks. Do you find them easier or harder than horses?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

You can train a donkey in a fraction of the time of a horse. But, you’ll need to go slow. Small changes grow into big improvements. Donkeys naturally pull so it’s not hard to teach them to drive. You’ll need solid ground skills first.

[@Layyy15]

I’ve heard many different opinions when it comes to riding donkeys some people say it’s abuse and some people say it’s not what do you think ?

[@Layyy15]

Or can you only ride them every so often and not everyday ?

[@alexk7973]

you can do the same things with them as with horses. 🤷🏻‍♀️ People just think of the little 10hh donkeys and think you‘ll be sitting on that, which would definitely be abuse, just like an adult shouldn‘t be sitting on a pony that size either. Also they think differently than horses, from what I understand. So you‘d have to work with someone knowledgeable in donkeys, not just horses...

[@teresahiggs4896]

You have to be sure that you aren’t too big/ heavy for the donkey ( or the donkey is too small for the rider) ….and the donkey is healthy and his hooves are ok. . But as long as all that’s ok, it’s not abuse. I grew up riding donkeys and mules.

[@NATHANFREDERICK-rs7yb]

where are the treats!?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Treats can create VERY bad habits.

[@sheldoncollin6291]

How tall is he?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

About 14.2

[@guardemdog]

Do they not need those teeth? Will it cause problems down the line? What about a hackamore?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

No, they don’t need wolf teeth. A hackamore is a bridle without a bit, operating by exerting pressure on the equine’s nose.

[@guardemdog]

@@mountainridgegear8172 I'm sorry, I do know what a hackamore is. I had 2 horses growing up that I used them on, that's why I brought them up. Can some be trained with a hackamore?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

@@guardemdog you can but since donkeys tend to brace against pressure you have to use a very light touch or you may end up in a ditch. 😄

[@maureen8930]

Why do you have to use bits why not just a harness I wouldn’t want a bit in my mouth 💕

[@bajadan2769]

It won't be bad at all once you get your wolf teeth pulled .

[@conniewolf7300]

The wolf teeth should have been pulled when he was gelded! And if you don't get that wad of tobacco out of your cheek you're gonna get mouth cancer! Sorry! I'm a nurse!😁

[@mountainridgegear8172]

An equine needs to be slightly sedated and standing to properly have dental work done. They need to be completely sedated and on the ground to be gelded. Two different procedures, hence the two different appointments. I don’t chew tobacco so….😂

[@dododode1200]

م ن 💄للتعرف من لايعرفك م ن يا 🎧🤞🏿🌏🫰🏿🪵 🎥🎞 45 🏏🌏✌️✌️

[@catherinebiggstaff3747]

I really admire this man and have bern following his other videos so i can learn from him But having a donkey^s terth removed so he can put a bit in his mouth justifies this saying he needs to control the donkey in an emetgency i just dont agree! He is using Pat Parelli' s method its his training hslter he uses and putting pressure on the lower part of the mose is accepted as being the most effective form of control rol. Poor Nick had his teeth drrawn only a weekt before....so he can have a but in his mouth. SPURS no justifucation fir their use. Pain and fear of pain and using a donkey's ecxellent memory of pain these are not training methods just plain cruelty....

[@FlipsideSystem]

A donkey's comfortable carrying capacity is 150 lbs despite what you've heard or read. Take their apprehension as a sign that they are communicating an intuitive physical resistance due to the pain they will endure but will not overly express because they are so gentle and submissive. Be careful with them, put them less to work, and offer them more of the freedom that they deserve. They are happy to help, but don't abuse this kindness. 🩷🩶🩷🫏🩷🩶🩷